If you are a student about to start looking for somewhere to live, this is the guide for you. It should help you through the whole house hunting process and give you all the information you need to make a Smart Move.
If you have specific housing needs and require further advice the Student Advice Centre is here to help. We have specialist housing advisers who can help at every stage of your housing journey, from checking over a new contract through to getting your deposit back when the tenancy ends.
Contact details for all services in Sheffield who can help you are at the back of this guide. Or, you can find lots more information about housing and everything else the Student Advice Centre does at: su.sheffield.ac.uk/advice-and-support
impactyourlifeinlotsofdifferentways.
Sheffieldisunlikemanyotherstudent cities,becausewehavemorestudent housesthantherearestudents.That meansthereʼsalwayssomeleftempty eachyear,soyouhavethetimeandspace tomakeacarefulchoice.Landlordsand lettingagentsoccasionallytrytopersuade youthattheoppositeistruetomakeyou signearlierthanneeded,butitʼsworth rememberingthatthepowerisinyour hands.
OurSheffieldStudentsʼUnionHousingFair takesplaceonWednesday16thNovember. WehaveworkedalongsideSheffieldCity Council,andSheffieldHallamStudentsʼ Union,tocreateasetofstandards:the ʻsnugstandardsʼ,whichareonlygivento landlordsandagentswhohave demonstratedgoodpracticeinthesector, andallofthelandlordsandagentsatthe fairmeetthesestandards.
Itʼsanexcellentopportunitytobrowsethe propertiesonoffer,andgettoknowthe reputations.YoucanthenspendDecember andJanuarydiscussingyouroptionswith yourpotentialhousemates.
Onethingyouwillneedtodiscussisbills. Giventherisingenergyprices,itʼsagood ideatoresearchdifferentenergyproviders tofindthebestdeal. Foradviceonyour situation,youcanalwaystakealookatour SUStudentAdviceCentrepagesonline,or getintouchwithouradvisorstotalk throughyourchoices.
Takecare,andIhopeyoufindtheright placeforyou.
SheffieldStudentsʼ UnionWelfare& Sustainability Officer2022-23
SamTimson
Once you sign, you cannot back out. Make sure you pick the right property and the best mix of housemates before signing on the dotted line.
Choose your housemates carefully
Most tenancies are for 12 months (usually 1st July - 30th June), that’s a long time! Take your time and be certain that your mix is right to ensure you have a happy home.
There is a surplus of properties in Sheffield, which means there are more properties than students, despite what some landlords and agents might say.
The more you see, the more properties you can compare against and find the right home for you.
It’s a legal requirement that any deposit you pay is protected. Not sure if it is? It might be time to get in touch with the Student Advice Centre.
This is a small difference that can mean a lot - Flick over to page 18 to find out the difference.
Bills included
This can be convenient but often it’s not the best value for money and you’ll pay a premium for the service. Both the
Student Advice Centre and Smart Move
Sheffield have handy guides on how to go it alone and save yourself some cash.
With the new Tenant Fees Act in place, there should be no fees to pay. If you do hand over any money, make sure you get a receipt and clarify in writing, what the money is for and the terms for it being refundable. If you’re not sure, walk away.
This is more common than you’d think. Getting the above right before you go to your guarantor can be a big help.
Using a letting agent?
Ask who will manage the property. Some agents offer a ‘let only’ service and if this is the case once you’ve signed on the dotted line you’ll never see them again.
Most students will go house hunting as a part of a group, this could be your current flatmates, coursemates or a new partner. This is a really important part of the house hunting process. Most tenancies are for a fixed term and you can’t back out once you’ve signed up. If you only moved to Sheffield in September, do you really know the people you plan to live with?
Where should you start? First, be honest with yourself. What’s your budget? Are you really going to catch a bus to get to your lectures when it’s dark, cold and raining in November?
Once you know your own position think about those you’re planning on living with, ask yourself;
Are we compatible? This covers everything and there are some great tips from the Welfare Committee below.
Do I live with a new partner? If you’ve only been together for a short while you should think seriously before you consider taking the plunge of moving in together. Are they financially sound? Signing for a property will be one of the more expensive parts of your time in Sheffield. If your future housemate is the type of person who blows their student finance as soon as it dropsYou might want to think again before signing a five figure contract with them (especially if the tenancy is a joint one!)
