Unipol Tabloid Leeds - November 2015

Housing

www.unipol.org.uk/nottingham

November 2014

November 2015

The best advice around

WINTER IS COMING GET READY TO PLAY THE GAME OF HOMES HOUSE HUNTING STARTS 23RD JANUARY

Kindly sponsored by:

www.unipol.org.uk/LeedsHH Budgeting Doesn't have to be a headache See page 4

THE CODES What if things go wrong?

How are standards checked?

What are they?

Am I covered?

www.facebook.com/ unipolleeds

The Unipol Codes The route to the best properties See page 3

@Unipol_Leeds

Rate Your Landlord See page 11

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NOVEMBER 2015

Note from the editor Along with your Students’ Union and institution we want you to have the best possible house hunting experience and this magazine is packed full of advice to help you in that process. Because we know there is a lot of accommodation available and every year there are plenty of properties not let at the end of house hunting; you have the luxury of time to decide on who you want to live with, where you want to live, the type of property and amenity level you want and how much you want to pay.

Your friendly housing hub team is here to take the stress out of house hunting. We are a notfor-profit organisation and are recognised as the student housing experts in Leeds. So come and have a chat with us for the best house hunting advice around.

We have a hub on Woodhouse Lane (opposite Broadcasting Place) and an outlet in LUU.

ren Back Row L to R: Laura, Malak and Lau Sarah and Lucy Front Row L to R: Phil, Veronika, Norna,

Market Conditions in Leeds (know the hard facts!)

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House Hunting Calendar Plan your house hunting timetable

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Unipol Housing Find out what our tenants say about us!

8-9

List of Code landlords Is your landlord accredited? Find out

10

Rate Your Landlord It’s here so get rating!

11

The students’ unions speak out Meet two elected officers

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14 - 15

Contact us Unipol - 0113 243 0169 info@unipol.leeds.ac.uk www.unipol.org.uk/leeds

■ Although rents vary across property type and area, the average cost of student rents in off-street properties in Leeds is £72.89 ■ The number of students housed directly by the institutions in Leeds is 13,100 ■ The number of students housed in the private sector is 30,450

Average Rent (excl. bills)

Average Rent (All Inclusive)

£366.48 £331.27 £110.69 £242.62 £233.17 £77.58

£132.50

£94.09

£90.80

£262.93 £234.55 £80.40

£72.89

£75.92

£121.66

Studio Flats

Budgeting It’s hard but we can help

Average Deposit

Large Developments or Private Halls

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here is currently a surplus of student accommodation in Leeds. The surplus in 2016 is likely to be approximately 3,500+ bed spaces, even after all the students have found accommodation.

It means that it is never too late to start house hunting.

Students who wait until January and compare various properties and areas are more likely to get a better deal and will be choosing from the whole market not just the leftovers. To give you some idea of the housing market, here are a few key statistics:

Self Contained Flats (2 bed) pppw

Keeping the Peace Sarah guides you through tried and tested methods to getting on with your housemates

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Self Contained Flats (1 bedroom)

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Owner Occupier or Home Stay

The Unipol Codes Your route to a stress-free property

Shared Houses

Contents

Lifestyle Enjoy Leeds on a budget

A warm welcome awaits

Shared Flats

W

inter is coming and the experts are telling us it will be a cold one so wrap up and don’t rush out to house hunt. House hunting in Leeds will start on 23rd January 2016 when Unipol launches the largest collection of properties to view anywhere in Leeds.

You can compare thousands of properties from most of the best providers in the city. Look before and you’ll get less choice and will probably pay more.

NEWS

Veronika's Hot Tip: Choosing the right house mates is one of the most important things you will do. Be honest and be brave - a year is a long time!

Course Accounting and finance How many properties did you look at before signing?

1

t Studen Comments

What were you looking for in a property?: Affordable rent, good location What would you do differently if you were looking again?: More research on landlord and lettings agency

Mohamad Saiful Arif Mohamed Isa, 3rd Year

This tabloid is produced by Unipol Student Homes. It is for guidance only and is no substitute for the diverse legislation covers. Unipol Student Homes is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, No. 3401440, Registered Charity number No. 1063492. VAT Registration No. 698 8456 49. Unipol Student Homes accepts no liability whatsoever in respect of the advertisements prepared by Unipol Student Homes based on the contents on Accommodation Details Forms and in no circumstances (whether caused by negligence or otherwise) will Unipol Student Homes be liable for any consequential or indirect damage or loss of rent or loss of profit suffered or incurred by you or any third party howsoever caused. © Copyright 2010 Unipol Student Homes

THE CODE

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NOVEMBER 2015

The Unipol Codes: Here for you every step of the way!

Unipol runs several national and local housing accreditation schemes (called the Codes), covering thousands of student properties: Unipol Codes for shared student housing in Leeds, Bradford & Nottingham

National Codes for halls (run by universities and private providers)

THE CODES

Firstly, DON’T PANIC! Let your landlord know about the issue as soon as possible & write to them (email is fine!)

We can give you advice on how best to approach them.

There is a formal complaints procedure & Tribunal to deal with serious matters.

The Codes ensure students are provided with a better standard of housing.

The Codes are there every step of the way, from signing up & moving in, offering help during your tenancy to ensuring you are supported when you move out and making sure you get your deposits back in a timely manner.

What if things go wrong?

What are they?

Find out more at: unipol.org.uk/the-code/how-to-complain

Landlords/agents voluntarily join the Unipol Codes and declare that their properties meet our standards.

How are standards checked?

Am I covered?

We inspect at least 1 in 5 of Code Landlords’ properties and a wide sample of student halls.

You can check whether your landlord is accredited on our list (page 10), by contacting Unipol or asking your landlord.

For large developments, check the National Code website at: nationalcode.org

What if things go wrong?

E

ven in the most carefully maintained home, things can break or stop working so what can you do if your heating leaves you cold, or there’s water where there shouldn’t be? Here are some simple steps to getting things fixed:

Write to your landlord to complain n Be clear, and give detail about what has happened so far n Be calm, and keep to the point n Be clear about what you expect to happen and give a deadline for response...

