1

HOUSE HUNTING

GUIDE2019/20

Welcome

The University of Brighton has over 20,000 students in Brighton & Hove and Eastbourne many of whom live in the private sector.

Contents Who to live with 01Where to look 02House hunting 04Moving in 06FAQs 08Jargon buster 09Useful contacts andquick links 11House hunting checklist 14

better homes for

students

This guide has been created to help you navigate through the Private Rented Sector. You can contact the Accommodation Service for further advice and we also have a dedicatedCommunity Liaison Team who will, as part of our service, seek to resolve issues involving students within the community

1

When you and your fellow housemates sign a Tenancy Agreement, you will be sharing a home together for a fixed amount of time, so you need to think carefully about who you want to live with.

OUR FACEBOOK GROUPS

One of the most useful places to meet potential housemates is via the university-run house hunting groups on Facebook:

Brighton www.facebook.com/groups/UoB.Housemates/

Eastbourne www.facebook.com/groups/eastbournehousehunting

Who to live with

Good to knowKeep a close eye on the Facebook groups as this is where students will be advertising spare rooms too. It’s also the place you’ll find announcements from the Accommodation Service.

The groups are ‘closed’ so you’ll have to request to join and provide your student number if you have one.

Good to knowThere are loads of student discount networks that can help to reduce costs! Check out the National Union of Students (NUS) & UNiDAYS:

National Union of Students (NUS) www.nus.org.uk/nus-extra

UNiDAYS www.myunidays.com

THINGS TO CONSIDER

• How many people? More peoplecan mean more fun and cheaperbills. It can also mean more messand noise. Also, living on your ownmight be appealing but will be moreexpensive. You may wish to considerliving with a resident landlord (seepage 3).

• Access to your campus• Local shops and facilities• Access to public transport• Your place of work• Parking• Value for money• Don’t underestimate what it’s going

to cost you. It’s easy to say you’llcompromise on essentials but don’tbecome unrealistic on what you’llneed to pay for agency fees, rent andbills, plus everything else.

• If you and/or your housemates areplanning on heading home in thesummer, consider the length ofyour tenancy agreement. You mayfind yourself liable for rent on ahouse even if you plan to go homefor a month or two in the summer. In Brighton, it’s likely you’ll sign acontract for 52 weeks.

2

HOMESTAY (BRIGHTON ONLY)

Homestay is a scheme run by the accommodation service which gives you the extra security of living with a family, couple or single person in the local area who have been endorsed by the university. The scheme is particularly popular with international students and is able to accommodate varying length of stays, from two weeks up to a whole academic year.

Homestay is only available in the Brighton area where there is demand for the service, whether you are studying at the University or on placement as part of your course. Rooms can be provided on a self-catered or catered basis, depending on whether you want to have your meals cooked for you. We also have shared rooms if you know another student you want to share with.For more info, go to our website (link on page 13). If you’re interested in applying, contact the Brighton team (see page 13). They can advise on availability and help you to find a suitable host.

Where to look

Most of our students live in the private sector and to help them find affordable, good quality housing, the Accommodation Service manages an online database called studenthomes:

https://studenthomes.brighton.ac.uk

You will need your University of Brighton log in details to access the site.

STUDENTHOMES Studenthomes is available to University of Brighton students only. It contains lists of available private sector housing, student message boards, interactive maps and housing advice all in one place. Landlords must agree to our Code of Standards showing commitment to their housing and professional conduct. You can view the code on our website; the link is on page 13.

Viewings, negotiations and contracts are arranged between you and the landlord only, however, the Accommodation Service can offer advice if you need it.

Good to knowYou can also find resident landlords on studenthomes. Resident landlords offer rooms in their own home, like lodgings. All bills are included in the rent and some may offer meals too. This option suits those who want flexibility (rolling contracts, i.e. you are not tied in for a fixed period) and those who don’t wish to live with other students. It can also be a short-term option if you arrive at university before your course starts or haven’t had a chance to search for more permanent accommodation.

OTHER OPTIONS

Although we recommend using studenthomes and homestay, we realise you may need to widen your search for housing in the private sector. We have included lots of tips in this guide but please do contact us for further help if you need to.

• Never provide your personal ID or bank details over the internet. Only give this information to the landlord or agency once you’ve met them in person

• Always get a receipt when making a payment and avoid paying with cash

• Be aware of online scams such as the use of money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram. Money transfer services are not meant for any kind of transaction connected with someone you don’t know.

