Things to remember

Most tenancy fees charged by Landlords and Letting Agents have been banned since 1 June 2019.

You may still incur a fee if you are 14 days late with the Rent, have lost a key or fob (charges must be fair and reasonable), terminating a Tenancy early, making changes to a term in the tenancy or assigning it to a different person.

You may also be asked to pay a holding deposit (to secure the room or property), a tenancy deposit, or rent in advance.

You cannot be charged fees since 1s June 2019 for referencing, administration or credit and immigration checks.

If you are unsure of any of the fees being charged, please seek free legal advice via the Students’ Union Advice & Support Centre, or Citizens Advice.

Make sure you can afford the rent before committing to signing the Tenancy Agreement. Once you have signed the Tenancy Agreement, you become legally responsible.

If your rent does not include utility bills, request estimate costs from the Landlord, Letting Agent or previous Tenants whilst viewing the property.

Don’t forget about costs for a TV Licence (paid monthly or annually), internet packages, contents insurance, Digital TV or satellite TV subscriptions!

Confirm the length of how long you will be renting the property for. It can be quite challenging to terminate a Tenancy before the end date. Tenancy Agreements differ, and some may have Early Termination clauses. If so, you may be responsible for finding a replacement Tenant.

Just because your studies may finish, doesn’t mean that you can leave your Tenancy Agreement early!

Landlords and Letting Agents will usually ask for a Tenancy Deposit. This is separate to a Holding Deposit (a payment to secure the room or property). The Tenancy Deposit can be used to cover outstanding rent arrears, and damage caused to the property. If you are signing a Joint Tenancy, you will usually be asked to pay a single deposit to cover the whole tenancy. A Joint Tenancy will mean that you are jointly responsible and liable for all named persons under the Tenancy Agreement. Unless agreed with the Landlord, your Tenancy Deposit should be returned to you in full at the end of the tenancy period.

From 1 June 2019, the maximum tenancy deposit is equal to 5 weeks’ rent.

Your Tenancy Deposit must be protected by the Landlord/Letting Agent, using one of the following Government authorised scheme:

• Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
• My Deposits

You should be provided with full details of which deposit scheme your Landlord or Agent is using, within 30 days of payment. If you cannot find this information, you can search for your deposit via each deposit scheme website.

For more information, please visit the Shelter website

Some students are exempt from paying Council Tax.

Find out if you are eligible, and how to apply for Council Tax Exemption via Ask Herts

If you have any further questions, please email counciltaxqueries@herts.ac.uk.

It is very common for a Landlord or Agent to require a UK based guarantor. A guarantor will be responsible for the payment of your rent if you do not pay it. This may also include costs relating to damage caused to the property (dependant on the Guarantor Agreement). Failure to pay outstanding rent can potentially result in the Landlord or Agent seeking legal action.

A Guarantee Agreement must be made in writing and must clearly detail the guarantor’s legal obligations. It is very important that you and your Guarantor fully understand your obligations, and confirm where liability start and ends – will the Guarantor be responsible for Joint Tenant debt?

The University is unable to act as a Guarantor. If you do not have a UK based Guarantor, you may choose to explore guarantor companies online.

If you are unsure of any of the fees being charged, please seek free legal advice via the Students’ Union Advice & Support Centre, or Citizens Advice.

Take the time to give plenty of consideration to who you choose to live with for the duration of your Tenancy. Remember, it is very rare for rent to include a cleaning service for communal areas! The most common issues experienced in off-campus accommodation usually relate to poor cleanliness of Tenants, unreasonable noise and failure to pay rent or bills. Once you have signed your Tenancy Agreement, it will be very difficult for you to terminate it early.

In some cases, a Landlord or Letting Agent will ask for one housemate to act as Head Tenant to correspond with. The Head Tenant must ensure that this information is shared with all Tenants and may also be responsible for collecting money for rent and bills.

Disagreements within groups can cause a great deal of upset and isolation. If you are experiencing issues whilst living off-campus, please seek advice via the Community Liaison & Support Officer or Students’ Union Advice & Support Centre.

