The Ultimate Guide To Student Tenancy Documents
For the vast majority of students, moving to university is the first time they’ll have to go through the process of renting. At Seekers, we pride ourselves on being reliable student estate agents in Newcastle, supporting you throughout your student tenancy journey.
Renting can be an overwhelming process, with lots of jargon to comprehend and tenancy documents that need to be handled in a timely manner. This can be especially hard when you’re relying on other people to complete these in a short window of time.
One of the many ways we support students is through our student hub, where you’ll find comprehensive guides on relevant topics such as finding student accommodation for your first year of uni, joint liability, student accommodation bills, and so much more.
If you’re unsure where to start with student tenancy documents, we’ve compiled this handy guide to give you peace of mind.
Why choose Seekers?
For over 20 years, Seekers have been trusted student estate agents in Newcastle. Our wealth of experience and knowledge means that we’re the go-to estate agents in the North East, and the services we offer when it comes to Newcastle student properties is unrivalled.
We are also valued members of the following:
The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
The Property Ombudsman
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
We follow the highest standards in the industry, so you can rest assured that you are working with the right agency.
Security Depsosits FAQs
One of the first things you’ll encounter when renting a property is the security deposit.
What is a security deposit and how much is it?
A security deposit is money paid before the tenancy starts, and is required in the case of property damages or outstanding payments. At Seekers, the security deposit we require is equal to one month’s rent.
How do I know that my deposit is safe?
To ensure your deposit is kept safe, it is registered with a government supported tenancy deposit scheme (TDS). Your deposit will remain there for the duration of your tenancy, at which point it will be repaid to you in its full amount, providing there is no money owed to you or accidental damage to the property.
In the event that deductions are made, Seekers will provide the tenant with any necessary supporting paperwork and invoices to minimise the likelihood of a deposit dispute.
Guarantors FAQs
What is a guarantor for students?
Once you’ve sorted out your deposit, the next step will be finding your guarantor. For more information on what a guarantor is, take a look at our guide on All You Need to Know About Student Guarantors.
Most landlords and student estate agents in Newcastle require a guarantor from those seeking Newcastle student properties. In a nutshell, a guarantor agrees to cover your rent payments if you are unable to pay them. Guarantors are typically family members or parents of the student.
Your guarantor will sign a legally binding document, allowing the landlord or agent to hold them accountable for any missed rent payments. With this in mind, it’s crucial for both you and your guarantor to read the document carefully before signing.
All students looking to rent a property with Seekers require a guarantor. If you’re unable to find a guarantor for whatever reason, or you don’t want a guarantor, you’ll likely have to pay the full month of rent in advance. No matter your needs, we are dedicated to supporting students throughout their rental journey.
What should you do if you're a student without a guarantor?
If you’re an international student, then you’ll know first hand that studying abroad is both exciting and daunting. In this case, finding a student guarantor can be challenging as most landlords require the guarantor to be UK-based. However, you don’t necessarily have to rely on a parent or guardian.
You’ll need to find a UK resident who meets the requirements to be a guarantor, and is willing to cover your financial commitments when renting a student property in Newcastle.
If you’re having difficulty, there are a few options available to you. Reliable agencies like Seekers can act as an international guarantor. Alternatively, you could pay your rent upfront for the term or seek student accommodation that doesn’t require a student guarantor.
For further guidance on this, get in touch with our friendly team.
Tenancy agreements and industry terms
All of our student properties in Newcastle are let with a tenancy agreement, which is a legally binding contract between the tenant and the landlord.
It is probably the longest document that you’ll come across in your renting journey, as it outlines the terms and conditions of the tenancy, highlighting rent obligations and occupation of the property.
Every student who decides to rent with Seekers will be provided a tenancy agreement before they sign on for their student home in Newcastle. It is crucial that the tenancy agreement is read in full before signing. Any questions surrounding the agreement should be directed to your property coordinator.
Within your tenancy agreement, it’s likely that you will find a number of real estate jargon that you may be unfamiliar with, including but not limited to:
House in multiple occupation
Often abbreviated as HMO, a house in multiple occupation is a term that refers to a property with 5 or more bedrooms, spanning over 3 floors or more.
HMOs are very popular with students, and there are plenty of HMOs in Newcastle. This is because many students are increasingly favouring student house shares during their time at university.
At Seekers, all of our HMOs are fully license compliant, and have been inspected by Public Health Officials.
Joint and several liability
When a number of tenants choose to move into student accommodation together, they are typically required to sign one tenancy agreement. This is common practice in the renting process and is essentially a joint contract, meaning that you and your housemates have joint liability when it comes to making your rent payments.
If one tenant is defaulting on their rent payments, then the other tenants will all be held accountable. This is why it is strongly advised that you think long and hard about choosing who to live with.
Inventory
The inventory will also be mentioned in the tenancy agreement, however it is usually a separate document that is either emailed to the lead tenant, or is given to the person who collects their keys first.
The role of the inventory is to protect both the tenants and the landlord as they lay out everything that’s in the property. It is also to ensure that tenants don’t get charged for damages to the property that they didn’t cause, and to cover landlords if anything goes missing or breaks.
Tenants should take the time to check the inventory and make sure everything is as it says in the document.
At the end of your tenancy, the inventory is used to check that everything has been left as it was when the tenants moved in.
Right to rent checks
Landlords and property management agents like Seekers have the right to conduct “right to rent” checks, as they are a legal requirement under the Immigrant Act 2016. The purpose of these checks is for landlords or agents to ensure that they are leasing their property to those who have a right to live in the UK. Students will be required to provide identification (i.e. a passport), and visa documents.
Schedule a property viewing with Seekers
Now that you’re clued up on the documents you’ll come across in your rental journey, why not get the ball rolling and schedule a property viewing with Seekers?
We have a range of student properties in Newcastle, from student houses in Jesmond and houses in Heaton, to modern student flats in Newcastle city centre.
Get in touch with us today to start your rental journey, and head to our Student Hub for further guidance.
