ausa accommodation booklet 2008-09
DESCRIPTION
Information regarding all types of accommodation options for students studying at the University of AberdeenTRANSCRIPT
Contents PageAccommodationSearches 3
StudentAccommodationorPrivate? 5 Advantages&disadvantages
PrivateAccommodation 7 Thingsyouneedtoknow
TheContract 8
TenancyTypes&LeasingRights 9
Deposits 11
Bills 12
CouncilTax 13
ViewingaProperty 14
AttheEndofaLease 15
GoneaBitAwry? 15 ProblemsinprivateaccommodationPayingtheRent 18 Keepingrecordsofrent&bills
UsefulContacts 19
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AccommodationSearchesThereisanabundanceofplacestolookforaccommodationinAberdeen.It’ssimplyacaseoftakingthetimetosearchthroughthewebsitesandcallupanylandlordsorleasingagenciestoorganiseaviewingofanypropertythatyoulikethesoundof.Thefollowingtwopagesofferavarietyofplacestofindbothprivateandstudentaccommodation,andbothroomsandflats.
Info&AdviceCentre–AberdeenUniversity,TheHubThisistheplaceoncampustogotowhenlookingforaccommodation.Theyhavetheirownaccommodationwebsitewhichlistsbothroomsandflatsownedbyprivatelandlords.Alladvertshavecontactdetails,sostudentscanphoneuplandlordsdirectly.
Youcancheckoutthepropertylistsat:www.ausa.org.ukandfollowthelinksforaccommodation.Ifyouhaveanyfurtherquestionscallthemon+44(0)1224274200oremail:[email protected]
LeasingAgenciesLeasingagentsareagoodplacetolookforone,twoandthreebedroomproperties.Theytendtoadvertise4-6weeksinadvance–goodifyou’relookingforapropertyinthenearfuture.Anythingthatyoulike,simplyphoneupandarrangeaviewing.Ifyouliketheproperty,youwillbeaskedtopayforaCreditHistoryCheck(theamountdiffersfromoneagenttoanother).Youmayalsobeaskedforreferences,sohavethematthereadytosavetime.Ifyouplanonviewingafewproperties,tryandstickwiththesameagency,aseachagencyyougotowillchargeforacredithistorycheck.Ifyoustickwiththeoneagencyyouwillonlybechargedonceandyoucanputasmanyoffersinfordifferentpropertiesasyoulikewithoutincurringfurthercharges.Don’twasteyourtimetrawlingthroughtheirshops–youcansearchtheirpropertylistsonlineandregisterforemailupdates:
www.aspc.co.uk www.burnett-reid.co.ukwww.peterkins.com www.primelet.comwww.jgcollie.co.uk www.kwad.co.ukwww.belvoirlettings.com www.simpsonbrebner.comwww.raeburns.co.uk www.bainprop.co.uk
UniversityAccommodationTheUniversityoffersanumberofcateredandself-cateredroomsneartooroncampus.Theyhavecontractstosuitthelengthsofbothundergraduateandpost-graduateacademicyears,withpricesvaryingdependingontypeofroomFulldetailscanbefoundat:www.abdn.ac.uk/accommodation
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StudentAccommodationProvidersTheseprivatelyownedstudentflatsofferself-cateringaccommodationneartoandoncampus,withsomeprovidersofferingensuitefacilities:
LibertyLiving www.libertyliving.co.ukHunterConstruction www.hunter-construction.co.ukUnite www.unite-students.com
OtherUsefulWebsitesThesewebsiteshaveavarietyofroomsandflatstoletfrombothprivatelandlordsandleasingagencies:
http://aberdeen.gumtree.com www.pastures-new.co.ukwww.lettingweb.com www.citylets.co.ukwww.ukhomelets.com www.findaproperty.com
LocalNewspapersTheseareespeciallygoodforlookingforbothroomsandflatsfromprivatelandlords.Thesenewspaperscanbepurchasedonthefollowingdaysfromlocalnewsagentsandsupermarketsandhavepropertyguidesectionsonthefollowingdays:
EveningExpress(Friday) Press&Journal(Tuesday)
orcheckoutthewebsitedailyathttp://yourhome.ajl.co.uk
RoomSearchesThewebsitesbelowarespecificallyforthoselookingtorentaroom.Howevertoaccessthedetailsyouneedtopayasumofabout£5-£10.Trythefreewebsitesfirstandifyouarestillstrugglingthenchecktheseout!
