Accommodation

Rental deposits

JOANNE CACKETT — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:03:00 GMT

If you paid a deposit to the landlord when you moved in, you should get it back when you move out. Bond that has been paid on or after April 6, 2007 is protected under new rules. These state your landlord must put the money into a tenancy deposit protection scheme.

“At the end of the tenancy, you are guaranteed to get your deposit back within 10 days, as long as you and your landlord have agreed on how much you should get back,” the Citizens Advice Bureau says. If you have paid a deposit before this date and are having trouble getting your money off your landlord, you should contact the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Regardless of when you paid your deposit, landlords may take money from your bond if property or contents have been damaged and need to be paid for or if rent hasn’t been paid. You should get the rest of the bond back.

If you and your landlord disagree on how much money you should get back, get in touch with the Bureau.

Renters’ rights

REBECCA GALTON — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:35:00 GMT

If you’re a tenant then you’re entitled to certain rights. From privacy to repairs to safety, it’s important to know what your rights are.

Repairs

“As a tenant you have the right to have your accommodation kept in a reasonable state of repair,” the Citizens Advice Bureau says.

This means that your landlord is responsible for making sure things like water, gas and electricity are working properly, whether mentioned in your tenancy agreement or not.

Your landlord is responsible for repairs to:

Basins, sinks, baths and toilets.
Water and gas pipes and electrical wiring.
Fxed and water heaters.
The structure and exterior of the premises, such as walls, floors and window frames as well as drains, gutters and external pipes.
Major structural repairs.
Common parts of the building such as stairwells, lifts and gardens.

Meanwhile if the landlord has supplied appliances such as a washing machine or cooker that has broken down, the landlord must repair or replace it (unless the appliance’s failure is due to the tenant’s negligence).

Safety

Any gas or electrical items provided by the landlord must be safe.

Your landlord must arrange an annual check-up for gas appliances, such as boilers and is is also responsible for paying for any necessary work to be carried out on the appliance. Other safety matters include mandatory fire resistant furniture if the property comes furnished.

Entry Rights

Renters are entitled to 24 hours’ notice if the landlord wishes to enter the premises for inspection and the landlord should always ask for permission.

Eviction

You need a court order to be evicted, not just a notice from your landlord.

You have the right to stay in the accommodation until the tenancy agreement term ends, unless the landlord can convince the court there are reasons for eviction such as unpaid rent or damage to the property.

Wear and Tear

Tenants are not responsible for general wear and tear on furniture and contents, for example if the carpet becomes worn due to the result of normal use.

“If the extent of the wear and tear means that it causes a hazard, for example, springs in an armchair begin to stick through the upholstery, your landlord should repair or replace such items,” the Bureau says.

Landlords’ Rights

REBECCA GALTON — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:28:00 GMT

While landlords are in a position of responsibility when renting their property, they’re also entitled to their own rights.

Rent Entitlement

It may sound obvious, but landlords are entitled to receiving rent for letting out their property.

If tenants leave the property without giving proper notice, landlords may be entitled to charge rent up to the date when notice should have expired or up to the end of the tenancy agreement.

If tenants stop paying rent, landlords can take the matter to court and try to get a court order for eviction.

Treatment of Property

Tenants are obliged to look after the property and contents and should take care of the accommodation by doing small jobs, such as unblocking drains or cleaning windows, which can be mentioned in the tenancy agreement.

If a tenant damages furniture or fittings, the landlord should be told so they can agree on how the repair or replacement will be made. The landlord may deduct part or all of the tenant’s deposit to cover the cost of damages.

If damage to the landlord’s property is substantial or the property is in constant abuse, the landlord may turn to the courts for eviction.

Right of Entry

Landlords are allowed “reasonable access” to their property to carry out repairs.

“Reasonable access” depends on why the landlord needs to get access, so in an emergency for example, they are entitled to immediate entry.

Landlords also have the right to enter a property for inspection purposes and to empty a fuel slot meter but must give at least 24 hours’ notice.

Insurance

Landlords are not responsible for the tenants’ contents within the accommodation should damage or loss occur. It is up to the tenant to arrange insurance cover for their own possessions.

Business

If tenants move out and start using the whole rented accommodation for business purposes rather than residential, landlords have the right to evict.

Going solo

REBECCA GALTON — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:44:00 GMT

Flats/bedsits

A bedsit is a self-contained room with its own small kitchen, but a shared bathroom, and a studio flat has its own bathroom.

Bedsits start at about £85 a week in London but you'll be lucky to find a studio for less than £100.

A one-bedroom flat will cost about £180-£220 a week, depending on the area. Always check what is included in your rent; some rent includes hot water and gas but not electricity.

