Finding Accommodation

Local Newspapers

Falkirk Herald (Thursday)

Stirling Observer (Wednesday)

Alloa & Hillfoots Wee County News (Wednesday)

All of the above newspapers are available in your campus Learning Zone or Learning Resource Centre.

Websites

http://www.belvoirlettings.com/

http://www.citylets.co.uk/

http://www.lettinginscotland.co.uk /

http://www.pastures-new.co.uk/

These are external websites. Forth Valley College is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Letting Agencies

We have split the estate agents into local areas, however most of these agents will have properties to let throughout the Forth Valley Area.

Falkirk Area

CIB

14 Grahams Road, Falkirk

01324 637551

www.cib-group.co.uk

Russel & Aitken

9 Cow Wynd, Falkirk

01324 626107

Avonlea Property Mgt

206 Grahams Road, Falkirk

01324 621621

First Let

92 Grahams Road, Falkirk

01324 679669

www.first-let.co.uk

Property Unlimited

18 Cockburn Street, Falkirk

01324 632474

www.property-unlimited.co.uk

Stirling Area

Capital Letters

54 Port Street, Stirling

01786 448484

www.capitalletters.co.uk

Speed Property

17 Main Street, St Ninians, Stirling

01786 447799

www.speed-property.co.uk

Homes for U

2 Stirling Arcade, Murray Place, Stirling

01786 475750

www.stirlinghomesforu.co.uk

University of Stirling Accommodation List

The Residential Services Office

University of Stirling

Stirling

FK9 4LA

01786 467060

Email: isobel.maude@stir.ac.uk

Clackmannanshire Area

Remax

13 Shillinghill, Alloa

Tel: 01259 729686

J O’Malley Estate Agents

68 Drysdale Street Alloa

Tel: 01259 212337

PFS Estate Agents

58 – 62 Drysdale Street Alloa

Tel: 01259 216633

www.pfsestateagents.co.uk

Please note that Forth Valley College does not vet any of the estate agents or properties offered by these estate agents. Any contract will be between yourself and the landlord, not Forth Valley College.

Advice on Renting Accommodation

This short guide aims to guide you through the process of choosing suitable accommodation. For your own personal safety, it is always advisable for you to view a property accompanied and try to arrange the appointment at a reasonable hour. However, there are advantages to viewing it after dark so that you can get an idea of how you will feel when walking home at night. When viewing property we always recommend that you take a parent or friend. Students under 18 years, who have no parent/guardian to visit accommodation with them, should seek assistance from a Learner Advisor.

Please read the following information before seeking accommodation and do not hesitate to contact the Learner Advisory Team if you require assistance, or information in any other format.

Assistance with housing costs

If you live in your own accommodation and pay rent or mortgage costs, you may be eligible to apply for assistance towards some of these costs. If you are studying on a full time NQ, NC or SVQ course you should apply for these costs via the Forth Valley College Further Education Bursary Form.

If you are studying on an HNC/D or Degree you should apply via the HNC/D & Degree Discretionary Fund Application Form.

These applications are available from each campus reception area. Full information on the documentary evidence required is provided in the relevant application forms.

Full-time students who have children may be eligible to claim Housing Benefit during their attendance at college. If you are in this situation, you should contact your local Housing Benefit Office in the first instance before submitting a claim to the college for assistance. Your letter from your local Council will be required before any award can be assessed.

If you are renting a privately owned property, either from a private landlord or a letting agency, the both the property and the landlord/letting agency must be registered with the local council. If the landlord/letting agent has failed to comply with this new legislation, the College will be unable to give any assistance with housing costs.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

The Exterior

The roof looks sound, there aren't any tiles missing.
The gutters and pipes aren't broken or leaking.
The window frames aren't rotten.
The windows aren't broken or cracked.

The Interior

No signs of damp - e.g dark patches, peeling wallpaper or flaking paint.
Few signs of condensation such as mould on the walls.
There aren't any signs of pests, like slug trails and mouse droppings.

Gas & Electricity

The plugs don't get hot when switched on. There are plenty of sockets.
The wiring doesn't look old, there aren't any frayed cables.
The gas fire heats up properly and isn't heat stained (if it is it may be dangerous). You know when it was last serviced and have been shown the valid Gas Safety Certificate.
The cooker works!