www.easyroommate.com www.aberdeen.vivastreet.co.ukwww.spareroom.co.uk www.accommodationforstudents.com
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StudentAccommodationOrPrivate?Itcanbedifficultdecidingonthebestplacetolive.IfUniversityHallsaren’tforyou,youmaybeconsideringastudentflatorprivateaccommodation.Herearesomeoftheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofstayinginboth:
StudentAccommodation
AdvantagesYoucanbookyouraccommodationmonthsinadvanceifyouwish.
Insomestudentprovidersyouonlypayaoneoffutilitybillandyoudon’thavetoworryaboutpayingbillsfortherestofthecontract.
Youcanoftenarrangeforyourfriendstobeinthesamestudentflatwithyouifyouaskforitandthereisspaceavailable.
Themajorityofstudentaccommodationissituatedoncampusorwithinwalkingdistance.
DisadvantagesManystudentaccommodationcontractslastuntilthesummermonths,oftenuntilAugust.IfyouplanonleavinginJuneaftertheexams,youwillbepayingforaroomthatyouwon’tbeusing.
Mostcontractsarefortheentireyear,andstudentscanonlybereleasedfromthecontractsinexceptionalcircumstances.
Somestudentaccommodationcanoftenbepartycentral–notidealifyouareplanningonsomeseriousstudying!CheckwithyourproviderforspecifichallsformatureandPost-graduatestudents.
Notallstudentaccommodationhasinternetaccessinyourroomsyet,oryoumayneedtopayextratogetitinstalled.Youwillneedtocheckwiththecompanyfirstifinternetaccessisimportanttoyou.
Studentaccommodationisoftenjustas,ifnotmoreso,expensiveasprivateaccommodationthesedays.
Somestudentaccommodationschargeasmallfeetochangetherentpaymentstomonthlyinstalmentsratherthanpayinginlumpsums.Notallprovidersdothis–studentsshouldcheckwiththecompanytheyarewith.
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PrivateAccommodation
AdvantagesYouhaveyourownpersonalprivateflattoyourself–anewsenseoffreedom.
Youcanlookforapropertythatsuitsyourneeds&requirementsexactly.
Privateaccommodationcansometimesworkoutcheaperthanstudentaccommodation.
Youmaybeabletonegotiatethelengthofthecontractwithyourlandlord.
Propertiesareusuallyofhigherstandardandqualitythanstudentaccommodation.
DisadvantagesItcanoftentakeuptoamonthtofindsuitableprivateproperty.
Itwillbeyourresponsibilitytopayyourmonthlybills.Iflivingwithfriends,makesureeveryoneisawareoftheirshare–ifsomeonedoesn’tpaytheirway,thegas/electriccompanywilllooktowhoeverelseisinthepropertytopaythebills.
Studentslookingtolivewiththeirfriendsina3/4/5/6bedroompropertywillfindittough–fewlandlordshavesuchlargeproperties,thereforecompetitionfromotherstudentsisintense.Youmayhavetoconsidersplittingyourgroupup.
Itishardertosecureprivateaccommodationmonthsinadvance,especiallyifyouarelookingforSeptemberentry.ThemajorityoflandlordswillnotadvertiseearlierthanMarch/April.
Itcanbedifficultsearchingforaflat/roomifyouarenotinthecity(ie.overthesummervacation),asthemajorityoflandlordswillnotletyoutakeoutapropertywithoutyouviewingitfirst.
Regardlessofwhattypeofaccommodationyougointo,beawarethatyourleasewillnotcoverinsuranceofyourbelongings,norhaveaTVlicenseifyouhaveaTVintheproperty.Youwillhavetogetbothoftheseyourself.
