Halls to Home Guide

HALLS TO

HOME

All you need to know about moving from halls to your student house!

CONTENTS

WELCOME

SUBU is running a Halls to Home campaign led by your VP Community. This guide will hopefully give you some reassurance when moving in to your new student house and living in the local community whilst you are at Bournemouth University.

SUBU wants you to feel comfortable living in Bournemouth throughout your time here, and knowing the small details will go a long way to make life easier for you.

Remember if in doubt about anything, you can contact SUBU Advice (2nd Floor Student Centre Talbot and Ground Floor Bournemouth House), and the Community Team (2nd Floor Student Centre) Shelter is an organisation located in Bournemouth town that are also great for advice with landlords.

4 - Inventory and rental deposits

21 - SUBU Community Volunteering

5 - Rental Deposits and Deposit Protection

22 - Register to Vote - Find a GP/Dentist

6 - Inventory checklist

23 - Meningitis and Septicaemia - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

8 - You and Your Landlord’s Responsibilities/ Rights

24 - Fire Advice

10 - Bills

25 - Student Community Wardens

12 - Bins and Recycling

26 - Safer Neighbourhood Team

13 - Damp and Mould

27 - SUBU Advice

14 - Friends and Neighbours

28 - Housing for next year

15 - Noise Abatement Notices

29 - Moving out

16 - Travel

30 - The Big Give

18 - Safety and Burglary Prevention

32 - Last top tips - Useful Contacts

20 - Getting involved with your community

INVENTORIES AND RENTAL DEPOSITS An inventory is a list of everything in the property and has been provided by your landlord. It should be done within a week of moving into the property from tenancy start date!

All these steps avoid disputes over deposits when you move out, because it proves the condition of the property when you moved in.

Before signing the inventory check it carefully, make sure you include every chip, mark, damage within the house which isn’t listed on the inventory your landlord has provided - BE THOROUGH!

It also includes recordings of:

• • • •

• • •

Furniture Carpets Curtains Appliances such as washing machine and tumble dryer

Remember!

https://england.shelter.org.uk/__data/ assets/pdf_file/0004/23359/Inventory. pdf

Make sure you include photos and send them to your landlord or agent to agree.

Ask an independent witness (someone who doesn’t live in the property) to sign it.

Make sure you inform your landlord that you have made the inventory (if you do not have your landlord’s contact details, speak to your agency).

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PHOTOS! PHOTOS! PHOTOS! Photographs of how your house looked at the start of the year, are key to getting your deposit back at the end of the year.

Then send a copy of it all to your landlord and make sure you keep a copy.

•

Landlord MUST protect your deposit by a government backed scheme such as MyDeposits and provide you with information on this within 30 days of receiving your deposit.

•

If it is not protected your landlord can be fined or or make it hard for them to end your tenancy.

•

Each deposit protection scheme has has an alternative dispute resolution service which is free and aims to resolve issues without going to court.

• If you are in a dispute over deposit write to any one of these schemes in which your deposit is protected and they can offer a resolution. Your deposit is yours until proved otherwise.

Damages Marks Worn furniture before moving in

Your landlord must provide one for when you move in at the start of your tenancy as usually you only have 7 days to fill an inventory out before it becomes invalid. If your landlord does not provide one, make the inventory yourself. Templates can be found on the shelter website:

• Your landlord can reduce the amount you receive back based on house losses e.g. damages.

• You do not have to pay for your deposit to be protected.

(Speak to your landlord if you are moving in after the tenancy start date).

Example of items:

• If you’ve paid all the rent due and caused no damage (backed up with evidence from your inventory at the start of the year) your full deposit will be returned to you at end of your tenancy.

RENTAL DEPOSITS AND DEPOSIT PROTECTION • A tenancy deposit is a fee you pay which gives your landlord protection against you leaving the property without paying rent or for any damage you cause.

•

non home students that they will need to provide a UK based guarantor when they sign up for a property. If they do not know anyone in the UK who can guarantee their rent they will either have to pay their whole rent in full at the beginning of the contract, sometimes landlords allow quarterly payments but it is still a substantial sum of money they will need to find.

