1. House Hunting and Living Out: a Beginner’s Guide
Durham Students’ Union
Accommodation Office
House Hunting and Living Out: a Beginner’s Guide
Sarah Elliott
Membership Services Manager

2. Key Questions to ask yourself
What type of accommodation do you want to live in?
Who do you want to live with?
How many people do you want to live with?
How much can you afford?
You must be realistic about your essential criteria

3. Living Together
Think about how much mess you can cope with? Are you happy with just an agreement for the communal areas, how do you feel about having to clean someone else’s pubic hair out of the bath because it’s your turn on the rota – could you cope with this?

4. Sleep
Are you an early bird or night owl? If you are the kind of person who has to be up to do sports really early in the morning a party house where the are up until 4 isn’t going to be the best place for you!

5. You need to sit down and discuss as a group how much you can realistically afford? Make sure you add on the bills and your food costs. Bigger houses cost more and that is not just the rent, it is the bills – think about 7 set of hair straightners, 7 laptops, heating 7 rooms – it all adds up especially as fuel costs continue to rise

6. DSU advice centre is open Monday to Friday 10-4pm
We are here to represent you in any dealings with your landlord.
We can give you advice and guidance on a range of issues including your contract, repairs, deposits and much more!

7. What The Accommodation Office Do
Assist students and staff looking for accommodation in the private rented sector in Durham basically a letting agent for the private rented sector.
Accredit properties under the “Code of Standards”
Attempt to raise standards in the private sector.

8. Why use Student Pad & The Accommodation Office?
Quickest way of getting information
They are not an Estate Agent
Service is free
Advertised more than 3,000 bedspaces last year!
We will have copies of Gas and Electrical and Energy Performance Certificates and HMO Licences for each house
Code of Standards Scheme

9. The Code of Standards Fair tenancy agreements Deposits Gas Safety
Fire Safety
Electrical Safety
Repairs
Security
Furnishings
Professionalism
Sustainability & Environment

10. Where do students live? 5 3 2 4 1 6 7
Google Maps Overlay:

11. Average Rents in Durham
£100.00
1. Elvet:
£50.00
7. Bowburn
6. Langley Moor:
£65.00
5. Gilesgate:
4. Neville's Cross:
£90.00
3. Claypath:
£85.00
2. Viaduct:

12. Tenancy Agreements Legally binding contracts
99.9% have no get out (“surrender” / “break”) clause
No cooling off period
Usually a fixed term – so no giving a month’s notice if you change your mind!
Can be written or verbal – but always best to obtain a written contract

13. Contracts and Tenancies
The contract needs to include:
The name and address of the owner / agent
The tenant(s) name(s)
The full address of the property
The period of the contract
The rent – how much, how often?
The deposit – how much, and what can it be used for?
Who pays the bills?

14. Joint Contracts “Joint and Several Liability”
If someone leaves, the landlord will be able to ask the remainder to continue to pay the full rent
Parental guarantors: make sure they only sign for your portion of the rent
Group has exclusive possession of the entire house, including communal areas.

15. Tenancy Agreements
Get it checked before you sign – bring it to the Advice Centre
Once signed, the only way out is to find a replacement person (if your landlord allows this) – come and see us for advice

16. Tenancy Deposit Protection
Since April 2007, all deposits must be protected in one of three schemes
Landlord has 14 days from day you pay a deposit to give you details of the scheme they have chosen
There are serious penalties for non-compliance
Joint tenants will have to nominate a “lead tenant” who will have the entire amount protected in their name.

17. Contacting the Advice Centre
Opening Hours:
10am – 4pm, Monday
(0191)

18. Contacting the Accommodation Office
Opening Hours:
10am – 4pm, Monday
(0191) /41774