If you are interested in standing for livers-out officer please get in touch! johns.welfare@dur.ac.uk
A few hints and tips...
How to look for a house
The safest way to go about looking for properties is through the DSU Accommodation Office. They are the part of the Student's Union where approved landlords can advertise their properties for the upcoming year, and are located on the top floor of Dunelm. They are open on weekdays from 10am to 4:30pm, and all of their properties and contact info is also available online at http://houses.dsu.org.uk. Most of the properties they advertise are ones which comply with the Accommodation Office Code of Standards. This is very important, as the code of standards is there to make sure the tenants are getting a good quality, safe house with all of the basic amenities and a procedure to follow if anything goes wrong. The Code covers most aspects of renting including:
- Clear tenancy agreements
- Fire safety protection
- Gas safety
- Electrical Safety
- Repairs
- Security
- Furnishings
- Deposits
- Professionalism
If you sign for a Code of Standards property, the landlord is agreeing to provide certain amenities and behave in a courteous and professional manner. In addition, your responsibilities as tenants will be clearly explained in an accompanying Tenant's handbook. It offers guidance on how to report repairs, how to avoid condensation, likely costs of living out and much more. As such, I would strongly recommend that you try to get a code of standards property, as people who do usually have fewer problems with their house, or their problems get fixed quicker.
IMPORTANT - When to look for a house
The Accommodation Office does not release the information about upcoming code of standards properties until the second week of the Epiphany term. As such, if you even try looking for a house before then, you're probably getting a bad deal, as the guaranteed good houses won't even be on the market, So there really is no point trying to start househunting in the Michaelmas term, just wait until you get back from the Christmas holidays. A surplus of houses in Durham means there is absolutely no way you will be left without a house, so it's worth waiting!
Estate Agents
The three big estate agents in Durham, which are Bradley Hall, JW Wood and Robinsons, have forged a partnership with the Accommodation office and the DSU Livers Out Committee to make sure students get a fair deal when renting a house from them. Many of their properties will be listed as complying with the code of practice, which is very similar to the Accommodation Office code of standards. This will be the first year that they will advertise code of practice properties, and if you choose one of them, you will be assured that any problems you face will be dealt with in a professional manner as outlined in the code, and that the house is indeed in a fit state to be lived in. These properties will also not be available until the start of Epiphany, so once again there is no rush to start until then.
If you do see an available property you're interested in, it is up to you to take it from there. Normally you'll call the landlord, arrange a time to see the house (I would advise you NEVER to accept a house unless the whole group has visited it and is happy with it), and then to work out the details with the landlord. I am available if you have any questions regarding the contract you are about to sign, as are the people in the Accommodation Office. As I said before, if you do have any questions you'd like answered, I'll be more than happy to help. Hope your living out year is the best of your life.
How-to: Keep your deposit
The Top 5 Reasons for Deposit Deductions
- You have failed to leave the property in a clean condition
- You have failed to pay all the rent which is due
- Failure to repair or replace a damaged item of furniture
- Failure to pay the bills
- You have breached your contractual agreement in some way
It is much easier than you might think for your landlord to keep your deposit - Follow these guidelines to make it difficult for him:
It is not unusual for students to have to wait up to a month after the expiry of the tenancy - anything far in excess of this time period is questionable. If your property is a code of standards your landlord has four weeks to return your deposit or six weeks if he/she owns more than three properties.
If at all possible before you leave try to arrange a joint inspection with your landlord and go through the inventory of the property together. If your landlord states that all is OK ask him/her to sign something confirming this, stating that the house is in an acceptable condition and the deposit of £xxx is to be returned. Obviously you need to keep this paper.
If the landlord states it is not satisfactory you may have time to rectify the problem, or if you disagree you should take photographs of the discrepancies. This is so there is a clear record of what the disagreement is about should you want to take the matter further.
It is important to remember that should your landlord not return the deposit the burden of proof lies with yourself to prove that the house was left in a satisfactory state. It is therefore essential that you have an inventory and photographic evidence in support of your case.
If your landlord has not returned your deposit, call him to find out why. If after this you are still waiting write to him explaining the situation and when you want the money refunded by. Fourteen days is the usual time limit in situations such as this.
Remember the Accommodation Office and the Advice Centre is open throughout the summer and will be able to assist you with deposit problems. We are happy to check any correspondence and assist you in writing letters to your landlord.
Remember your deposit is not very well protected under law and it is relatively easy for unscrupulous landlords to make a quick buck. By taking simple steps such as the inventory, joint inspection and photographs you will be making it harder for them to make money out of you.
A Few Simple Pointers
Removing the leftovers - you need to dispose of any rubbish sensibly. Use your wheelie bin and if there is excess refuse you need to call the Waste Management department at the City Council on 0191 383 3000.
Take photographs of the property, especially anything that you think may cause a problem and also complete an inventory or better still a joint inspection.
Disconnect the telephone line and have bills forwarded to home addresses - it will be necessary to give BT three days notice. Meter readings will be necessary for both gas and electricity supplies.
Ensure all rented items (dishwasher, washing machine, 32inch Widescreen ...) are collected - you are advised to ring the rental company well in advance, best to give them four weeks notice.
Leave the landlords furniture in the rooms where your landlord expects to find them and take all of your belongings with you.
As the tenant you have a responsibility to give back the property in a good and clean condition. If you are joint tenants you will all be equally liable for the condition of the whole house.
You will need to ensure the communal areas are clean as well as your own room. A deposit is not to be used against fair wear and tear although this definition is a bit vague. THE CLEANER YOU LEAVE THE PROPERTY THE LESS LIKELY YOU ARE TO HAVE YOUR DEPOSIT RETAINED.
Any questions you have just call the Office on 0191 374 3330 remember we are open during the summer.
Accommodation Office - 0191 334 1770
DSU Advice Centre - 0191 334 177