Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 201301.

Housing Information Presentation

Ruth GibsonSenior Adviser - Housing

Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013

01

Who are we?

Where are we?

What do we do?

What don’t we do?

What is the most common housing questions we are asked?

Student Advice Centre

Housing Advice

04Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013

Our message is not to go rushing into signing a contract just yet!

What might change?

You might not like the people you have signed up with in 6 months

time?

You may just decide you would prefer to share with different people

You might find something better

You might decide to opt for a Study Abroad Semester/Year

You might not progress on your course as you expect to

Personal Circumstances might arise which might change things

Lets Be Patient !

Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013 03

• Timing

• Don’t panic – myth busting

• Making an informed choice at your own pace

• Consider who you are going to live with and whether this

will be the same in 8 months time

• Once its signed, you are bound

• Joint and Several Liability

Housing Advice


Annual rent on the Property:

Average weekly rent x contract length x no. tenants

£75 x 52 x 9 = £35,100

You are legally liable for this jointly AND individually. If your parents

or family have acted as guarantors then they are liable in the event

of your failure to pay. A common misconception is that they are only

liable for a portion of the rent but they are usually liable for the full

amount.

Joint & Several Liability


University Provision - University Accommodation Service

Tel: 0191 208 3333 Website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/accommodation/private/

‘NUstudenthomes’ Property Management Service & Private Sector Property Listings

Alternatives:

Word of Mouth

Local Press / Shop windows

Local Agencies

Online

Housing Options

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/accommodation/private/




Student Areas


There is no formal statutory regulation of the Private Rented Sector so there are some unqualified, inexperienced and unscrupulous firms out there. Some agencies or landlords will voluntarily join a Professional body.

National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS)

National Association of Estate

Agents (NAEA)

Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

UK Association of letting Agents (UKALA)

Local Authority Shared Housing Accreditation Scheme

National Landlords Association

Residential Landlords Association

Professional Practice

Letting Agents & Property Managers• Since 1st October 2014 it became a legal requirement for Letting

Agents and Property Managers to register with an independent government approved system of redress – Ombudsman. If a letting agent doesn’t resolve your complaint within 8 weeks, it’s likely you’ll be able to complain to one of these schemes.

• The Property Ombudsman (TPO)

• Ombudsman Services Property

• The Property Redress Scheme

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/private_renting/problems_with_renting/?a=25504

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/private_renting/problems_with_renting/?a=25504

http://england.shelter.org.uk/legal/housing_options/accommodation_agencies/redress_schemes/essential_links/omudsman_services_property

http://england.shelter.org.uk/legal/housing_options/accommodation_agencies/redress_schemes/essential_links/omudsman_services_property

http://england.shelter.org.uk/legal/housing_options/accommodation_agencies/redress_schemes/essential_links/property_redress_scheme

http://england.shelter.org.uk/legal/housing_options/accommodation_agencies/redress_schemes/essential_links/property_redress_scheme


Research the area

View several houses to gauge a standard across areas

Viewing with tenants who are still living there

Ask questions of landlords/current tenants

Feel confident to make requests and get these added to the contract

Don’t be pressured by agents/landlords or friends!

Read all the documents

Seek advice if unsure

Make sure you are within budget

House Hunting and Viewing


A letting agent should provide clear information about its fees, charges and holding deposits before you agree to take up a tenancy. All letting agencies must disclose upfront any fees they charge on top of the rent or tenancy deposit. From 27 May 2015, letting agents must publish full details of their fees and charges on their websites and prominently in all their offices.

You may be able to negotiate to bring down some of the fees, but it its difficult to avoid paying fees after you've agreed to rent a place. It is a criminal offence for a letting agent to charge you for registering with it or to show you its list of properties available for renting.

A holding deposit An admin fee/agency fee Query the optional and non optional fees. A months rent in advance minimum A security deposit

Try to resist requests to pay cash. If you absolutely have to insist on a receipt.

Fees - will I have to pay?

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/private_renting/renting_privately/letting_agencies

Some Questions to Consider


NUS House Hunting checklist http://www.nusu.co.uk/pageassets/support/sac/advicepages/accommodation/House-Hunting-Checklist-Revised.pdf

Are you a member of a professional body/landlords association or is the property accredited?

Are you registered with an independent redress scheme? (agents only) Is the Landlord based in the UK? Is the landlord local? Are you operating on a Sign up basis only or are you managing the

property? What do your fees constitute and can you provide a breakdown? Are you happy for us to talk to the previous tenants of this property? Is the property subject to a mortgage and does the mortgage

acknowledge the tenants as authorised tenants? Are any repairs or cosmetic improvements required on the property? What measures do you offer if we are unable to move in on time or

have to move out for any reason? Do you take a deposit? Which scheme protects it? Is the property a Licensable House of Multiple Occupation (HMO)? Do I have to provide a guarantor and can they just guarantee my

‘share’ of the rent? Can I see the Gas Safety Certificate/ Energy Performance Certificate? Is there an electrical safety certificate for this property? Is there a Burglar Alarm? Has the property ever been burgled? Is there any history of damp, mould or condensation? Can I have a copy of the inventory before I sign the contract?


Assured Shorthold Tenancy – AST 3 Government backed protection schemes:

The Deposit Protection Service (DPS)The Dispute Service (TDS) My Deposits

Directgov: www.direct.gov.ukShelter: www.shelter.org.uk

Statutory requirement: To protect / protect within 30 days of receipt / provide Prescribed Information

Check it out before the end of the tenancyLead TenantMost schemes only offer you 3 months protection after your tenancy ends.

Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP)

http://www.direct.gov.uk/

http://www.shelter.org.uk/


5 tenants or more with 3 or more floors Statutory Legal requirement Local Authority the enforcement body Local Authority online check

Definition – damage that needs to be put right If not broken but not effective not disrepair Improvements are not the same thing

Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) Licensing

Disrepair


The University receives a large number of complaints about ASB and noise and receives regular reports from the police and council. The University supports the council in dealing with this issue. Not all reports are from residents about students. Sometimes it is from students about students.

The Council can proceed with action in its own right including Anti Social Behaviour Agreements or Abatement notices which if breached can lead to prosecution in the magistrates Court and up to a £5000 fine.

ASB & Noise Nuisance


In addition to this the University has introduced a Noise Nuisance Protocol which can impose significant fines on students. On a first offence this is minimum of £30 each but fines can be up to £200 each. This will be imposed on each member of the household and therefore in large households can represent a significant amount of money. It can also lead to a formal caution, warning or other disciplinary sanction on your University record.

More serious offences will lead to further fines imposed and escalated disciplinary action.

ASB & Noise Nuisance


The Student Advice Centre (SAC) can offer a review service

Documents must be given to SAC no less than 48 hours in advance

By appointment only

Contract Review Service


Students’ Union Student Advice Centre National Union of students - NUS University Accommodation Service City Council Northumbria University Student Law Office Citizens Advice Bureau Gov.uk Shelter (North East)

Useful Sources for Information


Thank You

Student Advice CentreLevel 0, Newcastle University Students’ Union

Kings Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QB0191 2393979

www.nusu.co.uk/sac

Any Questions?

Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 201301.

Documents

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