If you are a single person looking for somewhere, don’t worry! There’s a surplus of accommodation in Sheffield and there are some great deals to be had for those who are going it alone. There are always spare rooms available in shared properties as people’s individual circumstances change or you’ve got the Welfare Committee Housemate Finder events to meet people too!
If you like getting started early in the day, being woken up by housemates coming back from nights out will be a pain! If you love going out a lot, you might prefer to live with people who like late night socialising.
Housemates very often argue about cleaning up. Make sure you chat to potential housemates about cleaning habits, e.g. how frequently is reasonable to have a big clean?
People have different expectations about how much rent should cost. Talk to your potential housemates about how much you’re willing to pay for rent and whether you’d prefer to have bills included.
Housemates often fall out over now much money they should spend on bills. Talk about whether you’d rather pay more for heating and be more comfortable or wrap up and save money.
Some people prefer living with a large group while others feel more comfortable in a smaller crowd. Bear in mind that there’s more choice of housing for groups of 4 or 5.
Your first port of call when looking for accommodation should be Smart Move Sheffield.
Located on Level 3 in the Students’ Union building, operated in partnership between The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Students’ Union you can search for properties, get information and housing tips, as well as set up alerts so new properties are emailed directly to your inbox as soon as they go live.
All properties advertised with Smart Move Sheffield have to meet the Snug standard (you can find out more below) which means that they have to meet a higher property, safety and management standard to give you extra peace of mind.
Snug. This is the Student Accommodation standard operated by Sheffield City Council; in partnership with both Universities and Students’ Unions in Sheffield. Properties which are a part of Snug will have been inspected by a Council Housing Officer and assessed for fire and electrical
safety, security and much more. The letting agent and/or landlord also has to abide by the Snug Management standards
Look out for Snug certified properties and don’t be afraid to ask letting agents and landlords if their property is Snug. The Snug logo should be on their website and if you’re ever in any doubt the team at Smart Move Sheffield will be able to put your mind at rest.
You can find out more about Snug on the Sheffield City Council website; sheffield.gov.uk/snug
University Accommodation. Many students will live in University-owned accommodation in their first year, but did you know it’s also an option for the rest of your time at the University of Sheffield. There are a variety of options across Ranmoor, Endcliffe and the City, as well as a number of shared houses.
You can express an interest in University accommodation from November onwards and find out more about what properties are available at the Housing Fair or by visiting their website sheffield.ac.uk/ accommodation.
If you’re ever in any doubt the team at Smart Move Sheffield will be able to put your mind at ease.
Landlords and Letting Agents. Some Landlords will advertise, let and manage their properties themselves, others use letting agents to let and/ or manage their properties. Before you sign, make sure you know what the arrangements are for your future home.
There are lots of letting agencies in Sheffield who specialise in student housing. Many have offices close to the University, there’s lots in Broomhill. If you’re curious as to what your year will be like with a specific landlord or letting agent, do some research and see what their reviews online are like. It’s often that simple!
Agents must be a member of a redress scheme and abide by a code of practice. If things do go wrong, this means you can complain to the redress scheme and even get compensation if you have a problem with a member agent.
As a part of the scheme, the Agent should display the logo of the scheme they belong to in their office and on their website.
Fees. The Tenant Fees Act 2019Sounds boring, right? It could actually save you some money!
This handy piece of legislation abolished the requirement to pay any fees when you sign for a property. The act does permit some fees (many of which are capped) but some of the more common ones such as reference fees, administration fees and credit check fees are all banned.You can check which fees are allowed and which are banned on the Shelter England website. Things such as holding and tenancy deposits are still permitted but the value that can be charged is now capped.
If you do hand over any money, be sure to get a receipt and have in writing the terms under which you’ll be able to get it back - This saves any arguments as to what this money was for, or even if it was paid in the first place!
Guarantors. You may be asked to supply a guarantor to secure a property. A guarantor is somebody who is asked to guarantee that the rent is paid on time and would become financially liable if you didn’t pay. Usually, this will be a parent and some letting agents and landlords ask that they’re UK based.
