Welcome and Minimum Requirements Pages 3-4 Recommended Furniture Page 5 General Information Pages 6-7 Contact Information Page 8 Data Protection

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2 Welcome and Minimum Requirements Pages 3-4 Recommended Furniture Page 5 General Information Pages 6-7 Contact Information Page 8 Data Protection Statement & Disclaimer Page 8

3 Cleveland College of Art & Design is working with local landlords and local organisations specialising in student housing to help you find good quality local accommodation. The college maintains a register of properties that have been viewed by us and deemed a suitable standard for student living. Registered properties are usually within walking distance of the Hartlepool site and are fully furnished, with central heating and appropriate safety certificates and licenses. To view or to reserve a room, contact the landlord or agency direct, but please read the guidance provided before you make any decisions about where you want to live. All contracts are with the agency or landlord and not the College. If you do not find accommodation from the information provided, or if you just want a chat about what to expect please contact the College Accommodation Team. The following information is intended as a guide for Landlords and Students to indicate our Minimum Requirements for self-catering furnished property. You may wish to use this information as a check list if you choose to view properties that are not on the college register. All rented student accommodation, must be safe and healthy for occupiers and comply with the following: 1. Furniture and Furnishing Fire Safety 2. Gas appliances are serviced and inspected annually 3. Electric system checked to comply with current safety regulations 4. (HMO) House of Multiple Occupation License where required 5. Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme is used for all deposits taken 6. Heating 7. Security 8. Smoke Detection 9. Carbon Monoxide 10. Decoration 1. Furniture & Furnishings Fire Safety All furniture must comply with the 1993 amendments to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 which extends the scope of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 (CPA). 2. Environment Health Department Gas Safety Certificate All gas appliances must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) regulations 1998 and are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. A Gas Safety certificate has the date of the safety check, any problems it highlighted and any work that was done to rectify these problems. This should be displayed in the rented property and a copy given to the College within 28 days of the safety check taking place. Landlords should supply clear, written instructions for the safe use of the central heating and hot water system along with contact details if there is a problem. 3. Electrical Safety Report It is a legal requirement for landlords to be able to prove that all fixed electrical installations and alteration work have been carried out and certified by a competent person. That is, by an electrician registered with a Government approved body such as the NICEIC. Landlords should give a copy of the electrical report to the College within 28 days of the safety check taking place and an update if additional work is carried out before the next inspection date. The electric report should state a date when the next report is due. The College expects an updated electric report every 5 years as a minimum unless an earlier date is recorded by the electrician. 4. Houses with Multiple Occupation - HMO License Houses in multiple occupations are premises in which tenants share parts of the accommodation (kitchens, bathrooms, toilets or simply the hallway or stairs) with people who are not part of the same household. 3

4 Mandatory HMO licenses Landlords must have a license for a large HMO which is: three or more storey s five or more tenants forming more than one household Landlords should give a copy to the College within 28 days of the license issue date. A HMO license is usually valid for 5 years. 5. Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme From 6th April 2007 all deposits taken by landlords for properties let under Assured Shorthold Tenancies must be protected by a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. There are two types of scheme, Custodial and Insurance. Within 14 days of receiving the deposit, the landlord must provide the tenant with information relating to which scheme they are using and how the deposit is claimed back which differs slightly depending on which scheme is used. If there is a dispute and the deposit is safeguarded by an insurance scheme the landlord must handover the disputed amount to the scheme for safe keeping until the dispute is resolved. Landlords who do not take deposits or bonds as they do not wish to participate in a TDPS will often ensure their damage repair costs are covered by other means. Eg appropriate insurance, use of a guarantor linked to the tenancy agreement etc. 6. Heating The property should have central heating with instructions for the boiler or who to contact if there is a problem with the heating. 8. Smoke Detection System Smoke detectors must be fitted on each floor and smoke/heat detectors in rooms with cooking facilities. It is recommended that all smoke/heat detectors are mains wired. Where battery operated there should be clear records of battery testing every month on the notice board, undertaken by the landlord or his agent. 9. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide detectors with an audible alarm must be located in all rooms with gas appliances. For further information please visit gas/domestic/co.htm 10. Decoration We suggest that internal decoration is neutral and good standard. All properties should be of a clean and presentable appearance with all rooms decorated to a good level and containing suitable and unmarked or undamaged furniture. General items All rooms to have a least one double electric socket (except Bathroom / Toilet) All rooms to have curtains or blinds All rooms must be carpeted or have proper flooring (not bare floor board) All rooms to have adequate lighting Vacuum Cleaner Ironing Board Light bulbs and lampshades throughout Dustbins and brush Notice board containing contact numbers and general domestic information relating to the property Operating instructions for cookers, gas central heating system or an emergency phone number displayed in an appropriate place 7. Security The Landlord is responsible for maintaining all the safety aspects of the accommodation. The property must have secure locks on all external doors and internal bedroom doors. External windows must shut securely. An alarm system is recommended.

