Making a good choice of agent or landlord is important, as it could make a considerable difference to your student experience if you need to have repairs done.
Unfortunately there have been cases of students paying money for properties that don’t exist - has your landlord/agent got a physical office? Do they have a website? Do they give clear details about who they are, or is it vague and short on detail?
With the introduction of the Tenant Fees Act, from 1 June 2019, the only payments that landlords or letting agents can charge to tenants for new contracts are:
- Rent
- A refundable tenancy deposit capped at no more than 5 weeks’ rent (where the total annual rent is less than £50,000), or 6 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is £50,000 or above.
- A refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property) capped at no more than 1 week’s rent.
- Payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant.
- Payments in respect of utilities, communication services, TV Licence and Council Tax.
- A default fee for late payment of rent and the replacement of a lost key/security device giving access to the property, where required under a tenancy agreement.
Full details of the Act can be found HERE.
If you feel you are being asked to pay unnecessary fees or have been required to pay fees since 1 June 2019, please contact the SU Advice Centre for help.
Other useful tips
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Talk to other students who have rented in the area before and find out about different agents/landlords.
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Rate Your Landlord is a student review site where tenants can leave feedback on their renting experience with properties, landlords and agents in Warwick. Once you have found a landlord or agent, you can check the website to see if previous tenants have left reviews on the service they received. Similarly, once your tenancy ends, you have the chance to write a review based on your personal experience to help others when they are looking into private renting.
- All Letting Agents must be a member of a redress scheme so that if you have a dispute with your agent there is a complaints procedure they must comply with. The three approved schemes are:
For more information on redress schemes, including advice on checking which scheme your agent belongs to, see Shelter.
- It is a criminal offence for an agent to:
- Charge you for registering your details
- or-
- Charge for giving you information on properties.
If you are in any doubt about the agent and the way you are being treated, find another one – if the agent is not acting fairly towards you when you are looking for accommodation, they are likely to be worse when you are a tenant!
For more information on choosing an agent, see Shelter.