Student Accomodation Landlords ?
Discussion
My Middle lad is at Uni, currently in halls but will be renting a shared house next year, the only reviews I can find for the letting agents are terrible,
Apparently complete cowboys, but he is struggling to find anywhere, anyone got any tips on dealing with scummy landlords ?
My concerns are that they will, as per one of the reviews try to retain deposits based on the house being returned as was, or better according to one commentator, I dont like shady businesses and want to avoid them dicking him, and us, as his guarantors over, or any of his co-rentors.
I beleive the deposit has to go to an intermediary but I suspect these people are past masters at doing the minimum and taking as much as they can for it, I am not one to allow that lying down.
I have suggested documenting every square inch of the property, on occupation in photos and video to prove the condition, is that worth doing, what else can we do, I dont want to have to drive 180 miles to their offices, I may be being over protective but I dont want to get taken for a ride, they have already asked for my latest payslip which seems a bit invasive.
Apparently complete cowboys, but he is struggling to find anywhere, anyone got any tips on dealing with scummy landlords ?
My concerns are that they will, as per one of the reviews try to retain deposits based on the house being returned as was, or better according to one commentator, I dont like shady businesses and want to avoid them dicking him, and us, as his guarantors over, or any of his co-rentors.
I beleive the deposit has to go to an intermediary but I suspect these people are past masters at doing the minimum and taking as much as they can for it, I am not one to allow that lying down.
I have suggested documenting every square inch of the property, on occupation in photos and video to prove the condition, is that worth doing, what else can we do, I dont want to have to drive 180 miles to their offices, I may be being over protective but I dont want to get taken for a ride, they have already asked for my latest payslip which seems a bit invasive.
If you're not sure of the landlord, move on. But don't be concerned just because they're asking for guarantors. It's standard practice, probably after one too many students did a runner with unpaid rent, utilities and a wrecked flat 
Let's say you were to lend out your 350Z to an unknown student and his mates for £x a week. Wouldn't you want to be sure it'd come back to you in good condition and that they paid their way? Put yourself in the shoes of a landlord and you might understand the situation a little better. The guarantor and deposit system are there for a purpose.
Most landlords provide a decent service. Your son needs to be sure of his mates (more to the point, so do you if you're the sole guarantor). And yes, sadly most agents are in it for a quick buck.
Let's say you were to lend out your 350Z to an unknown student and his mates for £x a week. Wouldn't you want to be sure it'd come back to you in good condition and that they paid their way? Put yourself in the shoes of a landlord and you might understand the situation a little better. The guarantor and deposit system are there for a purpose.
Most landlords provide a decent service. Your son needs to be sure of his mates (more to the point, so do you if you're the sole guarantor). And yes, sadly most agents are in it for a quick buck.
I used to rent to students and most likely its the scummy students that's the problem and not the landlord IME.
in general found guys looked after things a lot better than girls who really did become a nightmare , apart from one lad who thought it acceptable to bring into one of the properties a bunch of chipmunks which ran riot and chewed up everything they could get their teeth into 1000's of pounds worth of damage - did they get their deposit back? did they f
k!!
but this was all 20 years or so ago , now I understand your deposit will sit in a type of escrew account awaiting on agreement between the parties once the tenancy is over to be given back to the tenant once the property is deemed acceptable by the landlord. A full inventory should be available to the tenant and as you suggest taking pics of any potential issues at the start of the tenancy would be useful. Most landlords are fair and reasonable to deal with , don't worry too much , the uni should be able to provide you with a list of approved properties and details of the landlords including any reviews of their behaviour and standard of property.
in general found guys looked after things a lot better than girls who really did become a nightmare , apart from one lad who thought it acceptable to bring into one of the properties a bunch of chipmunks which ran riot and chewed up everything they could get their teeth into 1000's of pounds worth of damage - did they get their deposit back? did they f
k!!but this was all 20 years or so ago , now I understand your deposit will sit in a type of escrew account awaiting on agreement between the parties once the tenancy is over to be given back to the tenant once the property is deemed acceptable by the landlord. A full inventory should be available to the tenant and as you suggest taking pics of any potential issues at the start of the tenancy would be useful. Most landlords are fair and reasonable to deal with , don't worry too much , the uni should be able to provide you with a list of approved properties and details of the landlords including any reviews of their behaviour and standard of property.
Edited by dingg on Wednesday 10th February 08:31
Yeah, appreciate students can be utter animals and the landlords interests need to be protected, main problem was he wants to be in this particular hose with people he knows but the landlord doesnt seem to have a good reputation, want to make sure that they only lose their deposit if they actually damage the property, suppose its a fine line, and open to interpretation what is actual damage and what is wear and tear from people living in the place, my wife got hit for £50 for a piece of Blu Tac being left on a wall, which was there when she had moved in.
As you said - document every inch of the property with time/datestamped pictures and video when you move in (get landlord to sign off on these for extra protection)
If deposit is lodged with one of the accredited schemes (double check this), you should have no issues if the property is left in a good state, and the deposit schemes have tribunal process if they try it on - and you have good evidence of the condition...
By law they will have to give you all the info about where the deposit has been lodged etc.
If deposit is lodged with one of the accredited schemes (double check this), you should have no issues if the property is left in a good state, and the deposit schemes have tribunal process if they try it on - and you have good evidence of the condition...
By law they will have to give you all the info about where the deposit has been lodged etc.
These days inventories are done independently. You have one at check in and one at check out. Landlord pays for one & tenant the other. It costs another £100 or thereabouts but is probably worth it for peace of mind for both parties.
Suggest your own choice of inventory company if there's a lack of trust, but these people should be independent and are hired by both sides not just one.
Suggest your own choice of inventory company if there's a lack of trust, but these people should be independent and are hired by both sides not just one.
J4CKO said:
...will be renting a shared house next year
With all the controls on inventories and deposits I will be surprised if there are any significant "landlord" issues.However, how sure are you about how those other "house mates" are going to behave?
Whose name is the tenancy going to be in, one name or all the names?
If stuff gets damaged, who is going to pay for it?
What happens if one of the students doesn't pay his/her rent?
Will the rent be paid monthly or, say, three months at a time?
How long's the tenancy, 9 month student year or 12 month calendar year?
What happens if one person stays through the summer holiday and others head home to parents?
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