Where would you rather live – a palace or a pit?
… but what can you afford?
Here at the Students’ Union we know how hard house hunting can be, so that’s why we have organised ‘Housing Week’ from 26-30 January where trained advisers will be at your campus to help with all your housing needs.
Monday 26th January
11am – 1pm : City North Campus, Perry Barr
12pm – 2pm : Edgbaston Campus, Westbourne Road
Tuesday 27th January
12pm – 2pm : Gosta Green Campus, Corporation Street
11am – 1pm : City North Campus, Perry Barr
Wednesday 28th January
2pm – 4pm : Millennium Point Campus, Curzon Street
12pm – 2pm : Conservatoire Campus, Paradise Place
Thursday 29th January
10am – 12pm : Bournville Campus, Linden Road
12pm – 2pm : Edgbaston Campus, Westbourne Road
Friday 30th January
11am – 1pm : School of Jewellery, Vittoria Street
12pm – 2pm : Margaret Street Campus
We will be able to offer you advice on:
· Checking contracts
· Is the house licensed?
· Is your landlord accredited?
· Is your deposit protected?
· How can you guarantee that your landlord will keep his promises?
· Who are accredited landlords and agencies and what does accredited mean?
· How much rent should you be paying?
· Where are good areas for Students to live?
In the meantime, check out these sources of housing advice and information:
The Advice Centre's very own House Hunting Guide.
Or if you're currently looking at potential houses for next year you might find our House Hunting Checklist useful.
Or these websites:
CORGI
http://www.trustcorgi.com/consumers.htmx
Corgi is the UK watchdog for gas safety. Their website has advice about carbon monoxide poisoning, cowboy gas fitters and general information for gas consumers.
Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme (MLAS)
http://www.mlas-online.co.uk/index.htm
A scheme promoting good landlords and letting agents. You are strongly advised to check the lists of accredited landlords and agents before you decide to rent a property.
NUS: Housing Advice
http://www.nus.org.uk/Student-Life/Housing-Advice/
This section of the NUS website provides advice specifically for students, and covers issues such as TV licensing, carbon monoxide poisoning and deposits. The house-hunting checklist is especially useful.
Safer Students (West Midlands Police) – Safer Homes
http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/saferstudents/safer-homes.asp
Safer Homes provide advice on how to protect your home and possessions from intruders. The site includes information about property marking and a housing security checklist.
Studentpad.co.uk
http://www.studentpad.co.uk/default.asp
Studentpad is an adviser on and provider of student accommodation. The website includes a very user-friendly Student Housing Guide that takes you through the house-hunting process step-by-step.
West Midlands Fire Service
http://www.wmfs.net/Stay+Safe/
The local fire service website provides information on all aspects of fire safety in the home.