1. CONTRACT/AGREEMENTS 3. FIRE SAFETY 2. NOTICE PERIODS 4. INSURANCE

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2 2 Student Accommodation Booklet Moving away from home to study is an exciting but sometimes apprehensive time in your life. An important part of this process is finding somewhere to live. 1. CONTRACT/AGREEMENTS The majority of landlords will ask you to sign a contract or agreement. A tenancy agreement is a legal agreement in writing that sets out the rights and responsibilities of both landlord and tenant. It will contain details such as length of agreement, the rent payable, and what is and is not allowed in the time of your stay. If you are sharing a house then you may be asked to sign a joint tenancy or separate tenancy. Remember that if you sign a joint tenancy then you will be responsible for each others debts, damages and rent. If you have your own contract then if there are any discrepancies, any dispute is between yourself and your landlord and should not involve your house mates. 2. NOTICE PERIODS Rent must be agreed before the contract is signed since this is a binding agreement. You should establish the length of the notice required if you want to leave the accommodation as this applies to both parties of the agreement. You cannot give notice during the period of the contract, if no such clause has been added to the contract. If you leave before the end of the fixed term then you (or your house mates) remain liable for the remaining rent. Ask to take the contract away so that you can study it and be sure you understand it fully. Remember to get a copy of your contract. 3. FIRE SAFETY It is a good idea to check on the fire precautions and find out what appliance and fire escapes are available when you are looking around potential accommodation to book. Be aware of where fire alarms are located and fire equipment is kept Plan and practice an escape route with your house mates 4. INSURANCE Blackpool and The Fylde College would strongly advise that you have appropriate insurance in place.

3 Student Accommodation Booklet 3 Make sure that you are covered over vacation periods, if necessary. 5. COUNCIL TAX Most full time students will be exempt from paying Council Tax. You will be asked to produce a Certificate giving evidence of your student status: This certificate is obtainable from your Student Administration Office/ Reception after you have enrolled on your course. Tips to help get your deposit back at end of tenancy: Ensure that you have a written statement from the Landlord explaining what is covered by the deposit If the landlord gives a verbal explanation, write to him/her confirming the details Ensure that you have a receipt for deposit paid Ensure that you have a full inventory of furniture Get the landlord to sign it Take reasonable care of the house and furniture during the tenancy Towards the end of your tenancy write to the Landlord inviting him/her to inspect the property Settle all bills 6. TV LICENCE Students are covered by the same licensing requirements as the rest of the population. A licence will be needed by a student living in halls, a bed-sit or a flat. If you live in a shared house one licence is needed per house as long as you have a joint tenancy agreement. If you have separate agreements with the Landlord you will need separate licences. There are a number of ways you can pay, including monthly, quarterly or yearly by direct debt. For more information visit or telephone call T When you leave return all keys to the Landlord and make a written request for the return of your deposit. Keep a copy of the letter. 8. TENANCY DEPOSIT PROTECTION From the 6 April 2007, all deposits taken by the Landlords and letting Agents for Assured Shorthold Tenancies in England and Wales, must be protected by a tenancy deposit protection Scheme in accordance with the law. For more information visit: 7. DEPOSITS You will normally be required to pay a deposit to the landlord as security in case you damage the property or furnishings. It can also be used to cover unpaid bills, rent or missing items. Most Landlords will ask for a sum equivalent to four weeks or one calendar months rent. The deposit should be refunded normally within 28 days after you have vacated the property, provided there are no problems with the condition of the house.

4 4 Student Accommodation Booklet Providing you with the Landlords or agents full name and address Providing you with a copy of the valid current Gas Safety Certificate Allowing you to peacefully enjoy your accommodation, unless there is an emergency Landlords should give prior warning of least 24 hours to the tenant when they wish to enter the property to carry out legitimate maintenance checks repairs 9. PAYMENT (RENT) Do make sure your payments are kept up to date as per your agreement with the Landlord. The Landlord must give you a receipt for each payment. 10. INVENTORY If any inventory is provided check it carefully and sign it only when you agree with it. You should then be given a copy. 11. VISITORS Please discuss arrangements for visitors with the Landlord before signing any contract. 12. YOUR RIGHTS Your Landlord is responsible for: Keeping in repair the structure and exterior of the property, including drains gutters and external pipes Keeping in repair and proper working order the installations for the supply of water, gas and electricity and sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths, sanitary conveniences and for heating rooms and heating water) Providing a rent book (where the rent is paid weekly). You are responsible for: Not damaging the property, if you do then you and your guests are responsible for the repairs Refuse collection! Remember to put the wheelie bin out and bring it back in again, it is illegal to leave it on the street Securing the property when you go away, lock all doors and windows! Being reasonable about noise and parties, weekends are better and let your neighbours know in advance Reporting all repairs needed to the Landlord (preferably in writing). The Landlords responsibility to repair begins only when they are aware of the disrepair 13. ILLNESS OF STUDENTS Students moving to the Blackpool area must register with a local doctor as soon as possible (and not when you become ill). The College has two G.P. Practices nearby which you may wish to contact to see if you are able to register with them. These are: For students at the university centre: Glenroyed Medical Centre, 164 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9HF T (General enquiry line) T (Appointments) For students attending the Bispham Campus: T (General enquiry line) T (Appointments)

5 Student Accommodation Booklet 5 Other Medical Services NHS Direct A non emergency telephone services where medical concerns can be discussed. 111 from any landline or mobile phone free of charge. NHS Walk-in-Centre Whitegate Health Centre, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool FY3 9ES is available to anyone in basis whether or not you have registered with a local Doctor. It is open as follows : - The Walk-in Centre is open from 8:00am - 8:00pm seven days a week T Services include: Outpatients, X-Ray Suite, Sexual Health Services, Community Nursing, Care Home Practise, Walk in Centre, Pharmacy, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Children s Services, Podiatry, Physiotherapy. Emergency Dental Treatment - T Whitegate Health Centre, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool FY3 9ES Telephone Service only Monday Friday 9am to 5pm Non-registered patients 6pm to 9.30pm Non-registered & registered patients At weekend phone the same number Saturday 10am to 6pm & Sunday 10am to 2.45pm Dental registration is available by calling the above number between 2pm 5pm (FY1 FY4 only, T for FY5 FY8) Accident and Emergency cases are dealt with A+E unit Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Whinney Heys Road, Blackpool. T IN AN EMERGENCY DIAL 999 FOR POLICE, FIRE AND/OR AMBULANCE SERVICES 16. IMPORTANT INFORMATION This information is intended to provide some useful advice to assist students who have not experienced living in rented accommodation. Please note that this is not intended to be a comprehensive guide and should not be taken as such. If you have any questions, do contact the Careers Team who may be able to advise you further. Whilst the College maintains a list of suitable accommodation it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your chosen accommodation suits your own particular requirements. Please also note that Blackpool and The Fylde College has no responsibility or influence over your individual agreement, contract or the terms and conditions of any such agreement and we strongly suggest that you take appropriate legal advice to ascertain that any that any contact/agreement etc. is acceptable to you and that you understand the terms and conditions of the contract being offered. Blackpool and The Fylde College provides this information as a service to students. The College although able to offer advice cannot in any way take responsibility for ensuring that the accommodation meets any relevant statutory requirements.

6 6 Student Accommodation Booklet And finally Please remember you are entitled to quiet enjoyment of the accommodation, but in the return you are expected to respect your neighbours rights to quiet enjoyment. Disclaimer Every effort has been made to ensure the advice given above is accurate at the time of printing. Blackpool and The Fylde College cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions.

7 Notes Student Accommodation Booklet 7

8 Publication Date: March 2016.