Safe renting for students - Heriot

How to find
Accommodation
SAFE
RENTING
FOR
STUDENTS
There are lots of landlords and letting agents in
Edinburgh that offer rented accommodation. Try
looking for the ones that are accredited as they
have committed to meet a higher standard of
management. Just look for the tick logo or go to
www.edinburghlandlordaccreditation.co.uk
You can also try;
Local newspapers and magazines
• The Evening News advertises properties on a
Wednesday and the Scotsman on a Thursday.
• ESPC is a free weekly property guide produced
on Thursdays and is available from ESPC at 85
George Street and many solicitor’s offices.
• The List is a fortnightly magazine available from
major newsagents and bookshops.
About
Newsagents, supermarkets and
post offices
is a team set up by the City
of Edinburgh Council to provide advice,
information and support to private tenants
in Edinburgh, as well as private landlords and
letting agents.
offers a range of services, which
include:
• Information on your legal rights as a tenant.
• Advice on everything to do with tenancies,
including leases, tenancy agreements,
inventories and leaving the property.
• Guidance booklets providing information on a
range of tenancy topics.
• An advice line for private tenants.
’s services are available to all
private tenants – just contact us for advice or
information.
The City of Edinburgh Council
500 Gorgie Road
Edinburgh
EH11 3YJ
Tel: 0131 529 7454
E-mail: letwise@edinburgh.gov.uk
• These sometimes have notice boards where
people advertise property, often single rooms in
shared properties.
Websites
Here are some of the property search websites
available;
• www.edinburghlandlordaccreditation.co.uk
• www.espc.com
• www.citylets.co.uk
• www.studentpad.co.uk
• www.edinburgh.gumtree.com
• www.lettingweb.com
Hints and tips
• Normally it takes about a month to find and
move into rented accommodation
• If you are struggling to find a property, talk to
your university or college. They may have rooms
available or may be able to provide you with lists
of lodgings.
• Make sure you look around and don’t just take
the first flat you see. Always view the property
before you move in and try not to go alone.
• Check with the landlord what furniture,
appliances and kitchenware will be included in
the let. If they say they will repair or replace
things before you move in, make sure they put
this in writing. Don’t sign a lease until you are
100% happy.
• Remember that an agency cannot charge you
for viewing or enquiring about a property, or for
preparing a lease.
• Landlords are required to register with the
local authority. If you would like to check
whether somebody is registered, go to www.
landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk or call
0131 469 5293
Moving
In
Money Talk
Moving into private rented accommodation will
require some money upfront. You should be prepared
to pay:
Rent – Landlords usually expect the rent in
advance, meaning that you will be asked to pay the
first month’s rent as you move into the property.
Sometimes landlords ask for more rent in advance if
you cannot provide a guarantor in the UK.
Deposit – The landlord or agent will ask for a deposit
which should be returned to you at the end of the
tenancy. However, if there is any damage to the flat
or any unpaid bills they will be able to keep part, or
all, of this. A landlord cannot charge more than the
equivalent of two months rent as a deposit
Getting
sorted
HMO Licensing
Legislation in Scotland means that all properties
occupied by three or more unrelated people must
have a licence. This licence is called a House in
Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence and is granted
by the Council. It means that most students sharing
with two other people will need an HMO licensed
property. These regulations were introduced to
ensure that tenants are renting good quality
accommodation that is safe and well managed.
It is the landlord’s responsibility to apply for this
and to ensure that the property complies with the
regulations.
Ask your landlord if the property has an HMO
licence or speak to the Council on
0800 085 4667.
Safety
If the property has a gas supply, a landlord must
have a gas safety certificate which should be kept
in the property. This is an annual check that must
be carried out by a CORGI registered gas engineer.
If you smell gas at any point, contact Scottish Gas
Networks on 0800 111 999.
Check for any exposed wires at light fittings, plug
sockets or any worn cables and report these to your
landlord.
Check whether the property has a smoke detector
or fire alarm. The law is changing to mean that all
rented properties will require some means of smoke
detection.
It is important to make sure that the property you
are moving into is secure. Check all locks and make
sure windows can be secured.
Reference and agency fees – Landlords may
charge you the administration costs of letting you a
property. They may also charge a fee for carrying out
a referencing check. These charges may vary in name
and cost depending which agency you use.
renting from a resident landlord (ie you are a lodger.)
If you want somebody to have a look through the
lease with you before you sign it, you can contact
letwise at the City of Edinburgh Council on
0131 529 7454.
When handing over any money, make sure you
understand what it is for and get a receipt.
Inventory
Lease Agreements
Your landlord must give you a lease agreement.
This will need to be signed by all parties. Before you
sign, make sure that you understand the terms and
conditions of the agreement. The most common type
of tenancy is a short assured tenancy which lasts
for a minimum of six months. Think about how this
coincides with your academic year, as you will not
be able to leave the tenancy before the end of the
period stated in the lease.
