International students
Private rented accommodation
We understand that you might prefer to rent accommodation privately or lodge with a local family. Both Luton and Bedford and the surrounding areas are well equipped with plenty of private rented
student houses and flats, and the University has an up-to-date approved Host Family Accommodation list.
Tips for renting accommodation privately
What do letting agencies do?
Letting agencies act as intermediaries between tenants and landlords. They will:
- Help you find suitable property to rent
- Collect your rent on behalf of your landlord
- Arrange for any repairs to be done
Why use a letting agency?
There are several advantages to using a letting agency. These include:
- The rent you pay will usually be fair for the area you are living in
- The agency should ensure that all legal requirements and fire and safety measures are met
- If something goes wrong or requires repair, a letting agency is able to sort it out for you quickly
Your contract
- You must agree the rent amount before you sign the contract, as this is a legally binding agreement. Remember, if you are not satisfied with the terms and conditions suggested, you can negotiate with the landlord or letting agent over things like the rent amount, what is included, and opt-out clauses. Make sure you do this before signing the contract and if you are not happy, do not sign
- There may be a clause written into your contract that will enable you to terminate the lease by giving a certain period of notice (usually written). If no such clause is included in the contract you will be liable for payment of rent and other bills for the entirety of the contract length
- It is advisable to get any contract checked at either the Students' Union Advice Centre, Accommodation Office or Citizens Advice centre before you sign.
- When you are satisfied with the terms and conditions and you have signed the contract, ensure you keep at least one copy yourself
- If you are sharing accommodation with other students, it is best to each have individual tenancy agreements. We would advise you NOT to enter into joint contracts, as you may become liable for someone else's negligence
Council tax
Council tax is the system of taxation used in the UK to fund local government services including the police force and fire service, recycling and refuse collection, leisure centres, parks and open spaces and street cleaning. Properties where all the occupants are full-time students will be exempted and the tenants will not have to pay council tax.
You may have to prove you are a student to gain exemption; please contact your faculty office after registering on your course to obtain a certificate showing your status as a student.
You will not be counted if you are the spouse, civil partner or dependant of a student, or you are not a British Citizen and are prevented by the terms of your permission to be in the UK either from taking paid employment or from claiming benefits.
Bills
- Before signing a contract, you should clarify what is included in your rent. Some landlords may include some or all of the bills within your rent amount, whilst others will expect you to pay the bills as well as your rent
- If possible, ask previous tenants or other students the approximate cost of gas, electricity and water. As an estimate, we would guide you to budget £15 a month for water per person, £20 a month for gas per person and £20-25 per month for electricity per person
- Take meter readings as soon as you move in. You will need to contact the relevant suppliers to change the bills to your name and provide the meter readings. If you are unsure where the meters are located or how to check them, ask your landlord or letting agency
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy to cover the value of your possessions. Students can be vulnerable to theft because of the number of high-value items they own, such as i-Pods, laptop computers, televisions, games consoles and mobile phones.
There are several insurance companies that offer policies designed specifically for international students and comprehensive cover may cost much less than you think.
We would encourage you to shop around to find the right insurance package for your requirements and to make sure you are covered during vacations and holidays.
Deposits
You will normally be required to pay a deposit to the landlord or agency as a kind of insurance policy in case of any damage to the property, unpaid rent or utility bills, or missing items. It is usually an amount equal to one month's rent, although it will depend on the individual letting agency or landlord.
When your tenancy ends, the landlord or agency will check the property and deduct money from your deposit if repairs are required or if there are bills or rent payments outstanding. If there are no problems, your deposit will be returned to you.
- Ensure you have a written statement explaining what is covered by the deposit
- Ensure that you have a receipt for any monies paid and that you keep a copy until the end of your tenancy when you will require it
- Ensure that you have a full inventory of fixtures and fittings and that you check this thoroughly to ensure all the information is correct - it is advisable to take photographs if these are not already present as part of the inventory
- You should take good care of the house and any furniture provided during your tenancy - this includes keeping facilities clean and tidy
- If something gets broken or accidental damage occurs, it is best to contact the landlord or agency to discuss this with them
Other fees
You may also be required to pay a letting agency a non-refundable administration fee - it is advisable to check this when viewing properties so that you are able to budget correctly.
Advert abbreviations
Accommodation adverts often use abbreviations or shortened
forms that can be difficult to understand. If you are unsure of anything you should always double-check with the landlord or agency - do not sign a contract on the basis of assumptions. This guide may help make the basic information in the adverts
easier to understand:
- c/h: central heating
- dble: room with double bed
- d/g: double glazed windows/doors
- ex or excl: rent exclusive of (does not include) bills
- f/f: fully furnished
- f: female
- fl or flt: flat/apartment
- gch: gas central heating
- gdn: garden
- h/w: hot water
- hse: house
- inc or incl: rent includes bills (NOT telephone)
- k+b: kitchen and bathroom
- lge: large
- m: male
- n/s: non-smoking
- no DSS: nobody who has rent paid for by the Department for
Social Security
- nr: near
- o/r: own room
- p/b: purpose built
- pcm: per calendar month
- pm: per month (this could mean every four weeks or per
calendar month)
- pppw: per person per week
- pw: per week
- r or rm: room
- rec or recep: reception room, either a living room/sitting
room/lounge/dining room or study
- s/c: self-contained (not shared)
- sh: share
- sm: small
- sng: room with single bed
- unf: unfurnished
- veg: vegetarian
- w/m: washing machine
