Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, there will be electricity and gas (if it has gas heating), water rates, telephone / broadband, any tv package, tv licence and you may also want insurance for your possessions. You may also need to pay for a parking permit if you need one. If you are a student / all students, you will be exempt from the council tax.
This depends on the landlord and how they market the rooms or property. Sometimes broadband, tv licence and water rates are included – occasionally all bills are too – check the listings carefully to see what is included already.
Bills vary according to how much you use of course and what level of service you choose.For example, you may get cheap broadband for £20 but if there are 4 or 5 sharing it may pay to get a faster speed. Equally with the heating and electricity it will depend how much you have on but also how efficient they are, so look out for houses with low energy bulbs (LED mostly) and a modern condensing boiler. If the rooms are double glazed that will help too. The energy certificate can help guide you here but also worth asking existing tenants how much they are paying. Generally, though if no bills are included, the bills are likely to be around £150 – £200 per month for the house.
If you are dealing directly with the landlord you will be him or her but if through an agent, the agent will collect the rent on their behalf.You can usually pay direct individually and most landlords agents request it is by standing order / online payment to a designated bank account. Any landlord asking for cash should give you a receipt, so you have evidence of payment.
This depends on the landlord – occasionally they may not require a deposit but is usual to ask for a month’s rent in advance.There are rules on what the deposit can be then used for and they have to be registered by a deposit protection provider (such as My Deposits). Any deposit should be handed back within 30 days after the tenancy and any disagreements with any deductions mediated with the deposit agency.
Yes of course – rooms are often different sizes with pros and cons so makes sense that if you let jointly you share the rent in a fair way if that’s what you decide.As long as the individual contributions match the total rent, the agent or landlord will be happy.
Generally, tenancies for student accommodation run from the beginning of July to the end of the follow June (12 months).You may also find a tenancy starting in September so saving to pay through the summer but you may find the better houses get taken first.
Generally, yes you will pay through the summer but as above, you may find a tenancy that starts in September and avoids paying when you are not there.You may also be able to pay reduced rent through the summer but it is a market at the end of the day and if the demand is sufficient, it is likely you will need to pay to secure a house close to the university.
You will need to get permission from the landlord and or their agent first.They may agree with certain stipulations including knowing more about the individual. You will continue to be liable yourself and you will need to pay the rent regardless whether you get paid yourself. It can be a good way to help reduce the cost over the summer but remember there is a lot of accommodation empty and so the prices paid will not be so high.
In most cases yes, the houses come furnished.It is of course worth checking what is and what isn’t included and also the quality of what is provided. If the mattress is very thin, worn out or dirty for example you may want to negotiate with the agent or landlord first and stipulate what you would like to be done.
Usually there will be no crockery, utensils or other kitchen equipment except a kettle, toaster and microwave.Again, it is worth checking what is included so you know what to expect and what you may need to purchase.
Often mould is simply caused by very damp air condensing on the colder walls.Just like boiling a kettle and the steam condenses on a glass window or a tile surface where the steam goes. If you are a group, in a house cooking and drying clothes without opening windows it ends up condensing on the colder walls making them damp which then leads to mould. Of course, there is the possibility there is a leak in the roof or a gutter problem but in these cases the mould is typically isolated to a particular spot (eg where the leak is) and not all over the wall. Outside walls being colder will obviously get mouldy first if the air is damp.
There are several basic things you can do.When cooking, use the extractor fans over the cooker or hob if there is one. If not, try to keep the window open a little and shut the doors to the main house. After showers, open the window and make sure any extractor fan is working. If you take your towel to your room, remember that water must go somewhere so open your window and let fresh air in. Also, a good solution is to ask the landlord for a dehumidifier – these are devices that extract water from the atmosphere and generally collect in a tank. While they use energy, don’t forget the damp isn’t healthy and will cost more to heat so keeping the air drier is always advisable.