Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation

04Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013

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04Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013 Annual rent on the Property:  Average weekly rent x contract length x no. tenants  £75 x 52 x 9 = £35,100 You are legally liable for this jointly AND individually. If your parents or family have acted as guarantors then they are liable in the event of your failure to pay. A common misconception is that they are only liable for a portion of the rent but they are usually liable for the full amount.

05Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013  University Provision - University Accommodation Service Tel: Website: ‘NUstudenthomes’ Property Management Service & Private Sector Property Listings  Alternatives:  Word of Mouth  Local Press / Shop windows  Local Agencies  Online

06Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2014

06Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013 There is no formal statutory regulation of the Private Rented Sector so there are some unqualified, inexperienced and unscrupulous firms out there. Some agencies or landlords will voluntarily join a Professional body.  National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS)  National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)  Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)  Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)  UK Association of letting Agents (UKALA)  Local Authority Shared Housing Accreditation Scheme  National Landlords Association  Residential Landlords Association

Since 1 st October 2014 it became a legal requirement for Letting Agents and Property Managers to register with an independent government approved system of redress – Ombudsman. If a letting agent doesn’t resolve your complaint within 8 weeks, it’s likely you’ll be able to complain to one of these schemes. The Property Ombudsman (TPO) Ombudsman Services Property The Property Redress Scheme

07Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013

07Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013

09Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013  NUS House Hunting checklist  Are you a member of a professional body/landlords association or is the property accredited?  Are you registered with an independent redress scheme? (agents only)  Is the Landlord based in the UK? Is the landlord local?  Are you operating on a Sign up basis only or are you managing the property?  What do your fees constitute and can you provide a breakdown?  Are you happy for us to talk to the previous tenants of this property?  Is the property subject to a mortgage and does the mortgage acknowledge the tenants as authorised tenants?  Are any repairs or cosmetic improvements required on the property?  What measures do you offer if we are unable to move in on time or have to move out for any reason?  Do you take a deposit? Which scheme protects it?  Is the property a Licensable House of Multiple Occupation (HMO)?  Do I have to provide a guarantor and can they just guarantee my ‘share’ of the rent?  Can I see the Gas Safety Certificate/ Energy Performance Certificate?  Is there an electrical safety certificate for this property?  Is there a Burglar Alarm? Has the property ever been burgled?  Is there any history of damp, mould or condensation?  Can I have a copy of the inventory before I sign the contract?

10Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013  Assured Shorthold Tenancy – AST  3 Government backed protection schemes: The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) The Dispute Service (TDS) My Deposits Directgov: Shelter: Statutory requirement: To protect / protect within 30 days of receipt / provide Prescribed Information Check it out before the end of the tenancy Lead Tenant Most schemes only offer you 3 months protection after your tenancy ends.

11Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013

13Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013  The University receives a large number of complaints about ASB and noise and receives regular reports from the police and council. The University supports the council in dealing with this issue. Not all reports are from residents about students. Sometimes it is from students about students.  The Council can proceed with action in its own right including Anti Social Behaviour Agreements or Abatement notices which if breached can lead to prosecution in the magistrates Court and up to a £5000 fine.

14Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013  In addition to this the University has introduced a Noise Nuisance Protocol which can impose significant fines on students. On a first offence this is minimum of £30 each but fines can be up to £200 each. This will be imposed on each member of the household and therefore in large households can represent a significant amount of money. It can also lead to a formal caution, warning or other disciplinary sanction on your University record.  More serious offences will lead to further fines imposed and escalated disciplinary action.

15Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013  The Student Advice Centre (SAC) can offer a review service  Documents must be given to SAC no less than 48 hours in advance  By appointment only

17Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013

19Student Advice Centre Housing Information Presentation 2013 Thank You Student Advice Centre Level 0, Newcastle University Students’ Union Kings Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QB