Accommodation

Deposits and Repairs Deposits are usually taken by a landlord/lady or agency to cover any unpaid rent or bills, repairs due to damage/negligence by the tenant, or cleaning necessary after you've left.
Frequently Asked Questions With such a wide variety of accommodation on offer to students in Bristol including university halls, private rented accommodation and homestay accommodation, knowing where and how to start looking can be difficult.
Harassment and illegal eviction If a landlord/lady cannot get a tenant to leave their property legally, they will sometimes harass them into leaving. Harassment can take a variety of different forms but you do have legal protection from this, so if any of the following apply to you, get advice immediately.
Housemates and neighbours The first thing to remember is that it is perfectly normal to disagree and fall out! You all have individual personalities and different outlooks on life but if you communicate effectively and respect each other, life is likely to be a lot easier.
Looking for Accommodation If you are not successful in finding a place to live in a University halls of residence then don't panic; there are still plenty of other places you can search.
Safety You are entitled to live in a rented property which has safe appliances. If you have concerns about the safety of your accommodation you should contact your landlord/agency straightaway.
Tenancy Agreements and Licences
TV Licence Whether or not you need to have a TV licence depends on the type of accommodation that you live in.

PROVIDING ADVICE AND GUIDANCE ON ACCOMMODATION

Useful leaflets

Accommodation Options Leaflet - a housing options leaflet containing a list of letting agents, private hall providers, temporary accommodation and other useful sites to search for somewhere to live.

Rights of Student Tenants in the UK - Knowing your rights as a student renter is essential for ensuring a safe and fair living environment and for having a positive renting experience.

Blank Inventory - An inventory can prevent disputes about how much of your deposit you should get back when you move out. Don't hand over a deposit until you have checked the inventory. Note down anything wrong with the property or with the fixtures and fittings. This is to make sure you don't get charged for something that was damaged when you moved in. You can also take photos showing the condition of the property.

Housing Checklist

Accommodation Scams - Looking for accommodation can be a daunting prospect, and unfortunately, we do hear of students being scammed, so here are some of the warning signs to look out for.

Useful links

How to Rent - Guide

Marks Out Of Tenancy - rate and review your landlord/agency, property and area when you move out of your accommodation so next year's students know what to expect when searching for their perfect pad.

If you want to know how to set up paying bills in your shared house visit Save the Student's guide to student energy bills.
Bristol Waste Company - waste and recycling guide for students

Contents insurance

When living in private accommodation you will need to take out personal contents insurance designed to cover the sort of stuff students own, like your gadgets, books, clothes and bicycle. The policy will pay out if the unexpected happens and your possessions are lost in events like a fire, theft, flood or storm.

Landlords insurance only covers their house and their items of furniture. It does not cover any of the tenant’s property. You can research quotes for insurance through comparison websites such as:

If you need help to manage your money and create a budget; Blackbullion is an easy to use learning platform designed to help you develop essential money skills, and it’s FREE for UWE students.

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