Tenancy agreements
We require all tenancy agreements to be in writing as this avoids confusion between both parties. Assured shorthold tenancy agreements can be purchased from legal stationers or are available free of charge to those landlords who are members of landlord associations.
Assured shorthold tenancy (AST)
Most private landlords who do not live in the property choose assured shorthold tenancies.
Assured shorthold tenancies allow you to let your property for a short period only and to get it back if they wish after six months.
There is no minimum period for an assured shorthold tenancy but by law a landlord needs to issue a Section 21 Assured Shorthold Notice at least two months before they need possession of the property.
For more information view Assured and Assured Shorthold Tenancies: A guide for landlords (pdf).
Unfair tenancy terms
The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 requires landlords to ensure that agreements are in clear language and do not contain any 'unfair terms', that is clauses that impose unfair restrictions, penalties or obligations on the tenant.
References
The universities will provide references for those students who have been resident in halls of residence or in private sector properties managed by either university.
Deposits
We suggest that all landlords take a deposit as a safeguard against damage or unpaid bills in the landlord’s name. It is usual to charge the equivalent of one month’s rent where rent is paid monthly or the equivalent of one week’s rent where rent is paid weekly.
All deposits taken by landlords for assured shorthold tenancies in England and Wales must be protected by a tenancy deposit protection scheme. Within 14 days of receiving the deposit (within 30 days from April 2012) you must provide the tenant with:
- the landlord or agent’s contact details
- which tenancy deposit scheme they are using and the contact details for the scheme
- information about the purpose of taking a deposit
- how you can apply to get the deposit back at the end of the tenancy
- what you can do if there is a dispute about the deposit.
Disputes are resolved by an Alternative Disputes Procedure where possible within 28 days. Deposits should be returned to tenants if there is no dispute within 10 days.
For more information and frequently asked questions please visit gov.uk: tenancy deposit or The Dispute Service
You should never deduct from the deposit to cover ‘fair wear and tear’.
The tenancy agreement should also outline what the deposit may be used for. We will investigate any complaints made by students stating that their deposit has been unfairly withheld. If a registered landlord is found to be unfairly withholding deposits, they will be removed from the register.
Inventories
It is vital that you provide an up to date inventory for each property you let. It is a recommendation of deposit protection that this inventory is completed by a third party. An independent inventory protects you as well as your tenant.