•

Alternatively they could use www.housinghand.co.uk/ who will act as a guarantor for them. They do charge a fee for this service.

If in doubt, speak to the Student Advice Centre www.subu.org.uk/advice

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INVENTORY CHECKLIST

CHECK THAT:

1

You change your address with your bank, BU, Student Finance and anything else you can think of if it bothers you not having mail sent to your term time address.

2

Record gas and electricity meters and a water meter if you have one (maybe record them on your inventory) a key should be given to you to check the meter readings (this prevents you being charged extra for your bills).

3

Make a note of bin days – in Bournemouth there’s three types of bins (general, waste, recycling, and food waste) Ask your neighbours, or check on the Bournemouth Council website, if you’re unsure.

4

Make sure you know where your deposit is being held under which deposit protection scheme and by law you should be told within 30 days of your landlord receiving your deposit.

5

Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitor if you have one (it’s a legal requirement to have working smoke alarms) record it on the inventory if you don’t have one and inform agent/landlord immediately. Since 1 October 2015, new regulations have required landlords to ensure the fire safety of their tenants, as well as offer protection against carbon monoxide poisoning.

TICK ALL 6 BOXES

1

Complete inventory within 7 days of tenancy start date

2

Make yourself an inventory if you don’t have one and inform your landlord by EMAIL as evidence for not being provided one.

3

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Check your inventory thoroughly! Make sure all furniture and appliances are accounted for within the property placed in the correct place, e.g. count the number of bowls, cups and plates in the cupboard, and that scratches/ marks on walls and furniture are noted, and stains and marks on carpets and flooring that were there before you moved in. IF YOU DON’T STATE EVERYTHING OR SOMETHING IS INCORRECT YOU MAY BE CHARGED AT THE END.

4

Sign and date the Inventory with an independent witness to sign and date too.

6

Make sure you have a current gas safety certificate, to show that the boiler has been fitted safely and is in working order, in house of multiple occupancy (HMO) it’s a legal requirement to have an energy performance certificate too. Gas safety checks must be completed every year.

5

Take photos of absolutely everything! Every mark, every scuff, every tear and attach them with the date and sign it to your inventory checklist.

7

Introduce yourself to neighbours, it’s polite, and they’ll appreciate it, exchange numbers, keep on each other’s good side if you have any parties. By having your number they can contact you rather than the Uni if they have issues with noise and vice versa for you to them.

6

Send the inventory back to the landlord (keeping a copy of everything for yourself), if you don’t ,it will be assumed you accept what it says (do this within 7 days of tenancy).

8

Remove your letting board and let agent know. There’s no legal requirement to have it up, leaving them up highlights you as a student house.

ONCE YOU’VE MADE THESE CHECKS, THEN YOU’RE GOOD TO GO AND ENJOY YOURSELF IN YOUR NEW HOME, KNOWING YOU’VE DONE EVERYTHING TO BE SAFE, AND IN CONTROL :)

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YOU AND YOUR LANDLORD’S RESPONSIBILITIES/ RIGHTS LANDLORD RESPONSIBILITIES: •

Give tenants 24 hours’ notice if they want to visit the property. (except for in emergencies-i.e. gas leak, flood ,fire)

•

Carry out repairs in a reasonable time once notified by the tenant.

•

Take responsibility for general maintenance.

•

Meet required safety standards e.g. providing smoke alarms/gas safety certificates.

•

Protect your deposit with a government approved scheme.

•

Landlord is not allowed to end your tenancy without following correct procedures.

•

Cannot change the terms of your tenancy agreement without all parties agreeing.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES: •

Paying rent/ bills on time (otherwise you could be charged extra).

•

Taking care of the property e.g. prevent damages, mould accumulating.

•

Sticking to the tenancy agreement.

•

Giving the landlord access to the property, so long as 24 hours’ notice has been given.

•

Take the reasonable steps to remove mould.

•

Inform your landlord quickly about repairs that are needed . to prevent the problem getting worse. It is always useful to inform the landlord in writing so no-one can claim ignorance of the problem.

