Fi nd in g somewhere to
live...
The Student Off-Campus Guide to Guildford
Key
1. Guildford Park - 5-10mins / 0.3-0.5 miles 2. Dennisville - 5-10mins / 0.3-0.5 miles 3. Stoughton - 30mins / 1.5 miles 4. Westborough - 10-15mins/ 0.6-0.8 miles 5. Park Barn - 20-25mins / 1-1.2 miles
House Viewing Guide This guide will help you get an idea about the condition of the properties you are viewing.
Safety
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Are working smoke detectors and fire blankets fitted in the house? If there was a fire in the main hallways, could you still escape? Can you open all exit doors from the inside? Are all the gas/electric appliances safety tested? Does the cooker work? Is the heating in the house adequate? (Ask current tenants if possible)
Security Are all external doors solid, fitted with strong, secure locks? Are ground floor windows lockable? Are ground floor curtains thick enough to not be seen through?
Location Is transport to and from University (including by foot) accessible? Are there shops and services nearby?
Outside Does the roof look in good condition? Are the gutters/walls free from plants growing in them? Are the drains clear? Are wooden window frames or fences safe and free from rot?
Cleaning Is the house clean? Will you be provided with equipment to keep it clean? Is the house free from signs of pests/rodents (such as droppings)?
Plumbing Do all the taps work? Even the hot water tap? Do the sinks drain? Is the toilet leak-free? Does the shower work properly? Are there enough bathrooms for the number of housemates?
Furniture Has the house got enough furniture for the number of housemates sharing? Is there enough space in the kitchen to store food? Is all the furniture in good condition? Is the furniture fire-resistant?
Landlord Services Does the landlord provide window cleaning? Does the landlord provide lawn cutting? Does the landlord include anything else as part of the rent (water bills/internet etc)? Is there enough parking available if you plan on bringing a car?
Term
Meaning
Agency Fees
Money due to an Agency, agreed with a client, as payment for providing a service.
Agreement
The contract made between the parties governing a Letting, which should always be in writing.
Alterations
Physical changes to a property.
Arrears
Rent payments lawfully due that have not been paid.
Assignment
The disposal or transfer of a tenancy.
Assign
To transfer rights, interest or a title in a property to a third party.
Assured Shorthold Tenancy
A form of Agreement that does not guarantee long term security but allows the Landlord to reclaim a property at the end of the Duration. At present most Private Sector tenancies are in this form
Breach of Contract
Failure to carry out ones obligation/s as set out in a formal Agreement
Change of Use
Significant change in the use of a property as defined by Town and Country Planning legislation.
Contractors
Independent companies employed to provide goods and services or repairs for which they are paid.
Contract
A document setting out a formal Agreement between two or more parties.
Contractual Tenancy
A tenancy created by agreement between two or more parties, which should always be in writing.
Covenant
An obligation undertaken by a party to a tenancy agreement. In law it can take several forms.
Cyclical Maintenance
Maintenance work necessary at regular pre-determined and repeating times, e.g. decoration to the outside of a property.
Data Protection
The scope of protection afforded to individuals in law regarding data records held both electronically and physically by an organisation.
Deposit Stakeholder
The person who holds the Deposit and is responsible for its distribution and the end of the tenancy.
Dilapidation
Physical damage to a property caused by neglect or abuse.
Discrimination
Describes criminal offences which, for example, may be alleged with reference to gender, race, employment or disability laws as current at any time.
Fair Terms (see also unfair terms)
Terms that are not unreasonable to either party to an Agreement and do not breach statutory regulations.
Freehold
Freehold interest in a property is one which is unlimited in time with no superior interest or individual or company who can claim the property in the future. Frequently understood as outright ownership.
Habitable
Clean structurally stable, free from disrepair infestation and dampness prejudicial to health.
Harassment
The use of threats or violence to achieve an aim. It is a criminal offence for a Landlord or Agent to harass a Tenant.
Head Tenancy
A legal estate superior to the current tenancy.
Head Tenant
The owner of that Estate.
House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
A House occupied by persons who do not form a single household e.g. building converted into self contained flats or bedsits; shared houses.