Speak to the current Tenants within the property before signing your contract to get a clear insight into any ongoing issues within the property.

Do not feel rushed or pressured into signing the contract – ask as many questions to the Landlord or Agent as you require. Once you have signed your contract, you will be legally responsible for the duration of the Tenancy.

Ensure you know who the Landlord of the property is, to ensure you are not illegally subletting. An illegal sublet is when a room or property is rented out by a Tenant without consent. This could potentially result in your eviction, and loss of money paid. Ensure you have a signed Tenancy Agreement, and have receipts for all money paid. If you are in this position, seek advice as soon as possible.

If you require parking at your property, ensure you are researching the facilities available. Do you require a permit to display in your vehicle windscreen? Are you allowed access to a restricted designated space? Ask the current Tenants and Landlord, to ensure you are fully aware of any restrictions in place.

All vehicles (including guest vehicles) must be parked considerately, and not causing dangerous obstructions. Please be aware that dangerous parking can cause a great deal of upset and frustration to others, especially as it can prevent emergency vehicles accessing properties, or prevent routine wheelie bin collections.

The University does not offer Family Accommodation, however the PAL Accreditation Scheme is available to student and non-student tenants.

Here are things to consider when searching for private accommodation for your family:

• Research locations as part of your property search.
• You may need to research local schools for your children and access to available transport systems (such as buses or trains).
• Make a realistic budget based on the cost of property in the selected areas (you will need to factor in costs such as council tax and utility bills, on top of your rent). On average, rent for a 2 bed property within Hatfield costs approximately £1,400 a month (utility bills may not be included). Remember to check if properties are furnished or unfurnished. You will also need to ensure you have enough space in the property, to prevent overcrowding.
• Have your finances in order. Delays in payment can result in another prospective Tenant financially commiting before you.
• Search for the property, book for viewings, and make a quick offer when you see one that you like and can afford. Do not commit to a contract that is above your budget, as this may result in the accumulation of Rent Arrears.
• Ensure you have the required documents and responses to pass the Right to Rent checks. Your Landlord or Letting Agent will confirm what information will be required.
• Read your contracts before signing and cross check all features in the house against what was listed in the contract, to ensure it is a true reflection of what was offered to you.

• Pay the rent on time: If your rent is 14 days late, you may be charged a fee. Failure to pay your rent may lead in eviction proceedings.
• Pay bills on time: Unless your rent is inclusive of bills (ensure you have proof of this in writing, as part of your Tenancy Agreement) you are responsible for utility bills, Council Tax (unless you are exempt) and potentially other bills, such as TV Licence (paid monthly or annually), internet packages, contents insurance, Digital TV or satellite TV subscriptions.
• Purchasing a TV Licence: The law requires you to purchase a TV Licence if you are watching or recording programmes as they are being shown on TV, on any channel. This includes streaming or watching programmes live via an online TV service, such as YouTube, ITV Hub, Now TV, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer. Visit the TV Licensing website for further information.
• Keeping the property in good condition: Do not undertake repairs yourself (unless you have the Landlords’ permission), and report issues with the property as soon as possible. Remember, you will be responsible for any damage caused by guests. Your deposit may be at risk if minor repairs escalate to major repairs. Keep all correspondence with the Landlord or Agent in writing, where possible.
• Not to sublet: Renting your room out without the Landlords’ consent is illegal.
• Boiler and Appliances: Make sure you understand how to work the boiler and any available appliances. Ask your Landlord or Agent to fully explain how things work, and to show you where the fuse box, stop cock and meters are.
• Show consideration to your neighbours: The Community Liaison & Support Officer at the University is the point of contact for local residents experiencing anti-social behaviour from student-let properties. All student-related reports are received from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s Environmental Health team, and Hertfordshire Police.

If a student is found to be breaching the University’s Code of Conduct, this will be fully investigated. You may receive a house visit from the Community Liaison & Support Officer or will be invited to meet to discuss allegations further. Potential consequences may include a warning and/or a fine, depending on the evidence received.