USEFUL LINKS http://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/downloads_and_tools/housing_ advice_factsheets

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BILLS Your main household or utility bills will be:-

Your Water Bills in Bournemouth Explained

• • • •

In Bournemouth there are usually two water suppliers, Bournemouth Water and Wessex Water. Bournemouth Water deals with your tap water, Wessex Water deals with sewage and waste.

You’ll need to pay both. Wessex Water usually sends a bill after Bournemouth Water. If you live in Poole or parts of Wallisdown, you’ll only have Wessex Water as your supplier usually.

House rent Sewage Water Gas

• Electricity • Internet • Food shopping

(Note – as a student you are Council Tax exempted) When it comes to bills here are some useful links recommended by SUBU Advice: www.savethestudent.org/ accommodation/guide-to-studentenergy-bills.html www.savethestudent.org/student-bills

• The gas meter for your house will be a small white box on the wall, and you will need to check with whoever manages the property, that you have an allen key to open the box and read the meter.

• The water meter will either be outside, under a small metal or plastic box next to the path, or on the wall, or inside where the main supply enters the house, quite often under the kitchen sink.

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person’s bank account.

When it comes to bills you have to judge it on what is best for you, and make sure you come to an agreement with your housemates on how they will be paid. If you do have any problems seek SUBU Advice drop in Monday-Friday 2-4pm. www.subu.org.uk/advice

BILL SAVING – TOP TIPS • Switch off all electrical items and lights when not in use rather than leaving them on standby.

Bills come regularly, either quarterly, or monthly, throughout the year. You will receive a letter from the bill provider, stating the start date of when they will be charging you for services. Make sure this is the same as the date you moved in to the property and that you’re not paying any extra for usage by the previous occupants of the house.

• Put lids on pans when cooking, and turn the heat down. They will cook food quicker and save energy.

Finding your Meters

• Check the thermostat and timer, to make sure you are only heating the property when you are in it. No point in spending money on heating the house, when you are all at Uni in lectures. The thermostat should be between 18 and 21 degrees, to prevent mould.

Take note of your meter readings, as the provider will usually estimate your readings on the bill, and may be charging you for more than you have actually used.

• The electricity meter is usually in a cupboard in the hallway of the house.

that you know to expect letters from them. Have them change the name to yours and your house mates for liability.

However, make sure someone takes the responsibility of ensuring the bill is paid, but having everyone’s name on the bill will share liability. You may choose to have a join bank account or choose to put the money in one

Bill suppliers will probably send letters about how to pay your bills by direct debit. It is up to you how you decide to pay your bills and you can always seek advice from Shelter or SUBU Advice if you are unsure.

There are special companies are available to help you manage your bills, where they distribute the bill equally to you and your house mates. However be careful with bill sharing opportunities as you’ll all be accountable for one. For example, if the company over estimated (which is often the case) and took more money from you than necessary.

Ask your Landlord, or whoever manages the property you’re renting from, who your bill suppliers are so

• Only boil enough kettle water for your cup of tea, rather than fill the whole kettle.

• Close windows to keep the heat in.

• Put a jumper on, or snuggle under a blanket, rather than turn the heating up.

• Take showers rather than baths, and use a timer to reduce water usage and lower water bills. 5 minutes for a shower.

• Report dripping taps and get them fixed.

KITCHEN ITEMS Don’t rush out before coming back to university, and buy a load of brand new kitchen items for your house. Wait until you have moved in, and met with your house mates, to see if things such as kettles, crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils are already in the kitchen.

These may have been provided by the landlord, or left by the previous tenants.

If you do need to buy kitchen items, then you can hold a house meeting, and if you all agree, you could have a kitty, and share the costs of buying any items you need.

It’s better to wait until you move in, than everyone turn up with brand new kettles!!!!

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BINS AND RECYCLING

DAMP AND MOULD

Knowing when your bins are collected will give you confidence in living independently It is important to know when your rubbish collections are, and that you recycle responsibly and regularly so that you are contributing to a more sustainable way of processing your waste.

Little bin which goes to landfill is collected every fortnight.

Alternating with the Big bin, which goes to recycling every fortnight.