If you can’t provide this, for example, if you are an international student, you may be asked to make a large payment of rent in advance which can be difficult to do.
The University of Sheffield has an Accommodation Guarantor Scheme for second and third year students for properties that are registered with Smart Move Sheffield, you can find out more about this on the SSiD website; sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/finance/ags
The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Student Union also endorse a company called Your Guarantor. It can provide guarantees to both International and Home students for a small fee.
Right to Rent Checks. All landlords are legally required to verify the immigration status of all prospective
tenants or lodgers before they can rent their property to you.
Some properties, such as purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) and University-owned accommodation, are exempt.
You can request a ‘Right to Rent Letter’ from SSiD to give to your new landlord or letting agent, this is often much easier than having to produce your passport.
It is illegal for a landlord or letting agent to discriminate against you on the grounds of race, colour, gender or sexual orientation. If you believe this has happened please contact the Student Advice Centre as soon as you can.
Luckily all popular student areas are relatively close to the University and it shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes to walk to lectures or make your way home after a night out at the Students’ Union. There are also great public transport links.
Below is a brief guide to the most popular student areas and you can also use the map to see where they are in relation to the main University Campus.
QUIETER WITH MORE LOCALS. GREAT COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND SOME INDEPENDENT SHOPS.
MAINLY SHARED HOUSES 3+ TYPICAL RENT £ 60-70 + BILLS.
CITY CENTRE & WEST STREET
CLOSE TO THE UNIVERSITY WITH ALL THE AMENITIES OF THE CITY CENTRE CLOSE AT HAND.
MAINLY PURPOSE BUILT STUDENT ACCOMMODATION, EN-SUITE FLATS OR STUDIOS RENTS ARE HIGH £105 TO £140 PER WEEK PER PERSON. MAY INCLUDE BILLS.
VERY CLOSE TO CAMPUS AND THE CITY. MIX OF STUDENTS AND LOCALS. SOME FLATS £100+ OR LARGER SHARED HOUSES 5+ TYPICAL RENT £70-£90 + BILLS.
MAINLY SHARED HOUSES 5 + TYPICAL RENT £75-£95 + BILLS.
FANTASTIC PARKS. GREAT FOR SHOPPING, RESTAURANTS AND BARS.
MAINLY SHARED HOUSES 3-4+ TYPICAL RENTS £65-£80 + BILLS.
FULL OF GREAT RESTAURANTS WITH EVERY CUISINE IMAGINABLE! MORE POPULAR WITH HALLAM STUDENTS, SOME HALLS (£100+) AND SHARED HOUSES 3 & 4+ RENT £60-80 + BILLS.
Typical rent: £80 to £90 per week + bills.
• Is an area increasing in popularity due to its central location. It’s around 5-15 minutes walk from most University buildings and West Street. You can access amenities in the City Centre, Broomhill and Ecclesall Road easily from the area.
• Mainly terraced houses for small and large groups.
Typical rent: £95 to £105 per week + bills.
• Is an area growing in popularity with students. Has local shops but the main attraction is proximity to the main campus.
• There is a mix of accommodation, including shared houses but also purpose built student halls and apartments.
Typical rent: £85 to £95 per week + bills.
• Is an area with a mixture of students, young professionals and families. There are popular local shops, pubs and cafes and it is 20-25 minutes walk from the University. It is a little cheaper and quieter than Crookesmoor due to it being a little further from uni. Regular buses serve the area and pass the University into the City Centre.
• Mainly terraced houses for groups of three to five people.
Typical rent: £85 to £95 per week + bills.
• Is a very popular area for University of Sheffield students. There is a good range of local shops and amenities, and it is 10-15 minutes walk from most uni buildings.
• Mainly terraced houses for small and large groups
Do not rush into taking the first place that you see, view a selection of properties and take your time. There’s a viewing checklist on Page 17 to help you get the most out of your viewings.
Do your research beforehand so you are prepared; Compare prices and standards with different landlords and letting agencies.
What are the essentials for you and your future housemates?
Familiarise yourself with the photos, are they accurate?
If you’re viewing as a part of a group, make sure everyone views the property and agrees that it is suitable before a contract is signed or you pay a deposit.