LETTING AGENTS

By law, letting agents are required to join a government regulatory body and/or an authorised consumer redress scheme. The purpose of this is to give consumers an escalated complaints procedure if they are unhappy with how their complaint has been dealt with by the agent.

The schemes give a good indication as to how a letting agency conducts its business, as they must pay a fee to be a part of one and comply a certain code of practice.

Association of Residential Letting Agencies (ARLA PropertyMark) www.arla.co.ukThe Property Ombudsman (TPO) www.tpos.co.ukThe Property Redress Scheme (PRS) www.theprs.co.ukOmbudsman Services www.ombudsman-services.org

3

You will find most letting agents advertising on sites like Rightmove and Zoopla. Check that they are members of at least one of the above schemes (usually found on their website or on Propertymark: www.propertymark.co.uk).

GUMTREE AND SPAREROOMThese sites are popular – however, whilst there are some excellent landlords on these sites, there are also a few bad ones. Exercise caution and never send any personal ID info or transfer money before seeing the property and meeting the landlord/agent.

Good to knowRightmove has a section for students, which separates student property from those aimed at the professional market: www.rightmove.co.uk/student-accommodation.html

EASTBOURNE HOUSING

Eastbourne can offer Brighton based students a good alternative for accommodation:

• Good choice of property• Good standard of accommodation• Easy commute and cost effective

The availability of property to rent in Eastbourne is generally more plentiful which often encourages a higher standard.

Shorter contracts If you’re not planning on staying in the area over the summer months then the 10-11 month contracts offered in Eastbourne will be very cost effective.

CostsThe average rent in Eastbourne is about £90 to £95 per week. A comparable average rent in Brighton is about £125 to £130 per week.

Easy commute All Brighton campuses have either direct or easy access to the train line providing an easy commute from Eastbourne, e.g. the advertised travel time for a bus from Churchill Square to our Falmer campus is 36 minutes. The train from Eastbourne station to Falmer is 33 minutes.

Train costs via the ‘Unizone’ season ticket is £68.80 per month or £17.90 per week. For more information visit: www.southernrailway.com/tickets/discounts-and-railcards/unizone

Student populationEastbourne campus has a student population of around 3,000. The majority of student housing is in the town centre within easy walking distance of the train station, shops and clubs.

Campus facilities The university campus in Eastbourne has a variety of facilities including computer and study rooms, a number of hospitality outlets, a gym and swimming pool.

Eastbourne has an established student community and offers a range of on campus services and facilities to meet student needs making it an option worth considering.

You can find Eastbourne properties on the studenthomes website (see page 3). For further advice contact the Eastbourne team (details on page 13).

Good to knowYou can view maps of all of the university’s campuses on our website: www.brighton.ac.uk/maps

4

VIEWING A PROPERTY If you are viewing a room in a resident landlord property, you should concentrate on the bedroom itself and the kitchen and bathroom. Remember this is the landlord’s own home. Resident landlords do not need to provide electrical reports and other documentation, normally a gas certificate is sufficient by law.

Try to view as a whole group so you can discuss the house and ensure everyone is happy. Arranging for everyone to visit a house over a number of days can potentially mean you lose out.

Use our checklist For those looking at shared student houses, we have produced the House Hunting check list to take with you on viewings to help ensure you don’t miss the important bits. You can find this on pages 16 and 17. It’s easy to overlook things which can make a big difference to your enjoyment of living in a house. You can email your local accommodation team if you need additional copies. Contact details are on page 13.

Ask questions Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A good landlord/agent won’t mind answering them or finding out for you if they don’t know. If the tenants are home and you feel it appropriate, you could ask them a few quick questions about what it’s like living there, have there been any issues and were they dealt with professionally by their landlord/agent and in a timely manner?

SECURING A PROPERTY

You need to be certain you’re happy with the property and the people you will be living with before making a commitment. It’s a good idea to get answers to questions, repair undertakings and planned improvements in writing

House hunting

Looking for accommodation is a serious business. It’s serious because you’ll be entering into a legally binding agreement so it’s worth taking time to consider your options. The following information is designed to make the process as easy as possible for you.

Good to knowFor definitions of the different types of tenancy agreements, see the jargon buster on page 11.

