Tenants Guide
The following information should act as a general guide to help you through the process of renting from Student-rooms Lettings Management. If you require more specific information do not hesitate to contact a member of our staff who will be happy to assist you.
Tenants Account
An administration fee of 49.00 per person and is payable in advance of your contract. In the event that you withdraw your application this fee is retained for our costs.
Deposits
A refundable deposit usually £240 per person or equivalent to one and a half months rent is held against any damage to the property when you vacate. An inspection at that time will determine the deposit amount to be refunded. All deposits insured under Government legislation with “MYDeposits” Scheme are held in a client deposit account, or protected via DPS Deposit Protection Service where deposit money is lodged direct with the scheme you will be responsible for claiming your deposit refund, again subject to check out inspection. Details of the scheme are sent to you after a contract is signed.
Utilities (gas, water, electricity and telephone)
Under the terms of the tenancy agreement the tenants are responsible for all of the utilities during the term of the agreement. Meter readings are taken at the property when the last students move out also on the day that new students collect keys. It is the tenant’s responsibility to advise and register with each utility company.
Any connection fees are payable by the tenant and in some cases deposits might be payable to secure a supply. If not attended to promptly the utilities may be disconnected, so it is important to register.
* N Power 0845 166 3166
* Scottish Power 0845 270 7008
* British Gas 0845 070 9010
* EON (Powergen) 0800 195 5556
* EDF Energy 0800 096 9000
* British Telecom 150
* Northumbrian Water 08457 171100 (NOTE – if you fail to register your water supply may be turned off)
However we are happy to connect you with the Discount Utility Provider Utility Warehouse Discount Club.
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REFUSE COLLECTIONS DAYS AS FOLLOWS
Please Ensure that wheeled bins are put out to be emptied
MONDAY – Cleveland Road even number
TUESDAY - Eden Terrace, Stockton Road
WEDNESDAY - Southill Cres, Eden Vale, Pensher St, Offerton St, Houghton St, Lumley St, The Retreat, Hylton St, Gilsland St, Cleveland Rd odd numbers,
THURSDAY – Worcestor Ter,
FRIDAY – Roker Aveneue, Close St,
If refuse is not collected you will be responsible for the charges in removing household waste.
Council Tax
The tenant remains responsible for the council tax (or any tax that might replace it) during a tenancy and it is the tenants responsibility to register with the local council office.
Sunderland council tax 0191 520 5501
Student exemptions
Council Tax Exemptions are not automatic and do have to be claimed by the Tenants – Contact the University or College Student Records Office for your Student Certification Letter
FORWARD ALL STUDENT CERTIFICATES TO – Student-Rooms Lettings Management.
Management
Student-rooms Lettings Management is the first point of contact regarding any problems you may encounter. We operate a fully managed Property Service for some property owners this ensures our tenants a high standard of service when responding to any problems that may possibly occur.
Please ensure that you report the need for repairs promptly call or txt 07796657675 and in writing you can use our repairs reporting form from the website
Minor maintence : new bulbs, fuses, checking smoke detectors & changing batteries, unblocking sinks & Cleaning fixtures and fittings are tenants responsibilities.
Student-rooms Lettings Management will also inspect the property at regular intervals and a minimum of 24 hours notice is given before inspections are carried out.
Rental Payments
The preferred method of payment of rent is either standing order or internet bank transfer. We accept Chip and Pin, Visa, Maestro, and Solo cards by appointment at our office, or call us to make your payment over the telephone.
- We do not accept Credit Card payments for Deposits or Rents.
Cash and cheques are also accepted however we will charge a handling fee for payments by these methods £1 per each cheque and 1% for cash handling.
It is important that you make yourself aware of your rent due dates which in most cases will be the Term payments due on signing the contract:
52 week contracts Term Payments
- 8 weeks (3 free weeks on some contracts ) on or before 1st JULY,
- 16 weeks due 14th SEPT,
- 16 weeks due 14th JANUARY,
- 12 weeks due 14th APRIL,
- Or the 1st of each calendar month, the late payment fee is charged for late or missed payments
A late payment fee of £35 is charged where payments are not received within the 14 days of the due dates for term payments and 7 days for Monthly payments.
We reserve the right to charge £1 per day for each day the rent remains unpaid past 21+ days
Keys
You need to book an appointment time in advance if you wish to collect keys to your property on the 1st of July. We will not provide keys to the property until all summer term rents are paid. If you are not intending to move into or live at the property until after the summer then you may book a later appointment but you will need to give us at least 1 weeks notice of the date and time you intend travel to collect keys at your property.
Lost keys – should be reported to Student-rooms Lettings Management immediately, the tenant will be held responsible for the cost of replacing locks and keys at the property.
Insurance
Tenants are responsible for their own contents insurance. The individual property owners are responsible for provision of buildings insurance only; your belongings must be insured separately. Student-rooms Lettings Management can provide you with details of where to obtain Insurance cover.
Television licence
The television licence applies to the occupier not the property. Student-rooms Lettings Management do not provide or pay for licenses. This is the responsibility of the tenant.
Cable / satellite television
The installation of cable or satellite is permitted at request to Student-rooms Lettings Management. However we do not organize any installation and all costs associated are the tenant’s responsibility. Any damage to the property due to installation would have to be paid for by the tenant. All we ask is that we are notified before any installation commences.
Appliances
Tenants are responsible for any repairs to the appliances due to negligent use.
Damage includes not keeping it clean.
Rubbish
Tenants should make sure that all household waste is disposed of and bins are put out regularly for weekly waste collection service. Rubbish left building up in yards the tenants will be billed for collection and disposal. The cost of collection of household waste removal starts at £40 and can be quite costly a charge of £120 is not uncommon.
Communal areas
Tenants are responsible for any damage at the property; damage includes not keeping it clean. All communal areas Halls & Stairs, Lounge, Kitchens & Bathrooms should be kept clean & tidy sharing the responsibility. It is of most importance to keep halls & stairs clear of rubbish or any other items including trailing cables as this contravenes Fire safety regulations in shared occupancy houses. A regular “communal area cleaning service” can be provided at a small extra monthly cost – please contact Student-rooms Lettings Management for further details.
Central heating / winter precautions
It is essential that if you go away for any period during the winter months that you leave the central heating on at a low to medium temperature for a few hours each day. If pipes burst because this has not been done, you could be liable for the costs of any repairs or replacement of the items in the property.
End of tenancy
At the end of the tenancy, tenants should ensure they;
Advise the local council, Northumbrian water the tenancy is coming to an end, and arrange for final invoices for council tax and water rates.
Make sure the property is thoroughly cleaned inside and out including carpets curtains and upholstery.
Clear and tidy the yard if applicable. If there is a garage ensure it is cleared and all rubbish has been removed.
Repair or replace all broken / missing items.
Arrange for your mail to be re-directed
Contact Student-rooms Lettings Management to arrange for an appointment for final inspection checkout.
Inform Student-rooms Lettings Management of a forwarding address for deposit monies.
Return all keys (including duplicates) to Student-rooms Lettings Management, failing to do this would result in a deduction from the deposit bond for new locks.
Return of deposit
At the end of the tenancy we will endeavor to return the deposit or balance after damage / cleaning as soon as possible, although 10 days is customary. Tenants should be aware that legally we have to follow a strict procedure before deposit can be returned.
All deposits held are covered by the “My Deposits” Tenancy Deposit Solutions scheme or DPS the deposit protection service.
(c) Student-Rooms Admin Tuesday, December 7, 2010, 4:34 PM
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