Brown bin which is for food waste only gets collected every week.

You can check your bin collection dates on the Bournemouth Council webpage.

Alternate, fortnightly bin collections promote better recycling, knowing that the landfill (little) bin only gets emptied once a fortnight, will force everyone to think about what can go in the recycling (big) bin instead.

If you do not bring your bin in on the same day, after the rubbish has been collected, you could get fined £60!!!

You can check for details of what sort of waste can be thrown in to which bin on the Bournemouth Council website.

It is really important you put the right waste in the right bin. Putting food waste in the dry mixed recycling will contaminate the waste, and result it in ended up in landfill instead. So, just take a minute to think which bin you should use. wwThe less that goes to landfill; the better.

Areas elsewhere such as Poole and Wallisdown will have different collection times, so if you are unsure contact your local council or speak to your neighbours.

If you're in a large house with one bin you can request another one from the council, the landlord should pay!

More information is on Bournemouth council website.

www.poole.gov.uk/environment/recycling-rubbish-waste/ refuse-and-recycling-collection-and-disposal/

Mould is extremely common in all houses; it’s usually caused by condensation.

Sometimes it can be the landlord’s responsibility (in which case you can speak to SUBU Advice they can point you in the direction of environmental health) if it is caused by poor insulation of the property and they can act against mould in your property for you by: •

Providing a dehumidifier.

•

Installing adequate ventilation

Follow these tips to prevent mould: •

Increase ventilation (open windows use extractor fans provided)

•

Close the kitchen door when cooking

•

Cover boiling pans with a lid

•

Keep doors shut when showering and bathing. Use the extractor fan and open the window

•

Dry clothes and washing outside in the garden, or in a room with an open window.

•

Keep the heating on a low constant temperature during winter and only when you are at home this eliminates cold surfaces which attract condensation, and won’t increase your bills because a room is more ex pensive to heat from cold.

•

Move large items away from walls e.g. wardrobe.

•

Buy mould killer/ bleach and a sponge and wipe off the mould on walls, catch it before it spreads You will need to keep up the maintenance of this. If you ventilate properly and keep using the bleach it will stop mould from growing back.

www.bournemouth.gov.uk/BinsRecycling/BinCollections/BinCollections. aspx If you’re struggling with your bins and fitting things in your small bin ring

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01202 451199 or email recycle@bournemouth.gov.uk

Use local charity shops to donate your unwanted items such as books and clothes. At the end of the year, look out for THE BIG GIVE, to help you reuse/recycle items you no longer need, but have use elsewhere.

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FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS •

Winton and Charminster both have a high student population, as well as local people with families, and elderly people who may have been living in the community before the university was built.

•

When you are pre drinking or having house parties remember that many of your neighbours are not on the same schedule as you, and will have to get up early for work the next day, or have children trying to sleep on a school night.

•

Neighbours might have had a bad experience with students in the past and may have a preconceived perception of them. So be the first to make effort, introduce yourself, show a friendly face and and help change attitudes towards students. A small introduction will really pay off in future if you want to have a party.

•

When a group of you are leaving your house to go to a club, plan who is going to travel in which taxi beforehand or have the discussion inside your house, try not to congregate out onto the street late at night.

•

By being a good neighbour, your neighbours will probably return the favour to you.

•

Don’t be shy when meeting housemates for the first time, and remember that they might be shy, so be brave and introduce yourself straight away.

Get to know each other, try and arrange an outing, or social event together, or do an activity that helps you bond. It will set off a good vibe in your house for the rest of the year.

NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICES (N.A.N.) It is incorrect to think that you will only receive a Noise Abatement Notice, or NAN, for making consistent nuisance noise between 11pm and 7am. If you make consistent nuisance noise at any time of the day, you can be served with a Noise Abatement Notice or NAN, by the local council, if someone makes a formal complaint about the noise.

Once you are served with a NAN, if you breach the noise abatement within 90 days, you could even end up in court and possibly end up with a criminal record.

YOU COULD EVEN HAVE THINGS LIKE SPEAKERS AND EQUIPMENT CONFISCATED FROM YOUR STUDENT HOUSE AND EVEN GET FINED UP TO £5000!!!!!.