Infoaboutinsuringyourbelongingscanbefoundat:www.endsleigh.co.ukInfoaboutTVlicensescanbefoundat:www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information
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PrivateAccommodation:ThingsyouneedtoknowLandlordLicensesAsofMarch2006,alllandlordslettingpropertiesneedtohaveregisteredwiththeirlocalcouncilauthorities(thisdoesnotapplytolandlordslettingaroomintheirownhome).
Thisisalegalrequirementcalled‘LandlordRegistration’andistoensurethatlandlordsarefitandpropertolet.Ifyouarenotsurewhetheryourlandlord,orpotentiallandlord,hasthislicenseyoucanaskthemorcheckwiththecitycouncil.Itisadvisablethatyouonlyletpropertiesfromalicensedlandlord.
HousesinMultipleOccupancy(HMO)YoumayhaveheardaboutthisadditionallicensecalledanHMOthatlandlordsneediftheyarelettingoutpropertiestothreeormoreunrelatedpeople,forexample,athreebedroomproperty.Thisisanimportantlicensethatsuchlandlordsshouldhave,asitensuresthatthepropertyreachesthestandardleveltoensureitissafeandsuitablefortheproposednumberoftenants.
Again,itishighlyadvisablethatpotentialtenantsensurethatanypropertytheyviewthatrequiresanHMOalreadyhasthislicenseinplace.Iftheyareuncertain,theycancontacttheirlocalauthoritytocheckifthelandlordisregistered.
NOTE:Anylandlordsfoundtobelettingpropertieswithouthavingtherequiredlicensescanfaceafineofupto£5000.
TheInfo&AdviceCentrewillonlyadvertisepropertieswhoselandlordshavetherequiredLandlordRegistrationandHMOlicenses.
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TheContractRegardlessofthetypeoftenancyyouhave,youarelegallyentitledtoacontract.Thecontractcanbewrittenorverbal,thoughitisalwaysbesttohaveitinwritingasproofofthetermsagreedupon.
Contractsmusthavethefollowingdetailsinthem:
Yournameandanyothertenants.Thelandlordsnameandcontactdetails.Theaddressoftheproperty.Thelengthofthecontract.Whattypeoftenancyitis,i.e.commonlawtenancy,short-assured?Howmuchtherentis.Howtherentistobepaid,i.e.monthly,weekly?Whatwaytherentshouldbepaid?i.e.bycheque,directdebit?
Itisalsobestpracticeforcontractstoincludethefollowing:
Whatbillsthetenantwillberesponsiblefor.Whatamountofdepositwaspaidandinwhatform,ie.cheque,cash?Inwhatinstancespartof,orallof,thedepositwillbewithheld.Whetherthetenantisallowedtosublet.Whetherthetenancycanbebroughttoanendbeforethefixeddate.Noticethetenanthastogiveiftheywishtoleaveattheendofthetenancy.Responsibilities,ifany,regardingcommunalareas.Responsibilitiesregardinginternaldecorationandmaintenance.Landlordsresponsibilitiesforrepairs.Whetherthetenantcanhavelodgers.Anyrulesaboutkeepingpets,smoking,etc.Agreementoverinventory.
REMEMBER!!Neversignacontractwithoutreadingitthroughfirst,andmakesurethatyouunderstanditsterms.Becauseacontractislegallybindingitcanbeverydifficulttochangethetermsafteratenanthassignedandagreedtoit.
Ifyouhaveacontractandyouarenotsureofanytermsinit,stafffromtheInfo&AdviceCentrecanreadoveritforyouandhelpexplaintheterms.
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TenancyTypes&LeasingRightsDependingonwhereyoulive,youwillhaveacertaintypeoftenancywhichaffectsyourrights.Theinformationbelowwillexplainthedifferenttypesoftenanciesandtherightstheyentail:
1.CommonLawTenanciesIfyouarelivinginstudentaccommodationorlivingwithyourlandlord,youwillhavewhatiscalledaCommonLawTenancy.Asacommonlawtenant,thefollowingclauseswillapply:
Landlordsarenotallowedtoenteryourpartofthepropertywithoutyourpermission.Iftheyneedtoenterforrepairs,theymustgivereasonablenoticebeforedoingso.