PAYING FEES, DEPOSITS AND MAKING A COMMITMENT

The law on tenancy fees has changed with the new Tenancy Fees Act 2019. As of 1st June 2019 the only payments in connection with a tenancy that you can be charged by a landlord or an agent are:

• the rent • a refundable tenancy deposit

capped at no more than five weeks’ rent where your total annual rent is less than £50,000, or six weeks’ rent where your total annual rent is £50,000 or above

• a refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property) capped at no more than one week’s rent

• payments to change the tenancy when requested by the tenant, capped at £50, or reasonable costs incurred if higher

• payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant

• payments in respect of utilities, communication services, TV licence and council tax; and

• a default fee for late payment of rent and replacement of a lost key/security device giving access to the housing, where required under a tenancy agreement.

If the payment a landlord or agent is charging is not on this list it is not lawful, and a landlord or agent should not ask you to pay it. If a landlord or agent has charged a prohibited payment please refer to the guide here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/791280/TFA_Guidance_for_Tenants.pdf

Get a receipt for any payments you make. If you’ve paid a holding fee ask when the security deposit is due and if the holding fee is offset against the deposit or deducted from the rent.

5

Security depositsIn almost any case, you will be asked to pay a security deposit (sometimes called a damage deposit). The law requires landlords and agents to register these deposits in a government approved deposit protection scheme. This must be done within 30 working days of a new tenancy beginning and you must be supplied with the details (‘prescribed information’ or Rent Deposit Certificate).

My Deposits Scheme www.mydeposits.co.uk

Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) www.tenancydepositscheme.com

Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS) www.depositprotection.com

What this means:• Your deposit is protected• Within 30 days of payment, your

landlord/agent must supply you withinformation about which schemeyour deposit has been placed in, how to apply for the release of thedeposit and what to do in the eventof a dispute. This can be in the formof a certificate or notification and aunique ID

• When your tenancy ends, itcannot be released unless there isagreement from both parties – tenantand landlord – over the condition ofthe property

• If there’s a dispute that can’t beresolved between yourselves andthe landlord, the scheme offers anunbiased resolution service that willlook at the evidence and decide ifthere should be a deduction from thedeposit or not. Their decision is final.

REFERENCING AND GUARANTORS

It’s common for student tenants to be asked for a guarantor. If you’re unsure of what a guarantor is check the jargon buster on page 11. Ask the agent to explain their criteria for a guarantor before you pay the holding fee or security deposit.

If you haven’t got a guarantor, you may be asked to pay between 6 months’ and the whole contract period of rent upfront. You could consider using a company that will act as a guarantor for you, though you’ll have to pay a fee. Housing Hand offer a service to students who do not have access to a UK guarantor: www.housinghand.co.uk/guarantor-service

You should always check that an agent accepts Housing Hand as a guarantor before making an offer on a property or paying any holding fees. Once you’ve secured your house, the landlord/agent may wish to obtain references. Most agents use a third party to reference new tenants and you’ll be asked to complete a form or an online application. Your guarantor will need to do the same (if applicable).

You may be given a sample copy of the contract you’ll sign when you move in – if not, it’s a good idea to ask for one so you can read through it beforehand and not feel rushed on the day of signing. If you don’t understand any part of your contract, the accommodation team can help. Contact details are on page 10.

Right to RentIf you are renting directly from a private landlord, the landlord or agent will ask to check your personal documentation to make sure you have the ‘right to rent’.

• You will have an automatic right torent if you are a British Citizen, anational of the European EconomicArea or of Switzerland

• You will have a right to rent if you arefrom outside the EEA or Switzerlandbut have unlimited right to remain inthe UK

• You will have a limited right to rentif you are from outside the EEA orSwitzerland and have a limited rightto remain in the UK.

You can find more information on the GOV.UK website: www.gov.uk/check-tenant-right-to-rent-documents and in the Frequently Asked Questions section of this guide on page 10.

Good to knowOnly My Share provide financial protection to tenants and guarantors who enter into a joint tenancy agreement (see the jargon buster on page 11) and are worried about risk: www.onlymyshare.com

Good to knowOnly landlords issuing an AssuredShorthold Tenancy agreement must protect your deposit, i.e. resident landlords do not. For thedefinition of an AST, see page 11.

6

THE INVENTORY

An inventory is a legally binding document. If you’re provided with one you need to pay attention to it. Think of it as representing the value of your deposit.

