Student Advice
The contract that you are most likely to sign will be a joint shorthold tenancy agreement. It is essential that you read the contract yourself and take note of what are usually the most important aspects of such an agreement:
FIXED TERM:- Once you have signed it you are obliged to pay rent for the duration of the agreement. In the same way the landlord is bound by the contract to allow your use of the property for the same period.
JOINT & SEVERAL LIABLILTY:- All tenants who sign an agreement are liable for the full rent payable for the property. If someone moves out the remaining tenants will have to pay the rent of the person who has left.
DEPOSITS
Before signing any agreement you should check the condition of the property and its contents and discuss any problems with the landlord. Any deposit that you pay is refundable providing that you leave the property in the condition that you you received it. You should always ask for a receipt for any monies paid. Your deposit should be held in a government approved scheme the details of which your landlord should give you.
The landlord can withold part of the deposit for any repairs he deems necessary, including damage to furniture,unpaid bills, or an unclean property. You should have an inventory of everything that is including in the property at the start of the agreement.
Ask the following questions before paying any deposit:
• If you decide to rent the house ask the landlord for a deposit receipt .
• Is any part of the holding deposit refundable if you change your mind about renting? As a general rule, if you change your mind (for whatever reason), none of the deposit is refunded. If you and the landlord agree that all or part of the deposit will be refunded, make sure that these terms are in writing.
Your deposit can also be used to cover any unpaid bills outstanding on the property gas/ electricity/telephone/water.
The deposit cannot be used to cover reasonable wear and tear, which you have paid for in your rent.
Paying a deposit
Always pay your deposit and get a receipt, which states the amount paid. Attach the receipt to your copy of the contract.
The average deposit is between £150-£250 per person. It should not be paid until the contract has been signed.
If you are unhappy about any aspect of the condition of the property when you move in (damage, outstanding repairs, damage to decor or the level of cleanliness) - inform the landlord/agent in writing immediately and keep a copy for your own records. If you fail to notify them about your concerns then you could find yourself paying for the previous tenants damage at the end of your own tenancy.
Protecting your Deposit
There are many legitimate reasons why deductions may be made from your deposit. Below are a few tips to help avoid problems.
• Check what your responsibilities are for the garden - if you are responsible gardening equipment should be provided.
• If you bring furniture from home make proper arrangements to store or remove the owner's furniture where it will not get damaged.
• Always report any repairs in writing and keep a copy, so you can show that it is not damage caused by the household.
• Maintain the house properly, cleaning/vacuuming from time to time.
• Clean all cookers, fridges, toilets, showers and baths properly at the end of the tenancy using proper cleaning materials.
• Respect the owner/agents fixtures and fittings. Burn marks on the carpet cigarette burns on the furniture could cost you your entire deposit and more. • If you do break/damage anything (deliberately or accidentally) then inform the owner/agent immediately. Do not leave it until the end of the tenancy.
If you signed a joint contract your deposit can be used to cover outstanding rent and/or damage caused by your housemates.
Arranging an Inspection
Three weeks before your tenancy ends make sure that you have contacted your landlord/agent to arrange an end of tenancy inspection visit by the landlord/agent. Ideally you should be present at that visit so that you can agree any work you need to do with the landlord/agent.
Utility Companies
Before you are due to move out you should also contact all the utility companies (gas/electricity/telephone) and arrange for final readings to be taken. You will also need to write and request your names are taken off the bills from the date you all move out.
Making Sure Everyone Does their Fair Share of Work
If you are renting a shared house then you should leave the property in a fit state for the next set of tenants to move in. If you have signed a joint contract (as many students do) then you are jointly responsible for the whole house and it is important that the whole house is cleaned and left in a good condition.
It is important that every occupant does their fair share of work. Avoid individual occupants leaving one by one over the last few weeks leaving cleaning to one or two remaining tenants. Work out who will clean what.
Most students will clean their own bedroom, but make sure you divide the responsibilities between yourselves for living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, corridors, cellars and gardens. Generally, cleaning and clearing the kitchen and bathroom in a house is 50% of the task of cleaning the whole house.
Allow yourself plenty of time to clean the house at the end of the year.
Never have an end of house party on the last day. Always leave at least three days after any social event to clean up and move out.
USEFUL NUMBERS AND CONTACTS
POLICE CONTACTS
Police control room:01524 63333 or 0845 233545, Crimestoppers: 0800 555111.