CommonLawTenantslivingwiththeirlandlordinprivateaccommodationaremorelikelytobeabletoendtheirtenancyagreementearlyshouldtheywishto.Instudentaccommodation,however,theyareunlikelytoletyouleavebeforeyourcontractisupwithoutyoufindingsomeonetotakeyourplace,,unlesstherearespecialcircumstances.
Whenthecontractcomestotheendoftheagreedtenancyperiod,thetenancywillautomaticallyrepeatitselfunlessthelandlordortenantgivesnoticetoquitortoleave(seesectiononAttheEndofaLease).
Commonlawtenantsdonothavetheautomaticrighttomoveintheirspouseorotherfamilymember.Theymustasktheirlandlordforpermission.
UndertheHousing(Scotland)Act2006,commonlawtenantsareentitledtoliveinpropertiesthatarewindandwatertight,thatarenotaffectedbyrisingdampandcondensation,andthatallfurnishingsandfixturesaresafetouseforthepurposeofwhichtheyweredesigned.
BUT!CommonLawTenantsshouldnotethatiftheyhaveproblemswiththeirlandlordsnotfixingrepairs,theyhavelimitedrightsondealingwiththematter(seeRepairssectioninGoneaBitAwry?).
2.Short-AssuredTenanciesIfyouarelivinginapropertyownedbyalandlordandthetenancyisforsixormoremonths,thenyouwillhaveaShort-AssuredTenancy.MoststudentslettingapropertyfromalandlordwillhaveaShort-AssuredTenancy,andsuchstudentsshouldbeawareofthefollowing:
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TenantsshouldbegivenanAT5formalongwiththeircontract.ThisdistinguishesthetenancyasaShort-Assuredtenancy.Tenanciesmustthereforebenolessthansixmonthsinlength.
Thecontractshouldstateiftherewillberentincreasesduringthetenancy.Ifthereisnoclausestatingso,landlordscanonlyincreaserentamountsattheendofthetenancy.Ifatthispointyoufeeltherenthasincreasedbeyondcurrentmarketprices,youmaybeabletoappealtheincreasetothePrivateRentedHousingPanel(seeContactspagefordetails)
Tenantshavetherighttoliveinwindandwatertightpropertiesthatarenotaffectedbyrisingdampandcondensation,andwhereallfurnishingsandfixturesaresafetouseforthepurposeofwhichtheyaredesigned.Ifalandlordrefusedtomakenecessaryrepairs,tenantsmayhavetherighttoappeal.(SeeRepairssectioninGoneabitawry?)
Whenthecontractcomestotheendoftheagreedtenancyperiod,thetenancywillautomaticallyrepeatitselfforthesamelengthofperiod,i.e.iftheoriginaltenancywasforsixmonths,ifnoonegivesnotice,thetenancywillrepeatitselfforanothersixmonths.Attheendofthesecondsixmonthtenancy,thetenancywillrollonamonthtomonthbasisthereafter,untileitherthetenantorlandlordgivesnotice.
Landlordsdonothavetherighttoenterpropertytheyarelettingwithoutthepriorpermissionofthetenant.Iftheyneedtogetintothepropertyforrepairs,theymustgivethetenant24hoursnotice.
JointtenanciesTenantswhomoveintoapropertytogetherareoftengiveajointtenancy.Thisisacontractwhichwillincludeallnamesandsignaturesofalltenantsintheproperty.
Jointtenanciesmeanthattenantshavethesamerightsandresponsibilitiesastheirflatmates,anditisuptotheentirehouseholdtosortoutanyarisingproblemsamongstthemselves,includingpaymentsofbills.
NOTE!!Becauseallthetenants’namesareonajointtenancy,ifonetenantofthehouseholddoesn’tpaytheirrent,thelandlordcanlooktotheotherremainingflatmatestopaythedueamount.Tenantsshouldensuretheyknowandtrustthepeopletheyaremovinginwithbeforesigningajointtenancy.Otherwise,tenantsshouldaskforseparatetenancies.