Plumbing

There is hot water.
The taps all work properly.
The bath and basins aren't cracked, and the toilet flushes properly.

Security

Here are a few pointers in checking the security of the property:

Is the property in a 'good' area?
Is the property set back from the road? Is the street lighting sufficient?
Are the front and rear doors solid?
Have the doors got five lever mortice locks?
Is there a chain on the door? If not, can the landlord fit one?
Are the curtains of your room see-through? Insist on thicker ones if they are.
Does it have a burglar alarm? Use your bargaining powers to get one. It is in the landlord's interest as well as your own.
Does it have a smoke detector?

Safety Issues

Gas Safety Certificates

All landlords now have to carry out annual gas safety inspections (with a CORGI registered engineer) by law and provide each tenant with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate. If you are a new tenant, then you should be issued with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate before you move in.

Click here for more information on Corgi

The Health & Safety Executive has a Gas Safety Advice line on

0800 300363

In the event of an emergency call

0800 111999

Electricity

Many landlords may hold a NICEIC certificate which proves that the property has had an electrical check within the last five years. Although this is recommended, it is not a legal requirement.

Fire Safety - Furniture and Furnishings

On 1 January 1997 the final phase of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 came into force. This means that furniture and furnishings supplied in let accommodation must comply with the fire and safety requirements in the Regulations. All residential premises including flats, bedsits and houses where furniture is supplied as part of the let are covered by these regulations. The type of furniture covered by the regulations are: any upholstered furniture including chairs, sofas, children's furniture, beds, head boards (if upholstered), mattresses, scatter cushions, seat pads, pillows and even garden furniture if it is upholstered and can be used in the dwelling. Carpets, curtains and duvets are not covered by the regulations.

Carbon Monoxide

If you have gas appliances in your house, Carbon Monoxide is a possible danger. It's invisible and odourless, but it can kill.

Watch out for.....

Gas flames that burn orange or yellow rather than blue.
Sotty stains on or around your appliances
Solid fuels that burn slowly or go out.

Know the symptoms....

Unexplained drowsiness.
Giddiness when standing up.
Headaches.
Sickness and Diarrhoea.
Chest pains.
Unexplained stomach pains.

Household Costs

Bills....

Clarify what is included in your rent. For instance, some landlords include water rates, others don't.
If possible, ask the previous tenants the rough cost of gas, electricity and water.
Take readings of the relevant meters as soon as you can once the last tenants have left.
Change the bills to your name with the relevant suppliers from the time you move in.....decide whether joint names will be put on the bills or if the responsibility will be divided.

Insurance

Don't think of doing without it - the number of burglaries and thefts in student houses is rising!
Shop around to find the right insurance package for your requirements.
Make sure that you're covered over the holidays.

Council Tax

Properties where all the occupants are full-time students will be exempt. You should obtain a council tax exemption form from your local housing office. If one or more of the occupants of your house is not a student the house becomes taxable so you must clarify whether you are expected to pay anything towards the cost.

TV Licence

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. If you want more information then contact www.tv-l.co.uk

Contracts

Contract

The protection you have largely depends on your status as an occupier. However, a Short Assured Tenancy is the most common. These can be made for a specific period of time, for instance, one academic year, but they will not usually be made for a period of less than 6 months. Please note that if you are staying with the owner of the property then you will not be a "Tenant" and should therefore not be required to sign a contract.

If you are sharing a house then you may be asked to sign a joint tenancy or a separate tenancy. If you sign a joint tenancy then you will all be responsible for each other's debts and damages. If you have your own contract then if there are any discrepancies, the argument is between yourself and your landlord and should not involve your housemates.

