Student Accommodation Tenants Rights and Responsibilities

For many students, university is the first time that you will be living away from home and understandably this can be a daunting experience but this soon changes once you’ve settled in and become familiar to your new surroundings.

It is also likely to be the first time that you will have to encounter renting properties from landlords. Although the vast majority are honest and upstanding, it is important that you know and understand what rights and responsibilities you have and what the rights and responsibilities of a landlord are too.

In this section of the website, we aim to provide you with a brief outline of what these are:

Student Accommodation Tenants Rights

As a tenant in student housing, there are rights which you are entitled to, including the right to:

• Know the full arrangements in the tenancy agreement
• Know the landlords name and address, even if going through an agency
• Not be bothered by the landlord, they must give 24 hours notice before coming around
• Live in a safe property that is well maintained (including electrics and gas)
• Have any necessary repairs fixed promptly within notifying the landlord
• Have a statutory period of notice if the landlord wants to terminate the agreement
• Have your deposit returned within 14 days of vacating the premises

Student Accommodation Tenants Responsibilities

Signing a tenancy agreement for student accommodation is the same as anyone renting a property from a landlord in that it is legally binding and there is legislation that you must comply with:

• Pay the rent and bills (if not all included) in line with what is agreed
• Ensure that the property is looked after and that no damage is caused to it or the landlords possessions
• If any damage does happen, the landlord must be informed
• Not to aggravate the neighbours, mainly through noise
• Allow the landlord to carry out inspections of the property, but they must give at least 24 hours notice
• Live within the property for stipulated length of contract, unless you negotiate with the landlord an early release of the contract
• Must notify the landlord if you want to change any of the tenants or have someone sublet the property
• Generally, you must conform to the guidelines outlined in the contract, go through this thoroughly and understand what it is being asked of you.

Living in rented student accommodation is a great experience for you to socialise with housemates, so make the most of this time. However, remember what you are allowed and are not allowed to do!

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