The inventory will list each room, itemising its contents and condition at the start of your tenancy. If there is a dispute at the end of the tenancy over the condition of the property, the inventory can be crucial evidence to support an argument from either the tenant or the landlord.

On the day of move in, you may meet the landlord/agent there who will check you into the house and go through the inventory with you. Or you may be given the inventory in advance and asked to check the house yourself before signing and returning it (by a certain date). Make sure a copy is returned to you. Either way, ensure you take time to do this (before you unpack) and record any damage to the structure of the property and furnishings that may have been overlooked. If something is a little unclear on the inventory it’s ok to add more detail and take photos if necessary.Remember: you are responsible for checking your own bedroom and jointly responsible for checking the communal areas so please don’t miss these or assume someone else has done it for you.

If you are not provided with an inventory, create your own. Take lots of photos before you unpack and forward any to the landlord/agent of existing marks etc you could be held responsible for at the end of your tenancy.

Paying the balance of money It’s often easiest to make an online transfer, but ensure there’s time for it to clear. A transfer from an overseas account usually takes longer and can incur transfer charges which affect the actual amount transferred. Otherwise, have your debit or credit card with you. Cash may be accepted but you could be charged a handling fee which will make it more expensive.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate These should be available for you to view. Ensure they are in date.

Contact informationYou should also be told who manages your property. If the landlord is managing it you’ll be given their contact details. You should also be given information about who you should contact in an emergency. Alternatively, the letting agent may be acting as a managing agent. If this is the case, establish who at the agency deals with property management (so you know who to report repairs to etc).

Moving in

AT THE AGENTS OR WHEN YOU MEET THE LANDLORD All tenants and guarantors will need to have signed their parts of the contract before the keys can be collected – if on a joint contract and some tenants are moving in later than others, you will all still need to have signed the contracts before the first people can get their keys.

You may need to bring ID with you – have this to hand.

Normally on the day of the move, or before if pre-arranged, you’ll need to go through some administration with the landlord/agent:

Tenancy agreement - the contract You should have already read through this but if not, don’t be rushed into signing. IMPORTANT: This is a legally binding document. Once signed you can’t just walk away from your contractual commitments – regardless if (for example) you decide to move out of the house due to a fall out with your housemates, or you change university course or campus.

Prescribed information or Rent Deposit Certificate This tells you where your security deposit is registered and the process at the end of the tenancy for its return.

How to rent booklet Your landlord/agent must provide you with a copy of this booklet: www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent

Recurring Card Payment (RCP), Standing Order or Direct DebitThis is an instruction to your bank to pay the rent. You may have decided to pay the whole rent from one joint account, or you may be paying individually. Good to know

There may be a time period for allowing corrections to be added to the inventory when you start your tenancy, after which it will be assumed the inventory is accurate.

7

InsuranceThe owner will have insurance for the building but you will need separate contents insurance to cover your belongings. You can arrange contents insurance fairly easily online, or might even find your parents’ home insurance will cover some things (but make sure you check, don’t assume!).

Appliances Whilst your friends and family are still around, familiarise yourself with the appliances as they may differ to the ones you have used previously. Pay particular attention to the boiler to ensure your first shower isn’t a cold one!

HealthcareSign up with your local doctor/GP. See page 14 for more information.

Electoral roll To be able to vote in local and general elections you need to be registered on the electoral roll. Register via your local council. Contact details are on page 14.

DON’T FORGET THE BILLS

Utilities Record the meter readings for gas, electricity and water (the inventory might tell you where the meters are), then contact the utility companies to set up accounts. Your landlord/agent should be able to tell you who the current providers are if you don’t know.

InternetIt is often your responsibility to set up the internet. Your agent or landlord can clarify this. However, you must not make or allow any contractors to make any structural changes or installations for these services (e.g. attaching a Sky dish to a wall) without first checking with your landlord or agent. Not getting permission would likely breach a clause in your contract.

Get a good dealDo take the time to shop around to get the best deal. Sites such as MoneySuperMarket and CompareTheMarket are great for comparing utility companies. You could also join MoneySavingExpert’s Cheap Energy Club where you can set up alerts so you are notified as soon as a cheaper tariff becomes available: www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub

Paying billsAgree how the bills are going to be paid. If you are on a joint tenancy it’s important to set up the utility accounts in everybody’s names so you are equally liable. Having them in one person’s name could lead to disputes at the end of the tenancy.

