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Housing & Accommodation Help
'Since April 2007, a scheme was instigated by the government to protect tenants' deposits
Basically, a landlord/lady MUST place your deposit in a protection scheme and inform you of where that scheme is and how it operates within 2 weeks of the start of your tenancy. A comprehensive guide to the rules can be found at here but should you have any questions, please either call the UBSU Advice Centre on 01582 743264 or emailLouise.Tadiar@beds.ac.uk
We are seeing an increasing number of students who are experiencing problems with their privately rented accommodation. We have seen everything from rat and ant infestation to heating not working and even a case where the landlord was trying to enforce an unlawful eviction. There are some steps you can take to protect yourself and to prevent problems arising which will save you a lot of heartache and time.
1. Always read everything in your tenancy agreement BEFORE you sign it. A good agent or landlord may let you take a copy away and get advice on anything you are unsure about
2. NEVER sign anything or put a holding deposit on any property before you have visited it
3. Ask whether there is a Gas Safety Certificate for the property and where your deposit will be held. If the agent/landlord is vague go somewhere else...he/she should now the answer immediately. The law says that checks must be made every year on any gas appliance in a rented property to ensure it's safety and a tenant must be given the certificate when their tenancy begins. Since April 2007 deposits must be placed in a Protection Scheme (third party) to protect the tenant and the landlord
4. Make sure you check the property over thoroughly before signing or paying for it. Do not be shy to ask to see the heating working and to look behind furniture to make sure there is no damp or mould. Ask for an inventory to be drawn up- this is a list of what is in the property and the condition of it which is agreed and signed by both you and the agent/landlord. Include everything, no matter how small as a mark on a wall could result in you being charged for cleaning and/or redecoration
5. Ensure you are given receipts for everything you pay and if you pay a 'holding fee' be aware that this is usually NON-REFUNDABLE
6. If you are unsure about anything, please contact the UBSU Advice Centre on 01582 743264 or 743275. Alternatively you can email of us: Louise.tadiar@beds.ac.uk, or click here for advice from the NUS http://www.nus.org.uk/en/Student-Life/Housing-Advice/
7. If you need to find information about Gas Saftey where you are moving please visit - www.trustcorgi.com/university