It is also worth knowing that when a NAN is served, it will include every single tenant occupying the house.

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ACTIVE TRAVEL

TRAVEL

Walking for 30 minutes burns between 90 and 120 calories, to and from Uni! So why not get fit and save the environment. There are plenty of free fitness apps that you can download on to your phone, which will measure your steps, and calories.

Cycling is a good green option. You may want to consider getting a bike and cycling into campus. You can loan a subsidised bike from Hope “ Cycle in Winton, for a term, or the academic year. There are secure bike sheds, showers and lockers on campus, and if you speak to BU Main Reception at Poole House, you can get your student card activated to get access to the campus cycle facilities. Make sure you have a D-lock for your bike when you lock it up. Subsidised D-locks can be purchased from the Student Shop, in Poole House at the Talbot Campus.

For more information about cycling see www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/students/ services-campus/cycling.

BUSES Travelling around Bournemouth is easy, as the transport is frequent, and there are buses that operate up and down Charminster and Winton to the centre of town, an both campuses.

You can take advantage of subsided bus offers through the UNIBUS key card.

This card will give you access to all UNIBUS and more bus zone a services, including the U1, U2, U3, U4, M1, M2, 13, 14, 15, and 17. You can get student discount with your student card on all UNIBUS and more bus services.

See http://www.unibuses.co.uk/ more information.

Yellow Bus Uni Line services all go directly to Talbot Campus. You can get student discount with your student card on these services. See

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www.bybus.co.uk/.

TAXI SUBU has an emergency taxi scheme in partnership with United Taxis, so if you find yourself stuck in town after a night out, you can always get home safely. If you have no money, you can hand your student card to the taxi driver. You can then collect your Student Card from SUBU Reception at a later date, and pay the amount for the taxi journey. www.556677.com/

CARS AND PARKING The streets of Winton and Charminster are very busy, with lots of vehicles, and not much off-road parking. You do not need to bring a car to Bournemouth or Poole to get about. If you can, try and leave your car back in your home town.

If you did need to hire a car, the local Co-Wheels Car Club enables you to hire for a minimal charge, so you only pay for the car when you use it.

See http://www.co-wheels.org.uk/ bournemouth/.

If you do need to bring your car to Uni, check how much off road parking space is available at your student house, and find out if anyone else is bringing their car. If you have to park in the street by your student house, make sure you are parked legally, and that you are not blocking access to other peoples driveways, or that your car wheels are not up on the pavement, blocking access to pedestrians and wheelchair users. Students living in Winton and Charminster would not qualify for a parking permit to park on campus. For further details of campus parking criteria have a look on the BU website or go to the following link www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/students/ services-campus/parking.

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SAFETY AND BURGLARY PREVENTION

On a night out, always stick with your friends, plan how you’re going to get home, and don’t take unlicensed taxis.

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Student Houses can often stand out as easy targets for burglary, so to help prevent this you can do simple things like:

•

Keep the front door of your house looking tidy can help this as well as prevent stigma towards students.

•

Ask to take your letting board down (this doesn’t need to be there and makes it obvious as a student property.

•

Lock all windows and doors before you go out, and don’t assume that your other housemates will do it.

•

Draw the curtains and leave a light on. Burglars will not be able to see your brand new Mac Book through the window, and by leaving the light on, it will look like you are at home.

•

Have home insurance, Endsleigh Insurance specialises in insuring students.

•

The Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) are local police that patrol Bournemouth, feel free to speak to them on further advice. They can also help you tag any of your valuables with a UV pen for security.

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GETTING INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

care about the town.

•

Winton East has three councillors; Conservative - Pat Oakley and Don McQueen and Bournemouth’s first ever green councillor Simon Bull, they all have close links to BU and SUBU but can also lobby estate agents and SUBU can liaise with them to tackle housing issues.

Alternatively you can write to them if you have any queries.

• Find them at: www.bournemouth. gov.uk/CouncilDemocratic/ Councillors

• You may only live here for a couple of years so throw yourself into the community and make change in your local area, own it!