• Structure: Maintain the structure and exterior of the property.
• Serious hazards: Ensure the property is free of serious hazards from the start and throughout the Tenancy, whilst following safety regulations.
• Smoke alarms: These must be fitted on every floor of the property. If there are 3 or more unrelated tenants within the property, a smoke detector must be fitted in each room (except for the bathroom or toilet).
• Carbon monoxide alarms: These should be fitted in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance (for example a coal fire or wood burning stove).
• Maintain and Repair: Issues with water, electricity and gas must be investigated. Appliances and furniture should also be maintained. If something is not working, report it to the Landlord or Agent straight away.
• Escape routes: Ensuring these are accessible to Tenants at all times.
• Furniture and Furnishings: Those that are supplied by the Landlord or Managing Agent must comply with the Fire Safety Regulations. Safety labels should be in place. This is intended to ensure proper fire resistance.
• Gas Safety: A gas safety check should be arranged annually. A Gas Safe engineer should be used.
• Provide notice before a visit: At least 24 hours should be given to Tenants before a visit to the property is carried out (unless an emergency repair is required e.g. flood or gas leak).
• Ensure the property is licensed (if required): Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) must be licensed. For more information, please visit their website.

Prevention:

• Ensure cooking appliances are never left unattended. Do not walk away from your woks, frying pans, chip pans or grills!
• If you smoke, ensure all butts are correctly distinguished safely.
• Never overload plug sockets, use appliances with faulty wiring, or leave candles or electrical appliances switched on and unattended.

Detection:

• Regularly test your smoke detectors every month. If you are concerned about the fire equipment within your property, notify the Landlord or Managing Agent as a matter of urgency.

Escape Plan:

• Keep all fire exits clear and accessible at all times.
• Keep Fire Doors closed at all times.
• In the event of an emergency, keep door and window keys in an accessible place for all Tenants to use.

Once you have moved into your property, you may wish to introduce yourself to your neighbours. It is always a good idea to maintain positive relationships with your local community.

Parties and Music:

If you are planning a social gathering, speak to your neighbours first and provide a contact phone number, in case noise becomes unreasonable. Agree a finish time and keep to it. Please also show consideration when playing music within the property. Noise nuisance can cause a great deal of frustration and distress to those living around you. Remember, you are also responsible for the behaviour of your guests, and any mess or litter caused as a result of the gathering.

Waste and Recycling:

All housemates are responsible for the wheelie bins at your property. Overflowing bins do not only result in community complaints, but they are also unsightly and attract rats!

Ensure your bins are placed outside your property the evening before your collection is due (all lids must be closed) and returned once collected. Your wheelie bin will not be collected if it contains the wrong items, and neither will additional bags left to the side of bins.

You can easily find full information about what can be placed in each bin, your collection day, and how to order missing bins via Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s website.

Please be aware that if the University receives a complaint via a local resident, Police or Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council regarding a student living in private off-campus accommodation, this will be investigated by the Community Liaison & Support Officer. You may receive a house visit, or a request to meet at the University. If evidence of anti-social behaviour has been received, students may be issued with a warning or sanction.

It is very important that you are present for the final inspection of the property, including your bedroom and any communal areas. This will provide you with the opportunity to discuss any pre-existing damage to the property, or to discuss potential deductions to cover damage caused during your Tenancy.

If you cannot reach an agreement with your Landlord or Agent with regards to deductions, please contact your deposit protection scheme to submit a dispute.

Ensure all rent payments are up to date. If you have signed a Joint Tenancy, you may be responsible for rent arrears caused by your housemates, and vice versa.

Do not leave bills unpaid. If bills are in your name, arrears may have a negative impact on your credit rating.

When leaving, remember to remove all possessions and leave the property clean and tidy (including kitchen appliances).

If you have an accumulation of waste bags that cannot fit in the black general waste wheelie bin, and you are unable to take them to a local Household Waste Recycling Centre, a bulk collection can be arranged via Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. Visit their website for more information, or contact them via 01707 357000 or contact-whc@welhat.gov.uk.

Money may be deducted from your deposit to cover cleaning or removal costs, and so it is worth all housemates getting involved to share the workload.

Remember to take final meter readings. It is also very important to take photos once leaving for the final time, to evidence to condition of the property.