Moving in
There are lots of things to think about when moving into private accommodation for the first time. Use the information below to help you with deposits, making an inventory and sorting out amenities. The information and advice on this page will help make the process run more smoothly.
Protecting Your Deposit
Make sure your deposit is protected in a tenancy deposit protection scheme. The scheme will safeguard your deposit. This means you will be more likely to get your deposit back at the end of the tenancy, as long as you are entitled to it. More information on this can be found in the Tenancy Deposit Advice Guide.
Within 14 days of receiving a deposit, your landlord/agent MUST:
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Register it with a Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
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Provide you with contact details of the TDS Scheme
If your landlord does NOT tell you which scheme your deposit is being held in, you can contact the following organisations to ask if it has been protected in their scheme;
If your landlord hasn’t protected your deposit you may be able to claim financial compensation. For further information or advice email RUSU Student Advice Team or call 0118 378 4100.
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Moving In Checklist
Living with your friends in a shared rented house can be really exciting but we want you to be ready and prepared. Follow the checklist below either on your own or as a team to make sure you are organised for your next year!
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If you haven’t already got one, ask for a copy of your signed tenancy agreement/contract. Make sure every tenant receives a copy
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Make sure you have the contact details (name, phone, email and address) of your landlord
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Get receipts for any money paid to the landlord/agent
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Complete and sign an inventory with your landlord/agent
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Take photo’s (with the date) of any existing damage to the property or its contents
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If any repairs need doing, inform your landlord/agent in writing straight away
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Ask your landlord
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How the heating and hot water works
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How the door and window locks work
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Which day the bins are collected
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For a copy of a valid Landlord’s gas safety certificate (formally CORGI)
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About fire precautions (situation of fire alarms and blankets)
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Where the water stopcock is and switches to turn off the mains gas and electricity
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How each appliance works and relevant booklets
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Get keys for the property, front and back doors, windows and garage
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Take and record readings from electricity, gas and water meters
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Contact the utility (gas, electricity and water) companies with details of people responsible for the bill. Arrange for bills to be placed in all the tenant’s names rather than just one name. If this is not possible, arrange for each tenant to take responsibility for a bill
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Provide the utility companies with your meter readings.
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Buy a TV licence
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Make sure you have enough bins.
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Arrange contents insurance for your own belongings (you do not have to insure items already in the house/owned by the landlord)
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Inform the University, the University Medical Centre, friends and family of your new term time address
Finally, it's a good idea to introduce yourself to your new neighbours. Neighbours you have met are more likely to keep an eye on the house out of term time and are less likely to complain about noise. Our SSHH and Community pages contain more helpful advice about living in the community.
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Completing an Inventory
On the day you move in, you and the landlord/estate agent should complete an inventory. This lists all the contents in the property and records their condition. If the landlord/estate agent doesn’t record an inventory, make sure you do one yourself: download our blank inventory.
Note down areas and items in poor condition or disrepair and give details. For example 'carpet stain', 'untidy front garden', 'marks on the wall'. Include all furniture inside and outside the house and get all tenants and the landlord to sign it once it has been completed.
Keep a copy of the inventory and take dated photos of existing damage and keep this safe until the end of your tenancy. This inventory and any photos you take will be your evidence of the condition of the property on the day you move in, in the case of any deposit disputes upon leaving the property.
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Repairs
If your landlord/agent hasn’t completed repairs or replaced furniture which they had agreed to when you signed your contract, discuss it with them straight away. Find out why the work had not been done and get a new date for completion. Consider discussing reduction in rent for the time it will take the landlord to arrange for the work to be completed. Make sure you get anything agreed in writing!
If the landlord does not sort it within a reasonable period of time or by the revised completion date, seek advice from the RUSU Student Advice Team. They can help you arrange an action plan to resolve the situation sooner rather than later. Also, keep copies of any written correspondence as this could be used as evidence later.
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Rubbish & Recycling
Find out what day your household rubbish bins are emptied by visiting the Reading Borough Council website or call them on 0118 937 3737. Consider creating a rota with your housemates to ensure your rubbish is put out on time.
There are three types of bins that you might have at your property:
If you have any bulky items that have been left from previous tenants ask your landlord to remove them. Either call them or put your request in writing. If you have any problems seek advice from the RUSU Student Advice Team (email).
If you have your own bulky waste you would like to get rid of, call Reading Borough Council (0118 937 3739) who will remove up to five large household items for £32.90 and between six to ten items for £42.70.
For Wokingham Council call SITA (0800 838 878) for a quote on removal.
If you have any electrical items you would like to get rid of please arrange a collection from Weee Collect.
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Safety Tips for Your House
It's important to maintain some basic safety standards to insure that you don't become a victim of theft and are prepared incase of an emergency. Some things may sound obvious but don’t expect others to do it.
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If your house still has a sign advertising its availability ask your landlord/agent to remove it - property signs alert burglars to it being a multi-occupied student property
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Use your window locks
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Always lock the front and back door and all the windows when the house is unoccupied
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Lock the front and back doors overnight and make sure you remove the key so your housemates can get in!
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Agree a palace where a spare key is kept and make sure everyone knows where that location is - this is particularly important in case you need to leave in an emergency.
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Fit net curtains or blinds to stop anyone looking into your property
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Don’t have curtains drawn permanently
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Avoid leaving bikes in the front garden even if they are locked
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Take all your valuable home with you during the holidays
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When you buy new valuables (e.g. laptop, TV) don’t advertise them by leaving the packaging outside
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Make sure all exit doors are kept clear and check smoke detector are working
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Get home content insurance and keep it up to date
Did you know you can get a FREE Security Check on your house by Thames Valley Policy? This is worth doing, especially if you are concerned about how secure your property is. It is easy to arrange, simply call Police Community Support Officer Sue Roff on 07970 145 493.
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If you want any advice about moving in to you new accomodation, feel free to speak to a member of the RUSU Student Advice team. They can provide advice on a number of housing related issues. You can call them on 0118 3784110, email stu.adv@reading.ac.uk or drop by The Hub, in your Students’ Union.
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