• Winton Action Group is a residents group that meet every month to discuss what is currently going on in Winton. Representatives from SUBU and BU attend to talk about current community matters. You can also attend! Find out when the next one is, email SUBU’s VP Community at

suvpcommunity@bournemouth.ac.uk

SUBU COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING Community Volunteering is a brilliant way to get experience in an area you’re interested in and make a difference to the local community! It’s a great way to make friends and meet inspiring people.

SUBU OFFERS: •

•

With two university campuses and several language colleges, there are thousands of students living all over Bournemouth mainly in the two suburbs of Winton and Charminster.

In Winton there are plenty of value stores such as Lidl, 99p Stores, Wilkinson’s and serveral charity shops .• In Charminster there are plenty of bars and cafes, and both suburbs

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.

•

are within walking distance of Talbot campus and with good transport links to Lansdowne campus and the centre of town Winton is home to many students but it also has a lot of families who have lived there for years, it is a close knit community with local residents keen to make the area as good as possible. Bournemouth feels friendly and safe largely because of how much residents

•

5 - Minute Volunteering on both campuses

•

Weekly student led projects e.g. wildlife conservation, beach cleaning, painting murals in local schools to name a few.

Find out more info:

One off MAD Days at various locations in Bournemouth and Dorset.

SUBU Volunteering Facebook page Or pop up and see us on 2nd floor Student Centre Talbot

•

www.subu.org.uk/Subuvolunteering

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REGISTER TO VOTE

MENINGITIS AND SEPTICAEMIA Meningitis and Septicaemia often happen together. Be aware of the signs and symptoms, which can appear in any order or may not appear at all:-

•

Register to vote in the local elections and have your say about key decisions that could affect you.

•

You must register each time you move in to a new property.

•

The process to register is simple, and only takes 2 minutes online.

www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

FIND A GP/DENTIST

Headache

Drowsiness

Confusion

Pale Blotchy Skin

Seizures

Dislike of Lights

Stiff Neck

Spots/Rash (does not fade under pressure with a glass)

Vomiting

Fever with cold hands and feet

Severe Muscle Pain

Someone with meningitis or septicaemia can get a lot worse very quickly. Keep checking them. Trust your instincts, get medical help immediately, and do not wait for a rash.

www.meningitisnow.org

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING All BU registered landlords must install carbon monoxide detectors, when there is a gas supply to the property.

•

Make sure you’re registered with a local GP and Dentist.

•

It’s quick and easy to do online.

•

Enter your postcode to find your nearest GP.

If you don’t find a GP close to your halls or accommodation, you can register with the GP at the Surgery on Talbot Campus.

HEADACHES

www.nhs/Service-Search/GP/LocationSearch/4

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NAUSEA

BREATHLESSNESS

COLLAPSE

DIZZINESS

LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

www.gassaferegister.co.uk

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FIRE ADVICE

STUDENT COMMUNITY WARDENS The Community Wardens are here to help students and provide a welcoming face for you living in a house, whether you are a BU or AUB student.

Fire and smoke from fires can cause you to become disorientated in your homes, so make sure you have working smoke alarms and you know how to escape a fire.

•

If you use hair straighteners or hair dryers don’t put any clothes or other items on top of them after use and let them cool in a safe place, not on your bed.

•

If you have a tumble dryer, always follow the manufacturer’s guidance and clear the filter of lint and fluff after each use. A build-up of lint and fluff on the filter can become combustible and lead to a fire starting.

•

Have smoke alarms of each level of your home, and test them each week by pressing the test button.

•

Don’t leave food cooking unattended especially during a party where alcohol is being consumed. Cooking fires spread very quickly and produce a lot of smoke.

•

Make sure you know how to escape if there was a fire in your property.

•

Don’t leave electrical items such as laptops or phones charging over night or unattended.

•

Make sure that irons, hair dryers and straighteners are unplugged before you leave your house each day.

The Wardens walk around Winton and may pay you a visit to check that you’re settling in Ok. If you have any issues with landlords, estate agents, or neighbours, they’ll be there to point you in the right direction for who to contact.