Housing Benefits
A payment by a Local Authority either to the Landlord, the Managing Agent or direct to the Tenant to assist with the Tenants payment of rent.
Implied Obligation
An obligation prescribed by law not necessarily written and recorded in a tenancy agreement.
Inventory
Organised list of the contents of a property – see Schedules of Condition. Dilapidation.
Joint and Several Liability Landlord/lady
If you share a property with others and all your names are on one tenancy agreement you are likely to be Joint Tenants and the responsibility or liability for rent, rent arrears and any damage will be shared jointly between you all. If one person leaves the house the landlord can expect remaining Tenants to pay outstanding rent which may occur. Owner of the freehold or lease of a property who lets the property to someone else.
Legal Obligation
Legally bound duty that an individual is required to undertake in order to fulfil the rules as set in law.
Letting
Process of arrangement between Landlord and Tenant and commitment to a tenancy agreement.
Mediation
Informal attempts of a third party to bring about the settlement of a dispute between parties to a contract.
Overcrowding
In order to protect tenants, the Housing Acts give clear guidelines on what may be interpreted as overcrowded residential accommodation.
Overseas Landlord
A Landlord whose usual place of abode for more than six months in any one tax year is outside the UK.
Plant
A general term for heavy equipment, e.g. air conditioning systems, boilers.
Periodic Tenancy
A legally binding document, issues at regular intervals, which creates a contract between Landlord and Tenant.
Possession
The control of the property. Various factors will indicate who is in possession of a property at any given time.
Premiums
A “one off” payment in connection with a negotiated tenancy. Not used in this way in the case of any insurance matters, where the definition is different.
Property Inspection
A general visual tour of the property – not a survey.
Quiet Enjoyment
The common law right of a Tenant to possession and enjoyment of his tenancy without physical interference by his Landlord or Landlords Agent; the Tenants right to damages for significant breach of this right.
Rent Book
A document containing a clear record of rent payments and statement of statutory obligations.
Rent Collection
The act of demanding and ensuring that the rent is paid over in the manner specified.
Rent Reviews
The process of agreeing a new rent between parties, governed by legislation and contract law. This is subject to a Notice period or defined timescale intended to allow preparation for change.
Resident Landlord
A Landlord who is ordinarily living with the subject property. Special tenancy rules apply.
Schedule of Condition
Organised list of the state and condition of a property and a specified date.
Schedule of Dilapidation
Organised list deterioration of a property between specified dates.
Space Heating
Appliances for the heating of an internal area of a building.
Specifications
Plans directing the scope of work required for a building project, which enables a contractor to carry out the work, including materials, methods, plans, pricing of work and implementation.
Statutory Notices Statutory Requirement/ Obligation
Notices as provided in law requiring action by those who receive them or send them. Obligations required by law to be carried out. For example, minimum Health and Safety standards exist in law for the regulation of rented properties.
Statutory Right
A right given by statute law of the land and which cannot be varied or overridden by contract.
Statutory Tenancies
Tenancies granted or maintained by law
Sub-Letting
A Tenancy held from a superior tenancy but not direct from the freeholder.
Supply of Goods or Services Act
The law that applies to all such matters including contract between Landlord and Agent fro rented property.
Tenancy Renewal
The process of extending or renewing an existing tenancy for a further specified period of time, at terms to be agreed between the parties to the contract.
Tender
The way in which competitive bids are sought – usually from contractors. The process is well documented and contains a number of special features.
Unfair Terms
Terms that are unreasonable to any – or all – parties to an agreement and may breach statutory regulations.
Utility Companies
A term applied to commercial companies providing the essential services of gas, electricity, water, sewage treatment and telephone.
Check for Damage - Walls, Floor, Doors & Ceiling
Kitchen
Bathroom
Toilet
Lounge
Hallway
Stairs
Landing
Bedroom 1
Bedroom 2
Bedroom 3
Bedroom 4
Bedroom 5
Bedroom 6 Gardens/ Externals
List all Items in the Room & Condition - Do they work? Eg. Lights
Cleanliness - Dust, mould etc.