Private Housing Guide
#KnowYourRights
Welcome This guide is intended to give you an overview of all the things you need to be aware of when searching for private student housing. The Students’ Union can advise you on all things housing related, from house hunting tips to tenant rights and responsibilities. We’re here to support you, so don’t hesitate to get in touch. Here’s how you can reach us: T. 01443 483500
E. studunion@southwales.ac.uk
@USWSU
fb.com/uswsu
Contents 4
#DontRush
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How to find your perfect student house
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Moving in and out
10 Did you know? 11 Quick Summary 12 House Hunting Checklist 13 Useful Links and Contacts
#DONT RUSH There’s plenty of time to search for a house during the academic year so you shouldn’t feel rushed into committing to a property you’re not happy with. House hunting can be an exciting and daunting experience, so we’ve put together the following advice to make sure you find the right home for you.
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There's plenty of time House hunting can feel like everyone is in a race to get to the finish line. Even though some of your friends or flat mates may have begun their property search, don’t be pressured into making ill-informed decisions. There will be time to find the right house mates and home so you can be sure you’ll have the best living experience in the next academic year.
Be smart Landlords and letting agencies may try to convince you that the first property you view is perfect. You may even hear “you need to decide today because we have fifty more viewings and this house will go.” Yes, this house may be snapped up by another group, but you shouldn’t be pressured into making a quick decision. Only decide whether a property is right for you once you’ve checked it out and have had time to think about it properly.
Don't believe the myth Every year students are misled into thinking that if they don’t have a house secured by the end of November they will be left homeless for the next year. We promise that this is a complete myth. The housing market is constantly changing with more properties becoming available through the year. Don’t forget why you’re at University; put assignments and exam preparation first and keep housing on the back-burner until you’re ready. 5
Find your perfect student house Search The key to finding the perfect student house is in your search. It’s important to know where to look to find the ‘hidden gems’. Although local estate agencies are a good place to start, there are many alternative accommodation services: > > > >
StudentPad Online Letting agents/Landlords Students’ Union Lettings Accommodation Services
View Once you’ve had a thorough search and made a note of the houses that tick your boxes, it’ll be time to book some viewings. It’s best to arrange viewings with different letting agencies to get a good feel for what’s available. Organising time slots so your whole group can attend will ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to voice their opinion. It will be important to make sure the houses you’re viewing are “fit for study”. Using the checklist provided in this pack will ensure the houses can provide healthy living conditions for you and your house mates. The checklist covers everything you need to be looking out for when picking your new home.
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Discuss This is the most important step for you and your house mates. Give yourselves time to think through each of the properties. Sitting down as a group will give everyone the opportunity to reflect on the houses you’ve inspected. Most of all, take your time before deciding whether the house you all liked is right for you!
Sign Once you’ve found the house that fits all of your needs, you will have to sign a contract or tenancy agreement. You are within your rights to take a copy away with you, we strongly recommend you do so and read it thoroughly before signing. Try to pay particular attention to the following arrangements in the contract: > > > > > > >
Rent/bills Landlord/letting agent access Maintenance Tenant responsibilities Tenancy Length Inventory/damaged items Contact details
If at any point you are unhappy with the terms set out in the contract, you should make it known to the landlord or estate agent so that any necessary changes can be made. Only when you are satisfied with the contract should you sign it. 7
Moving in House search completed, contract signed, the big day has arrived! Before you move in though, it’s best to prepare yourself for what you’ll need. Make things easy for yourself by gauging the size of your room and what you can fit. Creating a checklist and speaking with your house mates about shared utensils will prevent you from having three potato mashers!
A basic list would comprise of: > > > > >
Clothes Linen/bed clothes Bathroom products Pots/pans/crockery Basic Electronics
Here are some of the most important things you should prepare for during your tenancy:
Boundaries
Living with friends for the first time can be a real test. The key is to be both respective of your flat mates as well as keeping communication lines open to express how you feel.
Bills
It’s a good idea to get ahead of the game with bills by talking to the previous tenants, your landlord or letting agents to gauge the average monthly or quarterly bills. You can then collectively agree an amount to budget for each bill.
Cleaning
Cleaning can sometimes be a source of contention for house mates. Maintaining a certain level of cleanliness will avoid conflicts in the house and make sure you all live together comfortably. Organising a weekly cleaning roster is quick enough to do and will ensure everyone pulls their weight.
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Moving out When you move out of your house it’s important to leave the property as you found it. Doing so will mean you won’t incur fines and you should successfully reclaim your full deposit. This often means doing a deep clean. Cleaning the house to the standard you found it should be a team effort – don’t leave it to the person who stayed the longest; make sure you all pitch in!
