1. Are there any additional administration fees to pay if I rent a property from you?No, none at all!
2. When should I start looking for a property?The earlier you look, the more chance you will have to secure a good property. Many students will start viewing properties in November for the following year.
3. Do I get a discount over the summer?Yes. You only pay half-rent during the first eight weeks so long as the property is unoccupied, plus you can still store some of your possessions there.
4. How convenient are your properties to the Waterside Campus?All properties are either within easy walking distance or right on a bus route heading there.
5. Can I bring my car?Yes. All properties are situated on roads where parking permits are not required.
6. How close are your properties to supermarketsAll houses are within very close walking distance to a supermarket.
7. What do I get in a bedroom?Most bedrooms will contain a double bed, headboard, quality mattress, modern thermostatic radiator, interlinked smoke detector, four double sockets including USB ports, LED light with shade, touch bedside lamp with shade, carpet, writing desk, height-adjustable desk chair, waste bin, two pin-boards, plentiful wall-mounted flexible shelving, standard mirror, long mirror, door-stops, wardrobe with internal light, double glazed window, venetian blind, bedside chest of drawers, large chest of drawers, internal privacy lock on door, and digital TV aerial socket.
8. Is there a cap on bills?There is no specific financial cap on the energy and water you use. However, we do operate a ‘Fair Usage’ policy, and you will be expected to demonstrate responsibility in the gas, electricity, and water that you use. Your usage will be monitored and compared with previous years’ usage. If it is excessive and it can be shown to be so, money may be deducted from your deposit. If your usage seems unreasonably high during the year, or the temperature in the house is excessive, you will be contacted in the first instance to discuss the situation. No additional (portable) heaters of any sort are allowed.
9. How good is the broadband?Broadband is provided by Virgin Media Business. Your download speed will be up to 1000Mbps (I Gig), and an upload speed of 50MBps. The package also includes a service level agreement from Virgin to resolve any technical issues within 12 working hours.
10. What is Accreditation?To ensure that a property meets the minimum standards of safety and facilities it is extremely important to check that a property and/or landlord is accredited.
11. Where can I get information about you?You can make your own enquiries with the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) and DASH Services with regard to Accreditation. You may also be able to obtain information from West Northants Council (WNC) and the Private Sector Housing Department at The University.
12. How do I know my deposit is safe?You are also covered by a deposit protection scheme. For more details visit www.my|deposits.co.uk.
13. When will I get my deposit back?Deposit are returnable within 21 days of the end of the tenancy. However, in practice, it is generally sooner.
14. Can I live in one of your properties if I’m not a full-time student?Yes, but you will be responsible for any Council Tax applying to that property. You may be entitled to some discount if you are the only person living there who is not a full-time student.
15. Does my guarantor have to be a parent?No. A guarantor is usually a parent but in principle it can be any UK home-owner.
16. What is the holding deposit?This simply enables you to reserve a property if you find a house you like. It is returnable once all proposed tenants have signed the Tenancy Agreement.
17. Can we pay different amounts for different rooms?Yes. With prior agreement, as a group, you may choose to apportion the total rent payable in a different way, if for instance members of your group particularly like (or don’t like) a particular bedroom.
18. When can I move in to property?You can move in at any time after the start of the tenancy. However, most students move in during September and therefore only have to pay half-rent for the first eight weeks. In some circumstances it may not be possible to move in before the start of term if a property is undergoing building works. However, this will be made clear at the outset.
19. What comes in a Welcome Hamper?It comprises mainly of luxury goods, plus a few practical items that new tenant groups would typically club together to buy having just moved in.
20. What do I get in an en-suite?Each en-suite comprises a shower cubicle with sliding or pivot glass doors, a low level wc and wash hand basin. Also included is a mirror, shaver socket, wall cabinet, toilet roll holder, toilet brush, bin, towel rail, hook and extractor fan. All en-suites feature pumped high pressure showers.
21. What if my circumstances change and I do not want to move in?If the tenancy period has not yet begun, and there is enough time, then this is possible, but you are responsible for finding a suitable replacement in order that a new Tenancy Agreement can be created and signed by everyone before the tenancy start date.
22. What if I want to move out after the tenancy has started?This is still possible, and a number of options are potentially available, but it will depend on the specific circumstances and the co-operation/wishes of the other tenants. Ultimately you must remember that the Tenancy Agreement signed is legally binding and joint & several.