5 Bathroom 1 bathroom with shower and toilet required for properties up to and including 4 bedrooms. For properties with 5 or more bedrooms access to a 2nd shower and toilet is required. Permanent shower and shower curtain or door Curtains or blinds Towel rails or hooks Mirror Extractor Fan Toilet & hand basin Living room Appropriate number of easy chairs or sofas (minimum 1 seat space per tenant) A coffee table A television aerial or cable access Kitchen Fridge and Freezer adequate size for all tenants Washing Machine Microwave Oven and hob All the above to be in good condition and full working order Food preparation area with washable surfaces Food storage space (minimum 1 food cupboard per student) Fire Blanket Dining table or area with chairs (minimum 1 per student) - this can be in the kitchen or living area. Study Bedroom The bedroom must be of adequate size to accommodate the required furniture. Bed with new mattress for each new tenant Large chest of drawers with separate mirror Wardrobe with adequate storage Good size desk or table with chair Notice board if posters etc. are not allowed on walls 5

6 The Building The building should be structurally sound and free from damp. Repairs The landlord is responsible for the repair of the structure and exterior premises as well as the maintenance and installation of fittings e.g. sinks, toilets, heating, etc. You should be made aware of the process you should follow to report any repairs that may be needed throughout the tenancy. Heating The property must have central heating. Gas fires are not permitted in sleeping areas. Portable electric fires are not advisable. Council Tax Property rented by students is exempt from Council Tax. The landlord of each property will contact the College Accommodation Officer Joey McGurk at the start of term in September to confirm who is living in each property. CCAD will then notify Hartlepool Borough Council which properties are registered and confirm the students name, course, start and expected end date. This process means that individual students do not need a Student Exemption Certificate if they are living in a CCAD registered property. It is assumed that you give permission for this unless you inform the College in writing not to. You can still request an individual certificate if you require one. Charges You should make sure that all charges are discussed and agreed before a contract is signed. Rent The College can only advise on charges as this very much depends on what the house has to offer and size of the rooms. CCAD registered properties charge around per annum for a 10 month contract - 1st September - 30 June. This does not include utility bills. You should be issued with a rent book or other written tenancy agreement that includes a breakdown of all charges along with landlord name, address and contact number. Summer charges (July and August) should be discussed and agreed with you before an agreement is signed and will depend on whether you intend to live in the property or not and what storage facilities are offered. Any additional charge on the rent for extra services such as utility bills, cleaning or gardening should also be made clear and agreed between you and the landlord at the start of the contract. Insurance A landlord must have adequate insurance cover for the property, but this will not cover your personal effects. You must make sure you have adequate insurance for your personal belongings while in your student accommodation. You should ask your parents to check their insurance policies, as you may already be covered and if not their insurer may offer a discounted rate. Inventory It is recommended that you agree an inventory of everything in the accommodation with the landlord. This should be checked and signed by both with added comments of any damage apparent at the beginning of the tenancy. This may prevent potential disputes about damage or missing items at the end of the tenancy. Right of Access If the landlord is not resident, he / she does not have the right of unlimited access and should not enter the property without consent. However, landlords are advised to undertake regular inspections of the property. The college recommends they do at least 1 visit per term. Some landlords who offer a cleaning service may choose to incorporate their inspections with the cleaning service.

7 To gain access to assess and carry out repairs or to show around prospective new tenants landlords must give reasonable notice of their intention to call. We suggest that a minimum of 24 hours is given before a planned visit so that all students are informed. (This also gives you the opportunity to clean up). To be listed on the CCAD register and remain on the register CCAD will also wish to periodically inspect the property. Reasonable notice will always be given. Remember Regular and effective cleaning of rooms and fittings, and proper regard to hygiene is essential. An array of empty bottles or an accumulation of grease, dirt, dust, or rubbish is neither tidy nor hygienic. Discredit falls upon both the college and its students when landlords complain about the condition their houses are in while occupied by students. Please remember this and conduct yourself in a responsible manner. In the interest not only of students here at present but also of future students of Cleveland College Art & Design there is an obligation with each student to maintain the good relationship that has been built up between the college and those who supply accommodation. What do I do next? Please contact the landlord or agency direct to view a property and/or reserve a room. Remember to read and follow this guidance before signing an agreement or contract. 7

8 Cleveland College of Art & Design Centre for Higher Education Church Square Hartlepool TS24 7EX Student Support Services Phone: Website: ccad.ac.uk/undergraduate-courses/he-accommodation Data Protection CCAD will share information with Hartlepool Borough Council for Council Tax purposes only. If you do not want CCAD to do this you should contact the Student Support Service. You may wish to ask for a Council Tax Exemption Certificate at the same time. Disclaimer Please note that the information provided in this pack is for general guidance and it is not intended as legal advice or an interpretation of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant under housing law. CCAD Student Support has tried to ensure that the information in this pack is accurate and as up to date as possible, however legislation can change quickly so this cannot be guaranteed. CCAD will not accept liability for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising as a consequence of any use of the information in this pack, nor is it responsible for claims brought by third parties arising from the use of this service or pack. The role of the college is to maintain a register of accommodation available to students. The college will act as an initial intermediary, to put you in touch with prospective landlords who have registered property with us. Registered property will have been seen by a member of college staff, and at the time of the visit it met the college s minimum standards. Please note, some landlords may have other properties and offer them to you as an alternative. Unless the actual property itself is listed with us we do not know whether it meets our minimum standards. If you visit a property that does not meet our minimum standards please let us know, particularly if the property is on our list. However, the college has no legal liability in relation to the student and landlord relationship and can accept no responsibility or liability for the actions of either the landlord or yourself in relation to the actual property. The college will of course be happy to answer any questions that you may have in relation to its role.