Before University

So you’ve got onto the course you desired, at the University you wanted to go to, but where will you live? For many students this is the first time they will have lived away from home. Although the prospect of being away from parents and family may fill many with delight, hidden deep down will also be the feeling of having to find somewhere to live, cooking, paying bills, cleaning and generally being ‘grownup’!

Our guide is aimed at helping you the student to investigate all of the options available to you, and ensure that your experience of living away runs as smoothly as can be.

There are several options to choose from when deciding where to live; they include staying in halls of residence, private accommodation, university owned accommodation, lodging with a family or remaining at home with your parents.

When living away from home for the first time, residing in halls is a popular choice among many freshers. Staying in halls will give you the opportunity to make new friends, which you may move out with in the following years. Some Universities will offer you a place in halls in the final year of your course, and some institutions encourage this.

Most universities will guarantee a place in halls to first years, although the distance between your home and University campus may well play a part in this. If you do not receive the relevant forms for halls from the university you should make contact with the Accommodation Office promptly.

The actual standard of accommodation may vary greatly depending on where you go. That said, nearly all the Universities will offer a room per student, although some may ask you to share. You will either end up with an institution-type set up (long corridors with rooms off each side) or a flat set up where you will share a bathroom and a kitchen with 4-6 others. The majority of halls are within the managed grounds of the campus and may include the following facilities:

• Car parking
• Launderette
• Licensed Bar
• Medical Centre
• Multi-gym and Sports facilities
• Restaurant
• Students with dependants
• Students with special needs

You may be lucky to get an en-suite room with toilet and shower facilities. Most rooms nowadays have voice/data links. This service is usually included in the rent and is not optional in some halls. It allows free internal telephone calls, voicemail facility, Internet access (via a modem) and external calls using a prepayment card. PCs and modems are not supplied.

Catered halls may save you time, but you won’t really know about the food or whether its to your liking till you are there. It can be worthwhile if you are lazy or have no interest in cooking and would prefer to have a cooked meal on a regular basis. Self-catering gives you the freedom to eat what you what, when you want, save you money and could be a more sensible option if you have specific dietary requirements.

Most University halls will not provide meals during the holidays. The rent charge for catered halls accounts for this change in catering and no further reductions will be made to students who do not use their room during the vacations. You should also be aware that you may not have the option of being able to keep your room over the Christmas and Easter Holidays. This can be a major headache, particularly if you live far away, don't have a car or your family live abroad.

If you want to experience real independence this could be the option for you. Typically students take this option in their second or consecutive years, although it should be stated that not every fresher is lucky enough to get a place in halls. A week’s accommodation can cost anything from £50 per week upwards plus food and bills. All landlords who register their properties with a university must agree to and abide by a Code of Practice and all properties are inspected. The letting arrangement for private houses and flats is between the landlord and the tenant.

As an alternative it may be worth approaching an accommodation agency. These act as agents for private landlords and deal with rented flats, houses and bedsits.

If you approach an agency please consider the following points:

• What are you paying for?
• Get receipts
• All agreements should be in writing
• Get a copy of what you sign
• Are there any extra terms and conditions?
• See safety certificates
• Get an inventory
• Know your rights and responsibilities
• If you don't understand it, don't sign it.

Get the service you're paying for - It is illegal for an agency to charge simply for registering someone or supplying a list of addresses.

Local papers and noticeboards:

• Local papers and their websites
• Look at the Student Housing and the Students' Union noticeboards
• Look in newsagent shop windows and local supermarkets

An inventory is simply a list of all the furniture and furnishings within the property and should describe the condition of everything in the property including the wall and floor coverings. It is very important that yourself or the landlord compile an inventory, as this will often be the only evidence of the condition of the property before you move in. If you want your deposit returned in full it is worth taking the time to complete an inventory.

When compiling an inventory it is essential that you:

• State the condition of every item within the property. If the inventory does not describe the condition of a particular article it will be useful for you to do so, we suggest using terminology such as: new, fair, poor, scratched, torn, stained, etc.
• Back it up with photographic evidence, this can be crucial if a dispute occurs
• Note the gas and electric meter readings
• Get the landlord to agree to, and sign, the inventory
• Get an independent witness to sign the inventory if the landlord refuses to do so.

