Transcript Tenancy Agreements Tenancy Agreements     Contract signed by each tenant In Bristol, usually 12 months Joint tenancy – all jointly responsible! Important that each tenant.

Tenancy Agreements
Tenancy Agreements
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Contract signed by each tenant
In Bristol, usually 12 months
Joint tenancy – all jointly responsible!
Important that each tenant should receive a copy of the agreement
What is in a tenancy agreement?
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Date the tenancy begins / Duration
Are other people allowed to use property?
Rent
Any services provided by landlord
Length of notice
Changes to tenancy agreement must be recorded in writing (e.g. with regard
to a disability)
The Landlord is responsible for:
 Keeping in repair the structure and exterior of the property,
including drains, gutters and external pipes as well as
installations for the supply of water, gas and electricity and
for sanitation.
Your landlord should provide you with:
 Their full name, address and contact details
 A copy of the valid, current Gas Safety Certificate
 A written warning of at least 24 hours before they enter the
property to carry out legitimate maintenance checks and
repairs.
Your responsibilities as a student tenant:
 Acting in a “tenant-like-manner”
 Not damaging the house
 Putting the wheelie bin out and bringing it back in again; it is illegal to leave it on the
street!
 Locking all doors and windows
 Being reasonable about noise and parties
Tenants are also responsible for the smaller tasks around the house, these
include:
 Cleaning the windows and house when necessary
 Think about opening a joint bank account, to deal with bills.
 Student tenants should report all repairs,
preferably in writing, to your landlord as soon as possible.
Eviction
 Express or implied terms broken
 Landlord may be able to evict you giving at least 2 month’s written
notice and obtaining a court order
Inventory / Schedule of Condition
 Listing of all the contents of a property and a record of the condition
of the property
 Receive the inventory on day of moving in
 Check it IMMEDIATELY and TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS
 Initial any changes and make a copy of the inventory sheet
 Checks from the landlord on a quarterly basis and final check on day of
moving out
Example of inventory
Liability for damages and deposits
Deposits
 Financial security for unpaid rent or damage caused by the
tenant
 Tenancy Deposit Schemes- prevent landlords from wrongly
withholding your deposit.
 Deductions: replacing damaged contents, unpaid bills,
repairing damage beyond fair wear and tear, marked walls/
carpet/ furniture.
 Ask for a breakdown of costs for any deductions made from
your deposit.
Protecting your deposit
 Have a good look around the property before you pay.
Report any disrepair to your landlord as promptly as possible.
 Look after the property: keep it clean, be careful with
straighteners/ irons, be sensible if throwing a house party.
 Complete an INVENTORY- take your time, complete it
accurately and in detail, make sure your landlord agrees and
signs it once completed, support it with dated photographic
evidence and make sure that all tenants and the landlord have
a copy.
Paying rent and guarantors
Rent
 Read your Tenancy Agreement and check with landlord: How
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much to pay, How often to pay, and payment arrangements.
Stay on time in paying rent. If there are difficulties, inform the
landlord and the Accommodation Office ASAP.
A fixed-term tenancy will have consistent rent charge throughout.
The landlord cannot change this without your approval.
Make sure you inform your bank to stop payment when you move
out.
You MUST NOT withhold any outstanding rent from the landlord
for any reason before consulting with the Accommodations Office.
Please gather evidence as mentioned before!
Don’t pay anything to the landlord before the tenancy agreement
has been signed and witnessed between you and the landlord
Guarantors
 Inform your parents or guardians before listing them as a
guarantor.
 International Students: offer references from previous
banks, universities, landlord, or employer.
 Shared Housing responsibility – guarantors of all joint
tenants are liable for entire rent and damages for the
property.
Noise Issues
Having a noisy neighbour
 Bristol University
 Neighbour problems:
- Talk to them
- The Council’s “Pollution Control Unit”
- Take the matter to court yourself
- Complain to their landlord
- Noise Diary !?
Being the noisy neighbour
 How to avoid disturbing others
- In general: common sense
- House parties: more common sense
 Consequences
- The University takes complaints seriously, they have several forms of
punishment including cautions, fines, etc.
- The Council have more extensive powers, including fines of up to £5000 and
the ability to confiscate equipment
- If you need advice contact the University Accommodation Office
Eviction and Contents Insurance
 Express or implied terms broken
 Landlord may be able to evict you giving at least 2 month’s
written notice and obtaining a court order
Contact details:
 University of Bristol Accommodation Office
The Hawthorns
Tel: +44 (0)117 95 46640
Email: [email protected]
 Citizens Advice Bureau
1 Quay Street, Bristol BS1 2JL
For Telephone Advice call 0844 4994718
 Just Ask – UBU Advice & Representation
Just Ask Office – Student Union
Information Point – Tyndall Avenue
Tel: 0117 33 13511/541
Email: [email protected]
HOUSE HUNTING – THINGS TO
THINK ABOUT...
DON’T PANIC!
 There are enough houses for everyone
 Most students look for a house in the Spring Term
 Don’t be pressured into signing for anything you don’t feel
comfortable with
 Help is available!
Housemates
This is definitely worth getting right! Who you live
with is really important – remember it’s very
difficult to get out of a tenancy agreement if you
fall out...
think about what’s important to you...
and make sure you tell your
housemates!
Help!
 You can speak to a Just Ask adviser about anything
that’s bothering you
 The Accommodation Office have a tenancy agreement
checking service
 www.ubu.org.uk/justask/advice