► Accommodation
The university provides rooms in halls, guaranteeing accommodation for first years.
There is a large number of University or approved halls of residences situated within 5 minutes’ walk of the University’s main campus – full details are available on the website http://www.brad.ac.uk/accommodation, Staying in Halls is a great way to meet new friends when you first come to Bradford. However, in your second and third year, you will probably want to live with fewer people in your own home and rent privately, although you can return to Halls if you wish.
Private Renting
Every year, about 4,000 students of the Bradford University will live in privately rented accommodation. There is enough private sector accommodation out there to meet student demand, so take your time choosing your house carefully. We strongly recommend that you rent a house accredited by Unipol. Visit them in the Atrium in the Richmond Building, or go www.unipol.bradford.ac.uk.
Don't rush into signing contracts, even if the landlord or agent puts pressure on you to make a quick decision.
Contracts
Wherever you decide to rent you should sign a contract or tenancy agreement for the duration of your stay. Visit Unipol's website www.unipol.bradford.ac.uk and check out the information on ‘Tenancies and Contracts’ which explains in detail the legal aspects of your contract. The most important thing to remember is NEVER sign anything you don’t agree with or understand - seek advice from us first. The more properties you look at, the better deal you will get. While it is a good idea to have a written contract drawn up so both parties know where they stand, and it is easier to enforce than a verbal contract, remember that what you are signing is legally binding. It is also worth remembering that a joint tenancy agreement will hold you responsible for certain actions that your fellow tenants may undertake; for example, if one of them leaves the remaining tenants are responsible for their rent. For this reason, it can be preferable to sign an individual tenancy agreement. However, whatever you do, make sure you have at least some sort of written contract or tenancy agreement. If anything goes wrong during your tenancy, it may be very difficult to to take any action without one.
UNIPOL
We work in partnership with Unipol, a charity which specialises in student accommodation and advertises properties on behalf of private landlords. We advise that whoever you rent from belongs to the Unipol Code or the Supporter of the Code. Here is the link to the current members of the Unipol Code - http://www.unipol.org.uk/Bradford/COS/
Every year Unipol help over 20,000 students find somewhere to live in the private rented sector. All Unipol houses and flats are designed with the particular needs of student tenants in mind. Therefore, safety, security and location are given a high priority, as is the provision of a high standard of amenity. http://www.unipol.org.uk/Housing/Health_and_safety/. This page shows a checklist of the safety features that Unipol housing has. For instance; gas and electricity inspections are carried out on an annual basis, there are efficient fire alarms and houses are risk assessed, etc.
Insurance (Sponsored Link)
Endsleigh have just launched a new landlords insurance product which gives student landlords 10% discount.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accommodation Contracts
-
I want to leave the house and terminate my contract early
Most student contracts are for a fixed period of time and if you, or one of your housemates, decides to leave before the period is over it can cause problems for all of the tenants. Sometimes you will find a replacement tenant, but if it is towards the end of the year this can prove difficult. If you think you may be in this situation, come and see us for advice on what to do.
-
One of my housemates left early and my landlord says the remaining tenants are responsible for paying the shortfall in rent
Most contracts signed by students are Assured Shorthold Tenancies and many of these are joint tenancies. This means that, if one of the tenants leaves early and no replacement is found, the remaining tenants are responsible for paying any shortfall in rent. If this happens to you, come to see us or make an appointment with UNIPOL to see their visiting legal advisor.
Deposits
Many landlords will ask you to pay a deposit and/or bond when you sign the contract. It’s good practice to avoid paying any money until you have a copy of the contract and are happy with all terms of the tenancy.
The good news is that most student deposits paid from 6th April 2007 must be ‘protected’ by your landlord placing them in a deposit scheme. Read on for Frequently Asked Questions about the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
-
What are the benefits of the scheme?
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme means greater protection for your deposit and can make any disputes over deposits easier to resolve.
-
Who puts the deposit in a scheme and when?
The landlord has up to 14 days to place deposits in one of the available schemes from the day that she or he receives it.
-
What are the different schemes?
There are two types of scheme – an ‘insurance-based scheme’ and a ‘custodial scheme’. There are two insurance-based schemes: Tenancy Deposit Solutions Ltd & The Tenancy Deposit Scheme and one custodial scheme: The Deposit Protection Service.
