MOVING IN
RENT
The Rent is due on the 1st day of each month for the duration of the tenancy. Prior to moving in we advise to have already set up your rent payment so that on the day of move in there are no delays because you have not made your rent payment in full.
We advise to set up your Rent Payment by 'Standing Order'. Standing orders should be set up so that the rent arrives to us by the 1st of the month, and so setting up the Standing Order for the 28th of each month should ensure your rent is never late.
KEY COLLECTION
On the 1st day of the tenancy we personally check you in to the property and reserve one time slot for each of our properties. Call us in advance to ensure that we can reserve a time slot that suits you or we will allocate a time for you. If you are not moving in on the 1st of July or 1st September, we should have already completed your Inventory and would not usually check you in to the property and so you can arrange a time to pick up your keys from us.
INVENTORY
On the first day of the tenancy we conduct a Check In Report (Inventory) detailing the state of condition of the property producing a thorough written account and photographic evidence of all aspects from furniture, fixtures and fittings, walls, ceilings and the flooring, gardens and the meter readings. Tenants are provided with a copy of the Inventory by email. Any maintenance required or agreed to be undertaken we aim to repair within the first 14 days of moving in.
UTILITY BILLS
You are not required to set up the Utility Bills until the 1st day of your tenancy. On the first day of the tenancy (whether or not you have moved in), you should record your meter readings and provide them to your suppliers. This should typically be for your Gas, Water, Electricity and Council Tax. As a full time student you will be exempt from paying Council Tax (Not Required To Pay) so ensure that you contact Southampton City Council and provide them with the relevant documentation to support evidence that you are in full time education.
PARKING
If your property does not have an obvious off road parking space then you should contact Southampton City Council. You will need proof of address, your vehicle registration document, insurance certificate, and a copy of your Tenancy Agreement as proof of address. Parking permits are only issued by the Council and we do not have any involvement in the process.
Call Southampton City Council on 02380 223855 or visit the Gateway, Civic Centre to find out more.
DURING THE TENANCY
WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
As a tenant, first and foremost, you will be expected to pay your rent on time. Tenants expected to adhere to the terms and conditions as part of your tenancy agreement. You will be required to pay all the utility bills at the property including TV licence, Broadband, Telephone and Council Tax or if exempt, provide Southampton City Council with confirmation of your enrolment in full time education for exemption of Council Tax.
During the tenancy you are responsible for the property. Students should ensure they do not misunderstand their responsibility for property which can be achieved by thoroughly reading through the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement.
Students are treated no different to any other person that is privately renting a property under an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. Students are treated as adults and we expect that the property should be taken care of and the rent paid on time.
On the basis that a student has signed the tenancy but is no longer in the form of their full time studies or continuing to live in the property the rent is still required to be paid and the property and all its furnishings are still the responsibility of each and every tenant. If a tenant decided to no longer live in the property during the contract period please get in touch and we can advise you of your options for an early release of the agreement.
GARDENS
At the beginning of the tenancy we provide the gardens in good, well presented condition. During the tenancy all tenants are responsible for maintaining their own gardens. Tenants can contact HSS where gardening equipment can be hired at the tenants own cost.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY OR ANY ISSUE
At The Student Property we are responsible for all of our maintenance requirements and therefore always deal with any issue promptly and with our own team. All you have to do is email us at fixit@thestudentproperty.co.uk or in case of emergency call our Maintenance line between 9am and 6pm Monday to Saturday on 02380 972 062 during opening hours.
END OF THE TENANCY
MOVING OUT
In preparation of the end of the tenancy we conduct Pre Check Out Reports at the beginning of June for our student properties. This detailed report provides the information and enough notice for tenants to start making plans to hand the property back to us at the end of the contract period. This will include the initial inventory that recorded the state of condition of the property and a list of proposed works. This could include cleaning, repairs and an updated rent report.
RETURNING KEYS
Keys can be handed back anytime prior to the end of the tenancy but no later than the last day of the tenancy period. The keys should be handed back by the latest 10am on the final day of check out.
CHECK OUT INVENTORY
On the final day of the tenancy period we will conduct a final thorough Check Out Report. This will detail the state of condition of the property where photos will be taken and cross referenced with the state of condition of the Check In Inventory.
RETURNING DEPOSITS
We process deposits at the end of the tenancy once the check out inventory is complete and an agreement has been reached with the tenants with regards to any requested deductions of the deposit/ if any. The returning of deposits to tenants is then completed by the DPS.