Prospective Tenants
Looking for a house?
All the houses are maintained at higher standards than average for their area. If you’re looking for a cheap bargain, you’ve come to the wrong website. Just click that “x” in the top right-hand corner! If you’re looking for a better quality house, such as what young professionals and post-graduates want, where you pay a bit more for something better, you’ve come to the right place.
The houses are normally let for 12 months at a time from 1st July to 30th June (though this can vary). Agreements can be made between tenants to leave belongings before contracts begin or after contracts expire. In most houses I take group tenancies rather than individual contracts.
I usually ask existing tenants during autumn term whether they wish to sign for the next academic year. Those houses that are released are advertised through Unipol and/or Rightmove and are available for signing from the end of the autumn term. Existing tenants generally have a guarantee until the end of the first week of spring term to gather housemates to sign a contract before the house is released.
I am a supporter of Unipol, which is a charitable organisation set up to improve standards of accommodation for students. I am also a member of EMPO (East Midlands Property Owners), which has its own code of conduct.
The houses are let furnished with every study bedroom having a minimum of a desk, desk chair, wardrobe, chest of drawers, bed and shelving. Appliances include washing machines, fridge/freezer, microwave, cooker with hob/oven. Most houses also have tumble dryers and dishwashers. Other miscellaneous equipment includes: vacuum cleaner, dehumidifier, lawn mower and basic garden tools, a mop and bucket, soft brush, hard brush, dustpan and brush and kitchen bin. Due to the problems of maintaining inventories, crockery, cutlery, toasters, kettles, waste paper bins and desk lamps are not currently provided.
Some of the larger houses are licensed properties and require regular checks including annual smoke alarm and PAT (Portable Appliance Testing), as well as the annual gas safety check and five yearly electrical checks that all the houses have.
Notes on the contract
I currently use the LAWPACK furnished lettings agreement. The contract is a joint shorthold assured tenancy agreement. This holds a place in law. It is a fixed period of time where the tenants are guaranteed to that term in the property. The landlord is entitled to vacant possession at the end of the term. The tenants are joint and severally liable, meaning that if one tenant doesn’t pay, the other tenants have to; so pick your housemates carefully. This also means that if for some reason someone changes their mind after signing they are liable to pay rent for the term of the contract. In practice, prospective tenants have been able to find suitable substitutes to replace them on the contract.
Please note that there is to be no smoking in the houses. Pets are not allowed without permission.
Gardening
Households are required to maintain the gardens whilst in residence. This includes weeds that grow on the forecourt and backyards, mowing the lawn, hedge cutting, weeding borders and clearing litter from the front. Basic equipment is supplied; further equipment is available on request. If the house is vacant over summer, some of the students working for me will maintain the gardens. If you need any help, contact David Paterson.
Rent Collections
Rent is normally payable every 13 weeks, by bank transfer, cheque or cash. Rent is the same all year round; there is no half retainer over summer, so tenants are entitled to stay all year round. I also permit sub-letting as long as the original tenant realises that he or she is still liable for the contract and that I am advised of who and when. Monies are paid directly to the tenant who is subletting. Please note that on your contract, there are penalties for late payments.
Bonds are collected on signing the contract, or soon after by bank transfer. Any bonds collected are held by the Deposit Protection Service. This is a government authorised scheme which looks after your bond. At the end of the tenancy, both landlord and lead tenant agree how the bond should be apportioned. Any disputes may delay reimbursement but are dealt with by this agency, and their decision is binding.
