10 Tips: The essential student guide to renting

Friday, August 24, 2012

Ian Potter, ARLA's Managing Director, said, "Renting with friends at university can be a brilliant experience and, if a few sensible steps are followed, it need not be a stressful process. Approaching renting in a measured way and knowing your priorities is a good starting point, which will allow you to take into consideration any additional advice you receive.

"But there are pitfalls, from losing your deposit to falling foul of unprofessional landlords. That is why it's important for students to take advantage of the wealth of guidance available when moving out of halls or home and into private renting. And, as well as getting advice from your university and lettings professionals, if you are a younger student it is always wise to keep parents or guardians in the loop with any decisions, as they may have to assume a degree of responsibility if something goes wrong."

Pete Mercer, NUS Vice President Welfare said, "It's really important students are fully informed when looking for a place to rent. An affordable, safe and well-maintained home with a good landlord not only means less hassle, it ensures you can focus on your studies, enjoy your social time and have a memorable experience as a student for all the right reasons.

"We strongly encourage students to take a look at these top tips and seek other help and advice where they can so they're as prepared as possible and avoid getting into trouble."

ARLA and the NUS are offering the following tips for students looking to rent their first property at university:

1. The Deposit

Tenants should always ensure that any monies are paid into an accredited deposit scheme, protected under one of the three Government approved Tenancy Deposit Protection Schemes.  This is a legal requirement in England and Wales, and will be in Scotland from 2nd July. Typical deposits range from four to eight weeks rent and, when held in an accredited scheme, any proposed deductions which cannot be agreed are subject to free Dispute Resolution.

2. Swot up

Before searching for a property, ensure you speak to other students or check university advice websites for first-hand experiences of renting in your preferred area. The amount of student accommodation available and the average rent charged can vary significantly depending on location, which could affect your budget.

Many student unions offer free housing or legal advice and tenancy agreement checking services, so do find out what services are available to help you.

3. Rent with the experts

There are no restrictions on who becomes a landlord. Therefore some unscrupulous landlords may unfortunately not have a tenant's best interests at heart. For peace of mind, be sure to seek advice from a lettings agent affiliated to a professional organisation like ARLA. All ARLA agents must adhere to a strict code of conduct, as well as offering client money protection and redress schemes, which protect you if things go wrong.

4. Don't ignore the small print

Find out what kind of tenancy agreement you are signing as this can make a difference to your liability. Many shared tenancies will have several joint liability clauses - meaning you are responsible for the actions of your co-tenants for the terms of the tenancy, and not just the payment of rent. Before you enter such an agreement consider how well you know your sharers. Even if you all got on well living in halls, do you know your peers well enough to agree on how to run a household?

If you do wish to get out of the tenancy during the fixed term, ensure you take independent advice as to any ongoing liability you may have. As well as checking this, make a note of the notice period - even if your landlord knows you are a student, you will have to give adequate notice (usually a month) at the end of term when you want to move out.

5. Remember the bills

When working out your budget it is important to factor in other costs on top of the weekly or monthly rental rate. Utility bills, TV licence and internet access costs will all need to be factored in, even if you are sharing the cost with other tenants. In addition, even if the property you are renting is furnished, it is worth checking which items of furniture, as well as major utility products like vacuum cleaner and washing machine, come with the property to avoid additional spend once you've moved in. Check the Energy Performance Certificate for the property. The lower the rating the more power you will use to keep warm in the winter. Remember if you are looking at a property in the summer it may seem quite warm, but it is the winter where your bills will be at the highest and the EPC can be an indicator.

6. Safety and Security

Areas dominated by student accommodation can have higher-than-average burglary rates so security should always be a key consideration when looking for a rental home. Check that door and window locks are in good order. This is especially important for back doors with poor sight-lines or ground-floor windows. If there is a burglar alarm, ensure the landlord shows all tenants how to use it, and that it is working effectively.

7. Insurance

Often students will have personal property covered by their parents' contents insurance, but it is important to check the specific policy wording. If you aren't covered by your parents' insurance policy, there are a number of insurance providers which offer student-specific contents insurance policies. And, if locks and burglar alarms aren't in good working order, as in the above point, your policy may be void.

8. Inventories

Always ensure you are provided with a comprehensive inventory, listing the fixtures and fittings within the property, detailing their condition and that of the property itself. It is also advisable to take a thorough photographic record of the property's condition at the start of the tenancy, if not included with the inventory and schedule of condition. If you disagree with the condition dispute it at the beginning with your own evidence to ensure you are protected.

Photos or notes you take should be jointly approved by the landlord and all tenants, with separate copies retained by both parties. A well put-together inventory provides useful evidence to protect both the landlord and tenant in the event of a dispute.

9. Tenants are a tenant's best friend

Ask the current tenants about their time in the property, if you get the opportunity. They will be well placed to give a frank assessment of any pros and cons, as well as an honest insight into any maintenance or repair issues. You may very well get the chance to meet them when viewing the property, or in fact, may have identified the property through knowing someone in the group which is leaving.

10. Know your HMO

If you are planning to rent a property with other tenants, it is imperative to ensure that the landlord has the relevant Homes in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) licence, as this is a legal requirement which can differ in certain parts of the country and within areas of a town or city.

An HMO ensures that a property complies with fire safety regulations and is correctly set up for multiple occupants.