READ THIS ARTICLE FIRST BEFORE SIGNING UP TO YOUR NEXT STUDENT PROPERTY TO RENT! We’ve put together this valuable guide containing 5 great tips to help you find the perfect property to rent for the 2020/21 academic year.
It’s that time of year again where thousands of students attending the University of Sheffield or Sheffield Hallam University are looking to find a property to rent for the oncoming 2020/21 academic year.
Whether you are part of a group or looking for accommodation on your own, there are some basic things to look out for.
At Nicholas Humphreys (Sheffield – Broomhill & Crookes), we help many students find the perfect home to rent every year and its timely we should share some valuable tips that can help you find your next home.
- BUDGET Like most things in life, we all have to live within our means. It’s always wise to set a budget on how much you can afford to pay for rent on top of important expenses such as food, clothing, transport, tuition fees etc.
Look for properties that offer BILLS INCLUDED or rent that can provide a bills included facility. A good bills included package should comprise of gas, electricity, water, internet & television licence. We wrote a handy guide on Bills Inclusive utility packages earlier this year. Click here to learn more on how these packages can work for you. - LOCATION Most properties are conveniently located within walking distance to Universities in Sheffield. Think about how often you need to get to lectures and factor in how long it will take to get to these on time.
Properties slightly further away can be cheaper and save you £££’s. Consider these so long as they:
- Have regular and reliable transport links to and from your university; and
- Are located close to a high street that has a good supermarket, post office, gym and a variety of take-away / restaurants offering affordable and healthy food
3. YOUR SAFETY IS OF UTMOST PRIORITY Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that their properties fully comply with rental legislation. They must provide a house that is warm, dry, structurally sound and offers appropriate facilities in the event of an emergency E.G. adequate fire escapes, suitable lighting and a range of safety features etc. A good landlord or Letting Agent MUST provide you with the following as a minimum:
- Current Gas Safety Certificate / Record
- Energy Performance Certificate EPC (where applicable)
- How To Rent Guide
- Advice on how to avoid Damp & Mould forming inside the property; and
- How to prevent Legionella in water
4. KEEPING IT LEGAL Too often, we hear stories where simple transactions could be handled better. Here’s a simple list of things to look out for:
- Your rental deposit MUST be registered with an Approved Deposit Scheme E.G. TDS. Make sure you are provided with a certificate to prove that your deposit is registered compliantly. Also check that you (including the person who has funded your deposit) is given the necessary Prescribed Information documents. Landlords and Letting Agents can face hefty fines for non-compliance,
- Check, read and understand the terms of your Tenancy Agreement. Only sign when you are 100% sure about the terms of the agreement and that you agree to what you are signing. Ask for advice from your university Student Union, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, parents or someone legally qualified to point out your responsibilities and those of the
- An all-important piece of legislation came into force on 1st June 2019 called the Tenant Fees Act 2019. The Act provides guidance to Landlords and Letting Agents about what fees can no longer be charged. If you are being asked to pay an Administration Fee for example, this is specifically BANNED.
5. CONTACT NICHOLAS HUMPHREYS (SHEFFIELD – BROOMHILL & CROOKES) We not only have a number of good quality properties available to rent but we can offer you advice and support on:
- Finding the ideal home in a location that suits you
- Helping with Guarantor Agreements
- Making sure Landlords comply with their legal obligations
- Registering rental deposits with an Approved Deposit Scheme
- Understanding Tenancy Agreements
Call us on 0114 470 4715 (we are open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm) or send an email to sheffieldwest@nicholashumphreys.com
Check out our website here to see a selection of lovely homes to rent for the 2020/21 academic year.
