Features: Housing help

Living away from home with friends is exciting and for many students it’s what makes their university experience. However, with contracts to sign and landlords to deal with, Luke Berté tells you what to be aware of.

You might think that living with five of your closest friends means party time, but being legally bound to each other for the length of the contract can change things pretty quickly. Discuss your expectations at the start - who will clean up and what will be the policy on house guests are just some of the things to consider.

Deposits and tenancy schemes

It’s quite normal for the landlord to ask for a deposit before you move into the house – usually one month’s rent. By law this has to then be put into a tenancy deposit scheme (TDS).

‘It is a legal requirement for a landlord to protect your damage deposit in one of the three government authorised schemes, within 14 days. Ensure that your landlord has given you details of the scheme,’ says Kate Logsdon of the University of London Housing Services.

To stand any chance of seeing your deposit again you should make an inventory before you move in, listing all household items and appliances. In some cases it’s also worth including pictures of items. When all rent/monetary debts have been settled, as long as the property hasn’t been damaged beyond standard wear and tear, you will be entitled to your full deposit.

Council tax

If you are a full-time student sharing a property with other students, you are exempt from paying council tax. The tax office won’t necessarily know who qualifies for this in your house, so make sure you fill out an ‘exemption certificate’ and any other forms that are required before or as you move in. These can be obtained from, www.direct.gov.uk and will reduce stress levels when unwarranted bills drop through the letter box. You can also get these on request from your university.

Shared account for bills

If you are entering your second or final year of university, you will probably be renting in shared accommodation. A good way to ensure bills are paid on time is to share an account for the bills. By sharing an account, each individual can transfer money by pre-arranged direct debits and standing orders to the joint account, ensuring constant and timely payments of bills and rent each month.

‘If you are responsible for paying the utility bills, you will need to open accounts with utility suppliers. It is advisable for all tenants to be listed on the account to avoid problems for individuals further down the line,’ adds Kate.

Burglar trails

Student accommodation is a target for burglars thanks to the number of televisions, mobile phones and laptops each property has. You will need to get your possessions insured before moving in. You could try your parent’s home contents insurance although you shouldn’t assume it will cover you.

Recent research from the independent financial company Defaqto revealed that although the majority of home contents insurance policies (81%) include cover for student’s belongings as standard, the level of protection fluctuates substantially.

‘We always advise tenants to obtain insurance cover for their personal possessions and accidental damage to the property, as the landlord’s insurance will not cover this,’ says Kate.

Don’t make it easy for burglars by leaving your belongings on show in windows and make sure you lock them away when you go out. Investing in a shredder is also a great idea as there’s no better find for a burglar than rummaging around in your dustbin to find that the five of you have just received your student loans.