84


To advertise call 0191 265 6999


Tips for Moving In T


ake the time to do the fol- lowing - it won’t take long and may save you time or


problems later. • Take meter readings on the first day of your tenancy, even if you don’t move in that day, contact the utility suppliers to tell them the date you have taken over the tenancy - unless of course you want to pay the bills for the previous tenants! It may not be possible for some- one to come out to read the meter for you so you may have to do this yourself and give the reading to the company. Most meters are the same, if you do not have a number to read there will be a row of dials, start from left to right and where the hand falls between 2 numbers chose the lower number. See details on page xx about gas and electricity sup- pliers and the contact numbers on page xx for finding out who your supplier is. • If the property is not clean when you move in, tell the landlord, put it in writing and keep a copy. • Take a full inventory of furni- ture, fixtures and fittings and get the landlord to sign it. Take photos if necessary. • Inform the landlord of any


studenthousing.co.uk


developing friendships. Experience shows however


repairs you think need doing and put it in writing and keep a copy. • Make sure you know what you will need to do to get your deposit back in full. • Agree with your landlord how and when he can gain access to the property, especially in an emergency eg, a burst pipe or power cut if you are not there. • Read your contract carefully and please bear in mind that a Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding document and you will be committed to it’s terms, if you need help or advice ask in the Accommodation Office. • Make sure you have a copy or the ‘gas safety certificate’ and ‘energy performance certifi- cate’ for the property. • Make sure you take out insurance to


cover your


belongings. • If you have a television you will need a TV licence, if you have a joint tenancy you will only need 1 licence for the whole property, if you have an individual contract then each tenant needs a separate TV licence. Contact the TV licensing agency on 08448 006 790. If you do not have a licence you can be fined up to £1000.00.


At the start of your tenancy • A clean property in good condition, on an agreed date, meeting the standards of the accreditation scheme in force at the time (if applicable). • One set of keys should be provided by the landlord for each tenant. • An original signed copy of your tenancy agreement stating clearly your financial and behavioural responsibilities including rent amounts due and when payable, deposits held (interest payable?), the length of your tenancy etc.


When you are renting expect: property.


• A signed and dated copy of the agreed inventory for the property including details of the condition of the property and items within. • Your landlord’s or managing agent’s name, address and telephone numbers including the appropriate method of contacting them. • Copies of the Gas Safety Certificate and the Energy Performance Certificate for the


During your tenancy: • Quiet enjoyment of the property without undue interruption by the landlord, with the landlord calling by appointment for any inspection/ repairs (with the exception of emergencies where access may be required). • Prompt action by the landlord when repairs are necessary, with appropriate times for repairs discussed and agreed between you and the landlord. • A receipt from the landlord for any money received.


• At the end of your tenancy •


Prompt inspection of the property and refund by the landlord for any deposit held (with interest), and written explanation of any charges to be withheld from the deposit, including invoices for any work undertaken or statement of costs.


Checklist • Rent............................................£_______per year • Agent/Landlord Fee ..................£_______typically up to 2 weeks’ rent + VAT • Deposit (returned with interest?) ....£_______typically up to one month’s rent • Council Tax (included in rent?) ......£_______per year, none for all-student households • Water rates (included in rent?)


• Telephone ..................................£_______per year • Internet/Broadband....................£_______per year • Digital/Satellite TV......................£_______per year • TV licence ..................................£_______per year


Has the property been insulated where possible? • In the loft? ......................................................................................................................q Y/ q N • Draught proofing around doors & windows?................................................................q Y/ q N • Double or secondary glazing? ......................................................................................q Y/ q N • Hot water pipe insulation? ............................................................................................q Y/ q N • Is your landlord part of an official accreditation scheme?............................................q Y/ q N


Other Questions • Have you seen the Energy Performance Certificate? ............................................q Y/ q N • Have you seen the HMO Licence (if applicable)? ....................................................q Y/ q N • Have you seen the Gas Safety Certificate? ..............................................................q Y/ q N • Which Deposit Protection Scheme is being used? ........................................q Y/ q N


Car Sharing option for students in Newcastle


There is now a great alternative to owning and bringing a car to University with you. Common Wheels car club provides access to their cars on a ‘pay as you drive’ basis. Once you are a member,


Getting on with flatmates L


iving with friends can be great fun and be one of the most positive ways of


you can book cars online or over the phone, collect them yourself from their parking bays across Newcastle using your smart card, and use them for £4 per hour and 15 pence per mile. This gives access to a car


when you need one, without the cost and hassle of car ownership and the need for parking permits or finding a space near to your house.


