Housing Matters2009 - 10 edition

A students guide to housing in Dundee.

Questions ranged from issues surrounding value for money, deposits, to landlord reliability. The results were insightful. They provided us with the ability to collate the data and put together DUSA’s first Top Ten Landlord List. This list will be updated on an annual basis using updated survey figures. Of course our help doesn’t stop there. If you would like one to one advice about accommodation, come and visit me on level 4 of the Union or send me an email on vpsw@dusa.co.uk

Dundee can be a great place to live but finding suitable accommodation can sometimes be a nightmare. The city is alive and vibrant with a continual buzz of students which means there is a vast range of property available. The immediate surroundings of the University offer a variety of student friendly residences and in prime locations. But how do you know who to contact, which agencies are reliable, or when to start looking? Here at DUSA we understand these problems. The major-ity of us have been through the same scenarios. Because of this, we want to help. We want to help you find safe and adequate accommodation. In the last year we conducted a survey amongst students who had been through the processes of trying to find private accommodation; we asked crucial and astute questions about their respective landlords and agents.

Vice President of Student Welfare, Janine Ewen

House in multiple occupation (HMO)

House in Multiple Occupation is a term that was been created by local authorities in order to regulate properties that are occupied by a certain number of unrelated people. This is because, statistically, it has been proven that hazards and accidents are more likely to occur in these properties than in any other. In order to attain an HMO licence a landlord must achieve a specific standard of accommodation that must be complied with. This standard predominantly concerns fire safety and property management. The HMO licence must be renewed every three years.

The following types of property, commonly used by students, are likely to require an HMO license1. Shared flats and houses2. Bedsits3. Hostels4. Halls of residence for students or nurses

It is likely that if you fit the following criteria then you will be living in an HMO

1. You live with at least 2 other people who are not family members2. You share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet3. The accommodation is either your main, or only, home address. For students your term time address will count as your main address.

If you need clarification about whether or not you live in an HMO, then simply contact your landlord or alternatively the local council who have a list of all licensed landlords in the area.

For more information please visit: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/housing/multipleoccupation/

Tenants Rights and Responsibilities

When moving in to any new house it is important to ensure you know your own rights and responsibilities as a tenant and have a good idea of what to expect from your landlord.

Rent and Deposits:

• It is the responsibility of the tenant to ensure that rent is paid in full and on time. • Any regulated tenant who has difficulty paying rent may be able to apply to the local council for housing benefit. The landlord doesn’t need be told that the tenant has applied for housing benefit. Contact Dundee City council to find out if you are eligible.• Most landlords or housing associations charge rent either weekly or monthly. • A tenant cannot be required to pay the rent before the start of the rental period to which it relates. • The landlord has the right to ask for a returnable deposit to cover damages to the house or its contents or to cover unpaid bills. • Deposits must not exceed 2 months’ rent.

Repairs and Damages:

• The tenant or their guests must not cause any deliberate damage to the property. • It is a good idea for tenants to take a note of any damage done to their flat before they move in; furthermore it is good practice for new tenants to take photographs of any damage so that they can show their landlords.• If the tenant damages the property or notices that something is faulty, they should report it to their landlord immediately to prevent it from getting worse. • Do not try and repair anything yourself unless you know what you are doing. However, if the tenant has caused the damage it is up to him or her to pay for the repair of the damages. • The tenant is responsible for looking after the property and keeping the house in a clean and reasonable state.

This includes: • Keeping the fittings, appliances and furniture in good condition – with the exception of normal wear and tear. • Carrying out minor maintenance e.g. checking smoke alarm batteries and changing light bulbs. • Making sure the property is kept well heated; especially in the winter when it is important the pipes don’t freeze and burst. • Ensuring that communal areas such as stairwells, kitchens and gardens are kept clean and tidy.

