Property owners are responsible for:
- keeping the property in good order
- annual upkeep of the dwelling and checking the property at the beginning and end of the year
- allowing viewing access prior to letting
- planning for essential works to be completed prior to tenancy commencement
- maintaining gardens throughout the tenancy and ensuring that they are in good seasonal order for the start of each term
- providing and maintaining a washing machine
- identifying a contact person who is authorised to deal with any issues when the owner is not available
- providing an out of hours name and contact number
- ensuring the property has valid certificates at all times and that copies of renewals are sent to the appropriate accommodation office
- ensuring that the property is ready for occupation at the start of the tenancy period
- ensuring drains and guttering are in good working order at the start of the tenancy
- providing and maintaining a working broadband internet service suitable for the number of students and their study needs.
Council tax
Full-time students (21 hours a week or more) living with non-students (or part-time students studying less than 21 hours a week) and who rent or own a property jointly are, exempt from any council tax liability. You will need to ensure that the council receive an exemption certificate confirming your status. The non-students (or part-time students) will be made liable for the council tax. If there is only one non-student (or part-time student) resident in the property then a 25% council tax discount will be applied.
Full time students living in Brighton and Hove can apply for a council tax reduction via the council website. Full-time students living elsewhere can request a letter from their local Registry Office or by emailing studentadministration@brighton.ac.uk.
If you are unable to prove that your property was occupied solely by students at a later date, you may be asked to pay any council tax owing on the property.
Insurance
Owners are required to ensure that their property has adequate building insurance cover and that the insurer is notified of its use. We leave it to the owner’s discretion whether to insure the contents of their property.
The students have personal possessions insurance cover for their own items. Please note that the Accommodation Office will need to see evidence of buildings insurance cover before the start of the tenancy.
Mortgaged properties
If there is a mortgage on the property the mortgage lender should be informed of your intention to let your property to the University of Brighton. Please note the tenancy offered to our students is not considered an assured shorthold tenancy. It is a student tenancy under paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the Housing Act 1988.