They can also diffuse tension within the community. They may pass on information throughout the year that is useful for you to know, and if you’re feeling lonely or are in a house for first year and don’t know much about the area, they’ll inform you of all the things you can get involved with.

Feel free to ask them anything about campaigns they may be running throughout the year such as the BIG GIVE and how you can get involved.

You can contact the Community wardens at communitywardens@bournemouth. ac.uk

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Details on www.subu.org.uk/communitywardens

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SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM

SUBU ADVICE

SUBU Advice: Supporting You The Universities Safer Neighbourhood Team are made of the campus’ police on Talbot Campus. They are there to watch out for you and keep you safe – on campus and in community.

They run campaigns, both on their own and with SUBU, running events such as security tagging of laptops, phones, and bicycles on campus. They may pay you a visit in your home offering you tips on keeping safe and they’re all lovely helpful people!

You can pay them a visit on Talbot Campus, Room T108, Talbot House (over by the campus Dr’s surgery.)

SUBU Advice is here to support you with any housing issues you may have, including: •

tenant disputes

•

contract checking

•

damp and mould

•

•

utility bills

ensure your rights and responsibilities in your home

•

deposits guarantors

•

advice and negotiate with your landlord

•

where to look for accommodation

They can provide you with template letters to report repairs, and where necessary advise you on what court action you can take. If required SUBU Advice can contact your letting agent or landlord on your behalf and resolve the issue.

SUBU Advice can also help you with:

Call them: 07754 439650

• employment

Twitter: @UniversitiesNPT

•

Monthly surgeries: BU and AUB visit

SUBU Advice is on 2nd floor Student Centre Talbot Campus or Bournemouth Lansdowne House.

www.dorset.police.uk to find out more

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• money

Email: universitiesnpt@dorset.pnn.police.uk

academic issues

There’s no such thing as a silly question and SUBU Advice provide a non-judgemental, friendly and confidential service to BU students.

Find out more: www.subu.org.uk/advice

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HOUSING FOR NEXT YEAR You’ll see lots of advertising on banners across town or word of mouth from peers, which say you should be looking to rent in November for next year!

DON’T BELIEVE THIS!

YOUR HOUSING JOURNEY SEPTEMBER

Contact utility companies on the day you move out, give them your final meter reading and billing address.

2

Make sure you have your housemates new contact details and give your new contact details to your landlord to contact you about your deposit.

3

Make sure furnishings are returned to their original place and the property is as clean and tidy as it was when you arrived.

Paint over blue tack marks on walls and replace damages like broken bed slats.

4

Follow the tenancy agreement e.g. keeping garden tidy, carpet cleaning (if in the tenancy contract).

5

Redirect your mail at royalmail.com and inform your bank, doctor etc of new address.

6

Make sure the house is secure/ appliances turned off/ return keys.

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Take rubbish and belongings with you or you could be charged.

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Recycle old items using SUBU’s BIG GIVE campaign at the end of the academic year.

OCTOBER Settling and making friends.

Don’t be pressured in to looking for accommodation. The majority of second and third year students will tell you the best time to look is after Christmas.

DECEMBER

• Take your time

Begin to think about accommodation for next year. Attend Housing Advice Fairs at the beginning of December.

There are lots of student houses in the suburbs of Winton, Charminster and Wallisdown, Ensbury Park, Talbot Village, Moordown, Lansdowne and Boscombe. No need to rush in to decisions.

• Don’t feel pressured

JANUARY

• Look once you know who you want to live with

Decide who you are going to live with, where you want to live, and type of accommodation. Start your search at http://www.lettingsbu.com/ and https://movem.co.uk/.

Lettings BU have the lowest cost agency fees. Move’m has reviews from tenants about their experience of the properties they rented.

• Look once you definitely know you’re staying another year

FEBRUARY

• Make sure you’re completely ready to sign the contract you’re happy with (you could have SUBU Advice check over it for any hidden costs)

MARCH

• Don’t believe that all the good houses go before Christmas, this is a selling technique, agencies often try to sell the less desirable houses first because they know the good ones will easily go quick towards the end of the year.

