Checklists
Checklist provided by Useful articles:
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Attend any events, in person or online about where to live when applying for universities. | |
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Find out what options are available, for example, on campus housing, housing from the university or a third party partnership they may have eg with Unite or private accommodation. | |
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Contrast and compare housing costs when considering offers. | |
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Once you have chosen your college/university, find out your options from the student accommodation office. | |
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Visit our buy to let TV show and our TDS report on buying accommodation for children at university if your parents are looking to buy a property for you and other students to live in. | |
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Work out a housing budget including any deposits and include cost of travel. | |
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Make sure the company/landlord you work with follows the COVID-19 rules to keep you safe. | |
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Visit properties on foot, by cycle or bus, so you know what the journey is like. | |
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Find out what happens during the holiday periods – do you still have to pay rent? Can you pay half rent? | |
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To check utility costs ask to see the Energy Performance Certificate, no property should be rented with an 'F' or 'G' rating. | |
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Only rent from letting agents who are members of ARLA or RICS. | |
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Only rent properties which are legally let, for example, if a Home in Multiple Occupation, does the landlord need a licence? | |
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If the property is let under an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement (AST) make sure there is an:
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The landlord, by law, has to give you a copy of the 'How to rent guide' from the Government | |
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The landlord has to carry out 'right to rent' checks. | |
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If you need to give the landlord a deposit, what guarantees will the landlord give to returning it? For example, if the contract is an AST, by law the deposit must be protected in one of the Government licensed schemes. | |
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Make sure you check a tenancy agreement with your student accommodation office before signing, you might be signing up to guarantee the rent for a whole house, even if other students don't pay. | |
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If sharing with others, find out what happens if you fall out and one person moves out – who pays the rent and bills until someone else moves in? | |
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Find out what happens if there is a problem with the property eg boiler breaks down. Will you be given an emergency number to call if something happens 'out of office hours'? | |
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Find out what notice the landlord/letting agent needs if you wish to move out of the property or if they wish you to move out of the property, eg they want to sell it. | |