Tenants Rights and Responsibilities

Safety:

• The landlord must have a valid gas safety certificate from a registered CORGI gas engineer for each appliance in the property. • The landlord must provide smoke alarms and should ensure there are no fire hazards in the property. Any furniture provided by the landlord should be fire resistant. • In a house of multiple occupation your landlord may be obligated to provide adequate means of escape in case of a fire, and fire precautions such as fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

Notice: • Both the tenants and the landlords have to be given the correct notice to end the tenancy • Once the tenant has been given the correct notice to quit, landlords usually have to get a court order to evict.• If you are renting from the council or from a housing association you may be able to pass your tenancy on to someone else. As a private tenant you may be able to assign your tenancy on to someone else if you can come to an agreement with the landlord. • If your landlord decides to sell the property you may want to end your tenancy first. If your landlord sells the property to a new owner without giving you notice to quit, the new owner will have to honour the terms of the lease. • If your landlord wants to visit or check the property, he or she must provide correct notice, usually 24 hours but it would depend of the terms of the lease.

Tenancy Agreements: • If the landlord breaks the tenancy agreement by failing to carry out necessary repairs, restricting your use of the property or harassing you in some way then you are advised to get in touch with the local council. In extreme cases you may be able to take your landlord to court; the Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to put you in touch with a solicitor.

Your landlord cannot change the terms of your tenancy agreement or add new terms and conditions without your permission.

For more information please visit: http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/housing/ http://www.dundeecab.org/

Or contact vpsw@dusa.co.uk for more information

Recommended Landlords

1. Hamish Robbie Lettings

44 Dudhope CR RoadDundee, DD1 5RR01382 220005www.hamishrobbielettings.co.uk

2. Jack Reavley

Cultural QuarterDundee07740419673http://www.letting-agents-uk.org.uk/agent.asp?id=10046

2. I. B. Murray and Son

87 Perth RoadDundee, DD1 4HZ01382 221016

4. Capetown Properties

www.capetownproperties.comenquiries@capetownproperties.co.uk07831 468380

Contact Details

In May 2009 DUSA carried out an electronic survey relating to student housing in Dundee, the survey asked questions relating to the efficiency of landlords, the condition of the flat, the security of the flat and whether the property represented value for money. Having combined the results of the 725 responses we have drawn up the following top 10 list. If you would like to see a breakdown of all results please visit www.dusa.co.uk or email Janine at vpsw@dusa.co.uk. 1 Hamish Robbie lettings 6 Belvoir! Dundee2 Jack Reavley 7 John Baruffati2 I.B Murray and Son 7 Tayside property management4 Capetown Properties 9 Rossclare lettings5 AKG Property Group 10 Sanctuary Management Services

This information supplied from individuals who have contacted us in answer to a survey. DUSA has no formal or legal relationship with the owners/occupiers of the properties appearing on this list. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information supplied is correct at the time of being published, it is based on the information received from those who responded to the survey themselves and is their personal opinion. You are advised therefore to check that the accommodation is suitable for your own requirements prior to accepting a place there or entering into a lease or contract.

5. AKG Property Group,

169 Blackness Road,Dundee,DD1 5PH

6. Belvoir! Dundee

33 Union Street, Dundee, DD1 4BS01382 228437http://www.belvoirlettings.com/Dundee

7. John Baruffati

Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 3NX07778 175 192http://www.landlords-uk.org.uk/landlord.asp?id=9444

8. Tayside Property Management

75 King Street Dundee, Angus DD1 2JY 01382 877 878http://www.taysidepropertymanagement.com/

9. Rossclare Lettings

8A SpringfieldDundee, DD1 4JE01382 205 319http://www.rossclarelettings.com/index.php

10. Sanctuary Management Services

Management Office75 Old HawkhillDundee, DD1 5EN01382 573111www.sanctuary-housing.co.uk/ sanctuary%20Management%20Services

Contact Details

Landlord Map

1. AKG Property Group 5. Hamish Robbie Lettings2. I. B. Murray and Son 6. Jack Reavley3. Rossclare Lettings 7. Belvoir! Dundee4. Sanctuary Management Services 8. Tayside Property Management

John Baruffati and Capetown are located in Broughty Ferry and Newport. See contacts pages for telephone numbers.

We know it can be hard moving to a new place from far away so we have put together a simple list of local international merchants. Many larger supermarkets also have international sections.