Let your landlord know there is a problem. n Be clear, give detail, and agree a timeline n Be aware that your landlord may need to speak to a contractor or maintenance team before they can give you a definite schedule. n And be sure to confirm your discussion with a text or email – this doesn’t need to be very formal, just clear and accurate.

and if the problem still isn’t fixed n If your landlord is Unipol Code accredited, you can raise a complaint through Unipol.

Information on the process and a complaint form can be found on our website, or you can ring us or call into our Bureau or Outlet n If your landlord is not accredited, you can get help and support from your Student Union Advice Centre – see page 4 for contact details.

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NOVEMBER 2015

FINANCIAL

Are your housemates top tips for giving you a Sarah's keeping the peace... headache?

Having worked in tenancy support for over 4 years Sarah has seen and heard the pressure points around communal living. Below she shares the best ways to keep the peace everyone can see who is and is not doing their share.

speak to your landlord if you’re not sure what applies to you

Do nice things for each otheroffer cups of tea, find out when each other’s birthdays are and bake a cake- small kind gestures will maintain a pleasant atmosphere.

Be Considerate Get familiar with your housemates timetables and be extra careful to be quiet if you know they’re up early the next day. Likewise, let them know if you’re having friends over so they know and expect it to be noisier than usual.

Bills If you pay bills together put each bill in a different person’s name so it’s not down to just one person having to organise the bills.

Cleaning - it’s got to be done Work out a cleaning rota that suits everyone so that each person does their fair share to avoid arguments. Display it clearly with a tick box so

Smoking Find out if anyone smokes and what the house rules are on this. Depending on the type of contract you have signed there will be different policies on this,

Be Sociable Create a social night with just those living in the property; making a meal together is a great way to help bonding.

The key to a happy household is to be open with each other and to talk about things face to face with willingness to compromise.

Don’t Despair If you have tried to resolve a problem without success speak to your landlord or student advice centre as they may have a professional mediator who can help you and your housemates resolve any problems.

Course: English How many properties did you look at before signing? 5

t Studen Comments

What were you looking for in a property?: Nice kitchen, big rooms, lots of bathrooms and light What would you do differently if you were looking again?: Look at more properties and not panic

h Year

Olivia Trenaman, 4t

Useful Contacts GENERAL HOUSING ADVICE & GUIDANCE Housing Hub on Woodhouse Lane 0113 205 3401 www.unipol.org.uk ■ House hunting advice and information ■ Specialist help for students with dependants ■ Advice on the Unipol Code Unipol Outlet in LUU 0113 380 1247 ■ Contract checking ■ House hunting advice STUDENT UNION ADVICE CENTRES For contract checking and housing advice Leeds University Union Student Advice Centre: 0113 380 1290 Leeds Beckett Students’ Union Advice Service: 0113 812 8400 Leeds Trinity University Students’ Union: 0113 283 7100 Ext: 328 OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS Police (non-emergencies) 0845 606 0606 Leeds City Council Environmental Services: 0113 222 4406 Out of hours noise service 0113 395 0143 Yorkshire Mediation Services 0113 242 4110 (9.30am - 4pm Mon-Thurs) Neighbourhood 24hr Voicemail Service 0113 343 1064 Find out who supplies your gas: 0870 608 1524 Find out who supplies your electricity: 0845 330 0889 Mydeposits 0844 980 0290 www.mydeposits.co.uk 0333 321 9401 (8.30am - 5.30pm) The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) 0844 472 7000 www.depositprotection.com 0330 303 0030 (8am - 6pm) The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) 0845 226 7837 www.tds.gb.com

FINANCIAL

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NOVEMBER 2015

No te t o S e l f.. .. .. . t n a t r o p m i s i g n i t Budge (it doesn't have to be a headache)

F

igure out what your incomings and outgoings are and work out how much needs to be kept aside for rent, bills and essentials - it is useful to over-estimate so you always have more aside in case you do go over the estimated amount.

Once you know how much is left over you can figure out what you can spend.

Try to keep some money in your account for a rainy day.

Be Realistic Check your account often as small amounts can add up quickly. If you do overspend one week don’t panic- simply be more sensible over the next week or two to even out the balance.

There are lots of innovative ways to make your pennies stretch; we’ve collected a few here: 1. www.studentbeans.com for the best student offers around 2. Look at events information on your Students’ Union website for upcoming cheap (or free!) events 3 Always keep your student card to hand and check if

you can use it when purchasing items- many clothes shops, restaurants and cinemas offer discounts for students 4. Most supermarkets will have a ‘yellow sticker’ section with items sold for cheaper than usual, if you use this regularly the small amounts saved will add up

Apps to help you budget We love some of these handy FREE apps to help you budget: 1. Toshl Finance- this is one of the easiest budgeting apps to use, allowing you to enter how much you spend as you go and sets reminders when there are upcoming bills 2. Expensify- this app allows you to scan receipts making it very quick to use and keep updated, it’s also useful if you drive as it can track mileage 3. Goodbudget- this is useful if you share bills with friends or having any shared costs with others

Money doesn't grow on trees (yet!)

Doing all this is easier said than done and sometimes despite your best efforts you can quickly run in to debt but don’t panic, help is out there so don’t be afraid or too embarrassed to ask. Below are a few ideas to help get you back on track.

Your Students’ Union Speak to your Student Advice Centre for guidance to ensure you are receiving all the loans you’re entitled too.

Your Accommodation Speak to your landlord and energy providers to see if there are any flexible options to create a payment plan more suited to your finances.

Find a job Increasingly more students have to juggle working parttime with university life. This can be a great way of keeping a regular income coming in to your account and looks great on a CV. Check the job shop at your

university first and call in to your careers service who should also be able to offer suggestions.

International Students If you are an international student visit you can visit www.educationuk.org for further help and advice.

Visit your international student office at university who are there to support you throughout your studies in the UK. Talk to the bank If you urgently need money your bank may allow you to create an overdraft, ensure you read the terms and conditions carefully before you do this.