Things to remember: > > > >
Make sure bins are not left outside the property. Dispose of any of your belongings that you no longer want. Check that everything is on the inventory. Take final meter readings and inform your energy and water provider of the date that you will be moving out. …And finally, hand back your keys.
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Only 1/3 of students are satisfied with their property after the aggressive marketing tactics employed by letting agents (“sign now or someone else will have it‌â€?).
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53% of students are left in the dark as to whether their deposit is protected.
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61% of students are affected or have contact with damp, mould and mice whilst living in private student housing.
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2/3 of students wear more than two layers of clothing to bed at some point during the year just to keep warm.
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Only 21% of students sign their contracts during their first term (usually two months in).
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Smart meters are on the roll out and are free to everyone in the UK.
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As of 2017, landlords will be legally obliged to provide an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) and students have the right to demand to see this.
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Students do not pay any form of Council Tax.
Quick summary There's no rush
There are plenty of student houses to rent – more than enough for the number of students at USW. It’s more important you are sure of whom you want to live with and remain patient for the right house.
Look at houses with different agencies
To see what you get for your money! Remember that the agent is employed by the landlord and gets paid when they find tenants. Look out for professional behaviour from the agents and don’t feel pressured into making a decision, handing over money or signing up. If looking as part of a group, make decisions together. Everyone should see the house, agree on location and contribute to a house ‘wish list’.
Think long term
If you rush into signing for a house, you need to be confident you will be comfortable living with your house mates until the following summer. Be sure everyone in your group has the same living expectations.
How much will you have to pay upfront?
When you find a house to rent you’ll pay agency fees, a deposit and/or a month’s rent upfront. When money changes hands, be sure to get a receipt.
Is your deposit protected?
Your landlord or agent must protect your deposit within 30 days of you paying in accordance with law. If within 30 days you haven’t received details of how your deposit has been protected within 30 days seek advice from your Students’ Union.
Beware of promises
If the landlord or agent makes promises about redecoration, new furniture or anything else, make sure you have it written into the contract. If the promises are not kept you may still have to stay at the property.
Tenancy documents are legal contracts
They are normally for a fixed length of time and cannot be ended early. If a group of you sign one contract you are all personally responsible for the rent and condition of the whole property.
Free, independent and confidential advice is available at your Students' Union. 11
Property Checklist Address:
Landlord/Agent:
Rent: ÂŁ
Questions to ask What is the agency fee?
HMO license? (if 5+)
What is the deposit? Protected?
Gas safety certificate?
What furnishings/appliances are included?
Is there a burglar & fire alarm system?
Any bills/insurance included?
What is the EPC rating?
Rate 1-3
Location
(poor-ok-great)
Comments
Safety at night Transport links Shops Close to friends Close to University
External condition Roof, doors & windows Bin capacity Garden/yard Parking spaces Security (lighting, back gate etc)
Internal condition Bedroom sizes and condition Bedroom furniture (beds, desks, storage etc) Bathroom(s) Living area Kitchen (think about storage inc. fridge/freezer) Utility room Main appliances/white goods Heating system General condition (pests/leaks/damp/mould) Overall impression: Total property score: Checklist compiled by the University of South Wales Students’ Union with the help of savethestudent.org
Useful links Your Students' Union
Our website has a section dedicated to housing advice, including information about insurance, bills, inventories and private tenancy agreements.
USW Accommodation Services
Accommodation Services is a department within Campus Services responsible for providing accommodation to students who want to live either on campus or in a private property. USW Accommodation Services reception is open 24 hours a day for emergencies. W: www.southwales.ac.uk/accommodation T: 01443 482044 E: accom@southwales.ac.uk
Glamorgan Student Letting
Glamorgan Student Letting is owned and run by the University of South Wales Students’ Union, and is committed to ensuring that students find quality houses owned by reputable landlords. You can find their office on the middle floor of the Students’ Union building in Treforest. W: www.glamorganstudentletting.com T: 01443 483531 E: glamlet@glam.ac.uk
Be An Energy Shopper
Comparison sites are a great way to get started when you’re beginning to shop around for energy. All of the Ofgem approved sites are independent and the options and prices are calculated in a fair and unbiased way. W: www.goenergyshopping.co.uk
RCT Council
Treforest & Glyntaff www.rctcbc.gov.uk
Cardiff Council
Atrium & Atlantic House www.cardiff.gov.uk
Newport Council
Newport City and Caerleon www.newport.gov.uk
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U Private Housing Guide University of South Wales Students' Union www.uswsu.com