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Start of term and welcome events. Register to vote.

NOVEMBER

Once you have found a property maybe check out movem.co.uk if you haven’t done so it gives reviews from previous tenants on properties.

MOVING OUT

Continue your accommodation search. Contact Lettings Agents and Landlords to arrange viewings.

If you have formed a group, try and all go together.

Continue searching. Landlords will still have plenty of accommodation available and will be keen to secure a tenancy. If you have already chosen a property, SUBU Advice can check your contract before you sign it.

Sort out who is going to be your guarantor.

APRIL Staying in Bournemouth over the summer?

Summer Lets are available from Unite, iQ or CLV.

MAY Getting ready to move out? Have a good clear out, and remember to recycle by donating to the BIG GIVE.

JUNE Finish exams, enjoy the SUBU Summer Ball.

Continue with your summer plans.

JULY Enjoy the summer!

AUGUST Prepare to move in to your new place in September. Have a look on line at SUBU’s Halls to Home Guide for everything you need to know about moving in to your new home.

SEPTEMBER

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Many lets begin on 1st September, so if you move in right away, remember you have 7 days to do your house inventory.

Take a date stamped video of the house/your room as you are leaving it.

This could be used as evidence if your landlord is claiming you have left the house dirty or damaged and is trying to retain some or all of your deposit.

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DON’T BIN IT BIG GIVE IT!!!!!

Collecting your

Collecting end-of-yearyour cast-offs end-of-year cast-offs for a good cause for a good cause

Donate your unwanted bedding, Donateaccessories, your unwanted bedding, clothing kitchenware, clothing accessories, kitchenware, books, shoes, non-perishable food books, shoes, non-perishable food and more! and more!

No of opened openedfood food Nosharp sharpitems items or or packets packets of Collecting from doorsteps, Collecting from doorsteps, halls and on on campus. campus. hallsof of residence residence and

The BIG GIVE is a campaign run by SUBU to help you when you’re moving out of your home. at the end of the year. Don’t throw your unwanted stuff in the bin, donate it to charity.

SUBU team up with Bournemouth Council to do street collections of your donations, around Winton, in May and June, collecting your old clothes, DVDs, books, non-perishable food, and anything else you want to clear out!

There are BIG GIVE collection points for donations to charity on both campuses and halls of residence too. Donated items help charities such as The British Heart Foundation, Hope for Food, The Trussell Trust – Bournemouth Food

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Collections from Collections Tuesday Tuesday from th June 16 May - 27th June 16thth May

Bank, We-Do Ethical Fashion, and The Salvation Army.

IN PREVIOUS YEARS, STUDENTS HAVE MANAGED TO DONATE ROUGHLY 1.1 TONNES WHICH ALL WENT TO A GOOD CAUSE AND DIDN’T GO IN TO LANDFILL! LET’S BE EVEN BETTER THIS YEAR! www.subu.org.uk/thebiggive

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LAST TOP TIPS: •

Do your inventory

•

Make the effort with your neighbours. It will make life so much easier for you.

•

Try not to make unnecessary noise e.g. getting in and out of taxis.

•

Bring bins in to prevent blocking wheelchair access.

•

Keep your house to a decent standard to help make sure you get your deposit back.

•

Pay your bills and rent on time until contract ends.

•

Respect the people you live with and learn to accept differences.

This guide isn’t written to tell you what to do, its main aim is to prevent you being taken advantage of and allowing you to have a smoother more fun time at University, knowing you’ve done the decent thing.

Then you’re good to go and enjoy yourself in your new home knowing you’ve done everything to protect yourself and can feel more in control.

Useful Contacts: (use the space below to make a record of the people you may need to contact.)

Landlord/agency: Gas Company: Electricity Company: Water Company: TV Company: Bournemouth Council Switchboard: 01202 451451 SUBU: 01202 965765 suvpcommunity@bournemouth.ac.uk suvpwelfare@bournemouth.ac.uk supresident@bournemouth.ac.uk SUBU Advice: 01202 965779 www.subu.org.uk/advice

In association with Endsleigh Insurance www.endsleigh.co.uk