What should I consider before deciding who to live with?

Before you find yourself signing a tenancy agreement, it is a good idea to decide what your priorities are, your preferred location and the budget that you have to work with. If you are going to be living with friends you should also think about the lifestyles of your potential housemates and whether this is going to suit you, remember you are going to be living with these people for the best part of a year so choose wisely. Have a frank discussion about your priorities and what you are willing to compromise on. Who likes to have the heating on full blast and who would rather put a jumper on? Who likes going out and who prefers staying in? You may choose to live with friends from your course or society, or people you lived with in the first year.

What should I think about when looking at a property?

We've created an online, easy-to-use tool to help make it easier for you to record important information when viewing properties.

Once you’ve decided who you are going to live with, we recommend looking into average rental prices and weighing up the pros and cons of living in different parts of the city or town you are in. Before a house viewing plan some questions, you’d like to ask the landlord/letting agent. For example, is the property furnished, are utility bills included, what is the holding deposit, are there signs of damp/mould, who is responsible for maintaining the garden? Check with the landlord/agent what to do if something goes wrong in the property. Is there an emergency number or do you have to wait until office hours?

Make sure you view the property and chat to the existing tenants about their experience of living there. We also advise that you are alert to rental scams. Students can be targeted by fraudsters who advertise properties that don't exist or have already been rented out.

What should I know before signing a contract?

From December 2022 for most rented accommodation in Wales you will sign a standard occupation contract. More information about signing a contract can be found here. You then need to read the contract carefully, once you have agreed to live in the property, you are pretty much locked in for the duration. Check that all the correct names are present on the contract, all the amounts (rent, deposits) are as you agreed, when you can move in and who manages the property – the letting agent or landlord.
You’ll usually be asked to provide a guarantor. This is often a parent or family member who guarantees to pay your rent if you don't. They'll have to sign a guarantor agreement and may want to get their own advice before signing. Landlords will generally want you to provide a guarantor who lives in the UK as it will be easier for them to take legal action if there is any unpaid rent.

Will I need a deposit?

Nearly every contract will require a deposit. In Wales, deposits must be protected within a Deposit Protection Service. At the beginning of a new tenancy agreement, pay your deposit to your landlord or agent as usual. Within 14 days, the landlord or agent is then required to give information about how your deposit is protected including:

• Contact details of the tenancy deposit scheme
• Contact details of the landlord or agent
• How to apply for the release of the deposit
• Information explaining the purpose of the deposit
• What to do if there is a dispute about the deposit

You have a responsibility to return the property in the same condition that it was let to you, allowing for wear and tear. So it’s a good idea to make sure that when you sign your agreement you:

• Take pictures of the rooms, any damage, wear & tear before you move in.
• Keep a detailed list of contents (furniture and fittings)
• Check the circumstances in which your landlord or agent could claim on your deposit.

What should I do if my landlord or agent hasn’t protected my deposit?

You can apply to your local county court; the court can then order your landlord or agent to either repay your deposit to you or put it into a protection scheme. www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection