News

Tips for moving into a student property

Posted 14th September 2016

Before you arrive:

• Make sure you have contact details for your landlord and arrange a collection time for your keys.
• Get contact details for your housemates, if you don’t already have them.
• Make sure you have a copy of the tenancy agreement for reference purposes.
• Think about the bank account you will be using to pay your rent: it is important that rent payments are made on time. You will be charged if the payment doesn’t go through.
• It is worthwhile considering if you will really need your car. You could save money by leaving your car at home and usually transport links are very good.
• Find out how parking works outside your house. Will you require a permit? How many spaces are available? Decide between your housemates which of you will bring cars. If you need permits, try and organise them before you move in to avoid receiving hefty fines at the beginning of the year. To apply for a permit you will need to fill in an application form from Kirklees council and send proof of residency plus a valid certificate of motor insurance for your vehicle. A signed tenancy agreement will be accepted as proof of residence, so you can apply as soon as you receive this from your landlord.
• Try to organise a visitor’s permit before you move in, so that parents don’t receive a parking ticket when they are helping you and your housemates move in. If you do receive a ticket while your application for a permit is being processed, you can appeal.

On the day:

When you get your keys and can finally move into your house, it’s probably a few months since you last saw it and it might be different to how you remember it. Be careful when you are moving in your belongings. Don’t leave the car or house open and unattended as this is a prime time for opportunist thieves to steal your valuables!

Once you’re inside your property, check it thoroughly and consider how it compares with when you saw it at the time of signing the contract. Take photos of the property (including any wear and tear damage) so that you have proof of its condition as you take over the occupancy. Inform the owner straightaway of anything you are concerned about.

Check off the fixtures and fittings against the inventory (all Edge Student Living properties come with an inventory)  and if anything is missing or damaged, make a note of it, take a photo and once again contact the landlord. If things are damaged, dirty or missing when you move in, take photos and write a list of repairs in priority order and how you would like the issue resolving. Write to the landlord with this list, giving them a reasonable time in which to respond. If you do not report things at this point, you may find yourself paying for it out of your deposit at the end of the year. Equally with your own possessions, you may want to identify them by marking them with your postcode.

All properties should have a Periodic Electrical Safety Certificate and a Gas Safety Certificate. If you haven’t already done so, ask your landlord to let you see these. Make a note of the renewal dates so that you are aware of whether they will need renewing during your tenancy.

Cleanliness:

Was the house clean when you arrived? If it wasn’t, inform the owner in writing.

Escape:

If there was a fire in the main access passageways of the house, could you get out?

Repairs:

Do any repairs need doing? If so, inform the owner in writing.

Decoration AND Furniture:

Does any decorating need doing? If so, find out who is going to do it and who is responsible for paying for it. Most owners don’t allow tenants to decorate, so don’t start putting up shelves or hammering nails into the wall without seeking their permission. Some landlords may not allow blue tack on the walls, so check this as well. If you require more cupboard space or new furniture in your room, ask your landlord if they can provide some. TOP TIP: if you bring furniture in to the house and wish to remove the landlord’s, check that they are OK with you storing it somewhere else – and get this in writing.

Utilities – setting up your accounts:

Take meter readings of your gas, electricity and water meters immediately. Register with the relevant utility companies and, if possible, register everyone in the house, so that no one has to take individual responsibility. If you don’t jointly register and some one moves out, it will be extremely difficult for you to get their share of the bills. All Edge Student Living properties have bills included in the rent, so if you are living with us, you don’t need to worry about this!

Can you find the stop taps for water, gas and electricity? Ask your accommodation provider.

Change of Address Details:

There are some people you may need to inform of your change of address. You may want to consider:
• university/college, when you re-register at the start of term
• your bank / building society
• your car insurance providers
• utility companies

Getting on with the neighbours:

Remember you are part of a community – take some pride in it. There are many things you can do to live in the community successfully. When you arrive, introduce yourselves to your immediate neighbours and find out what they’re like. If they’ve got young children who may be disturbed by noise, be sensitive to this. Tell your neighbours about any parties and keep the noise down after 11pm, if you have friends round. If you’re coming home late at night don’t talk loudly outside or bang car doors. Chances are that if you are considerate, your neighbours will be less likely to complain and more likely to look after your house while you’re away. This helps to improve the general security of the area.

Good luck and have a great year in your new home!

The Edge Student Living Team