Hi KCL! Now that Semester two has started, we’re aware that many students are starting to think about where to live next year. Some of you will have already secured accommodation, which is great! For those that haven’t, we thought we’d create a quick guide with some tips on things to consider if you’re planning on renting within London. Bear in mind that for private housing in London, options are normally only advertised one to two months before they are available. This means that you can wait till summer to start looking for a place to live.
If you’re about to move into King’s residences, make sure to check the “Arrival FAQs,” as well as the “Moving in guide”. However, if you’re planning to move into private rented accommodation, these are a few things you should check before your tenancy begins.
Tenancy agreement and deposit
A tenancy agreement is essentially a contract between you and your landlord. This will include the address of the property, when the tenancy starts, the duration of the tenancy (typically 12 months), the amount of rent and deposit, and the names of the tenants and landlord. The agreement will also outline the legal terms and conditions of your tenancy. This is to protect both you and the landlord. Make sure to read through the tenancy agreement a few times so you can check that all the information is correct before you sign it.
You will usually be required to pay a deposit before moving into the property. This is equivalent to about four to five weeks of rent. You will get this back once the tenancy ends, provided that there is no damage to the property or other breaches of the tenancy agreement. Your landlord is legally required to place your deposit in a tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme. You can ask them for proof of this if it is not provided initially.
Gas safety certificate and energy performance certificate
Gas safety certificates are a legal requirement for landlords and they should be dated within the last 12 months. Energy performance certificates provide details of the energy rating of the property. It is illegal to let a property that has a rating below E.
Inventory check and meter readings
An inventory check is a comprehensive document detailing the condition of a property at the beginning and end of a tenancy. Normally, this is conducted by an inventory clerk when you move in. Tenants are usually present for this and it is recommended that you take pictures if anything appears to be damaged. This will help if there are disputes at the end of the tenancy.
Remember to take pictures of your gas and electricity meters too to confirm the readings. You will need to provide these details to utility companies when you set up your accounts and this will ensure that you don’t pay for the previous tenants’ usage. It’s a good idea to discuss with your flatmates about how you intend to organise the bill payments between you. Contact the utility companies when you move in to set up your account and provide the correct meter readings.
Council tax
Finally, a note on Council Tax as this is something that many students (including myself) forget about. Students are exempt from paying council tax as long as they show proof. You can download a Confirmation of Study Letter from Student Services Online and send this document to your local Council via their website. You should do this as early as possible, however if you do forget, don’t worry. The council will send you a letter reminding you of any missed payments and how to apply for an exemption.
So there you have it, a list of things to remember prior to moving into a privately rented property. If you have any further questions about private housing, including contract checking, utility bills, or disputes with landlords or flatmates, don’t hesitate to contact the King’s Money and Housing team. I know this list may seem a bit daunting, but if you’re well prepared, this will make your move in as stress free as possible!
Aanchal Raina
King’s Student Money Mentor
Part of Money & Housing Advice
The King’s Student Money Mentors blog shares our students’ personal experiences and thoughts on money-related topics. Any reference, opinions or recommendations on a particular company/brand are only the views of the student(s) who wrote the blog post. King’s College London, the Money & Housing Advice service and the Money Mentor project do not share the views in the blogs nor endorse any of the companies mentioned. Readers should conduct their own research before using any companies mentioned in our blog posts.