It is hard to believe that we are less than two months away from the end of 2025. But believe us when we say the rest of the academic year will fly by as fast as the first few months and before you know it summer will be here, and attention will be turning to your next year.
So, it is true when we say that now is the time to start thinking about your accommodation for your next academic year. It is worth thinking about who you would like to live with. Would you like to move in with a group of friends? Are you looking for a single room in a house share? Identifying that is a good start, although you do also have to be aware that things can change, including friendship dynamics. Whilst it is good to be organised, you do have to approach everything with a degree of caution.
The SU are running an Accommodation Fair on November 5th, on the ground floor of the Student Union building. It is a time where you can not only talk to letting agents but get advice from specialist housing experts from Shelter. Plymouth Energy Community will be there offering some fun crafting, where you can make your own draft excluders. Nook will also be in attendance selling their houseplants, as will The Brownie Lady selling tasty treats, so it really is worth popping in.
Away from that, you may wish to undertake an internet search of accommodation providers/letting agents within the Plymouth area: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E1073&index=24&propertyTypes=&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=.
It is always best to view a property in person, if possible, to ensure you are happy with the property and the location. Photographs of properties posted on the internet may not be accurate.
It is important that you also know that as a Student Union Advice Team, we do offer a free contract checking service. If that is something you would like to take advantage of then please forward us a copy of your tenancy agreement to advice@su.plymouth.ac.uk and we will be happy to read through it and offer comment.
Below are our top tips of things to look out for in your tenancy:
Tip One – What type of tenancy?
There are two main types of tenancy contracts that groups of students will commonly be offered by landlords/letting agents. They are an individual contract and a joint tenancy agreement. An individual contact would be preferable as that is simply a contract between you as a tenant and the landlord. In a house share, it means if one person was to leave, it wouldn’t be down to your or the others in the house to cover the cost.
A joint tenancy agreement will make each student in the house responsible for the property as a collective. The following link gives you more information on a joint tenancy: https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/joint_tenancies
Tip Two – Read, read and read (even the small print)
You need to ensure that you carefully read the tenancy in full, which includes the small print. It may seem long and dull and you may believe you won’t have any issues so you may as well just sign, after all what is the worst that can happen? Well issues can arise and what it states in the tenancy that you have signed will have a big sway over the outcome. As stated above, we offer a free tenancy check, so make use of that.
Is something doesn’t seem right, or you want something changed or added, don’t be afraid to ask the letting agent or landlord. Remember to check the dates of the tenancy, check the rental payments and scheduled dates of payments, ensure the contract allows for general wear and tear, see what it says about utility bills and internet, read your obligations as a tenant and make sure you agree.
Tip Three – Know where your money goes
The deposit details are important. Ensure it is all above board, for example your tenancy deposit cannot usually be more than 5 weeks’ rent. If it is, flag it. Make sure you know what you are paying and make sure it is protected for the whole time you live there. You should never be asked to pay a deposit before signing the contract unless it's a holding deposit.
By law, all deposits taken by landlords must be registered with a government-backed deposit protection scheme within 30 days. Check that your landlord is part of a scheme and that they've submitted your deposit to be protected.
Approved deposit schemes in England are:
· The Deposit Protection Service
· Mydeposits
· Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
Students can see a chunk of their deposit being taken at the end of a lease. This is normally due to damage but it is unfortunately the case that some landlords will try to get what they can out of tenants. Remember, you're entitled to get your money back, and there should only be a deduction if the reasons and amounts are fully justified with evidence. The deposit scheme will keep hold of your money until the landlord and tenants have come to an agreement. We would advise that you read up on how to get a deposit back before your tenancy comes to an end.
Tip Four – Getting a Guarantor
Most landlords/agents will require a student to have a guarantor, which are people who agree to pay your rent if you don’t. In most cases the guarantor would be the parents of the student.
You can find further information here: https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/private_rented_housing_for_students#:~:text=Visit%20the%20property%20if%20you,you've%20signed%20an%20agreement.
Please also be aware that the Renters’ Rights Bill has now become law and will be known as the Renters’ Rights Act. However, whilst this is the case, it is still unknow exactly when the various aspects will start to be enforced.
You can keep up to date with all the developments on that on the following webpages: https://england.shelter.org.uk/support_us/campaigns/renting/renters_rights_bill https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764