Private Accommodation for Students, Staff and Family
Choosing to move into private accommodation can be exciting whether with friends, family or by yourself. Finding the right accommodation is not always easy, and even when you have found the ‘right’ place you could face obstacles unless you know about your responsibilities and rights as a tenant.
The Ready to Rent Guide available through Advice SU is a very useful guide for tenants starting to rent in the private sector.
Five things to consider before renting in the private sector:
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How do you rent / view properties?
Direct from a landlord or through a letting agent – click here for a list of estate agents in the Belfast area or NI StudentPad (Student Accommodation in Belfast, Derry/Londonderry/Coleraine (nistudentpad.co.uk), PropertyPal and Property News;
- Where do I rent?
South Belfast rental market is very competitive and properties can be expensive but with good transport links there are a number of towns / villages outside of Belfast which are within an easy commute to the University, namely Lisburn, Dunmurry, Finaghy, Portadown, Holywood, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Antrim and Saintfield. Public transport operated by Translink offers travel options for bus and rail within the city, across Northern Ireland including cross border and airport services.
- Who do I want to live with?
Living alone offers plenty of freedom and independence, but it can be lonely and expensive. Sharing a house or flat is usually cheaper than living alone, and can be great fun as long as everyone pays their way and does their share of the housework. It is important that everyone involved in renting the property understands their responsibilities as well as the legal responsibilities of the landlord.
- How much will it cost?
Have a realistic budget in mind when starting to search for a property and remember that utilities, insurance, internet provision etc will be additional to the monthly rent.
- Do I need a guarantor?
UK, EU and international students / staff alike have found providing a qualifying UK guarantor a hurdle when renting in the private sector. Housing Hand has partnered with Queen’s University to alleviate this issue for Queen's students, staff and family renting in the private sector as often they are unable to provide one. They will stand as a guarantor for a minimum of six months to a maximum of 12 months. For further information and to apply please click here.
Choosing your new home
Renting accommodation in the private sector is a continuing and binding obligation. It is important to always check what your obligations are before committing yourself. Don’t sign or commit yourself to anything until you have read your tenancy agreement in full and understand your rights and responsibilities. Make sure you know the length of contract you are committing to as it is likely to be for twelve months. Any tenancy agreement is legally binding and it’s rare to be permitted early release by a landlord.
Once you sign, you’re liable for the rent for the entire period and can also be held liable for rent with any ‘joint’ tenants so choose carefully who you share with if you are committing to a ‘joint’ tenancy.
We recommend that you consider some of the factors below before signing a contract.
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Security
- Is there a property alarm, adequate outdoor lighting, door & window locks – are they all of good quality and in working order?
- Fixtures and fittings
- Is furniture provided and in good condition? If not, will it be replaced before the tenancy commences?
- Décor – does it need work and when will it be done?
- Appliances – for example a washing machine, if not, is there local access to a launderette?
- Are the windows double glazed and an affordable heating option installed?
- Rent, deposits and contract terms
- Tenancy agreement – how long is the tenancy? Read it thoroughly.
- Deposit – how much is it? (normally 4-6 weeks rent)
- How much for the whole contract period?
- Avoid paying cash and always get a receipt.
- Utilities
- Heating/electricity – rent doesn’t cover these bills.
- Consider the utility provider (choose a different one if they offer a more competitive rate, if the landlord allows it).
- Is there a gas supply in the property? There is a legal requirement for gas equipment to be checked by a Gas Safe Register engineer each year.
- Ask the letting agent / landlord for a copy of the current gas safety certificate.
- Internet and phone line
- It is the tenants’ responsibility to arrange and pay for these.
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Contents insurance
- Home contents insurance covers the cost of replacing belongings in the property if they're damaged, destroyed or stolen.
- It is important to take out the right amount of contents cover, by accurately estimating the value of your possessions.