THINKING ABOUT YOUR Excited about choosing your next home?

We’ve got your back. The Unipol Code has been designed specifically to help you be sure that you’ll be living in a property that’s safe, secure and well managed. And if you have any difficulties with the property Unipol can help you out.

DREAM HOME? Read our house hunting guide It’s jam-packed full of everything you need to know about house hunting in Leeds: http://www.unipol.org.uk/documents/ house-hunting-guides/leeds-house-hunting-guide-2016.aspx

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NOVEMBER 2015

ADVICE

The Universities recommend the Unipol Code We asked the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University what they say to their students about house hunting and here’s what they said.

Leeds Beckett University House hunting can be a stressful time and picking the right landlord isn't easy. Here at Leeds Beckett Accommodation we recommend you take the time to consider all of your options, not to rush into making a decision too soon and always prioritise a Unipol Code property. We support Unipol’s official start date which this year kicks off on 23 January 2015 and would advise not looking for a new landlord until this date.

However we recommend that if you’re happy with your current landlord then you should consider staying with them. If you’re a Leeds Beckett student and you’ve enjoyed your time in halls then you may be interested to hear that you can return to Leeds Beckett Accommodation beyond your

first year of study. Our University accommodation is no longer just for fresher’s, with many students choosing to return to halls.

Returning to halls can be a hassle-free option as there’s no need to worry about utility bills almost everything is included in your rent, including internet.

Added reassurance is provided by our 24-hour services; maintenance, security and residential support teams are all on-hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can flat-share with your friends or sign up for a single room. Either way, halls are social places and a great way to meet new friends.

If you need any help or advice on house hunting or returning to Leeds Beckett

Meet RMP Properties We talked to RMP about how they prepare for house hunting.

What you may be surprised to see is they are not rushing students to sign for properties now! Read on...

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here's no doubt that the student letting season can be a busy and a stressful time for students and Unipol are great at giving advice and providing information for students who have never house hunted before.

At RMP Properties we invite our current tenants to renew

Course Philosophy and Physics How many properties did you look at before signing?

8

with us around OctoberNovember time. The benefit of this being they receive discounted fees, no rent increase, no further bond to pay and no hassle of moving home.

We then know which houses are available to let for the Unipol release day. From this date all available properties will then be live on their website and ready to view. Unipol’s release day is our busiest day of the year for viewings and signups; with the majority of properties being let in the following few weeks.

As I’m sure other landlords

t Studen Comments

Hannah Buschini Leeds Beckett Accommodation & Residential Services Manager Accommodation then drop in for a chat at our office just outside the City Campus Library.

and agents will agree, there are several important things to think about before this release date for tenants: Where you want to live?

Hyde Park is popular but you would get a bigger house for less money maybe half a mile away

University of Leeds Rachel Prinn, a Senior Accommodation Assistant says “Many house hunters are led to believe that they have to rush to sign for a property but we advise all our students to delay house hunting until after the January exams. The University of Leeds fully supports the Unipol start date of Saturday 23rd January 2016 and we recommend that you rent a Unipol Code property.

The University works closely with Unipol and LUU’s Student Advice Centre to ensure our students have access to help and advice for successful house hunting experience. Savvy house hunters don’t rush; they make use of all the support mechanisms available to them and consider all the options which include returning to the University accommodation.

Every year the University reserves a number of rooms; flats and houses in our accommodation for students who wish to return, either on their own or with a group of friends. If you are in our accommodation at

How many people you would like to live with - living with all eight of your friends might sound great but not when you want quiet time to study. Finally, remember to use a Unipol registered landlord/agent like ourselves. We follow Unipol's

3rd year

regulations which set an acceptable standard for student accommodation. RMP Properties are proud to have achieved gold member status as Unipol registered landlords.

WANT ACCESS TO THE LARGEST DATABASE OF ACCREDITED PROPERTIES IN LEEDS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE? Join our priority mailing list: www.unipol.org.uk/LeedsHH

Sophie Hallida,

For more information visit our website:accommodation.leeds .ac.uk/returning

Who you would like to live with?

Are they tidy? Are they noisy?

Do you have similar timetables which mean you can walk to University together?

What were you looking for in a property?: Location, not a basement flat What would you do differently if you were looking again?: Look later in the year

the moment and you are happy where you are, then please let us know.

Alternatively you can apply to live in another University residence – even our most popular residences are available for some returners!

Whatever is on your housing wish list, you’ll most certainly find something within our portfolio.

University of Leeds properties are accredited to the ANUK/Unipol National Code for larger student developments that is supported by the National Union of Students (NUS).

Remember that house hunting for returning students starts on Saturday 23rd January so presently you have plenty of time to consider all options available to you, which includes returning to University accommodation.”

LOCATION

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NOVEMBER 2015

Plan your House Hunting with Unipol November

December

January 23rd January 2016 Launch of house hunting

EARLY DECEMBER 2015 House Hunting guide published JANUARY 2016 House Hunting tabloid published

MONDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2015 TO THURSDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2015 Door Knocking - House Hunting Campaign at Leeds Beckett Residences WEDNESDAY 18TH & 25TH NOVEMBER 2015 - 11.00AM - 2.00PM House Hunting Campaign stand in the Leslie Silver Building HOUSING FAIR ON THURSDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2016 10am – 4pm at the Green Sports Hall Headingley Campus.

TUESDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 - THURSDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2016 Ready To Rent workshops in university halls of residences and LUU MONDAY 25TH JANUARY 2016 LUU House Hunting Fair

Unipol Outlet at LUU

TUESDAY 26TH JANUARY - FRIDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2016 Contract checking volunteers in LUU

THURSDAY 21ST JANUARY 2016 - 12.30PM -1.30PM Essential House Hunting tips - talk

TUESDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2015 - 12.00AM - 2.00PM House Hunting Campaign stand in the café bar

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2016 - 12.00AM - 2.00PM House Hunting Campaign stand in the café bar

TUESDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 AND TUESDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2015 - 12.00PM - 1.00PM Essential House Hunting tips - talks THURSDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 205, 11.30 - 1.30 house hunting stall in the cafe

TUESDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2016 - 11.30AM - 1.30PM house hunting stall in the café

MONDAY 25TH JANUARY 2016, 1PM (REPEATED AT 6PM) Managing Money in your Student Home WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2016, 1PM (REPEATED AT 6PM) our Guide to House Hunting

‘Everything about my flat is spot on and all the staff are very friendly.