Some companies will view you as individual tenants rather than one house which is great if you’re worried about being liable for each other’s share of the bills. Alternatively, you could consider using a bills management company such as Glide: www.glide.co.uk

If you have a key or pre-payment meter, you can charge the key or card in any shop bearing the Paypoint symbol. Remember, properties registered on

studenthomes are not permitted to have key or pre-payment meters.

Council tax You’ll need to inform the council that you have moved into the property and confirm your student status. They will record this on their register and bill you accordingly (if at all).How to do this:

• BrightonObtain your exemption certificateonline at www.brighton-hove.gov. uk/counciltax

• EastbourneGive your landlord your universitystudent number so they can submitthem to the local council for checkingagainst a shared database

• HastingsObtain an exemption letter from yourschool office at the university andsend it or take it to the local council.

Full time students are exempt from paying council tax. Bear in mind that if one person in your house is not a full time student, they are liable to pay the council tax for the whole property, but may be eligible for a discount. Get in touch with your local council if you have any questions. Contact details are on page 14.

TV licenceIf you have one or more TV receivers (including laptops and consoles capable of streaming) you’ll need a licence. If you’re on single tenancies, you may need one each.

Costs and information can be found here: www.tvlicensing.co.uk.

Good to knowIf you are caught without a licence you may incur a fine of up to £1,000.

Good to knowIt’s likely you’ll receive post for the previous tenants. Mark it “return to sender” and pop it in a post box.

Good to knowEndsleigh offer contents insurance specifically for students. Find out more on their website: www. endsleigh.co.uk/student-insurance

8

Frequently asked

questions

Some of the questions we are often asked are covered in this section.

How will landlords make the Right to Rent checks?Landlords will need to see and take copies of the required documents to ensure that the tenant has the right to rent. They are expected to keep the copies of the documents for at least a year following the end of the tenancy. Agents are expected to keep copies for longer than this.

I will be living in private accommodation – will I need to have my passport checked?Yes, your landlord should check your documentation. If you have a British passport you can show this as evidence of your right to rent. If you don’t have a British passport, you can provide a different document. See the GOV.UK website for more information: www.gov.uk/check-tenant-right-to-rent-documents.

I am an international student and I have extended my visa to continue my studies – will I need to show my landlord my new visa for the Right to Rent check?The Right to Rent checks last a year, or until the leave to remain expires, whichever is the longer period. You should be prepared for your landlord/agent to ask to see your new visa when it is granted by the Home Office. If there is a delay in granting your new visa, your landlord may need to apply to the Home Office’s Right to Rent checking service.

Can the university confirm my immigration status for the Right to Rent check?The university will not provide a letter to confirm your immigration status. However, a letter from the university confirming you are a student may count as one of the required documents if you have problems providing others on the list. You should therefore make sure you keep the letter you received from the university confirming your acceptance on a current course of studies.

What are my obligations with regards to the Right to Rent checks?Before your tenancy begins, you are required to show your landlord original copies of the required documents and allow them to make their own copy. We expect that failure or refusal to provide the documents will result in you being refused the opportunity to rent the accommodation from the landlord.

What rules apply if I live in the same house as my landlord?If you live with a resident landlord you may be granted a licence to occupy. This means that the landlord allows you to reside in the property for a length of time, but it does not mean that you have a legal right to be there. Although there is some protection from being evicted the landlord does not have to have grounds to evict you.

Should my tenancy agreement be in writing?Legally, an Assured Shorthold Tenancy does not have to be in writing but it is good practice for landlords and agents to provide you with a written contract.

If your landlord does not, you are strongly advised to write to them asking for a written ‘Statement of Terms’. The landlord must then reply within 28 days (non-compliance is a criminal offence).

You should ask that the Statement of Terms covers the date the tenancy began, the amount of rent due and when it should be paid, any rent review clause and details of any ‘fixed term’. Even if you are living with a resident landlord, it’s good practice to have your agreement in writing.

9

Arrears Late rent payment or failure to pay rent on the specified date agreed.

Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) The most common type of tenancy agreement. It gives provision for occupiers to have exclusive possession of the property and is for a fixed term, usually 6 or 12 months. ASTs can be created as single or joint tenancies.

Break-clause A term in your tenancy agreement allowing both parties to end the tenancy before the due date.