Contact details W: commonwheels.org.uk E: info@commonwheels. org.uk


T: 0845 6028030


there are a number of stress points so here are some tips to help avoid them. • Have a flat or house meeting as soon as possible to establish some ground rules, division and payment for communal items, do you really want 5 different lots of washing up liquid? Set up a cleaning rota - who’s turn it is to clean the oven, loo etc and when. • Noise, not everyone will want to listen to your music, if you like to stay up late at night remember that not everyone does - your flatmates and neighbours might be trying to sleep or study, please be considerate. • If you intend to have a group of friends around in the evening inform your flatmates. • Use of communal space requires co-operation - no one likes the person who hogs all the space in the fridge, piles their dishes in the sink for days or uses other people’s possessions without asking. • Security, help look after your possessions and those of your flatmates. Keep the front door of the flat/house locked all the time and lock your bedroom door when you leave your room. Don’t leave windows open when you’re not in. Be careful. Check your insurance cover. Remember, most problems


Water rates Most water companies send two half yearly bills but you can arrange to change this to monthly payments to help with your budgeting. If you are renting you should find out if your landlord includes this bill in with your rent.


Council tax


Check whether you are paying council tax unnecessarily. If you are a student and you are sharing a house with other students you are exempt from payment. You will need to claim exemption by submitting proof of student status (supplied at enrolment) to Newcastle City Council for all residents of the house or flat.


employed you may be required to pay a share of the bill. (It is therefore advisable to contact your local council tax office to clarify the situation).


• Gas supply..................................£_______per year, typically up to £350 per person per year • Electricity supply ........................£_______per year, up to £500 per person per year, less if property has gas water & central heating


£_______per year, aprox around £50 - £100 per person per year


Gas and electricity If you can, find out the cost of last year’s energy bills to help you prepare your monthly budget. Ring your gas and electricity suppliers and give them your moving-in date and arrange for them to carry out a meter reading for that date. You must do this as soon as you know who your suppliers are or you may become liable


occupant’s dept! The names of the companies that supply your new property should be given to you by your landlord. Also confirm any intial meter readings with your landlord. Otherwise to find out your electricity supplier call 0845 601 3268 and for your gas supplier call 0870 608 1524. Once you know who your suppliers are


for the previous


provide them with your address and postcode and they will arrange to take a meter reading. Take a reading of the


If a member of your household is


arise because of lack of thoughtfulness to


others,


talking about it helps resolve most issues. Most disputes are relatively minor but sometimes things are more serious. • Serious disputes, these could involve anti social behaviour, drugs, theft, harassment, assault, vandalism. Not getting on with flatmates is not usually a reason to get out of your contract but if the problem is serious or you feel threatened or forced to move out seek advice from the Accommodation Office, Students Services or the Student Union and in extreme cases information is available on the internet about mediation services. It is not always possible to like everybody - learn to get along. • If someone moves out of your house or flat, it is likely that you will be responsible jointly with everyone else for paying for the empty room. Your landlord or agent will probably expect you to find a replacement but they have the right to check the replacement is suitable so you must have their agreement to any change. You can advertise rooms inexpensively or free via your University, privately-run advertising websites, Newsagent’s windows or supermarket noticeboards. You can also use agents or the


Evening Chronicle newspaper to


advertise. Ask your


University Accommodation Office for advice if you need it.


Information about bills that you need to know


meters yourself as well. Each supplier will give you a new account number which will be listed on your new fuel bills when they arrive. Make sure the supplier’s readings


correspond with your own meter readings.


TV license TV license This bill has to be paid once a year but you can arrange this online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk


Heating arrangements When looking around potential homes to rent, check to see what heating system is used. Modern gas boilers are much more efficient than older ones. If the property has electric heating find out if it is on an off-peak tariff such as economy 7 storage heating. Also insist on seeing the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to see how the energy use of the property compares with others. EPCs are now a legal requirement.


Insulation When looking around potential homes to rent or buy, check to see what Insulation measures have been installed. Find out if the loft and/or walls have been insulated and check if outside doors and windows have had draught proofing strips fitted.


If you get into debt If you get into debt, in the first instance, you should contact whoever you are in debt to and they will help you to find a way to pay your arrears in a way that you can manage. Seek advice for your Students’ Union Advice Centre


University Student Services Department, who will be able to help and advise you. The penalties for failing to resolve debt problems can be severe.


or


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