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Deposits
You will probably have been asked to pay a deposit when you signed your contract; most agencies ask for the equivalent of one month’s rent. Your landlord or agency should have already paid this into one of the Government’s Tenancy Deposit Schemes – schemes set up to protect your deposit and help you get it back at the end of the tenancy. They must do this by law. If you have not yet received details of the scheme that your deposit has been entered into request them from the landlord. See www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/index.htm for more details.
There are also other things that you can do to help protect your deposits and ensure there are no disputes at the end of the tenancy.
Inventory: Write a list of everything there is (and isn’t) in the property and get the landlord to sign it. That way s/he can not blame you for something being missing that was never there in the first place. If the agency provide you with an inventory take it seriously and make sure you do not sign to say things are there that are actually missing.
Evidence of damages: If there are any problems with the house when you move in (stains on the carpet, rips in the upholstery etc) take dated photos of them and write to the landlord about them. That way you cannot be blamed for them when you move out.
Tip: to prove that a photo was taken on a certain day put a newspaper with the day’s date on it in the photo.
Maintenance problems
The landlord is responsible for all maintenance issues, in the exterior and interior of the house, throughout the tenancy. If problems are not resolved you may be entitled to compensation. If you have any maintenance problems follow these rules. They will strengthen any compensation claim in the event of you having to make one and will help get work done:
· Always inform the landlord of problems in writing. Date the letter and keep it. Do not rely on verbal communication. If the landlord agrees to do something verbally confirm it in an email straight after.
· Always keep evidence of problems and any extra costs that you have incurred because of them. Take photos, keep receipts and keep copies of all communication with the landlord. This will help if you need to ask for compensation.
· If something looks dangerous in the house inform the landlord in writing. They should then rectify the problem to keep you safe. If an accident did occur the fact you had notified the landlord would strengthen your claim for compensation.
If the problems in your house are such that you think they might be putting your health and safety at risk contact Environmental Health. See the Shelter website for more details http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-6334.cfm Not only can Environmental Health order the landlord to do work on the house but their report may add strength to a compensation claim if you have to make one.
If you are having problems in your house you may be able to get help from your Student Union or University Advice Centre. Many have housing advisors who can help get maintenance issues seen to, advise when to get Environmental Health involved and help you make a claim for compensation.
Bills
You may have some of your bills covered by your rent. Check exactly what your contract specifies. If your rent does not cover any bills then you will have to sort these out yourselves.
Utilities:
· Ask your landlord who provides your gas and electricity or ring the MTAS helpline (0845 3300889) who will be able to inform you who your supplier is.
· Take a meter reading then ring the company giving them the date you moved in and the reading for that date. This is important to ensure you do not get billed for the last tenants’ usage.
· You will have to open a new account. Give the names of all tenants so that liability is equally shared and one person does not end up being responsible for chasing up money from others.
· Contact your local Water Authority to set up a water account. Again give all tenants names.
Tip: Set up a joint bank account for bills. Each tenant can pay an equal amount into it and then the direct debits for all the bills can come directly out if each month. That way no single person will end up being responsible for paying bills.
Internet/television/telephone
Your landlord may have included internet in your rent but check this includes bills and not just a connection. If you need to set up an account yourself do a little research into the cheapest package and discuss between you how much you are willing to pay and what you require. You will be able to find a package that includes internet, telephone and digital television if you wish. You may all have to be willing to compromise a little to find a package that everyone is happy with.
Television licence
Even if you are paying for a digital television package you will still have to purchase a TV licence separately. If your bedrooms do not have separate locks or you only have a television in the communal area you will only need one television licence for the household. If you have TVs in locked rooms you will need separate licences.
A colour TV licence costs £145.50 a year. You will be able to pay in monthly installments. You can set this up online www.tvlicensing.co.uk/buyorrenew/index.jsp
Council tax
As a full time student you do not have to pay council tax. All members of the household must obtain a council tax exemption certificate from the University and hand it in to the council. If you do not do this you will be billed. Non payment of council tax can lead to court action so it is important to have this sorted out.
If you have non-students or part-time students living in your house they will still be liable for council tax. If there is only one non-student they can apply for a single person discount and get 25% off. This does not affect you. You must submit a council tax exemption certificate in the usual way and then will not be liable. | 
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