EvictionThis can be a complex area in which a landlord can request through the courts to have an order directing a tenant to leave the landlord’s premises. There are specific procedures that need to be followed before a tenant can be evicted and trying to evict someone illegally is protected by law.

Fixed term/periodA contract that lasts for a specific period. It has a start and an end date.

Guarantor An individual, often a close relative, who undertakes to assume the financial liabilities of the tenant including paying the rent in the event that they stop. Guarantors normally agree to meet the full obligations under the tenancy agreement on the tenant’s behalf.

This may include rent arrears, damage to the property, or other liabilities and obligations arising from the tenant’s failure to comply with the terms of their tenancy agreement.

Bear in mind that if you are signing a joint contract your guarantor could potentially end up having to pay your housemates share of the rent in the event that they default on their payments. Guarantors can be sued if they don’t comply. They will usually need to be a home owner with steady long-term employment.

HarassmentThis can take forms of phone calls, unannounced visits, cutting off utility supplies and intimidation.

Holding depositA refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property) capped at no more than one week’s rent. It forms an agreement for both parties to act on following through to the contract.

Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)A check list used by local authorities to ensure that properties are safe and to assess any potential health and safety dangers which could occur.

House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) In Brighton, this refers to a property which is rented to 3 or more ‘unrelated’ tenants. In Eastbourne and Hastings it refers to properties rented to 5 or more ‘unrelated’ tenants and with 3 or more floors. HMOs often require a licence from the local council and are subject to HHSRS checks.

Inventory A detailed list produced by the landlord or agent which states the condition of the property and its contents. It is an important way of clarifying at the end of the tenancy whether any items have been damaged or are missing.

Joint tenancyIf you have a joint tenancy you are renting the property as a group. You have one contract with all of the tenants’ names on it. You are jointly and severally liable for the rent, meaning that if one of you doesn’t pay your share, the landlord can pursue your housemates or their guarantors for it.

LandlordThe person who owns the property and who your contract will be with. This is the person who receives the rent you pay. They will be interested in looking after the maintenance of the house and expect you to take care of their property.

Letting agent The person in the middle (if applicable). They’ll show you around the house, answer questions and deal with the administration of moving you into your new home. Remember – your contract will be with the landlord, not the letting agent.

Licence A type of tenancy agreement. If you are living with a resident landlord you are likely to have a licence. This gives you fewer rights than an AST, so make sure you check the terms carefully and seek advice if you are unsure of anything.

NoticeThe amount of time your landlord gives you or that you give them before ending a tenancy.

Jargon buster

10

Prescribed information Otherwise known as the Rent Deposit Certificate, this tells you where your security deposit is registered and the process at the end of the tenancy for its return.

Private sector Housing owned by private landlords.

Resident landlord Someone who rents a room in their own home (they live there too).

Right to RentFrom 1 February 2016, private landlords in England must not let residential property to people who do not have the right to rent. Therefore, they must carry out checks by obtaining copies of documents such as your passport.

Security depositA sum of money paid to the landlord to cover any damages to the property. If you have an AST agreement your deposit must be lodged with a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme.

Single tenancyIf you have a single tenancy you are renting a room with access to the communal areas in shared accommodation on an individual basis. You have a contract between you and the landlord only. This means you may not have any choice over who else lives in the house but that you are only responsible for your own room and a proportion of the communal areas.

Subletting Where the person who entered into the tenancy agreement is renting out part or all of their accommodation for a set period of time. You must have your landlord’s permission to sublet.

Tenancy agreementOtherwise referred to as the ‘contract’. This is your contract with the landlord and sets out their legal rights and responsibilities as well as yours as a tenant. It can be written or verbal.

Tenancy deposit protection scheme When your security deposit is placed either in the hands of a third party insurer or it is initially held by the landlord who insures it. If there’s a dispute, the scheme offers an unbiased resolution service that will look at the evidence and decide if there should be a deduction from the deposit or not.

Tenant That is you! The person or people renting the property. You’ll sign a tenancy agreement to occupy the property.

Unfair contract termsYour tenancy agreement may contain terms which could be legally construed as unfair. The terms of tenancy agreements must be in plain, intelligible language and must not contain any terms which could be held to be unfair, e.g. ‘the tenant can be evicted at the landlord’s discretion’.

