WHY SHOULD I RENT MY NEXT STUDENT PROPERTY FROM YOU?
From your first point of contact with us you will realise that you are dealing with a friendly professional landlord. We are a small family business - there is not one of our houses that I would not happily live in myself or indeed allow my own children to live in (if they were old enough!) You will receive a personal courteous service at all times and can be assured of an easy point of contact. The properties speak for themselves – they are well maintained and comply with all current fire and safety regulations. Where legislation dictates, they are licensed. They are in prime student locations and are of a standard usually only enjoyed by the professional letting market. We provide a home induction service to enable you to settle in easily and get the most from your property – we will show you how things work; boilers, cookers, showers, smoke alarms etc. We appreciate this is a whole new world to lots of students so offer you a helping hand. We also provide a property manual with operating instructions for appliances in your property and give helpful advice on looking after your new home.
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WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR VIEWING A PROPERTY?
Give us a call on 0114 2295575 or on Andy Heywoods mobi – 07798 867847 or via email – andy@hotpad.co.uk Please bare in mind that we like to give our tenants 24 hours notice of any viewing. We will meet you at the property or alternatively upon your request we will arrange transport. To minimise the disruption to current tenants, please ensure wherever possible that all members of your group are present to view the property. During your visit to the property, please feel free to ask the current tenants any relevant questions, e.g. how much are your utility bills, what is the neighbourhood like, and probably most importantly – what is the landlord like!!! - do they respond quickly to problems etc. etc.
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MY FRIENDS AND I HAVE HAD A VIEWING AND LOVE THE PROPERTY, WHAT NEXT?
Call or email me. I will request some details from you and then forward a draft tenancy agreement to you. At this stage we will continue with viewings of the property and treat the property as still available to let.
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WHAT TYPE OF CONTRACT WOULD I BE ENTERING INTO?
Our property is let using joint Assured Tenancy Agreements on the basis of 12 month term (1st July to 30th June of the following year)
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WE HAVE READ THE CONTRACT AND ARE HAPPY TO TAKE IT FURTHER but what else do we need to consider and what other questions do we need to ask?
We must emphasise that you are about to enter in to a legally binding contract, and therefore before you sign any tenancy agreement, we strongly recommend that you carefully study the draft contract. We will be pleased to answer any questions that you may have, but if you are in any doubt then we would suggest that you seek legal advice. We would also request that you make your parents fully aware of your intentions before signing any contractual agreement – once again, if they have any questions, we will be more than happy to speak to them. Please be reminded that the tenancy agreement is a joint one, consequently the responsibility for the rent and any possible damages to the property are jointly shared by all tenants.
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ARE UTILITY BILLS INCLUDED?
No, the tenants are responsible for payment of Gas, Electricity & Water bills. As an approximate guide, you should allow between £8.00 - £12.00p per person per week to cover payment of Gas, Electricity & Water charges.
DO WE HAVE TO PAY COUNCIL TAX?
No, students are exempt from payment of council tax where the house is let solely to students. We will complete the necessary paperwork to inform the council on your behalf to gain your exemption.
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AM I REQUIRED TO INSURE THE PROPERTY?
No we insure the building. You have the choice of whether to insure your own personal belongings. Endsleigh insurance can provide group or individual personal belongings insurance cover.
IS BROADBAND INTERNET INCLUDED?
All our houses have a landline and are able to receive broadband. You must arrange for telephone line connection, ISP connection and provision of a router.
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IS THE PROPERTY A LICENCED HIMO?
In compliance with Government legislation (Housing Act 2004) we have applied and paid for licences on all necessary houses.
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DOES THE PROPERTY COMPLY WITH CURRENT REGULATIONS?
Yes - All our properties are checked annually and the appropriate certificates are available for inspection. These being:
1. Landlords Gas Safety Certificate.
2. Where a full Fire Alarm system is installed, an inspection certificate is provided annually, together with an emergency lighting certificate if appropriate.
3. A full inspection of the electrical system implemented and certified every 5 years.
4. The household furniture & furnishings are compliant with Fire Safety Regulation Act 1988.
5. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is available for inspection.
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WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PROPERTY?
Generally, each bedroom contains a bed (usually a double), wardrobe, bedside cabinet, chest of drawers, desk & swivel chair. The lounge will have sofas and dining table & chairs.The kitchen provides electric cooker/hob, fridge/freezer, washing machine and microwave as minimum – some have tumble dryer and dishwasher!
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WHAT FIRE PREVENTION DOES THE PROPERTY HAVE?
All properties are fitted with at least one battery smoke alarm as minimum detection. Tenants should check these regularly. The kitchen is also provided with a fire blanket. Some of the larger houses have intergrated smoke/heat detection and fire doors – please check each house on an individual basis.
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IF I SIGN FOR THE PROPERTY, COULD I LEAVE OR BE RELEASED FROM THE TENANCY CONTRACT AT ANY POINT?
No! Notice may not be given. On signing any Assured Tenancy Contract, you must understand that you have entered in to a legally binding agreement for the duration of the agreed term. However, should you request to be released from your contract, and providing that you find a replacement to take over your tenancy and that any such replacement is in full agreement with your co-tenants and the replacement proves suitable to us (permission would not unreasonably be withheld) and providing that you have met all your obligations under the terms of your tenancy agreement and have paid all rents which may be due, you may then be released from your tenancy contract. In these circumstances, the outgoing tenant shall pay us an administration fee of £50.00
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O.K. WE UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE. WE WISH TO TAKE THE HOUSE AND SIGN CONTRACTS - WHAT NEXT?
Give me a call and I will arrange to meet up with you all. Upon signing contracts you will have to pay your bond/deposit of £300 each. This is 100% refundable at the end of the contract as long as there is no damage and the house is clean – as per the inventory you will have to sign when moving into the property.
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HOW DO I ARRANGE PAYMENT OF THE UTILITY BILLS?
When you move in to a property you must take meter readings for gas, electricity and water (where applicable). You then have to register all utilities in your name and that of your fellow housemates, and give the companies the readings you have taken.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY PROPERTY ONCE I HAVE MOVED IN?
Each property has its own house manual with full operating instructions for each appliance plus useful information on fire safety etc and contact details for tradesmen out of hours. During office hours you can call us or email us with your problem and we will promptly attend to it.
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I LOVE MY PROPERTY, CAN I STAY FOR ANOTHER YEAR?
We write to all our current tenants in October giving you first option of staying - and many do!