The price is fantastic compared to the other student accommodations.

I’ve been really lucky to have lived at Mill Street and it does feel like home.’

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‘Unipol are so reliable and helpful. I have found friends for life through my flat mates and some of my neighbours and love the size and quality of my flat.

I am very impressed and would definitely recommend Unipol to any new student’

More About Us • We are a unique non-profit making charitable company.

• Established in 1975, we help students find the best housing they can.

• We house students in Leeds and Nottingham every year, in properties that we either own or manage on behalf of smaller landlords.

• All Unipol properties are designed especially for student tenants.

• Personal Housing Management Officers responsible for ensuring you are happy in your home.

• Safety, security and location being the high priorities.

• We operate an up-to-date repair reporting system, which ensures your repairs are dealt with swiftly.

• An out-of-hours emergency call centre with Unipol staff and contractors on hand to deal with emergencies 24 hours a day throughout the year.

• We treat all our tenants as valued customers, and carry out annual Tenant Satisfaction Surveys to ensure we are meeting the expectations and demands of students in Leeds.

Contact Us: T: 0113 205 3424 E: lettings@unipol.org.uk W: unipol.org.uk

Visit Us: 155/157 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 3ED

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NOVEMBER 2015

NOVEMBER 2015

Unipol Codes Membership 3 The 2015-2018 Code for Leeds was recently launched, and all Unipol members must re-join the Code by January, 2016 to keep their accreditation for the next three years – look for the green ticks in the list below to see which landlords have already recommitted until 2018.

Names in gold indicate a Unipol Golden Owner: landlords who have been a member of the Unipol Code for at least four consecutive years and haven’t had a sustained complaint being brought against them.

Full Members of the Unipol Code A n AAA Lets - Andrew Parascandolo 3 n A & M Homes - Reeve and Welburn 3 n Abbey Homez - A Parmar n Gillian Abramson n Academy Properties - Bill Pickard n AD Properties - Andrew Dodds n Dr TI Abdullah n Nisar Ahmed n Roderic Aitkens n Naeem Akhtar n Mrs Najema Akhtar/Mr M Sagher3 n Mrs Tasleem Akhtar n Abdulaziz Alarifi n Harry Albazie n Robert Allcroft n Andoria Properties - Mrs A Paschali 3 n Mohammed Saqib Anwar n Salim Arkadan n Abdul Aziz B n Mr B Baczkowski n Anna & Peter Badowski - Cawdor Properties n Janet Bailey n David & Margaret Bairstow n Mark Balkham n Stephen Ballantyne n David Barnes n Fiona Bashforth n Martin Baxter 3 n Robert David Beaumont n Prem Beeharry n Geoffrey Bell - Kensington Property 3 n Mark Bellamy n Mr D Bethell - Temple Way n Peter Biddulph n Ainsley Black n Alex Blakeborough 3 n Anne Blakeborough 3 n Anthony Blanc n Janet Blythe - Lakescene Associates Ltd 3 n Jenny Bouzida 3 n Stephen Bradley -Haro Investments 3 n Bradley Properties - S Houseman n Nick Baldwin & Phil Rotherham Rotherham Baldwin Ltd n David Bradley - David Bradley Homes Ltd n Vanessa Brawn n Alison Brayshaw - Brayshaw Properties 3 n Robert Brayshaw n Bridgecourt Properties - Mohammed Ismail n Nicola Brien n Broadfield Properties - E Higgins 3 n Amanda Brown n David Bussey n John Byrne C n Mr and Mrs J Campbell 3 n Daniel Caris n Rob Carr - Carr-Hall Properties 3 n Paul Carvin n Richard Cave n Andrew Cavill 3 n David & Christine Cavill 3 n Shirley Chan n Sanjay Chawla - Trinity Homes n Helen Cheese-Probert - PCP n Carl Chouler/Jack Clarke n Taf Cheffo n Anne Chen n Stephen Chung n Anthony J Chuter - Wrenbury Associates 3 n CKT Properties - Karen Tulley n Micheal Cleary 3 n Victoria Cleveland n Cliffe House Properties - Lynda Raddings 3 n Danny Cohen n Jason Collier n James & Melissa Connolly 3 n Garry Cooper n Helen & Martin Copeland n Lilian Cordell n Roger Cowley 3 n Julie Cranston n Jennifer Craven n Croft Properties -G Whitehead 3 n K & B Crowther 3 n Catherine Cudlip 3

It’s most likely that owners that are not shown as golden have simply not been registered with Unipol for more than four years, but you can check if a landlord has had a complaint against them upheld at Tribunal by looking on the Unipol website.

Details of which managing agents are members of the Supporter scheme, and which are moving towards becoming Full Code Members, are given below the list of Full Members.