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SeparatetenanciesIfatenantmovesintoapropertyatthesametimeasothertenants,yourlandlordmaygiveyouaseparatetenancy.Thisisacontractthatissolelyfortheonetenantandthatonlytheonetenantsigns.Itmeansthattheyhavetheirowntermsandresponsibilitiesthatmayormaynotbedifferentfromtheothertenantsintheproperty.
Separatetenanciesaregoodinthatifyourflatmatedoesn’tpaytheirshareoftherent,landlordscannotasktheothertenantstopaytheduerent.Howeverregardlessofwhattypeoftenancytenantshave,ifonepersondoesn’tpaytheirgas/electric/TVlicenceetcbills,itwillbeuptotheothertenantstocoughup,eveniftheirnamesaren’tonthebill.
DepositsMost,ifnotall,landlordsinprivateaccommodationwillaskforadeposit.Theamountofthedepositisusuallyequivalenttoonemonthsrent,andwillbepaidatthebeginningofthetenancy.Landlordscannotaskforadepositthatexceedstheamountoftwomonthsrent.
Thedepositisthelandlord’swayofsafeguardingthemselvesagainstunpaidrent,bills,anddamagetotheproperty.Aslongasthetenantdoesnotbreakanytermsoftheircontract,theyshouldgettheirdepositbackinfullattheendoftheirtenancy.
Itisbestpracticetoaskyourlandlordforareceiptforyourdeposit.Thiswillprovethatadeposithasbeenpaidandhowmuchitwas,justincaseyoushouldencounteranydifficultiesgettingyourdepositback.
NOTEThefirstmonthofyourtenancyisalwaysgoingtobethemostexpensive,becauseyouwillbepayingonemonth’srentinadvance,aswellasyourdeposit.Ifyou’restrugglingtoraiseallthatcash,itmaybeworthwhileaskingyourlandlordifyoucanpayforyourdepositbycheque,whichthelandlordwillkeepanddestroyattheendofthetenancy.Thismeansthatmoneyisnotbeingtakenoutofyourbankaccount,butisstillprovidingthelandlordwithdepositsecurity.
Deposits&InventoriesItisimportantbeforemovingintoaprivatepropertythatyouagreewithyourlandlordabouteverythingthatisinthepropertythatisthelandlords(i.e.furnishings).Thebestwaytodothisistogoaroundthepropertytogetherandmakeawritteninventoryofallitemsandbothsignthelist,thusbothagreeingto
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whatisintheproperty.
Thereforeifthelandlordtriestokeepyourdepositforsomethingthattheythinkismissingfromthepropertyafteryoumoveout,youcanconsulttheinventorytodoublecheckthatthatitemwasthereinthefirstplace.
Landlordsmuststateinthecontractexactlywhatthedepositwillcover,ie.unpaidrent,billsetc.Attheendofyourtenancy,yourlandlordcannotretainpartorallofthedepositforsomethingthatisnotspecifiedinthecontract.Notethatlandlordsshouldnotchargeforaninventory.
BillsWhenfiguringouthowmuchrentyoucanafford,bemindfuloffiguringoutabudgetthatincludesthecostofyourbills.Theusualbills(andsomeaddedextras)maybe:
CommonBills: AddedExtrasmaybe:Gas TVLicenseElectric Digital/Satellite/FreeviewTVFoodallowances Internetorbroadband/wirelessLaundry LandlineTelephoneCleaningproducts Travelexpenses(ifyoulivefarfromcampus)
Ofcoursenotallofthesewillapplytoyou,butit’sworthwhilefiguringoutwhichonesdo,sothatyouarenotstungwithunexpectedbillswhenyouareinyournewhome.Ifyouhaveahighrent,willyoubeabletoaffordthebillstoo?
Ifyouarenotsurehowmuchyourgasorelectricbillswillbe,askyourfamilyandfriendswhattheypayonaverage,andmakearoughestimateforyourself.
REMEMBER!Whenyoumoveintoanewpropertyyouwillhavetotakethereadingsfromthegasorelectricmeterandcallupyourgas/electriccompanytoforwardthereading.Thisensuresthatyouarenotchargedforanyusagebeforethedateyoumovedintotheproperty.
