Living off campus

All registered vacancies with the University are now available on the off campus accommodation finder via the Students’ Union. If you are a landlord and are looking to register with us via StudentPad, you must supply us with a current registration form, a valid gas safety certificate, and a copy of contracts.

It is important to not panic into signing for the first property you see and to take time to evaluate all your options before committing to any contracts/agreements. Make sure you view the property first and that all your fellow house-hunters are happy before signing any contracts.

Contracts

It is important to be aware that any contact you sign with a landlord is completely independent of Edge Hill University. Don’t feel pressured by a landlord to sign a contract and make sure you are happy with all the terms and conditions before you do sign, as once signed, the contract is legally binding.

If you are concerned regarding any element of your contract, you may contact the Students’ Union (SU) Advice Centre to review the contract on your behalf. To do so, you can scan your contract and email [email protected] or, alternatively, you can book a telephone appointment. Should you book a telephone appointment, you must email the scanned contract to your adviser prior to the appointment date.

Tenancy Deposit Schemes (TDP)

TDP schemes guarantee that tenants will get their deposits back at the end of the tenancy, if they meet the terms of the tenancy agreement and do not damage the property. Landlords must protect their tenants’ deposits using a TDP scheme if they have let the property on an assured shorthold tenancy which started on or after 6 April 2007. If these conditions do not apply for example, if the landlord lives in the property with the tenants, the landlord does not have to protect tenants’ deposits.

Landlords or agents must use one of the three approved TDP schemes to protect tenants’ deposits where these conditions apply. If any other scheme is used, deposits are not protected in law. The three approved schemes are:

If you break the terms of the tenancy agreement you and the landlord should agree on how much should be deducted from the deposit. If you are unhappy with the amount the landlord wants to deduct from the deposit or the landlord/agent refuses to engage in the deposit return process, you are entitled to raise the issue with the relevant tenancy deposit scheme.

Guarantors

As part of their contract, most landlords will ask for a guarantor. A guarantor is someone who agrees to vouch for a tenant’s ability to guarantee payment of all rent, as well as any damage that the tenant may cause. Should the tenant default on rent payments and/or fail to pay for any damage caused to the landlord’s property, the landlord may proceed against the guarantor for payment to be made.

Make sure that you are clear as to how much your weekly rent is and if a deposit is payable. Your contract should state the total amount due over the course of the fixed term and how much is payable on which dates.

Landlords usually ask for rent to be paid in three instalments in September, January or April to coincide with student loan payments. However, most are flexible in altering the dates to suit your financial situation. Always retain proof of payments.

Managing your money

It is important to carefully budget and plan your finances throughout the year so that you can be certain of covering your rent payments.

Make sure to discuss with your housemates on how you’ll split the bills and then with your energy/service providers about how you’ll pay (monthly or every quarter).

You can access advice and support by contacting the Money Advice Team.

Other responsibilities of your landlord and/or letting agent include:

• ensuring that properties are in good repair before tenants move in, fixing any outstanding issues and inadequate facilities. There are legal obligations that landlords must follow in terms of property repair and maintenance
• maintaining any appliances or furniture that they have supplied with the property throughout the tenancy. If something is not working, you must report it to your landlord or letting agent as soon as possible
• maintaining the structure and exterior of the property
• sorting out any problems related to the water, electricity and/or gas supply of the property
• completing annual checks of the property for gas safety with a qualified Gas Safe engineer, providing a copy of gas safety certificates to tenants
• installing carbon monoxide detectors in any room within their properties containing a solid fuel burning appliance such as a coal fire or wood burning stove. They should also ensure smoke alarms are fitted on every floor, making sure all alarms are working at the start of your tenancy
• procuring an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property and providing this to tenants
• providing at least 24 hours’ notice of any visits to the property for inspection or activities e.g. viewings, repairs.

Harassment and illegal eviction

It is illegal for a landlord to harass a tenant, entailing an interference with the tenant’s living in the property and/or persistent withdrawal or withholding of services which the tenant needs to live reasonably within the premises. It is anything that makes you feel unsafe in your property or forces you to leave. if you believe your landlord or letting agent is harassing you, make sure to keep a note of all incidents and copies of any communications. If you decide to take action, you should contact your local authority.

If you believe you have been or could potentially be evicted illegally, you should contact your local authority. Find further details regarding illegal eviction at the link below.

• Keep a record of things. Make sure that you get a property inventory and check the contents against it. It’s a good idea to take photos of the place as soon as you move in so you can prove the property’s condition if there are ever any issues.
• Don’t rush into signing. Make sure you’re happy with everything before you sign a contract/tenancy agreement and that you receive a copy of the signed contract afterwards.
• Find all the information. Always read all the information that’s offered to you and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember, there’s no such thing as a stupid question.
• Be patient. Make sure to view properties and don’t worry if you don’t like the first property that you see – there are always others. Ask a parent or relative to come along to a viewing if possible as there experience will be helpful and don’t let your fellow house-hunters pressure you in to taking the first pick.
• Manage your money. Be sure that any options you explore are affordable with other living costs and be sure to make a budget to plan your expenses throughout the year. Seek advice from our Money Advice Team as needed.