-
How do I know which scheme my deposit has been placed in?
The landlord must tell tenants which scheme he has placed their deposits in and provide certain information about the scheme within the 14 days. If your landlord does not do this then you should ask him for the details. If he fails to provide the details or says he has not done it, come to see us. It is usually possible to call the individual schemes to check. See here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/index.htm
-
How do I get my deposit back at the end of my tenancy?
At the end of the tenancy the landlord and tenants usually agree how the deposit should be paid back to the student and discuss any deductions. In the custodial scheme the deposit should be returned within 10 days of the scheme being notified of agreement between the landlord and tenant; in the insurance-based scheme it is within 10 days of the tenant requesting that the landlord return his deposit
-
What if I have problems getting it back or we have a dispute over the deposit?
Both types of scheme provide an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service. This can avoid the need to go to court to resolve disputes over deposits. If a dispute occurs and both the tenant and the landlord agree to use the ADR service, the decision of the ADR will be final and the case will not need to be referred to the courts. The court would only be involved if both parties do not agree to use the ADR service.
Other useful links for housing advice and services for students:
Miscellaneous Housing/Area Numbers and Links:
University of Bradford Accommodation Office 01274 234 883 http://www.brad.ac.uk/accommodation
Environmental Health 01274 753531 Rubbish Collection - Cleansing Department 01274 751000 Pest Control 01274 753926
Is a light, sign or bollard not working? Ring this number giving the name of street, town or village, the lamp number and house number 01274 431 000
Utility Services
Gas and Electricity
If you opt for private living accommodation whilst at University, and you are happy with your contract then the next step is to ensure you have a stress free time living there. Immediately you move in with your housemates, have your gas and electricity meter read so you are not paying for the usage of the last occupants. The same goes for when you leave the house – may sure you take meter readings and inform the suppliers.
If you do not know your Gas supplier, ring the local number for the Yorkshire area: 0845 601 3268. You will need the full address and postcode of where you live.
What can we do to prevent/solve bill disputes?
Try to take a meter reading when you first move into the house and when you move out, but be aware that the bill may be calculated from and to set dates, and that this might not synchronise to your own moving in and out dates. Check your contract or ask your landlord or the supplier. To avoid been left with a debt if someone moves out, inform the suppliers of all the names of the tenants in the house who agree to share equally the utility bills as soon as you move in. It may be that one name is then on the bill when it arrives but that does not mean that person is solely responsible. Do not assume that the suppliers know it is a student household – they need to know the names of those who have signed the tenancy agreement. It is important to try to monitor usage – do regular readings to gauge how much you are using. It is unusual for the bill to be wrong if you took readings as soon as you moved in. Contact the supplier and ask for advice. The most common problem with large bills is that students underestimate how much they are using and how much it costs – always look for ways of economising – check out the website http://www.est.org.uk/myhome/. For ways of saving money.
Can we change to a cheaper/different supplier?
Usually the answer is yes. However, there are times when this may not be possible. Check with your Landlord before you decide. uSwitch can help you find the cheapest gas and electricity supplier.
We are behind in paying the bills - what should we do?
Don’t ignore it! Contact the suppliers immediately and arrange a payment plan. Ignoring bills will eventually lead to a court summons.
It is important to try to monitor usage – do regular readings to gauge how much you are using. It is unusual for the bill to be wrong if you took readings as soon as you moved in. Contact the supplier and ask for advice. The most common problem with large bills is that students underestimate how much they are using and how much it costs – always look for ways of economising – check out the website http://www.est.org.uk/myhome/. For ways of saving money.
Faults are not a common problem; before you ask for the meter to be checked out do your own readings every day for a week and note what was in use for those days. If you still think there is a fault contact the supplier. There will be a charge for checking a meter but this is usually refunded if a fault is found otherwise you have to pay the charge (between £60 and £100).
For much more information and frequently asked questions visit the website or contact Energy Watch 0845 9060708 http://www.energywatch.org.uk
What should I do if we think we have a gas leak?
If you smell gas or are worried about gas safety, contact National Grid (formerly known as Transco) - 24 hour-a-day emergency number 0800 111 999
·
.jpg "Bradford Student Cinema")