D n Charles Dalgleish n Christine & John Davies n Debbie Davies n J.S. Davis n Lynn Davis n Michael Dean n Moira Decter n J Defenzi / A Edwards n Oliver Denton n A Desai n Jaskaran Deu 3 n Val & Richard Dew 3 n Gurdip Dhaliwal - FLDR n DHM Properties - DH Midgley n Direct Lets Hyde Park - Maria Shanahan n Mrs J A Dillon n Andrew Dodds- AD Properties 3 n Mr and Mrs Dwyer E n Mike Emery n Kay & Martin England F n Fab Student Homes - Mohammed Ikhlaq n CJ Falkingham - Falham Properties 3 n Shahid Farouk n Colin Farrer - Farrer Properties n Yasain Fazal n Richard Finan n FLDR - Mr Dhaliwal n Fletcher Properties - Paul & Vivian Fletcher 3 n Nigel Fletcher n Mrs K Foster n Richard Foster 3 n Tracy and Andy Foster n Sylvia Fourcin n Richard Fozard - Park Crest Properties 3 n Susan Franks G n Helen Gardner & James Mervine n Neill Garratt n Bernard Gay n John Gibbons n Oliver Gibson - LS Lettings n Penny Gillis n K Grady n Mr & Mrs A Gray 3 n Ruth Grierson - Property Zone 3 n GTS Lettings - K Peake H n HM Properties - Hedley Manton n Colin Halliday n Martin Halliday - Homefinders n Paula Halliday 3 n Brian Hamburg n Christine Hands n FD Hanna n Patrick & Sheila Hannan n Neil Hardaker 3 n Haro Investments - S Bradley 3 n Adrian Harris n Avril Harris - Harris Lettings 3 n Hawthorn Properties - Penny Whittingon n Scott and Kimberley Hayes n Headingley Property Services - G Jarrett n Robin Heap 3 n JC & SA Heron n Jeremy Hibble - Unilet Property n Eileen Higgins - Broadfield Properties 3 n John Hogan n Homefinders - M Halliday n Richard Hopkinson n Sarah Houseman - Bradley Properties n Mr D J Howe n Andrew Hudson - Kenmare Properties n HS Properties - Shahrazz Pinnu n Max Hume n Jean Hussain 3 n Khalil Hussain n Kay Hylton

n David Jiang 3 n Nicola Young Jackson 3 n David Jarvis – Newhomes n Neil Joseph 3 K n Sukhdev Kalsi n Leila Kara n Gaydor Kaye n Kensington Property - Geoffrey Bell 3 n Kenmare Properties - A Hudson n Steve Kettlewell 3 n Yasir Khan n Christine King 3 n Andrew Knowles n Pauline Knowles n Peter Knowlton n Olga Kuznetsova L n La Sala - Chris Ross 3 n George Laing n Lakescene Associates Ltd - Janet Blythe 3 n Jane Lambe (owner occupier) n Emma Lavelle-Wood n Leeds Federated Housing Association n Leeman Properties - A&A Preston n Carolyn Lewis n L Gould - Umpireview Ltd n Lingard Bell Ltd - Steve Rowley 3 n John Lister n Tom Littlefield 3 n Little Black Door Lets - S Rostron 3 n Christine Liversidge 3 n Garth London n Trevor Love n Mike Lovesey n LS6.Co.uk - J Prescott n LS6 Rentals - F Mcloughlin 3 n Mr H Lyster M n M&J Estates - M Wisniewski n McDonald Properties - Simon & George McDonald n Richard Mack n Yuvraj Maheru 3 n Sue Makin / Simon O'Hara n Peter and Paul Mainprice n Becky Manley - Peter Sheard Properties 3 n Jo Mannion n Maqsood Mansoor n Hedley Manton - HM Properties n Tasnim Manzoor n Penny Mares n Paul Martin n Linda Massarella 3 n Hazel Mason 3 n Melanie May n Dr George McClure n Terry McFeely n Fergal McGreevy n Mike McKay n Sally McKee n Mr & Mrs Mckenna n Fran Mcloughlin - LS6 Rentals 3 n Julian Meek n Sodur Miah - SM Properties n Sue Michaels n DH Midgley - DHM Properties n John Midgley - Olivia Properties n Millennium House Enterprises - Mark Jenkinson n John Milburn n Vasant Mistry n Zabir Mohammed 3 n Giovanni Mole n Alex Moore n Chris & Steven Moore n Laurence Mosby n Dr M Mughal n Emily Muirhead 3

I n Mohammed Ikhlaq - Fab Student Homes n Ingledew Developments Ltd - Graham Jackson n Infinitus Lettings - S&K Wright n David Irving 3 n IQ Partnerships n Kamran Iqbal 3 n Mohammed Ismail - Bridgecourt Properties

N n Sue Nadin (Owner Occupier) n Emma Nash n Haroon Nawaz n Mohammed Nawaz n Bruce Naylor n Niche Homes Ltd n Dr Graham Nichols n Pamela Nicholls n NK Properties (M Younis) n Noble Propeties (A Noble) n Jill and David Northwood 3 n Peter Norwood & Michelle Pawson Norwood Homes

J n Rich James n Will James n Clare Jackson n Mark Jenkinson - Millennium House Enterprises 3

O n Katharine O'Carroll 3 n Charles O'Donnell n Alan O’Neill n Mr N & Mrs F Oddy - Oddy Properties n Olivia Properties - John Midgley