Bismillah Halal Food Store122A HilltownDundeeDD3 7BG01382 202 786

Continental Food Store166 HilltownDundee

Chinese SupermarketMatthews Foods Ltd Dundee17-19 Gellatly StreetDundeeDD1 3DYTel: 01382 226 628Fax: 01382 223 882Email: sales@matthewsfoods.co.u

Shop Africana262 HilltownDundeeDD3 7AR01382 221 055

International merchants

Polish Healthy Foods140 Victoria RoadDundeeDD1 2QW

Zamzam Halal Butchers and Grocers65 Perth RoadDundee

1. It might seem obvious, but read your lease. Make sure you know it inside and out. It might not be as simple as you think.

2. Take meter readings and get in contact with your suppliers immediately to alert them of the change of ownership. Don’t leave yourself liable for someone else’s debts and don’t leave someone else paying for yours. Make sure the bills you receive are accurate as well.

3. Inform your landlord immediately if the flat is not clean when you move in. It certainly should be. Just because you’re a student doesn’t mean you have to live in a fleapit. 4. Keep a record of all repairs needed and when they are carried out within the property.

Top Tips

5. Document as much as you can and pass it onto your landlord. Photographic evidence is useful as well, taking pictures of any damage when you move in can save you your deposit.

6. If you’re having problems with your rent, let your landlord know. Don’t let it build up without any contact. Hiding from it doesn’t make it go away.

7. Get proper receipts for everything, rent in particular. Saying you’ve paid on a torn off bit of paper is not a receipt.

8. Don’t use your deposit as your last month’s rent. Any issues which arise after you leave can lead to you being taken to court for additional expenses.

9. Dundee City Council is there to help. Get in touch with them if you are having a dispute which is not being resolved.

10. Make sure your landlord is registered with the Council. Again, Dundee City Council can help you check this.

11. Council tax exemption. As a student, you should not be paying council tax. The letters and the figures are terrifying, but a letter from the registry should be sufficient evidence to claim your exemption. This can be a full exemption or a discount if you are living with non students.

12. Be considerate! You will almost certainly have neighbours and remember that while you love turning it up to eleven all night long, they might not…

Top Tips

13. Be sure you have all the details of any emergency numbers you need. From your landlord to your parents to the local noise wardens.

14. If you’re planning some DIY, make sure you have permission from your landlord. You might enjoy purple wallpaper, your landlord might have other ideas.

15. Crime is not restricted to family homes. Students often have valuable electrical goods and equipment. Make sure your home is secure with locks on doors and windows. For aditional advice, contact local Crime Prevention Officer, PC Colin Brough on 01382 591887 or e-mail colin.brough@tayside.pnn.police.uk

This booklet has been produced by DUSA. Contact Vice President Student Welfare, Janine Ewen, vpsw@dusa.co.uk or 01382 386040.

DUSA is a Registered Charity No SC016047www.dusa.co.uk

Useful Contacts:

Dundee University Students Association: 01382 386 011 www.dusa.co.uk

Dundee University Student Services: 01382 384 007 http://www.dundee.ac.uk/studentservices/ 01382 343 538

Landlord Registration: 01382 435424HMO Licensing: 01382 435416 http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/housing/

West End Community Council: mailbox@wecc.org.uk http://www.wecc.org.uk/

Tayside Police: 0845 600 5705 http://www.tayside.police.uk

Noise Wardens: 01382 436 260 http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/ehts/noise/

Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau: 01382 307 494 www.dundeecab.org

TV Licensing: 0844 800 6790http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/index.jsp

DUSA Executive contact details: President - Andrew Smith, president@dusa.co.uk 01382 386002 Deputy President - Rimple Palana deputypresident@dusa.co.uk 01382 386007 Vice President of Communication - Graeme Thewliss vpc@dusa.co.uk 01382 386003

Vice President of Student Activities - Kirsty Brown vpsa@dusa.co.uk 01382 386004

Vice President of Campaigns - Craig Kelly vpcampaigns@dusa.co.uk 01382 386040

Vice President of Student Welfare - Janine Ewen vpsw@dusa.co.uk 01382 386040

Honorary Secretary - Gary Cocker honsec@dusa.co.uk 01382 386004