1. 12/18/2014 www.luuonline.com 1 Leeds University Union Student Advice Centre We are a professional, friendly service. We provide help with any problems concerning life as a student. All our help is free and confidential and we are independent of the University. We specialise in: Housing problems. Money problems. Academic problems.

2. DON’T RUSH! www.luuonline.com Househunting myth #1 – “You have to look now”

3. Who to rent from and where to find them: NOT the office! Word of mouth – speak to the current tenants Recommended (Code/LUU) Gut instinct www.luuonline.com Myth #2 – the landlord will always tell the truth

4. Landlords who work with the SAC and who we do not have complaints about: Unipol Spencer Properties Pickard Properties Letters DEU Estates Pickerings McDonald Manor Properties www.luuonline.com

5. What should you look out for? HMO licences Tenancy Deposit Scheme Energy Performance Certificate Unipol Code of Standards Fees Myth #4 – “the signing fee is not negotiable” Myth #3 – “ you have to pay for the licence/deposit registration/EPC”

6. www.luuonline.com What should you look out for?

7. Where should you look? www.luuonline.com You don’t have to go for the obvious, and you might get a better deal by thinking ‘outside the box’! Myth #5 – “students only live in Hyde Park and Headingley”

8. 60% of burglaries against students are through an open door or window. Before you sign, look for: -Solid doors -Window locks -A burglar alarm -Crime stats for the area www.luuonline.com www.leedsuniversityunion.org.uk/knowledge

9. Money www.luuonline.com Rent (£62pw x 52)£3224 Deposit£250 Signing Fee£50 TOTAL£3524 Joint liability Guarantors For example: Myth #6- “I can just move out if I change my mind”

10. www.luuonline.com So, when should you start looking? The earliest we suggest you start looking is Unipol’s administration date of 16 th January 2009. Some landlords are aggressively marketing even now. They want to get your signature before you’ve seen all the market has to offer. Myth #7 – “the best houses go first”

11. 12/18/2014 www.luuonline.com 11 If you have any problems and would like any further information or advice, on any issues, not just housing, please contact us: Email: advice@luu.leeds.ac.ukadvice@luu.leeds.ac.uk Tel: 0113 380 1300 Web: www.leedsuniversityunion.org.uk/helpandadvicewww.leedsuniversityunion.org.uk/helpandadvice Location: 1 st floor of LUU, turn right at the top of the main stairs, through the fire doors and continue following the corridor round. Get your contract checked by the Student Advice Centre!