n Stephen Ongley n Opal P n Pageant Properties - B White n PCP - H Cheese-Probert n Richard Palmer n Rob Panesar n Satnam Panesar 3 n Andrew Parascandolo - AAA Lets 3 n Raffella Parascandolo n Park Crest Properties - Richard Fozard 3 n Hemant Parmar 3 n Mahesh Parmar n Tesh Parmar - Abbey Homez n Mrs A Paschali - Andoria Properties 3 n Arvin Patel n Ghansham Patel n Ken Patel n Rajesh Patel n Hitesh Pattani - Express Lets n Kevin Peake - GTS Lettings n Jon and Karen Peterman n Bill Pickard - Academy Properties n Miles Pickard - Pickard Properties n Stephen Pickering n George Potter n Neil Poundall 3 n Peter Powell n Jackie Prescott - LS6.co.uk n Andy & Adele Preston - Leeman Properties n Keith Pullen - Pullen & Hartley 3 R n RH Investments n RMP Properties n Lynda Raddings - Cliffe House Properties 3 n Mark Radford n Keith Rae n Simon Ray n Susan Read n Kathleen Reddington n Marilyn Redman 3 n Reeve & Welburn - A&M Homes 3 n David Rhodes n Mr & Mrs C M Richardson - C A Properties n Alison Roberts n John Roberts n Huw Roberts-Harry n Marian Robson n Paul and Kym Rollason n Oliver Rooke n James & Danny Rosenberg n Chris Ross - La Sala 3 n Sapphire Rostron - Little Black Door Lets 3 n Rotherham Baldwin Ltd - Nick Baldwin & Phil Rotherham n Lingard Bell Ltd - Steve Rowley 3 n Wayne Russell S n Raj Samra n James Saul - Siverspring Lettings n Joanna Schmidt n Gregg Scott n Peter Scott - Matthew-Peters n Faye Serlin n Maria Shanahan - Direct Lets Hyde Park 3 n Danielle Sharp 3 n Steven Sharp - Premier Student Lets 3 n Peter Sheard Properties - Becki Manley n Nadeem Sheikh - Target Properties n Mark Shephard n Ben Shepley n Jeremy Shires n Jagdesh Singh - Trust Properties n Kim Skidmore n Catherine Skowronski n Graham Slater 3 n Barbara Slaughter n Ronald J Slinger n SM Properties - S Miah n David Smee 3 n Mr & Mrs AE Smith n Eleanor and Barry Smith n Rebecca Smithers n Mr and Mrs P & E Snow n Mr J Solanki n Yogesh Solanki n GM Spencer - Spencer Properties (UK) Ltd 3 n Mary Staddon 3 n Leonora Stapleton 3 n David Steel n Kerry Stewart n Esther Strudwick n Elizabeth Sullivan-Ash n Pamela Ann Suter 3 n Amanda and Graham Swift n Conrad Szamocki T n Rahjit Singh Taak n Shyam Sunder Tah 3 n G N Tahir n Alan & Fran Tait n Janos Taller 3 n Marc Tallis n Mr John Taras - Taras Properties n Target Properties - Nadeem Sheikh n Chris & Jane Taylor 3 n George and Gill Tee 3 n Temple Way Property - Bethell n Mike Thakar n Lidia Thompson n Mike Thorpe - Thorne Properties n Mr W Tohid n Christopher Toynbee n Trinity Homes - Sanjay Chawla n Trust Properties - J Singh n Catherine Tucker n Dr R Tucker 3 n John Tudor n Karen Tulley - CKT Properties U n Unilet Property - Jeremy Hibble n Unipol Student Homes W

THE CODE

n Kevin Wakefield n J Darren Walters n Jimmy Walters n Nigel Walters n Norma E Warburton n Alexander Warner n Helena Watkins n Richard Watkinson n Richard Watson - Ashville Estates n Cain Weber 3 n Simon Webster 3 n Brian White - Pageant Properties n Gavin Whitehead - Croft Properties 3 n Penny Whittington - Hawthorne Properties 3 n Edmund Wigan n Peter Wild n Mrs L Williams n P & C Williamson n Keith Willis 3 n Kathryn Wilson n Ken Wilson - Wilson Properties n Rachael Wilson - Property Relief Ltd n David Winston n M Wisniewski - M&J Estates n David Woodford 3 n Michael Worker Properties n Wrenbury Associates - Anthony J Chuter 3 n Mrs E K Wright n Jonathan Wright - Wright Property 3 n Steve Wright - Infinitus Lettings Y n Dr Z Yang n M Younis (NK Properties) Z n Anthony Zammit

Supporters of the Unipol Code

75-99% of managed properties accredited n Apex Homes n Haus Properties n Octopus Residential

50-74% of managed properties accredited n City Red n Danhamz n Stonehouse

Managing Agents with 100% of managed properties accredited n 1-2-1 Let Properties n 2View Properties (also known as Blackstones Estates) n Abode Rentals n Archways Properties n Ashfield Properties (Leeds) n A-Team Properties n Castlehill Estate Agents n DEU Estates n Headingley Property Services n Jagtar Properties n Landmark Homes n Leeds Prime Properties n Let-Leeds n LS Lettings n Oasis Properties n Parklane n Red Door Lets n Rentinc n Springwell Easylet n Sugarhouse Properties n V1sion Properties

National Code Providers in Leeds n Campus Living Villages UK n Carr Mills (D & B PML) n Collegiate AC Ltd n IQ Letting Property Partnership n Kexgill n Leeds Beckett University* n Liberty Living n Mansion Property Management n Mohammed Aslam n Parklane Properties n Priestley and Co. n Prodigy Living n Primo Property Management n Unipol Student Homes n UNITE n Urban Student Life n University of Leeds* n YPP (Yorkshire Prosperity) *denotes members of the National Code for Educational Establishments

RATE YOUR LANDLORD

NOVEMBER 2015

H 11

Rate Your Landlord it’s finally here!

What’s this all about?

Rate Your Landlord is finally here. For the first time, all Leeds-based students from all universities and colleges are able to leave feedback and comments about their renting experiences, whether that’s in private housing or flats, or your uni halls, or anything in between. Head to http://rateyourlandlord.org.u k/ to do it now!

How does it work?

Rate Your Landlord works a bit like TripAdvisor - you submit a review about your renting experience, and other students can check out what you’ve said about both the property and the landlord who owns and manages it. The review scores add up and give landlords/letting agents overall scores for things like customer service, efficiency of repairs, security, and more.

students about how the world of renting works; who they think is the best in the business, and who they think is maybe better to avoid.

This includes halls of residence too!

Can I Rate my Landlord?

Yep! If you study in Leeds at any of the universities or colleges, you can Rate Your Landlord right now. It’s vital that students tell other

What should I say?

We want students to give fair and balanced views, backed up with facts where necessary. If you’ve had a brilliant time then you NEED

to tell other students who you think is great. If you’ve had difficulties, then say so just make sure you’re fair and accurate, as what you say is in the public domain.

just in time for the House Hunting season.

What’s the story behind it?

Rate Your Landlord is fundamentally about making When is it ready? sure students are You can Rate Your Landlord empowered and active right now! We’re gathering consumers, able to make reviews as we speak, and informed decisions in a have had thousands already. market where it’s hard to The brand new website have your say and really launches in January 2016 know what other students

think. The project is being jointly run by Unipol and Leeds University Union, and came from a former student exec at LUU - but it’s open to all students in the city.

What about other cities?

We’re hoping to expand to other cities in the near future, and helping students everywhere make more informed choices when it comes to private housing.