Be aware that you will have less rights if you are
You can get free advice on home safety and fire
safety from the Police or Fire Service.
Bills
Council Tax
Most students do not have to pay council tax,
but part time students or postgraduate students
registered as ‘writing up’ must pay council tax.
You can get an exemption form from the City of
Edinburgh Council, Revenues and Benefits Section
on 0131 200 2000.
Electricity and Gas
Please remember that registering the flat with the
electricity and/or gas supplier is likely to be your
responsibility when you move in. Your landlord may
be able to advise you who the current supplier is, or
you can find out by calling the numbers below.
You will need to know your postcode.
Electricity – Energywatch –
0845 906 0708
Gas - National Grid UK –
0870 608 1524
If you wish to change
the supplier and move to
another company it is best
to speak to your landlord
about doing this. Check out
www.uSwitch.com or one of
the many energy comparison sites to
compare prices.
If you receive a bill for a previous tenant you should
return this to the company with a note stating that
the previous tenants are no longer at this address.
The landlord should provide you with an inventory,
and if they don’t you should make your own. This is
a list of the contents of the property and a record
of the condition of items (you may wish to take
photographs). Check this thoroughly and if you
make any additional comments (eg stain on carpet
in Bedroom 2) you must make sure that the landlord
gets a copy of this immediately. Make sure that all
the appliances are functioning correctly and report
any faults or repairs in writing.
Make sure that you have your landlord’s
contact details.
Phone and television
Landlords must provide a phone line in HMO
properties only. If you wish to have a phone in
the property you will have to arrange for it to be
connected. If you have a television, it will be your
responsibility to get a television licence. Always
contact your landlord for permission to install
broadband and satellite TV services.
Once you are in the property
Whilst the majority of private lets run smoothly, it
is best to keep records of any repair issues or other
problems that you have. This will help if things do go
wrong and you need to prove that you have reported
problems to your landlord or paid for repairs.
Things to look out for:
Property - You must report any breakages, damage
and leaks to the landlord as soon as you are
aware of them. It is best to do this in
writing as you can then prove that you
notified the landlord.
Flatmates – If you are living with
other people, especially somebody
you don’t know, you should try not
to leave cash, valuables or personal
information like bank statements
lying around. In the unlikely case that
something does go missing, you can be
sure that it wasn’t your flatmate.
Sub-Letting - If you are hoping to sublet the
property you must make sure that you have the
landlord’s permission in writing. Subletting is very
complex in law and you may put your tenancy at risk
if it is not done properly. Always seek advice before
entering into this sort of agreement.
Neighbours – It is important to try and get along
with your neighbours and it is a good idea to
introduce yourselves to your neighbours especially if
you live in a flat.
• Try to keep the volume of music down.
• Keep televisions, radios and speakers away from
walls you share with neighbouring flats.
• Tell your neighbours in advance if you are
planning a party and try to keep the noise down.
• Make sure that you are aware of your
responsibilities – when to put the bins out and
what the arrangements are for stair cleaning and
garden maintenance.
If you are having problems with neighbours in your
stair you could contact the Edinburgh Community
Mediation Service who aim to resolve disputes. They
can be contacted on 0131 557 2101.
Mice and Vermin – It is very important to keep
your flat clean, especially the kitchen, to help
avoid getting mice and vermin. Food and crumbs
will attract mice. Old tenement flats in Edinburgh
often have problems with mice. If you have a clean
and tidy flat but still seem to have mice or vermin,
contact your landlord.
SAFE
RENTING
FOR
STUDENTS
Viewing a
property?
Use this check list to make sure you find out
everything you need to get the home that’s
right for you.
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Edinburgh College of Art
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Your University
or college Student Services or
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Students Association
can be a good source of
advice and support. Other useful organisations are;
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The City of Edinburgh Council
Chesser House
500 Gorgie Road
Edinburgh
EH11 3YJ
0131 529 7278
ela@edinburgh.gov.uk
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Napier University
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Edinburgh, Midlothian EH7 4GB
661, Ferry Rd, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH4 2TX
8a-8b, Bath St, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH15 1EY
166, Great Junction St, Edinburgh, Midlothian
EH6 5LJ
58, Dundas St, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH3 6QZ
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Will you be safe from fire?:
Smoke detectors
Fire doors
Fire blanket
Safe upholstered furniture (check the label under
cushions)
The City of Edinburgh Council
Chesser House
500 Gorgie Road
Edinburgh
EH11 3YJ
0131 529 7454
letwise@edinburgh.gov.uk
Shelter
Website: www.shelter.org.uk/adviceonline Housing
Advice Helpline: 0808 800 4444
Shelter Housing Aid Centre, Edinburgh: 0844 515
2400
Citizens Advice Bureau
58 Dundas Street
Edinburgh
EH3 6QZ
0131 558 3681