For your own safety, never view a property alone and preferably visit the property in daylight so you can have a good look around the outside and the area in general.
If the current tenants are home, take
the opportunity to ask them any questions you have and ask them if there’s anything you need to know. This may be difficult if the landlord or letting agent is present but tenants can usually warn you of any pitfalls or reassure you that it would be a good move.
Thinking about bills? Ask to see the Energy Performance Certificate or EPC. This will tell you how energy efficient the property is. As a general rule, you should allow £15 per person, per week to cover utilities.
The Students Union is encouraging students to leave reviews, good and bad on marksoutoftenancy.com, check to see if the property you’re viewing is listed and what other students have said about it.
Viewing top tips Be confident when you go on a viewing, if you’ve done your research this should be easy!
Ask plenty of questions - Don’t be afraid to make notes, when viewing multiple houses they will all merge into one in your mind! (the notes app on your phone is great for this!)
Can you view all the rooms? If not, why not?
Agree something on your viewing or ask a question and the landlord/letting agent isn’t sure of the answer? Follow up with an email, just in case they *ahem* ‘forget’...
Viewing online? Can you screen record the viewing to go back to later?
Here are some of the things you should consider when looking for your perfect home:
Property 1
Property 2
Is the property Snug-approved?
Who manages the property? Is it the agent, landlord or someone else?
Do you know the start and end dates of the tenancy?
Is the roof and exterior in good repair?
Is there a garden? Who maintains it?
Is there double glazing / are the windows in good condition?
Are inside walls free from damp, mould and cracks?
Is there adequate heating in all rooms?
Are there any signs of problems with the plumbing, leaking pipes etc?
Check what furniture will be provided, does any of the furniture belong to the current tenants?
Are there enough plug sockets for everybody?
Is there any working fire detection equipment, such as fire/smoke alarms and a fire blanket in kitchen?
Does the property have a working burglar alarm?
Are all the external doors solid?
Do the downstairs windows have locks?
Is there a deposit? If so, how much? Who protects it?
Are you being asked to pay any more fees?
(Lots of fees were banned under the Tenant Fees Act!)
Are utilities included? If yes, is there a cap?
Prop 1 Prop 2 Prop
3
Contracts are legally binding; if you sign for a property and then decide you want to leave you will still have to pay the rent until you find a replacement. Most reasonable landlords will give you a copy of the contract to look over and have checked. Without rushing you into signing it.
Top Tip: Get your contract checked at the Student Advice Centre or take a look at our online Contract Checklist.
What is the difference between a single or joint tenancy agreement?
If you sign a single tenancy agreement then you will only ever be responsible for your share of the rent (it’ll only have your name at the top!)
If you sign a joint tenancy agreement then the landlord can hold you and your housemates jointly responsible
for any unpaid rent. Want a single tenancy rather than a joint tenancy? If you ask the landlord or letting agent you can often negotiate this. Before you put pen to paper, check that the contract includes the following essential details;
• The landlord’s name, address and telephone number or other emergency contact
• The name of every tenant
• The address of the property
• If you are in a group and the contract you are signing is a joint tenancy for the whole property, it is not necessary to specify individual rooms. If you are signing separate contracts, rooms should be specified.
• The start date of the contract and if it is fixed term, the length of the contract and/or the end date. Most student private sector housing contracts are fixed term. This means they last for a fixed period of time, typically twelve months.
• The amount of rent, what
is included in the rent (if bills are included is there a cap?) and frequency and method of payments. Check when the first rent instalment is due, this can be before you move in!
• Paying a deposit? Then the details of any deposit paid and the Deposit Protection Scheme which the landlord/agent uses should also be included.
Landlords and letting agents are obliged by law to provide a copy of the ‘How to Rent Checklist’ at the time you sign your contract. This contains lots of information from the UK Government about renting in the UK.
Further Deposit information can be found at:
If the landlord promises to improve the house, for example, redecorate before you move in, ask for this to be written into the contract. Try to agree on a deadline date for the work and what will happen if the work is not completed on time. This could be compensation or provision of alternative accommodation if you are unable to move in. Do not rely on verbal agreements. This is very important if the property is currently under construction or undergoing a major refurbishment
The