"Over 1,400 students in Leeds have already reviewed their landlord - be one of them"

Rate Your Landlord today: www.rateyourlandlord.org.uk

12

NOVEMBER 2015

ENVIRONMENT

What is furry, green, appears in winter and spreads like a hot knife on butter........

Condensation Mould of course!

The last thing you want in your new home is large dark patches of damp black mould….. 9/10 times, this mould is caused by warm moist air meeting a cold surface, similar to when you are in a car and it gets steamed up.

Usually it occurs in winter because the building is cold and because windows are closed and the damp air cannot escape.

OKAAAY - what shall we do about it then??

Stop damp air spreading to other rooms from kitchens and bathrooms or from where clothes are drying by keeping doors closed.

■ Open windows a little to provide some ventilation so that the moist air can escape ■ Put pan lids on when cooking ■ Use the heating reasonably and regularly

■ Make sure the extractor fans provided work and are used ■ Any sign of mould growth is an indication you need to improve with the heating or ventilation ■ Get your marigolds to the ready and use a mild detergent and damp cloth to wipe away mould spores on windows and walls Not enough for a pint, never mind heating Simple steps can be taken to improve energy efficiency in your accommodation without having to cost the earth ■ Use your central heating timer or thermostat to turn the heating on and off regularly.

■ Keep the property constantly warmed during cold months. It is cheaper to heat regularly rather than letting the property get very cold ■ Avoid drying clothes on radiators ■ Don’t put furniture in front of the radiators as it will absorb a lot of the heat.

■ Close curtains at dusk during the winter, as this will help stop heat escaping through the windows

If you have tried the tips above and are still experiencing problems or are concerned about the problem being more than condensation please speak to your accommodation provider and make them aware of the situation.

THINKING ABOUT HOUSE HUNTING?

#LoveHalls Return to halls!

Leeds Beckett University students can return to university accommodation during any year of study Great reasons to live in halls: • No joint tenancy agreement so you’re only responsible for your own rent • No bills to pay – heating, water and internet are all included • Make new friends or live with old ones – it’s up to you

MAKE IT EASY – RETURN TO UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS ACCOMMODATION: • You choose the residence and you can view before signing • Even our most popular residences are available, including our small houses • Housing just for you, or with a group of friends • Only £200 deposit, no credit checks, no guarantor and no signing fee • Rents inclusive of energy charges, WiFi, contents insurance and Edge Club sports membership.

Sound good?

There’s no rush, you can arrange a viewing and book from Saturday 23rd January 2016.

The Student Services Centre will also be open on this date, especially for house hunters!

Find out more accommodation.leeds.ac.uk/returning

Booking for 2016/17 opens on Monday 1 February 2016 www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/accommodation

1

12/11/2015 09:13

COMMUNITY

13

NOVEMBER 2015

Safe and Sound…?

What do the Police stats really tell us?

Headlines ■ Student areas (Hyde park, Woodhouse and Headingley) have higher levels of “insecure entry” burglaries than the rest of Leeds - don’t provide burglars with easy opportunities!

■ Student areas also experience a higher level of repeat burglaries (12% compared to 4% in the rest of Leeds) - be vigilant, know your neighbourhood and report anything suspicious.

Minimise Your Risk ■ Always lock doors and windows when leaving a room/ the property.

■ Don’t leave valuable items on display.

■ Ensure important documents are safely hidden.

■ Always lock your bike with a silver standard D lock attached to an immovable object.

eckett leedstsb’ un ion studen

We are your voice meet Sarah and Jonny Elected by the student body Sarah and Jonny are both working hard to ensure you have a voice on the big issues that affect you.

'Hi everyone! My name is Jonny and I'm the Community Officer at Leeds University Union. I'm on the student exec along with 5 other officers and our role is to represent you and enact the changes you tell us to make. As Community Officer I represent all University of Leeds students in issues surrounding housing, crime and safety, transport, sustainability and the environment.

This term I'm working on some really exciting projects including the launch of a brand new loyalty scheme that offers students a great range of rewards and discounts for supporting their local independent traders in Leeds.

I've also been negotiating with First buses, trying to bring better value student fares to Leeds - watch this space! I've been doing a lot of research and work around encouraging cycle use and developing new initiatives to support cycling.

We're always keen to hear your views about how you think the Union, University or Leeds could be better so do let us know if you have an idea - just drop us an email or come and visit us!

"Hi all! My name is Sarah and I am the Vice President (Welfare) at Leeds Beckett Students' Union. I'm one of five executive officers at the Students' Union whose jobs are to make sure that the student voice is heard! As the welfare officer, I am the first point of call for students on any issues regarding mental and sexual health, housing and accommodation, safety, and any general wellbeing issue you might face while you're here at Leeds Beckett. I do a lot of campaigning and taking action at the university and in the wider community in order to ensure the safety and

happiness of our students during their time in Leeds.

This year a big focus of mine is trying to reduce the letting fees that students pay in the private sector. I also want to empower students while they are living in private accommodation to know what their rights are and to ensure they get the most out of what is often likely to be their first time living away from home. I am also leading a very successful consent campaign along with our women's rep and some wonderful volunteers which is successfully teaching both students and staff about sexual consent.

Working in Partnership Sarah says - “We at Leeds University Union and Leeds Beckett Students' Union work closely together to ensure that we are doing our best for students across Leeds. When it comes to issues with accommodation, whether it's halls or houses, we are both always on hand to help you out!"

Jonny says - “Both LUU and Leeds Becket SU have a great working relationship and we're here to support you during your time at Leeds whether its problems with your accommodation or any difficulty you've run in to with the University so make sure you do use the support that's available at your students’ union!'

■ If you are away for a long time use radio and light timers and ask the Post Office to hold your mail.

■ If you have a burglar alarm make sure it is working and use it.

■ You should register your electrical items on www.immobolise.com. This is a free service and allows police to track down your item if it has been stolen.

■ If you’re going out with housemates do not leave at the same time as this is a sure sign that you’re leaving the house unoccupied.

