Housing in Aberystwyth

Finding a place to live for the next academic year can be daunting and many people will want to get this done as fast as they can. Don’t panic, don’t worry, you have plenty of time. Estate agents will pressure people to rent houses early in the year saying there will be nothing left – this is not true. It is always better to take your time, figure out the right people you want to live with and find somewhere you will be happy. Remember you will be living there for at least a year. You want to make sure it will be a safe and warm environment for you to live while you study.

Reading the tenancy agreement

Reading the tenancy agreement is vital as it is a legal contract between you and your landlord. It sounds scary but it is there to benefit you just as much as the landlord. It should include landlord responsibilities which you can hold to them if they decide not to do something.

If you are unsure over sections of the agreement, do not sign it. Either get it checked by a parent or guardian you trust or bring it to the student union advisor who will be able to help you through it.

Never feel pressured into signing the agreement if you are not comfortable doing it. There is no cooling off period after you sign. If the estate agents or landlord is putting a lot of pressure on you to sign the agreement when you may not be ready to do so, they may not be the right estate agents for you.

Choosing who to live with.

You need to make sure the people you are going to be living with are the right people for you. My best advice – just because they are your friend, does not mean you can live with them. Make sure you are compatible first. Sit down with them and go through your do’s and don’ts when it comes to your standards of living. If you are going to disagree then, then they may not be the right person to live with.

When to start looking

There is no right time to start looking but I would not recommend signing anything too early in the year. Aberystwyth Student Union are hosting a housing fair on December 6^th, and we recommend this to be the earliest to start looking as it allows you to get to know your friends more and have enough time to find somewhere you will feel comfortable.

Rent smart Wales

Always check to see if they are licenced with rent smart Wales.

This compulsory registration scheme required under the Housing (Wales) Act was introduced in 2016 and all rental properties in Wales must be registered with Rent Smart.

It is a condition of the landlord/agent’s license that they must always adhere to the Rent Smart Wales Code of Practice which places an obligation on landlords and agents to:

1. Provide correct and not misleading information.
2. Document all fees associated with the rental.
3. Protect your deposit with an approved protection scheme within 30 days of receipt.
4. Provide a Gas Safety Certificate and an Electrical Performance Certificate (EPC).
5. Inform the water supplier of the tenants(s)’ occupation within 21 days.
6. Provide the landlord’s name and address within 21 days of it being requested.
7. Ensure that the property remains in a safe condition.
8. Keep the installations for heating and hot water in proper working order.
9. Respect the tenant(s)’ right to peaceful possession of the property.
10. Give 24 hours’ notice requesting access to the property unless in an emergency. If access is refused a court order must be obtained before a landlord or agent can enter.

The full Code of Practice can be accessed by going to: www.rentsmart.gov.wales/en/

You can check if your property is registered or if your landlord/agent is licensed by going to: www.rentsmart.gov.wales/en/check-register/

What to look for during viewings

When looking around properties, either have an internal checklist or bring the checklist with you to make sure you ask or look out for certain things. Below are some top tips when it comes to viewings:

1. Make sure you and all other housemates view the property if you are planning on living in a shared property. Don’t take someone else’s word that the property is right for you.
2. Don’t simply sign-up for the first property you see – even if it might feel like a good fit, compare a range of both providers and properties.
3. When you go to view, take notes and photos so you can compare to others later.
4. Get informed on your rights and responsibilities as knowing these will help you view properties more critically and put you in a stronger negotiating position.
5. Check if the property you are considering renting is at risk of flooding by visiting www.naturalresources.wales/flooding.
6. Look out for signs of pests. This can be animal droppings or slug marks on walls.

Student Union Staff top tips

1. If you can, try and view the house, pictures and videos can only show you so much!
2. No question is a silly question.
3. Don’t be afraid to say no to a property.
4. Survey the area. If you are someone who wants a quiet location, don’t live next to or near a busy pub.
5. When you move in take photos of everything before you move your stuff in. If something is damaged when you move in, they may charge you for it when you leave so make sure you can prove it wasn’t you.
6. Check the energy rating and see how efficient the property is. Be aware the minimum it can be is a band E.
7. Try and talk to the tenants one to one to get an accurate depiction of the property.
8. Don’t be embarrassed to stay in university accommodation.