Come along to the Housing Fair on Tuesday 13th January between midday and 3pm in the Pear Tree for:

• Contract checking
• Landlords advertising their properties
• Info from the Students' Union Studnet Advice Service, the Uni's Money Advice and Uni Accommodation
• Saving on bills and saving the planet with #Energize Worcester!
• Protecting your stuff with Endsleigh Insurance

And here are the Top Ten Tips about renting!

Top Tip #1

Although tenancy agreements can be verbal, it is best that each tenant has a written tenancy agreement.

Ensure that you read it thoroughly and question anything you disagree with or don’t understand BEFORE signing the agreement.

Top Tip #2

By law, all tenancy deposits must be protected and held in one of three government approved schemes.  These schemes are:   Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS); Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS) and My Deposits.

The schemes are to protect deposits and oversee fair play if the property owner feels there are grounds to withhold some, or all, of the deposit at the end of the tenancy.

Top Tip #3

The property owner or agent may require a guarantor to cover any non-payment of rent or damage to the property.  The guarantor must be fully aware of what they are agreeing to otherwise your guarantor may find they are liable for all the tenants in a joint tenancy.

The guarantor agreement is a legally binding document, therefore must be in writing.  The prospective guarantor must have had sight of the tenancy terms BEFORE signing the guarantor agreement.

Top Tip #4

Check with the property owner or agent whether the bills are included in the rent, if so, which ones and whether there is a cap on the amount included?

If bills are not included, discuss and agree with the other tenants how the bills will be divided, paid and managed.  There are bill management companies available who charge a small fee.  #EnergizeWorcester can advise on cost efficient ways to heat your property whilst reducing your carbon footprint. 

Top Tip #5

Shop Around

Don’t sign up to the first property you see, take your time and make sure you are happy with the property and potential housemates. 

Ask around and find out from other students who they could recommend as good property owners or agents.  If you feel the rent is too high, try negotiating a lower rent.  Make sure the property owner or agent gives you time to read the contract before you sign. 

Top Tip #6

Ensure you really know who you are signing up with to share the property. 

Fall outs and disputes can occur at any time over anything, such as noise, bills, tidiness, relationships, etc.   You should be confident that you’re going to continue to get on with the people you intend to share the house with. 

Top Tip #7

Does the property you are interested in have up to date safety certificates?

Property owners advertising on the University of Worcester’s ‘Studentpad’ website are only permitted to do so after they have been approved by the University’s accommodation team and then only once the up to date safety certificates have been submitted. 

Top Tip #8

You as the tenant have a duty to act in a tenant-like manner

You should ensure that you treat the property, fixtures and fittings with respect.  Additionally, respect your community and remember that your neighbours might not share your enthusiasm for late night parties, so be considerate regarding noise.

Top Tip #9

As a paying tenant, you have the right to peaceful enjoyment of that property. 

What this means is that the property owner or agent must give you a minimum of 24 hours’ notice if they wish to enter the property (If you share a property with the property owner, different rules apply).  A property owner or agent can enter the property without prior notice in an emergency situation.

Top Tip #10

The property owner or agent must maintain the property and repair damage that may affect the security or structure of the property or cause you to be without heating or water for a length of time.

As the tenant you have a duty to inform the property owner or agent about a problem as soon as possible.  If the problem is considered to be an emergency, such as a gas leak or burst pipe, the property owner or agent does not have to give prior notice to access the property.