Alsonotethatgasandelectricbillsareautomaticallysentoutquarterly.Thisisgreatifyouaregettingyourstudentloanonatermlybasis.However,ifyouarefundedbySAASyouwillbegettingmonthlypayments,soitmaybeeasierforyoutochange
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thegasandelectricbillstomonthly,whichmightproveeasiertobudgetfor.
NOTE!!Iflivingwithotherpeopleinaproperty,itisimportantthatalltenantsknowthatitiseveryone’sresonsibilitytopaytheirshareofthebills.Becauseregardlessifatenanthasaseparateorjointtenancy,ifonetenantdoesn’tpaythegas/electricbills,thecompanywilllooktotheotherflatmatestopaythedueamount,evenififthereisonlyonetenant’snameonthebill.
CouncilTaxAllfull-timestudentsdonothavetopaycounciltaxinprivateaccommodation,butyoushouldbeawarethatyouarenotautomaticallyexempt.Whenyoumoveintoanewpropertyyoumustfillouta‘CouncilTaxExemption’formwithyourdetails,includingwhatyearitwasthatyoufirststarteduniversity,otherwiseyouwillbesentabillforcounciltax.
NOTE!!Itisn’ttheindividualpersonthatcounciltaxisbasedon,butthepropertystatus.Ifyouliveinanallstudenthousehold,theentirepropertyisexempt.However,ifyouliveinahouseholdwhereonememberisanon-student,thenthepropertyisnolongerexempt.Whilstthenon-studentwillbeentitledtoa25%singleperson’sdiscount,itismostlikelythatthatpersonwillnotwanttobeburdenedwiththewholeamount,andmayexpectyoutocontributetothecounciltaxbill.Rememberthiswhenconsideringmovinginwithanon-student.Regardlessofthis,youwillstillneedtofillinastudentexemptionformforthatproperty.
OthersituationsMarriedcouples–ifonehalfofamarriedcoupleisinfull-timeeducation,thespousewillbeeligiblefora25%singlepersonsdiscount.
Part-timestudents–arenoteligibleforcounciltaxexemption.
PHDstudents–Full-timePHDstudentsareentitledtocounciltaxexemption,includingintheirwritingupperiod.
InternationalStudents–ifafull-timestudentfromoutwiththeEuropeanUniontakestheirspousetolivewiththem,thespousewillnothavetopaycounciltaxeither,aslongasitsaysontheirpassport–NoRecoursetoPublicFunds–andtheydonotworkduringtheirtimeintheUK.ThespousewillhavetotakeacopyoftheirpassportandVisatotheCouncilTaxofficetoverifythis.
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ViewingaPropertyThingstolookoutfor
FurnishingsMakesureyoucheckallthefurnishingsandtheirpresentcondition.Thisincludesthemattresses,carpets,doors,tables,chairs,allthewhitegoodsinthekitchen–basicallyeverything!Issomethingabitsqueaky?Gotdubiousstains?Notworkingproperly?Ifthereisanythingatallthatisn’tingoodorderorlookspastitssellbydate,tellthelandlordifyouwantitreplacedbeforeyoumovein,andnotafter.
HeatingCheckwhattypeofheatingtheaccommodationhasandwhatcompanythelandlordiswith.Certaintypesofheatingandcompaniesmaybemoreexpensivethanothers,soit’simportanttoask.Ifthepropertyisheatedbygas,makesurethatthegassystemhasbeengivenit’sannualmaintenanceservice.
RepairsChecktoseeifthereisanyrisingdamp,condensation,andanygeneralrepairsneedingcarriedoutintheproperty.Ifyouspotanything,itisimportanttoinformthelandlordoftherequiredrepairs,andtoensurethattheyarecarriedoutbeforeyoumovein.Itisatenant’srighttoliveinsafeandhabitableaccommodation,sodon’tmoveinuntiltheproblemsaresorted.
Askyourlandlordwhatthearrangmentsareifsomethingbreaksdownwhenyouarelivingintheproperty:willtheyarrangeforarepaircompanytofixit,ordoyou?