PC Gill Syer and PC Carl Wood (Lancaster City Centre): 01524 5966653. PC Mark Finch (Marsh): 01524 596653. PC Pete McHugh (Scotforth E and W): 01524 596514. PC andy Jackson (John O'Gaunt) 01524 596653. PC Craig Mossop (Skerton East): 01524 596653. PC Helen Parkinson (Vale): 01524 596514. PC Simon Forghman (Ryelands): 01524 596653. PC Sharon Turner (Bulk/Ridge): 01524 596653.PC Autin Hall (Galgate): 01253 607353.
CLINICS
Contraception clinics:
Mondays and Wednesdays, 7-9pm: Ashton Community Care Centre, Lancaster, 01524 387401, appointments preferred but not always necessary.
Genito urinary medicine clinics - by appointment only:
Mondays to Thursdays, Ashton Community Care Centre, Lancaster to book: 01524 387402.
CHEMISTS
Chemists open outside of normal hours: Asda Pharmacy, Asda Superstore, Ovangle Road, Lancaster - Monday to Saturday, 9am to 9pm; Sunday 10am to 4pm.
DENTISTS
Patients who do not have a regular dentist or who are visitors to the area and have a dental problem or enquiry, can contact the Bay Dental Helpline on 01539 716822 between 8am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. On Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays should call between 8.30am and 12.30pm. For emergency advice outside these hours please call Baycall on 0845 0524999.
DOCTORS
If you need to contact a doctor when your surgery is closed, ring Baycall on 0845 0524999.
HELPLINES
Environment Agency - General Inquiries: 0845 9333111
Waste Services: Bin bags refuse collection, grass and hazardous waste, fly tipping, litter and dog waste. Tel 01524 582491 during office hours; emergency out of hours tel 01524 67099.
Samaritans: 01524 61666; 08457 909090 (24 hours).
NHS Direct: 0845 4647 (24 hours).
National Aids Line: 0800 220704 (7-9pm Monday to Friday).
Lancaster Lesbian and Gay Switchboard: Thursday and Friday 7-9pm, 01524 847437, for information and advice.
Baseline: Young people's information line - 01524 831978 (24 hours)
Womens domestic violence helpline: Tel 0161 839 8574 (Mon to Fri, 10am to 4pm, 24 hour answering service).
Lancaster and District Womens Aid Helpline: 01524 383636. Mon to Fri 10am -2pm or an answerphone service.
Sal's Place Domestic Abuse Support Centre: St Leonardgate, Lancaster. Office open 10am - 2pm Mon to Fri, tel 01524 61747, email: info@salsplace.co.uk; www.salsplace.co.uk
Alcoholics Anonymous: Tel 01253 792632 or 08457697555, 7 - 10pm daily, Manchester 0161 2366569 11am to 11pm daily or answerphone service at other times. Write to PO Box 702, Garstang, Preston, PR3 1UG.
Northwest Narcotics Anonymous: 24 hour Helpline, 01253 850018.
North Lancashire Victim Support: 01524 859044. A local independent charity supporting victims of crime. Weekday office hours 10am - 3pm. (24 hour answerphone).
TOURIST INFORMATION
Open Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm (Tue 10am - 4pm). Sunday open only on bankholiday weekends.01524 32878. Accomodation booking Helpline 01524 582393.
TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Stagecoach Lancaster Buses: Tel 0870 6082608 Monday to Sunday, 8am -8pm.
Trains: Tel 08457 484950 - 24 hours
County Information Centre: Tel Lancaster 01524 841656, Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 9am-4pm.
ADVICE
Lancaster Citizens Advice Bureau: 87 King Street, Lancaster, LA1 1RH. www.lancastercab.org 24 hour automated advice line 0870 1264035. Hours: Monday 10am - 4pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 1pm - 4pm, Thursday and Friday 10am - 1pm.
Lancaster DISC (Disablement Information and Support Centre): Trinity Community Centre, Middle Street, Lancaster, tel 01524 34411: Monday to Friday 10am - 3pm.
Community Alcohol and Drug Service (provided by Bay Community and NHS Trust for health problems/concerns relating to addictive substances), tel information contact: 01524 846106, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.
Life Pregnancy Care Service: Lancaster 01524 844000 (24 hour answering service), 2nd Floor YMCA Building, China Street, Lancaster for free pregnancy testing, counselling and information.
YMCA "Y" Information Shop: 01524 389696.
North Lancs Counselling Service: Personal counselling, for further information contact co-ordinator on 01524 389389.
Lancashire County Councils Welfare Rights Service: White Cross, South Road, Lancaster, tel 01524 37200. Drop in service - book in person or telephone one week in advance only.
Patient Advice and Liasion Service (PALS): The PALS Office, RLI, Ashton Road, Lancaster. Central telephone number for PALS services across Morecambe Bay is 01539 795497. E-mail: pals@l.bay-tr.nwest.nhs.uk
