Student Accommodation Advice

Shower with glass wall

Students looking to rent a London Flat probably need advice, and your first port of call for this advice is London University’s own Housing Services. If your are not a student at London University your own College will provide similar services.

The safest way for a student to rent a London flat is to rent through the university services as they insist that landlords adhere to a code of practice which protects the student. Unfortunately the housing services are funded by the fees which the landlords pay, so private flats rented through the university tend to be more expensive than those on the open market. Students intending to rent from the open market should read through our articles on Scams (see the tag cloud).

Advice on renting can be remarkably varied and surprisingly wrong. An example would be an article about student renting just published in The Times.  The article ends with tips for students looking for digs I have added my comments to what I consider very poor advice indeed:

– Check whether your university has a list of accredited local landlords.

Yes, goes without saying.

– Always ask whether utility bills (gas, water, electricity) are included in the rent. If not, work out how much it will cost and budget accordingly.

Yes – but check what the rental agreement says. Remember that as a student you are exempt from Council Tax, but under HMO legislation the Landlord has to pay the Council Tax and include it in the rent even though you are exempt. Consequently even though most Students end up in HMO accommodation they really should try to get into shared non-HMO properties where their tax exemption will apply.

– Check if there are service charges for your flat — some may charge extra for cleaning communal areas or shared gardens.

Nope – that’s not renting, that’s leasing, not what students generally do!

– Find out what you are expected to look after in the tenancy agreement — you may be responsible for the garden and interior hallways, etc.

Nope – under every housing act there has ever been Landlords are responsible for common parts.

– Check for signs of damp or mould — mould is often peeled off and painted over.

And your point is? If the place is horrible and damp negotiate a low rent, move in and then get the Landlord to fix it.

– Stains or discolouration around the boiler are usually signs that all is not well — there may be a leak or fault that could be dangerous.

Stains indicate water leaks. It’s not good, but nobody has ever drowned as a consequence of a water leak from a boiler! On the other hand Carbon Monoxide is invisible, leaves no stains, doesn’t smell, sends you peacefully to sleep, and then kills you. Consequently Landlords are required to have a full Gas Safety inspection done annually and have a certificate for the tenant. Forget stains, expect a certificate.

– Landlords are legally obliged to have the carbon monoxide levels checked each year — ask for a copy of the safety-check record.

Nope – where do they get this stuff? Carbon Monoxide should be zero. You can get CO alarms, but there is no requirement to have them. Just ask to see the Gas Safety Certificate.

– Make sure that the property is secure: one in three students will be a victim of crime, and student houses, which are often full of electrical equipment, are a common target for thieves. Check that there are good locks on the windows and on the front doors to shared flats.

Well – I guess we would say this, but go live in a safe area like Pimlico and it won’t be a problem.

– If you are staying in a private property, take photographs when you move in and agree an inventory with your landlord so you are not liable for any existing damage.

Actually under the protected deposit schemes which are compulsory, the onus is on the Landlord to prove to the level of criminal proof (beyond all reasonable doubt) that you did the damage. To claim off your deposit they will need dated photographs of before and after.

To conclude – there really is a lot of duff advice out there. Your University will have specialist advisers familiar with  renting law, and as a tenant you are well protected by government legislation. However until you become a tenant of a reputable landlord you aren’t protected from internet scams or rogue agents. Never pay money without knowing where it is going, and having a receipt and guarantee of it’s return or a tenancy.