SafetyMakesurethatyourpropertyhassmokedetectors.Thelawnowstatesthatalllandlordsmustfitmainsoperatedsmokedetectorsinpropertiesthattheylet.Ifnot,thelocalFireServicecanarrangeahomevisittoinstallasmokedetectorfreeofcharge.
SecurityEnsurethatthepropertyhasasecureentranceandthatthelocksareingoodcondition.Rememberalsotolookatthelocksonanywindows.Checkwithyourparentsaboutinsuringyourposessionsintheproperty.Youmayormaynotbecoveredbythem.
PlumbingCheckthatalltapsandpipesareingoodworkingorder.Dotheyswitchoff
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properly?Isthereagoodsupplyofreadilyavailablehotwater?Noonelikesacoldshowerinthemorning.
TheBuildingMakesurethatthecommunaldoorofyourbuildingissecureandhasaproperlock.It’salsoworthcheckingoutthehallwayofyourbuilding–isthereabackentrance?Isitsecure?Isthereadequatehallwaylighting?Youdon’twanttocomehomeatnightandhavetofindyourwaytoyourfrontdoorinthedark.
AttheendofaLeaseMovingOutIfaShort-AssuredTenantdoesnotwishtoremaininthepropertywhentheleaseexpires,theymustgive40daysnotice.Fortenanciesthathaverolledonamonthtomonthbasis,ithastobe28daysnotice.
CommonLawTenantsmustgivefourweeksnoticeiftheywanttoleave.Iftheleaseisforayearorlonger,tenantswillhavetogive40daysnotice.
EvictionIfaShort-assuredTenantdoesnotbreakanytermsoftheircontract,alandlordcanonlyapplyforrepossessionofapropertyattheendofthelease,andtheymustgothroughthecorrectprocedures.Thelandlordmust:
GiveaminimumtwomonthsnoticetoquitthepropertyServea‘NoticetoQuit’document.
CommonLawTenantsmustbegivenatleastfourweekswrittennoticeinwhichtoleavetheproperty.
Goneabitawry???Soyou’vemovedin,theflatisperfectandeverythingishunkydory.Orisit?Despiteeveryone’sbestintentions,sometimesthingscropsupthatrequiressomeusefulinfo.Here’salistofthemostcommonproblemsandhowtoovercomethem.
RepairsInprivateaccommodationitisthelandlord’sdutytoensurethattheirpropertiesreachthestandardlevelofrepairsetoutintheHousing(Scotland)Act2006.Thismeansthatpropertiesshould:
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BewindandwatertightNotsufferfromdamp/condensationInstallationsmustbeinproperworkingorder
Fixtures,furnishingsandappliancesshouldbeinproperworkingorderandbeusedforthepurposeofwhichtheyaredesigned.
Ifyoufindyourselfwithanyoftheseproblemsduringyourtenancy,youmustfirstofallinformyourlandlordoftherequiredrepairs.Ifyourlandlordrefusesor‘doesn’tgetroundtoit’,thenwriteadatedlettertothelandlorddetailingtheproblemandgivingadeadlineforittobefixed,makingsuretokeepacopyforyourself.Ifyouneedhelpwiththeletter,anadvisorattheInfo&AdviceCentrewillbeabletoassist.
Iftherepairsstillgounresolved,short-assuredtenantshavetherighttoappealtothePrivateRentedHousingPanel(PRHP).ThisPanel,createdinSeptember2007,willinvestigatetheclaimofrepairsand,ifthelandlordisfoundtobeevadingtheirrepairingresponsibilities,thePRHPcanenforcelandlordstocarryoutthenecessaryrepairs.SeetheContactspagefortheirwebsitedetails.
NOTE!!CommonLawtenantshavelimitedrightsinregardstoenforcingrepairsandcannotapplytothePRHP.Suchtenantswithrepairproblemsshouldcomplaintotheirlandlords,however,theycanbeevictedfairlyeasilyandshouldbemindfulofhowtheyformthecomplaint.
