A Guide To Home Hunting & Private Rented Accommodation

Looking for Private Accommodation

Before renting accommodation you should ensure that you are aware of what is involved so possible problems can be avoided. This guide gives an indication of matters that should be considered and it may help you to carry out a reasonable survey of any house or flat that you are thinking of renting. The degree to which you follow this guide will obviously depend on how badly you need the accommodation and/or how long you intend living there. However, there are laws concerning the letting of accommodation and they should be adhered to.

Any information concerning the law does not seek to be a detailed interpretation and therefore if you are in any doubt ALWAYS SEEK ADVICE

Finding accommodation

You have two main choices as to when you look for property for the following year. The one you choose will largely depend on your financial situation.

Some students start looking after Easter and secure a place by paying a bond; the landlord in most cases will expect you to pay half rent (a 'retainer') over the summer or some kind of deposit.

If you don't want to do this, the alternative is to arrive in Sunderland just before your course starts. The drawback to this is finding somewhere to live temporarily while you're looking for somewhere more permanent. If you're a first year arriving in Sunderland for the first time you should be offered a place in Halls, but this could be only be temporary until you find something else, there will be plenty of help doing.

How do I Find Private Rented Accommodation?

The University Accommodation Service
They will provide you with lists of landlords who have private rented accommodation in Sunderland. The houses are not checked for standards or conditions so you must be very careful. However, landlords on this list will be on the accredited landlord list and should therefore be aware of the standards that they should comply with. (Further information on the standards is included on this page). Do not agree to rent the property if the standards are not met. Some properties can be in very bad condition and may be potential death traps.

Newspapers

Shop windows

Most notice boards in the University buildings carry notes about rented accommodation, the Library and Students' Union notice boards in Wearmouth, being the most popular.

Word of mouth for continuing students is probably the best method of finding a house. This also applies to new first years.

Internet

Advertise yourself - place advert in shops or on the University Notice boards, etc.

Finally, you could try Estate Agents and/or Accommodation Agencies.

However, it is unlikely that they will have anything in the student price range. Furthermore, if you use such agencies you will need to check whether there are any charges for the service(s) they provide. It is illegal for an agency to make any charge if all they do is register your details or supply you with a list of addresses. They are also not allowed to ask you to pay a deposit, which is returnable if no accommodation is found. However, an agency is allowed to charge for extra services provided (drafting a tenancy agreement, for example) but only if these are carried out with your agreement or at your request. Finally, no agency is allowed to discriminate on the grounds of sex or race against any person seeking accommodation.

The Accommodation

Before looking at the accommodation it is worth considering the following:

Does the accommodation conform to the standards laid down by law?

Local councils will have a Department that is responsible for inspecting residential accommodation to make sure it is habitable and meets certain minimum standards. It is usually called either the Environmental Health Department or the Public Health Department. Sunderland Council runs the Sunderland Accredited Landlord Scheme- the council works in partnership with private landlords to provide good quality housing. The council should be able to give an indication as to whether they have been or are involved at a certain address - this is important in case the accommodation should not be let because it does not meet the minimum standards required or they do not subscribe to the Accreditation scheme.

Inspecting Property

Furniture

Will this be supplied?

Is there enough for the occupants?

Is there enough storage space, particularly in the kitchen?

Does any of the furniture belong to the existing tenants or past tenants?

Is the furniture in good condition?

Is there a list (inventory) of all items in the accommodation? Check that it is complete, or make your own if one does not exist. Get the landlord or agent to agree to the inventory by signing it.

Condition of the Property

 Is the flat/house in a reasonable state of repair?

Look for damp and mould; check in kitchen cupboards and behind furniture placed in room corners and against walls.

Look for signs of loose and/or missing roof tiles.

Look for signs of rotting window frames and make sure that all of the windows open easily when unfastened.

How old are plug sockets and light switches/fittings? Has the property ever been checked or rewired?

Check that taps, toilets and showers work. Check for pests, slugs trails, mouse droppings, woodlice etc.

If there are gas fires, how long ago were they checked for safety?

Does the heating work? Faulty gas appliances are dangerous and the landlord must get them checked on an annual basis

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Decorating

Does any decorating need to be done? If so, who is going to do it? With most types of tenancy, decorating is the tenant's responsibility, but the decoration should be in a reasonable state when you move in. If the decoration is in a poor state when you view the property you may be able to do a deal with the landlord if you are happy to do the decorating yourself - for example, you could negotiate a lower rent. Whatever is agreed, you must get it in writing.