Frequently Asked Questions
Please note that some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) apply to Joint Tenancies only. You should read all the FAQs to find specific advice for Single Tenancies.
What do we need to do when our group has chosen our property?
In order to secure a property one member of your group must attend the agency and apply for Tenancy online and pay a Reservation Fee of £200 by debit card. This payment will be credited as the deposit once the Tenancy Agreement is signed.
What does my group have to do to complete the Tenancy?
All members of the group must apply online as soon as the initial reservation fee has been paid. Within 7 days of paying the initial Reservation Fee the group must attend a pre-arranged Sign Up meeting at our agency.
All applicants must attend the Sign Up meeting together where all remaining formalities included in the Application Pack must be completed including payment of deposits, submission of Standing Orders, Guarantor Agreements and sign the Tenancy Agreement.
What is a Lead Tenant?
The Lead Tenant is the most responsible person in the group who will be the main contact point for accommod8 before and during the Tenancy.
How do I secure my room at St Thomas Hall and sign my Tenancy Agreement?
In order to secure a room you need to apply online and pay your Reservation Fee of £200 by debit card on 0151 703 9355. This payment will be credited to your deposit account once the Application Pack has been received and the Tenancy Agreement has been signed.
What is the deposit for?
All Tenants are required to pay a £200 security deposit at the point they sign the Tenancy. Your deposit covers damage, breakages, rent arrears and administration charges for breaches of Tenancy. The deposit is returned at the end of the Tenancy.
Is my deposit protected?
accommod8 is a member of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). We will register your deposit with TDS and it will be protected and returned at the end of the Tenancy in accordance with their regulations. Full details of the TDS will be given to you when you sign the Tenancy Agreement.
What are my legal obligations in the Joint Tenancy Agreement?
Your group will be asked to sign a 12 month Joint Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement to commence on 1 July. The Tenancy Agreement is legally binding and sets out the conditions of the Tenancy. Your Tenancy provides that you are jointly and severally liable with your housemates to pay rent and comply with the terms and conditions.
What are my legal obligations in a Single Tenancy Agreement?
You will be asked to sign an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement to commence on 1 July. The Tenancy Agreement is legally binding and sets out the conditions of the Tenancy. Your Tenancy provides that you are liable to pay rent and comply with the terms and conditions.
What is the period of the Tenancy?
The Tenancy is usually for a 52 weeks period commencing 1 July and ending 30 June of the following year. Half rent (or less) is paid as your Summer Retainer which covers the first 10 weeks of Tenancy. Full rent is payable for 42 weeks during the academic year. The Tenancy will be shorter if signed after 1 July.
What is the Summer Retainer?
The Summer Retainer is a payment for the 10 week period from 1 July when properties are prepared for new Tenants. We endeavour to allow occupation of our properties as soon as possible after the start of the Tenancy subject to preparation of the property.
What is a Guarantor Agreement?
Each Tenant must provide a Guarantor Agreement. The Guarantor, usually a parent, agrees to guarantee rent payments and other charges due from the Tenant. If you are unable to provide a UK based Guarantor you will be required to pay the full years rent on the first day of the Tenancy.
How is the rent and Summer Retainer paid?
We require Standing Order Mandates to be completed. A Standing Order Mandate is an instruction from you to your bank for them to pay rent directly to accommod8. Please note that Standing Orders are NOT the same as Direct Debits. Your bank will not pay accommod8 if you do not have sufficient funds.
When is rent due during the Tenancy?
1 July 5 weeks rent (the Summer Retainer)
1 October 16 weeks rent
1 February 16 weeks rent
1 May 10 weeks rent
Total 47 weeks rent
Do we have to pay Council Tax?
Full time students are exempt from paying Council Tax. Council Tax Exemption Certificates covering the period of Tenancy must be provided by all Tenants if not on the council database for accommod8 to secure a full exemption on the property.
What if we need something fixed?
We will give you full instructions on how to get things fixed at your Check In when you move in to the property. accommod8 is responsible for all genuine repairs. You will be charged for damage.
What happens when we move in?
Once your property is ready for occupation we will arrange a Check In. At the Check In we will give you a tour of the property, instruction on how things work and all the keys for the property. You will also be asked to sign an Inventory and Schedule of Condition as a record of the condition of the property.
Do I need to take out insurance for my belongings?
You should insure your own belongings. For a competitive quote click on the student insurance link for Endsleigh Insurance Services.
What about utility bills?
Your rent is inclusive of a generous allowance of gas and electricity. We will take opening and closing meter readings to monitor usage for the Tenancy although you are responsible for monitoring and managing your usage. The Energy Allowance Guide below outlines the allowances but is not applicable to properties with 10 or more bedrooms. Water charges are included in all accommodation.
Energy Allowance Guide
Only applicable for properties with less than 10 bedrooms
You are given a generous allowance for gas and electricity in our properties. We have presented a broad range of type and size of property and will use opening, periodic and end of Tenancy meter readings to calculate usage during the Tenancy.
In financial terms the allowances below translate to approximately 10%-15% of the rent you pay.
Electricity meters display usage in Kilowatt/hours (KWh). Gas meters display in either cubic feet or cubic metres. Use the conversion formula below for gas usage in KWh.
|
Type of accommod8 Property |
Annual Gas Allowance KWh |
Annual Electricity Allowance KWh |
|
2 bed apartment (electric only) |
N/A |
7000 KWh (low) 2,500 KWh (normal) |
|
2 bed apartment |
10,000 KWh |
2,500 KWh |
|
3 bed traditional terrace |
16,500 KWh |
3,000 KWh |
|
4 bed traditional terrace |
19,000 KWh |
4,000 KWh |
|
4 bed modern semi-detached |
19,000 KWh |
4,000 KWh |
|
5 bed traditional terrace |
20,500 KWh |
5,000 KWh |
|
5 bed traditional semi detached |
20,500 KWh |
5,000 KWh |
|
6 bed traditional terrace |
20,500 KWh |
6,500 KWh |
|
7 bed modern terrace |
22,500 KWh |
6,500 KWh |
|
8 bed modern terrace |
23,000 KWh |
7,000 KWh |
How to convert your gas meter reading to KWh
-
Take today's reading and subtract it from the opening reading taken when you Checked In.
-
If the gas meter in your property displays in cubic metres multiply the figure by 11.5 to give the KWh. If the gas meter in your property displays in cubic feet multiply the figure by 32 to give the KWh.
- Compare the figure with the stated allowance in the table above.