DepositsUnfortunatelytherearenolawsinScotlandjustyettoprotectatenant’sdeposit,butthereareotheroptionsatenantcantakeshouldtheirlandlordwithholdtheirdepositunfairly:
Whenyoumoveintothepropertyaskforareceiptofthedeposit
Makeaninventoryofeverythinginthepropertywithyourlandlordatthebeginningofthelease,andgooveritagainjustbeforeyourleaseends.Thatwaythelandlordcanseeforthemselvesthatnothinghasbeentakenorbroken.
Ifsomethingisbrokenduringyourlease,informthelandlord.Theymayagreethatyoureplaceityourself,ortakeitoffyourdeposit.
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Beforetheleaseends,givethepropertyathoroughcleanandaskthelandlordtoinspectitsothattheycan’tclaimforcleaningcostsafteryou’vemovedout.
Ifallofthisfailsandthelandlordstillwithholdsthedeposit,tenantsshouldfirstwriteadatedlettertotheirlandlorddetailingthattheirdeposithasbeenunfairlykept.TenantscanseekfurtheradviceonthisfromtheInfo&AdviceCentre.
REMEMBER!!Landlord’susuallyonlykeepdepositsforunpaidrentorbills,anddamagestotheproperty,butsometimestheytrytokeepitforanotherreason,butlandlordscannotkeepthedepositforsomethingthatisnotcoveredinthecontract.
ProblemFlatmatesWereyoubestoffriendsbeforeyoumovedintogether?Notsomuchnow?Beforeyoutaketheoptionofmovingout,herearesomeoptionstoconsider:
Tenantsshouldtrytodiscussanygrievanceswiththewholehouseholdfirstofall.Sometenantsmaynothaverealisedtherewasaproblem.
Ifyouareexperiencingbullyingorharassmentfromyourflatmateorneighbour,speaktothem–theymaynothaverealisedtheywerecausingupset.Alternativelyspeaktothelandlordwhomaybeabletohaveachatwiththeminstead.
Ifyouareinstudentaccommodation,speaktotheaccommodationofficeorpersonincharge–theremaybeanoptionofswitchingroomsorflats.
LeavingEarlyTenantswhowishtoleaveapropertybeforetheendoftheirleasewillneedtofirstchecktheircontracttoseeiftheleasesaysanythingaboutleavingearlyandifso,howmuchnoticeisrequired?Ifthereisnothinginthecontract,youshouldcheckwiththelandlordwhethertheywillallowyoutobereleasedfromyourcontractearly.Ifnot,theymayagreethatyoucanleaveaslongasyoufindareplacementtenant.
Studentsshouldrememberthatproblemsliketheoneslistedabovearerare,andthemajorityoflandlordsareprofessionalintheirdealingswithlettingproperty.Ifhoweveryouareunfortunatetoexperienceanyproblems,thenitisimportantthatyouspeaktoahousingadvisorforfurtherguidanceonthematter.
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PayingtheRentThefollowingtablescanbeusedforrecordingpaymentofrentandbills.Itisadvisabletokeepanoteofwhathasbeenpaidincasethereiseveranyconfusionoverwhathasorhasn’tbeenpaid.
PaymentMade(Rent/Bill)
Date AmountPaid ReceiptReceived?
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UsefulContactsAUSA AberdeenUniversityInfo&AdviceCentre Accommodation Office Floor1,TheHub HighStreetTel:0122424200 Tel:01224273502Email:[email protected] Email:[email protected]
LandlordRegistrationTeam HMOUnitAberdeenCityCouncil AberdeenCityCouncilBroadStreet BroadStreetTel:01224522299 Tel:01224523282
Environmental Office Council Tax OfficeAberdeenCityCouncil AberdeenCityCouncilBroadStreet 27-28CrownStreetTel:01224522000 Tel:01224346789
ShelterScotland CitizensAdviceBureauFreehousingadvice 41UnionStreetFreephone24hrs Mon–Fri:09.30–1600Tel:08088004444 Wed:1300-1600 Tel:01224586255
ElectricalEmergencies GasEmergenciesScottishHydroelectric NationalGasEmergencyServiceTel:0800300999 Tel:0800111999
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