It is very important that you consider the following when viewing a property:

• Gas:

  Your landlord is required by law to make sure that all gas appliances including cookers, fires and boilers are inspected annually by a registered GAS/CORGI engineer. It is important to check that the property has been inspected and that your landlord provides a copy of his/her Gas Safety Certificate.

• Fire:

  All furniture and furnishings supplied by a landlord, whether new or old, should comply with the 1988 Fire Safety Regulations. Check to see that the furniture provided displays a fire safety label or was made after 1988. If it does not comply with these regulations demand that the landlord replace the furniture. Make sure that smoke detectors are fitted and that they are in working order.

• Electricity:

  Accidents with electricity are rare but when you are viewing a property it is worth checking for the following:

  • Check flexes/cables - look out for wear, damage and loose connections
  • Overloading - ideally there should be one socket for every appliance
  • Ensure that there are enough sockets in each room for your appliances
  • Check that all electrical appliances are in good working order
  • Ask the landlord if the electrics have been tested.

This is a very specialised area of the law and you should be aware of what you are committing yourself to before signing. Student Accommodation staff can give advice, however they are not legal professionals.

Your landlord is not required to provide a written tenancy agreement but you should ask for one. A written contract is preferred because it states the terms and conditions of the tenancy. This is crucial in case of a dispute. If the landlord lives in the same property and shares any facilities with you then you can not be a tenant and so should not sign a tenancy agreement.

As a student you will probably encounter two types of tenancy - an assured or a shorthold agreement. These will generally run for a fixed term as stated on your agreement. The main difference between the two types is the way in which the landlord can gain possession of the property.

You may be asked to sign a joint tenancy. This is perfectly legal but you should be aware of the implications before signing this type of contract.

Although a joint tenancy will give a group of tenants’ equal rights it also means that they have to share the responsibilities. This usually means covering someone's rent if they leave before the end of the tenancy. Taken to extremes, it could mean that a single student could be left paying rent for a whole house!

If you have a fixed term tenancy (a contract that has dates specified on it) you can only move out before the end date with the landlord's permission. If he/she does not agree and there is no 'break clause' in the contract, then you will be liable for the rent for the whole period. In other words, you may leave early but you could still have to pay rent until the end date.

When a tenancy comes to an end the landlord can gain possession of the property if he/she has followed the proper procedures. The majority of students will sign for one academic year and will not require an extension of their contracts.

If you and your landlord agree to an extension of the tenancy it will probably be extended month by month and continue with the same terms and conditions as the original unless otherwise stated.

Whatever contract you sign the landlord has an obligation to "keep in repair and proper working order installations for the supply of water, gas, electricity and for sanitation" (section: 11, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985).

This means that if an item within the property is damaged or defective you need to notify the landlord as soon as possible and it is their responsibility to repair it. Should your landlord fail to maintain or repair the property or refuse to do so, make a complaint to the Environmental Health Department who have the power to require the landlord to carry out the necessary repairs.

You must give your landlord reasonable access to the property to carry out all necessary repairs. You do, however, have the right to refuse the landlord entry to the property if he/she does not give reasonable notice, for example 24 hours written notice.

It is advisable to ask for notice to be in writing, this can be crucial if a dispute occurs, and the access to the property should be at a mutually convenient time. If it is at an unacceptable time you are entitled to refuse entry, but must arrange a time that is mutually beneficial.

When signing a contract, check the following:

• Duration - How long does the tenancy run?
• Repairs - Who is responsible for the repairs?
• Payment - How is the rent paid? Direct Debit/Monthly cheques?
• Rent - Is it paid weekly or monthly?
• Restrictions - Are you allowed pets/to smoke/posters/guests?
• Liability - Is it a JOINT or INDIVIDUAL contract?
• Deposit - What sort of deposit is it? When will it be returned to you?
• Bills - Who is responsible for the payment of the bills?

Ensure any queries you have are answered before signing!