Wear and tearDuring a tenancy, the condition of a property is likely to change as tenants make ‘reasonable use of the premises’, e.g. wear to the carpet. Most landlords should not make a charge for fair wear and tear. This is however distinguished from excessive wear and tear, e.g. where the tenant has caused cigarette burns in the carpet.

11

Useful contacts

ACCOMMODATION SERVICES

Remember if you want advice or haveany concerns or issues about yourtenancy, the University of Brighton’sAccommodation Services are here tohelp you.

BrightonManor House, Moulsecoomb01273 644100 (Mon – Fri, 10am – 4pm)accommodation@brighton.ac.uk

EastbourneTrevin Towers01273 643848 (Mon – Fri, 10am – 4pm)accomeastbourne@brighton.ac.uk

Accommodation Services websitewww.brighton.ac.uk/accommodation

Housing Advice & Community LiaisonOfficer

Andrew Keeffe01273 641894(Mon AM, Tue & Thu, 10am – 4pm)01273 642859(Mon PM, Wed & Fri, 10am – 4pm)A.W.B.Keeffe@brighton.ac.uk

Sussex Police Liaison OfficersPC Roisin Vafaee07921 722924r.vafaee@brighton.ac.uk

OUR LINKS

Studenthomeshttps://studenthomes.Brighton.Ac.Uk

Landlord Code of Standardshttps://staff.brighton.ac.uk/ahs/Publicdocs/Code_of_standards_for_ Studenthomes.pdf

Homestaywww.brighton.ac.uk/accommodationand-locations/universityaccommodation/homestay

FACEBOOK HOUSE HUNTING GROUPS

Brightonwww.facebook.com/groups/UoB.Housemates

Eastbournewww.facebook.com/groups/eastbournehousehunting

UNIVERSITY WEBSITE

Studentcentralhttp://studentcentral.brighton.ac.uk

Mapswww.brighton.ac.uk/maps

Budgetingwww.brighton.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-finance/budgeting-for-student-life

Working while you studywww.brighton.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-finance/working-while-you-study

Student Services leaflethttps://staff.brighton.ac.uk/ss/Documents/Support_and_advice_leaflet.pdf

Student Support and Guidance Tutorswww.brighton.ac.uk/ssgt

TRAVEL

Train services• National Rail Enquiries

www.nationalrail.co.uk• Southern Railway

www.southernrailway.com• Unizone

www.southernrailway.com/tickets/discounts-and-railcards/unizone

Bus services• Brighton & Hove Buses (Brighton)

www.buses.co.uk• The Big Lemon (Brighton)

www.thebiglemon.com• Stagecoach

(Eastbourne & Hastings)www.stagecoachbus.com

12

HEALTH CARE

You can register at one of theuniversity’s medical centres for minortreatment and access to a GP oncampus (term-time only).

EastbourneTrevin Towers01273 643845 (Mon – Thu, 8:30am –11:45am and 1:30pm – 4pm)

BrightonCockcroft Building01273 642864 (Mon – Fri, 8:30am –12pm)

To locate your nearest GP surgerywww.nhs.uk/Service-Search/GP/LocationSearch/4

To locate your nearest dentistwww.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Dentists/LocationSearch/3

Non-emergency medical issues111

Emergency medical issues999

Accident and emergencydepartments - for serious injuries orlife threatening problems

• BrightonRoyal Sussex County HospitalEastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE01273 696955

• EastbourneEastbourne District General HospitalKings Drive, Eastbourne, BN21 2UD01323 417400

Talk to Frank (drug & alcohol advice)0800 77 66 00

Samaritans08457 90 90 90

POLICE

Sussex Police (non emergencies)101

Crimestoppers0800 555 111

Victim Support0845 3030 900

LOCAL AUTHORITIES

BrightonBrighton & Hove City Council01273 290000www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

EastbourneEastbourne Borough Council01323 410000www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk

COUNCIL TAX

Brightonwww.brighton-hove.gov.uk/counciltax

Eastbournewww.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/counciltax

REFUSE SITES

• BrightonOff Wilson Avenue, Brighton,BN2 5PAOff Old Shoreham Road,Hove, BN3 7AEwww.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/environment/recycling-rubbish-and-street-cleaning/household-waste-recycling-sites

• EastbourneSt Philips Avenue,Eastbourne, BN22 8NBwww.eastsussex.gov.uk/environment /rubbishandrecycling/rubbishcollection