■ Thefts are common at house parties so don’t advertise your party on social networking sites and make sure you and your housemates know exactly who is there.

Important Contacts; Always call 999 in an emergency Contact your local neighbourhood policing team for more information about crime and support in your area www.westyorkshire.police.uk/npt PC 6210 Matthew Guy Higher Education Police Officer for the University of Leeds West Yorkshire Police Email: m.guy@leeds.ac.uk Follow University of Leeds Police Liaison Officer @PCMattGuy on twitter for useful tips on preventing crime

14

NOVEMBER 2015

LIFESTYLE

Enjoy Leeds on a budget in the run up to Christmas Have things gone a little quiet now that freshers is finally over? Student loan starting to dwindle? Recovered from freshers flu and now can’t decide what to do? Well there are plenty of things going on in Leeds to keep you busy before Christmas.

Christmas Treats

Cheap as Chips

· Hifi Club - comedy sessions: Saturday evenings 8pm-11pm (£12 advance ticket or £14 on the door which includes the entry for the Bugalu clubnight): If you’re in need of a laugh why not pop down to Hifi Club on a Saturday evening for one of their comedy sessions, with different comedians each week to brighten your weekend and if that’s not enough you can stay and boogie on through the night with their resident Saturday night DJ and Bugalu clubnight!

·Christmas lights turn on: Victoria Gardens Thursday 12th November 6:45-8:30pm Be sure you don’t miss the Christmas lights turn on in Victoria Gardens on the Headrow!

This will be a great (and free!) evening to pop out with your friends; there will be fun fair rides alongside a fantastic fireworks display!

Great chance to get away from work for a couple of hours and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Christkindelmarkt German Christmas market: Millennium Square 13th November to the 20th December The annual traditional Christmas market, traditional wooden stalls filled with loads of interesting things from jewellery to food to toys!

There’s something for everyone and what better way to get into the

Christmassy mood than spend an hour or two looking around a Christmas market covered with festive greenery and sparkling lights. · Library Pub Quiz: Every Sunday evening at 7.30pm Perfect if you feel you don’t quite want the weekend to end so early!

Get down to the library pub and for just £1 you can enter their pub quiz and have a chance to win a £100 bar tab! What could be better on a Sunday evening now there’s no top gear on!?

· Alt-j: First Direct Arena Sunday 6th December (Tickets £29.50) Missing the summer festival hype and want to see Alt-j live?

Well now’s your chance!

Get onto the first direct arena website and get your tickets for a must see event, maybe this could be an early Christmas present from your parents!

e

Editors Choic

Try something different this Christmas. · Roxy ball room: Open Monday to Thursday from 3pm, Friday to Sunday from 12pm Fancy something a little different from your usual bars and clubs? Roxy ball room has ping pong tables, pool tables and beer pong for you to give a go. This is a great way to go out with your mates and play some games instead of just sitting around a table!

Leeds Art Show: Leeds Art Gallery: Get in touch with your creative side and check out the British Art Show. Packed full of ambitious and influential contemporary art, running all the way until the 20th January and it’s free.

· Michael McIntyre: Happy and Glorious - Thursday 10th and Friday 11th December First Direct Arena (Tickets £35.00) Who better to brighten the cold winter days than Michael McIntyre! Get your tickets quick before they sell out, if you don’t fancy Alt-j or a night out surely you’ll love a night of comedy from one of the best in the country. The perfect end to the first semester.

15

NOVEMBER 2015 2015 LIFESTYLE NOVEMBER

LIFESTYLE

a t n a S t Secre t n e d u t s The e d i u g l sur viva

So it’s that time of year again, the weather is getting colder, the clothes are

getting cosier, and Christmas is around the corner. For some people, December

25th can not come fast enough! What’s not to like, family, friends, presents and of course delicious food, could there be a better mix?

The chances are in Uni you will be involved in at least one Secret Santa group.

Unfortunately, the time you will be exchanging gifts coincides with when the

first instalment your student loan is fast running out! So we have created a

secret Santa student survival guide!

s p i t p o t r Ou

Set a price limit

Get creative

Don’t spoil the surprise

pair of novelty socks knowing that

price limit is £5! You just have to

person you choose a secret. However, if

It can be really frustrating receiving a

It’s not the end of the world if your

you spent a lot of time and money

think creatively, for example:

On the flip side, it can also be

n Pound shops are fantastic for small

much better when you gave a small

n Primark will always be there for a

getting the perfect gift for a friend.

embarrassing receiving something

novelty gift. To avoid these awkward

situations agree as a group a price

limit and stick to it!

novelty gifts!

whimsical Christmas hat, jumper or

some festive jewellery

n Hawkin’s Bazaar has a massive range of weird and wonderful presents

starting from as little as 50p!

n Make something! Buy some

extravagant cake ingredients and

make someone a delicious,

personalised cake using their favourite treats

It’s the thought that counts if a friend

can tell that you’ve put effort in then

price won’t matter. Get something that

reminds you of your friend - if they

love coffee, then get them a cute mug

and some of their favourite blend or

if they love to travel then get them

something like a travel journal!

Keep the magic alive by keeping the

your friends do find out who you

have, not all hope is lost! Just be sure

to keep the gift itself a secret and

your friend will still have a nice

surprise to look forward to on the day.

Spread the Christmas cheer Just because you don’t see your

friends every day doesn’t mean you

can’t still enjoy some secret santa

magic! www.secretsantaelf.co.uk is a

secret santa generator website where

you can enter all the names and email

addresses of your friends and it will

email each participant the name of the

person they will need to buy a gift for.

Great for reconnecting with your

friends from home.

Happy gift giving and

Merry Christmas!!

Newly Refurbished Luxury Apartments Student Accommodation, Hyde Park, Leeds

• 72 bedrooms over 4 floors • 3 - 4 rooms per apartment • Apartments contain shared lounge, kitchen and bathroom • Parking available • Located within the popular student area of Hyde Park • 10 minute walk to the city centre and universities For further information visit www.niche-homes.co.uk or call 0113 2441960 or email info@niche-homes.co.uk

HYDE PARK ROAD