Points to Note

Rents must be agreed before the contract is signed since this is a binding agreement. Remember-you can negotiate with the landlord over rents, opt out clauses etc. if you are not happy with the landlord's suggestions.
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 housemates) remain liable for the remaining rent.
Remember to get a copy of your contract!
Landlords must comply with relevant legislation on Notice to Quit and Termination of Tenancies. A Notice to Quit also has to contain prescribed information. A Landlord cannot simply evict a tenant without a Court Order and this will only be granted on certain grounds. See your rights

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

The Housing Act 2004 was created with the intention of providing a fairer and better housing market for those renting properties. The main elements of it include ;

a) Licensing of houses in multiple occupation
A house with three of more stories, occupied by 5 or more people who form 2 or more households (a household being defined as persons belonging to the same family) is classified as an HMO in England and Wales and subject to licensing. The licensing is intended to improve standards in properties where it was felt tenants where at highest risk. Any building, which is occupied by students but managed or controlled by a Higher Education Institution, is deemed not to be an HMO for licensing purposes. Local authorities have at their discretion, but subject to approval from national government, the power to designate other sizes of properties as HMO’s, which are subject to licensing.

More information can be found at www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1151996o

b) Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

This is a new system, replacing the "fitness standard for houses", and decides whether a house is healthy and safe. Local council staff will randomly inspect properties and assess the likelihood of injury or ill health calculated via 29 hazards.

More information can be found at www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1164487

In Scotland the Licensing Order makes it mandatory from October 2000 for all HMOs to be licensed. To be classified as a licensable HMO the accommodation must be the only or principle residence of a specified number of people who are not members either of the same family or one or other of two families. The specified number started on 1st October 2000 at six or more and is reducing annually until it reaches its minimum level , i.e. three or more. Students in accommodation that is an HMO in term time are treated as being solely or principally resident there in order to calculate the number of occupiers of an HMO.

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 a calendar month's rent but the maximum a landlord can charge by law two 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. In order to ensure that you get your deposit back:

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 to confirm the details.
Ensure that you have a receipt for monies paid.
Ensure that you have a full inventory of furniture. Get the landlord to sign it. You may wish to take photographs.
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 the bills.
When you leave return all the keys to the landlord and make a written request for the return of your deposit. Keep a copy of the letter.

Retainers

These are paid to the landlord by prospective tenants. The retainer period forms part of the contract (typically July to August) when the student is unlikely to want to occupy and the landlord may wish to carry out certain maintenance works to the property. The normal retainer payment is 50% of the per calendar month rent.

Your Rights

Your Landlord is responsible for........

Keeping in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling house, including drains, gutters, and external pipes.
Keeping in repair and proper working order the installations for the supply of water, gas, and electricity and for sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences, and for heating rooms and heating water.
Providing a rent book if statute so requires (e.g. where the rent is paid weekly).
Providing you with the landlords or agents full name and address.
Providing you with a copy of the valid current Gas Safety Certificate ( see Standards).
Allowing you to "peacefully enjoy" your accommodation. (unless there is an emergency).
Landlords or their agents have the right to enter the property at reasonable times to carry out the repairs for which they are responsible and to inspect the condition and the state of repair of the property. They must give at least 24 hours notice in writing of an inspection. It would be helpful to set out the arrangements for access and procedures for getting repairs done in the tenancy agreement.

You are responsible for.........

Acting in a "Tenant-like manner". This means you should perform the smaller tasks around the house such as mending the electric light when a fuse blows; unblocking the sink when clogged with waste, cleaning the windows when necessary.
Not damaging the house, if you do then you and your guests are responsible for the repairs.
Refuse collection! Remember to find out the collection day from your local council. Put the wheelie bin out - and bring it back in again - it's illegal to leave it on the street.
Securing the property when you go away - lock all the 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 landlord's responsibility to repair begins only when they are aware of the problem. If the fault is not corrected within a reasonable period of time (dependant upon the nature of the disrepair) then seek advice from the Students Union Advice Centre/ Accommodation Office or Citizen's Advice.

Harassment and Unlawful Eviction

If your landlord wants you to leave your house then a legal process must be complied with before you can be evicted. This will include a written notice and applying to the Court for a possession order. If you are evicted without the landlord following the correct procedure then the landlord is committing a criminal offence. In addition, if the landlord (or someone acting on their behalf) interferes with your peace or comfort either with unannounced visits, by not fulfilling his/her responsibilities for basic repairs (as listed above), disconnecting utility supplies etc. then this may amount to harassment which is a criminal offence.

If you are in danger of eviction or suffering from harassment by your landlord then contact a Learner Adviser, your local Council's Housing Advice Team, or your Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Team. Citizen's Advice also produce a booklet entitled "Protection Against Harassment and Unlawful Eviction".