HOW TO RENT BOOKLET

www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent

TENANCY DEPOSIT PROTECTIONSCHEMES

My Deposits Schemewww.mydeposits.co.uk

Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) www.tenancydepositscheme.com

Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS) www.depositprotection.com

RIGHT TO RENT

www.gov.uk/check-tenant-right-torent-documents

PRIVATE SECTOR WEBSITES

Rightmovewww.rightmove.co.uk

Rightmove studentshttps://www.rightmove.co.uk/student-accommodation/Brighton.html

Zooplawww.zoopla.co.uk

Gumtreewww.gumtree.com

SpareRoomwww.spareroom.co.uk

13

LETTING AGENT REVIEWS

WhichPadwww.whichpad.com

Movemwww.movem.co.uk

allAgentswww.allagents.co.uk

HELP AND ADVICE

Shelter (National Housing Advice)0808 800 4444 (freephone Mon – Fri,8am – midnight)https://england.shelter.org.uk

Brighton Housing Trust01273 645 400 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm)www.bht.org.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau0870 120 2450

REGULATORY BODIES AND CONSUMER REDRESS SCHEMES

Propertymarkwww.propertymark.co.uk

Association of Residential LettingAgencies Property Mark (ARLA)www.arla.co.uk

The Property Ombudsman (TPO)www.tpos.co.uk

The Property Redress Scheme (PRS)www.theprs.co.uk

Ombudsman Serviceswww.ombudsman-services.org

UTILITIES

MoneySuperMarketwww.moneysupermarket.com

CompareTheMarketwww.comparethemarket.com

Money Saving Expertwww.moneysavingexpert.com

Money Saving Expert Cheap Energy Clubwww.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub

Glidewww.glide.co.uk

STUDENT DISCOUNTS

National Union of Students (NUS) www.nus.org.uk/nus-extra

UNiDAYSwww.myunidays.com

OTHER

Housing Hand (guarantor services)www.housinghand.co.uk

Only My Share (financial protection)www.onlymyshare.com

TV Licencingwww.tvlicensing.co.uk

Endsleigh (insurance)www.endsleigh.co.uk/personal/student-insurance

Immobilise (property register)www.immobilise.com

Manuals Online(household appliance manuals)www.homeappliance.manualsonline.com

Royal Mail (post redirection)www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/redirection

July 2019: The University of Brighton makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of this handbook and will take all reasonable steps to provide the services described within it and in supplementary documentation. It cannot, however, guarantee their provision in the event of circumstances beyond its control (such as lack of demand, changes in government policy or industrial action) but in such an event, will make reasonable effort to provide a suitable alternative. It is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that they are aware of and comply with any changes in current legislation.

14

PROPERTY ADDRESS Property 1 Property 2 Property 3 Property 4

Roof and guttering

Is anything broken, loose or missing?

Are they overgrown with weeds or moss?

Doors and windows

Are they in good condition?

Is there double glazing?

Walls and ceilings

Are they in good condition?

Are there signs of damp or condensation?

Other external

Is there storage for rubbish & recycling?

Is there bicycle storage?

Who is responsible for garden maintenance?

Furniture

Is it in good condition?

Is all the furniture you see staying in the property?

Is it fire resistant? (check labels)

Appliances

Are they in good condition?

Is a washing machine provided?

Heating and hot water

Is it gas or electric?

Is there heating in every room?

Are there pay meters? (This is an expensive way of paying for utilities)

Other internal

Are there enough facilities for the number of tenants? (Cupboards, fridge space, seating & bathing facilities etc)

Can you hear noise from outside / neighbours?

House hunting checklist

15

Gas safety

Is there a valid gas safety certificate?

Electrical safety

Is there a valid electrical safety report?

Are there enough plug sockets?

Is the wiring in good condition?

Fire safety

Are there smoke detectors? What type? (i.e. are they interlinked or battery operated?)

About the property

Is the property on studenthomes?

Does the property require a HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) licence?

Does the property require planning permission?

Location

Is the area convenient for your studies?

Is the property close to public transport?

Are the local shops / facilities adequate?

Would you feel safe in the area on your own at night?

Do any repairs need doing? If yes, make sure you get any undertakings in writing before signing the contract

Notes

16

This publication is available in alternative formats on requestReturn addressUniversity of Brighton Accommodation ServicesStudent Operations and Support Exion 27Crowhurst RoadHollingburyBrightonBN1 8AF

AHS/DF/0418