Once you have found your desired house or flat you will usually be expected to sign a contract and pay a deposit to the landlord or accommodation agency. It is worth noting that there are two types of deposit that a tenant may be asked for. They are a holding deposit or a damage deposit.

This is a sum of money paid to the landlord or accommodation agency to guarantee that the prospective tenant wishes to take up the tenancy. You should not pay a holding deposit unless you are certain that you will sign the contract.

If you agree to pay a holding deposit and then decide not to sign the contract, the landlord or the agent is entitled to keep the holding deposit.

This form of deposit is usually paid to the landlord at the same time as you sign your tenancy agreement. It is used to safeguard against any damage caused to the property during the tenancy, beyond normal wear and tear, and, if specified, against any unpaid rent or bills.

If at the end of your tenancy you have not caused any damage or left any bills unpaid the landlord is legally obliged to return your deposit in full. If there are no further complications this should be returned to you within 28 days of the end of the tenancy.

If there are any outstanding bills or damage to the property, ask for a breakdown of the costs incurred by the landlord. The landlord must provide receipts and make the relevant deduction from your deposit. Finally, if you pay the landlord any money, always ask for a receipt!

These are frequently reserved for mature and/or foreign students. They can present quite a cheap option and can be in good locations, but as usual there will be exceptions. You will not be responsible or charged for any empty rooms in your flat as your University will be in charge of allocating spaces. You will also have the added advantage of not being held responsible, should one of your flat-"mates" leave half-way through the year.

This may also be your favoured option if you are looking for somewhere for a short course (a few months or even half a year). If you are looking for a short term let, your accommodation office should be your first port of call.

Lodgings are rooms in private houses where the landlord or landlady lives on the premises. They may be households, although many are offered by single people - perhaps fellow students.

Board may be 'room only' or 'half board'. Most rooms offered as lodgings are single study bedrooms and meet the criteria established by the University for safety and the provision of other facilities. A Student Accommodation officer would have inspected all rooms.

• Only single study bedrooms are accepted
• Each bedroom must contain a desk or work surface large enough for study purposes and a suitable chair
• There must be adequate hanging and drawer space
• Heating appliances must be firmly secured
• Smoke detectors must be provided on each floor
• Students should be able to live as part of the family unit if it is feasible

Students are personally responsible for paying householders' charges. Generally, payment should be made weekly, in advance. Neither householder nor student is asked to enter into any commitment as to the period of the stay. If rent is paid weekly the normal requirement is 7 days notice, in writing. The weekly charge should cover the cost of heating, lighting, hot water and the use of kitchen facilities as necessary.

The University does not recommend specific rates and charges must be agreed between householder and student. For guidance only, the following are approximate weekly charges for the 2005/2006 academic year:

• Room only with use of kitchen: £45 -£70
• Bed, breakfast and evening meal: £75 - £100 ( prices vary from region to region)

If you are going to be away at weekends, either regularly or occasionally, you may wish to ask for a rent reduction. Some householders allow concessions in such cases but this is entirely a matter of arrangement between your householder and you. Similar arrangements may be possible for vacations.

Lodgings can be ideal for students coming to University from overseas, as they tend to offer a more secure, family atmosphere. This option could also be good for the first few months whilst you find your way around the University and meet people.

There are many benefits to remaining at home during your student life, although many of them tend to be geared to your financial well being. Apart from keeping your wallet or purse padded, there is the benefit of not having to worry about finding house-mates if someone leaves a shared house or flat, or having your milk pinched by someone in halls!

The drawbacks however are not having anywhere to hold those ‘wild’ parties, no where to ‘bring back’ your romantic liaisons, and having trouble making friends. The one reason and one that shouldn’t be easily discounted for staying at home is having a nice, clean, warm place to live - not forgetting a home-cooked meal!

As you can see there are quite a few accommodation options available to students. A lot of freshers tend to spend their first year in halls if possible, and then in subsequent years move out of halls with new found friends. Do consider the options carefully, especially if you choose to find your own accommodation through a private landlord. A good source of information and guidance when looking for accommodation is your Accommodation Office located in every University.

Your Accommodation office will be able to provide extra information.

• Home Insurance