Houseshare/Flatshare

REBECCA GALTON — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:39:00 GMT

Sharing a house/flat

Whether you live with friends or (hopefully) like-minded strangers, budget for about £150 a week for your rent and bills.

Rent alone will probably be between £90-£110 a week for rent and you should check what bills (if any) are included. You'll usually have to pay at least one month's rent as a security deposit and your first month's rent upfront.

Roomshare/pubs

REBECCA GALTON — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:37:00 GMT

Roomshare

The advantages to a roomshare are mostly financial — you can get away with just £50 a week in rent. The disadvantages? Well, they'll become apparent when the alarm goes off two hours earlier than you'd like, or the pile of stinking laundry on your mate's side grows to the size of K2

Pubs — living and working

If you're planning on finding a pub job it may be worth looking into workplaces that offer accommodation as part of the deal - you might even get some free meals too. Living where you work is a good way to save on the cost of transport around London too.

Dossing/hostels

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:46:00 GMT

Dossing

When you first arrive in London the easiest option is to hook up with a friend (or a friend of a friend) and sleep on their couch for while you look for your own accommodation. Make sure you don't overstay your welcome and pay £5-£10 a day towards household bills. It is a good idea to read our Dossing Rules.

Hostel Accommodation

Hostels are great for short-term stays. Expect to pay £10-£25 a night depending on the size of the room and always ask about weekly rates, as there may be discounts available. Check out YHA hostels in London and the Generator Hostel in King's Cross is also popular with travellers.

What's the UK rental market like?

admin — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Where to rent

When you first arrive in the UK it's daunting to decide where to live. Most people stay in London because the job opportunities are greater. When choosing a place to live in London, check out the area first and what shops and ammenities it has to offer.

When it comes to accommodation in London, Antipodeans and South Africans tend to head west (Hammersmith, Fulham, Shepherd's Bush, Acton), north (Kilburn, Willesden, Dollis Hill, West Hamstead) or south (Clapham, Fulham, Southfields).

But people are also increasing in numbers in the cheap and trendy areas of east London (Shoreditch, Old Street, Bethnal Green, Hackney) and bohemian north-east (Camden, Angel/Islington).

The further out you live, the cheaper it is, but then you'll pay more for transport.

What bills to pay

Check whether the quoted price of rent includes bills. If not, you're up for another £20-£30 per month for gas and electricity (depending on how many people you're sharing with).

Gas, in particular, can be expensive, especially in winter, as most internal heating runs on gas.

Then there's council tax. The amount you pay is determined by the area in which you're living (some councils charge more than others); and the value of the property. The average cost is around £30 per month, but it could be anything from £17-£100 a month. Council tax is higher in the larger cities.

Signing a lease

Leases typically run for six or 12 months. Read the small print to be sure of what you are and aren't responsible for.

Whoever signs the lease is responsible for the rent and leases can be difficult to get out of early. If you're leaving, it's best to find a new flatmate to take your place on the lease.

Rental flats and houses generally come with basic furniture and you should be asked to sign an inventory list which details the complete household contents and any existing marks and defects (if not, create one yourself and post a copy to your landlord/ agent). Complete this thoroughly to avoid being charged for pre-existing damage when you leave.

Most landlords will require proof of your employment; some will ask for bank references and letters from previous landlords are helpful.

Know your rights

Housing law in Britain is complicated, but you can get free legal advice from a Citizen's Advice Bureau.

If you choose to use a letting agency, beware of unscrupulous agents and exorbitant fees. Wherever possible, use an agency that has signed up with the National Approved Letting Scheme.

Agents belonging to this scheme have agreed to follow set industry standards. The laws are complex, but as a rule it's illegal for an agency to request payment for:

Putting your name on their list or taking your details
Providing a list of rental properties

What are the dossing rules?

admin — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:53:00 GMT

It's perfectly normal to crash on a mate's couch or floor when you arrive in London, but you don't want to overstay your welcome.

You should chip in at least £5 a night (to help pay for communal things like loo rolls etc) and you should obey the Dossing Rules. Learn them by heart.

The Dossing Rules

1. Don't wait to be asked to clean something.

2. If your rubbish won't balance on the pile, take out the garbage.

3. Don't phone home without asking.

4. Don't look at porn on the computer.

5. Always make sure the housemate gets the phone messages you took when they were at work.

6. If you can't cook, at least buy the ingredients.

7. If you won't buy the ingredients, at least buy bread and milk.

8. Never drink beer unless offered. Beer always belongs to someone else.

9. If you're sleeping in the loungeroom, you go to bed when everyone has finished watching TV.

10. Never take charge of the remote. It always belongs to someone else.