editorial
Seven Steps To Domestic Heaven
How a house full of students will help you choose the perfect home
Remember no matter how pipes? Are the window frames
l Continued from page 76
Housemate 4: Alex –
safe you feel, never go to view a rotting?
property alone, and always let This is going to be your
spokesman and
people know where you are home so do not be afraid to
forward planner.
going and what time you expect question the landlord or
to return. agency on any of these mat-
Alex knew his friends, he could
ters.
see Emma mentally spending
her last tenner on vodka just as
Housemate 6: Jenny
the electricity bill was falling – the inquisitive mind
Housemate 7: Rob –
onto the doormat.
Jenny had lived in bad houses the deal maker.
He sat down and worked
before, she wanted to know her The group had found the per-
out the cost of all the group’s new place would be safe and fect house. But Rob knew that
bills, set up direct debits and secure. She asked the landlord by signing a contract you are
put up notices to tell everyone if their place had a valid gas entering a legally binding
how much they owed each safety certificate (required by agreement. It was vital that
month. law) and if it was part of the everything was in order and
Think about how much gas, University’s accreditation that they were satisfied with
water, electricity, Internet, TV, scheme. each of the terms and agree-
telephones and all other She wanted to know how ments.
amenities will cost you, and much rent and deposit the It is better to delay for a few
remember to tell the council landlord wanted upfront, and if hours or days to make sure
that you’re all students or you’ll there was a finder’s fee, or any everything is in order than to
be liable to pay Council Tax too.
Staring at the stain wont clean it off!
admin fees to contend with. sign straight away. If you’re
If you get a chance, speak to
The group also talked to the old unsure ask the landlord if you
the current tenants and ask
tenants to find out how reliable can return the contract to him
them how much they are
some places that would suit have a large group this make
the landlord was, and how effi- the next day or so.
spending on bills.
the group. Being an organised take some sorting, but it will
ciently he dealt with problems. Read the contract carefully.
soul, James had already talked mean that everyone gets to see
Next the group properly Take your time and do not rush
to everyone about budget and each house and you can make a
Housemate 5: James
checked out the area, was into anything.
location and could arrange decision that pleases the whole
there adequate street lighting? Rob sought advice from his
– the level headed
some viewings. group.
What were the noise levels University’s Housing Office and
organiser
Make sure that you start Don’t commit to the first
during the day and evening? didn’t sign or pay until he was
your search as soon as house you see, James had to
When you go into the prop- 100% sure on everything.
The group were really excited possible, the later you leave it, calm everyone down, and point
erty, check the front door is It is important that you
about their new house, but so the fewer properties there will out that if you take the first
secure, that there is plenty of insist on a copy of the contract
far had done very little, except be, but don’t panic, there are place you have nothing to com-
furniture, that the taps work for yourself. Keep it in a safe
arrange a housewarming bash. more than enough houses for pare it to. Take your time to
properly, the toilets flush, and place, you never know when
So James took the bull by everyone. examine the quality of proper-
that t you might need it.
the horn and armed with this Encourage everyone that ties in your chosen area and
here are no signs of damp. Also get a receipt for all
magazine headed out to see will be living in the house to pick the best value for your
Are there plants growing in the payments made regarding the
some landlords and ask about come to each viewing, if you money.
gutters, and missing down- property.
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