Successful House-hunting
• There are plenty of houses
• Most people find suitable accommodation
• Take your time don’t get rushed into
something you later regret
Don’t Panic
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Who with and how many?
Where?
Type of Accommodation?
How much can I afford?
Planning is Vital
• Our research indicates that larger properties work out more
expensive per person than smaller properties
• E.G: An 8 bedroom property in Leamington Spa costs on average
19% more per person per week than a 4 bedroomed property
• Some larger properties are expensive and not of a good standard
and represent very poor value for money
Larger Properties are more
Expensive
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Standards and Quality
Large Groups
Location
Deposits and Insurance
Try Warwick Accommodation First
Warwick Accommodation or
Private?
• Most private contracts are for joint tenancies, with
everyone having joint and several liability for the rent.
• If someone leaves the house before the contract ends,
all of the tenants can be held responsible for the missing
portion of the rent, but everyone has the right to recover
the missing rent from the person who leaves
Joint Tenancies
• Is it possible to give notice and leave the
property early?
• Most contracts do not allow this, but you may
be able to assign the contract ie find someone
to take your place
Can You Give Notice?
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Agents fees and set up costs
Deposits
Rent
Water Charges
How much will it cost?
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme
• Prescribed Information
• If renting privately make sure your deposit is
properly protected in an authorised scheme
Deposits
• Some agents and landlords ask your parents to act as
your guarantor in case you don’t pay!
• Try to avoid this - it is a bad idea and parents could
end up being responsible for not just their
son/daughter’s rent and other liabilities, but everyone
else too!
Guarantors
• Make a thorough inspection of any place you
intend to rent
• Use the Advice Centre Check List
• Don’t sign a contract for a place you have not
seen
Inspecting the House
Our research shows that 50% of students are
disappointed with the quality and condition of
their accommodation when they move in
Very Disappointed
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Door locks
Window locks
Burglar alarms
Security lights
Security
• Are there gas appliances? Eg Fires, boilers, water heaters
• There must be a gas safety certificate for the property if
there are any gas appliances
• Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors?
Gas & Fire Safety
• Read gas & electricity meters the day you move in
• Give the utility companies your reading and arrange
to take over the supply
• Try to have everyone’s name on the bill – then
everyone is responsible for it!
Gas & Electricity
• Make sure any inventory is up to date and accurate
• Make a note of the condition of any item that is
damaged or in poor condition
• Use the inventory when you move out to show
nothing is damaged or missing
TOP TIP: take photographs when you move in
Using an Inventory
• If you have a TV or watch live TV you must have a
licence
• £145.50 for a colour licence
• Every year some students are prosecuted for not
having a licence
TV Licence
• Private landlords have insurance for the building
but your possessions are unlikely to be covered
• Warwick Accommodation provide you with
some insurance as part of their standard
contract
Insurance
• If all the occupants of your house are full-time
students
- There is no Council Tax to pay
• Council Tax problems? – Get advice straight away
Council Tax
• The SU Advice Centre will give you free
independent advice on your contract
• Always read the contract and understand it
yourself
• Get advice about anything you don’t
understand before signing
Contracts
We are an experienced team who can give you
advice on:
• House-hunting
• Housing Problems
• All aspects of University Life
• Anything else you can think of!
SU Advice Centre
How to contact SU Advice Team:
In Person: SUHQ building
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 024 76 572824
(internal Tel: 72824)
Web Site: www.warwicksu.com
SU Advice Centre