Everything you could think to ask about what we offer
If your question's not here, ask us by email
What are your fees and/or charges?
Because you're dealing directly with the landlords, there are no fees or charges. All you will ever be asked to pay is your rent and your damage deposit.
How do I arrange a viewing?
Simply browse the rooms or houses that we have available and then drop us an email. We can offer morning or afternoon viewings any day, including weekends, but need to give the existing tenants at least 24 hours notice of the appointment.
What happens on a viewing?
One of our team will meet you at the house that you'd like to view and will show you around and answer any questions that you may have. If the current tenants are in the house then we'll introduce you and give you the opportunity to have a chat with them if you wish.
How do I reserve a room or a house?
If you decide that you would like to reserve a room or house after viewing it, then we ask for a holding deposit of around £50 per person. We will take it off the market and forward to you a draft tenancy agreement which we will expect you to sign within ten days. If we subsequently decide not to accept you as tenants (if, for example, we take up references and these are unsatisfactory) then we will return the money to you. If you decide not to take the house then we will retain the money. If we proceed to sign the tenancy agreement (as normally happens) then the £50 will become part of your damage deposit, so you will need to pay the remainder of the deposit when signing the agreement.
Can I reserve a room without viewing it?
We would prefer that you view a room before reserving it, but appreciate that this is sometimes difficult for international students. If you need to do this then please contact us for more information.
How do I know that you are genuine landlords and not a "scam"
Before parting with any money these days it is essential that you know that your landlord (any landlord) is genuine, and there are several things that you can do to check:
A good place to start is with your Student Union's advice centre to see if they have a list of reputable landlords (we are on the list at Warwick University).
Also check if your landlord is a member of a recognised body such as the National Landlords Association (we are) and confirm their membership with that organisation. Although we don't publish our membership number on the web, but will be pleased to supply it to you upon request.
Unlike most landlords, we're also registered as an LLP, which is a registered partnership with records kept about us at the government agency known as "Companies House". You can find them on a search engine, or click on this link. Once on their website then click on the "Find Company Information" link and then the "start now" button, you can then enter our name (Earlsdon Student Homes) and you'll be able to see some basic information about our partnership. Here's a shortcut if you prefer: EarlsdonStudentHomes at Companies House
You may also find it useful to check the "visitor posts" on our Facebook page, where some of our previous tenants have kindly provided "references" for us.
A good place to start is with your Student Union's advice centre to see if they have a list of reputable landlords (we are on the list at Warwick University).
Also check if your landlord is a member of a recognised body such as the National Landlords Association (we are) and confirm their membership with that organisation. Although we don't publish our membership number on the web, but will be pleased to supply it to you upon request.
Unlike most landlords, we're also registered as an LLP, which is a registered partnership with records kept about us at the government agency known as "Companies House". You can find them on a search engine, or click on this link. Once on their website then click on the "Find Company Information" link and then the "start now" button, you can then enter our name (Earlsdon Student Homes) and you'll be able to see some basic information about our partnership. Here's a shortcut if you prefer: EarlsdonStudentHomes at Companies House
You may also find it useful to check the "visitor posts" on our Facebook page, where some of our previous tenants have kindly provided "references" for us.
Can I view your tenancy agreement before reserving a room?
Of course, just contact us and we will forward you a draft agreement.
When it's time to move-in, how do I get hold of the keys?
Contact us to let us know what date you want to move in, this date should be either the starting date of the contract or a later one, and we will arrange to meet you on at the property at a suitable time, between 9AM and 5PM. We will then give you the keys in exchange for any monies outstanding on the deposit and your first months rent.
Is there an inventory?
Yes, we will prepare an inventory listing stating what is in the house and the condition of the items, i.e. new, excellent, good, etc. You will be asked to review and sign the list.
Are there user manuals for the central heating?
Yes, each house has a house file which contains manuals for the heating, hot water and where possible microwave, washing machine etc. If you have any problems operating any of the systems you only have to ask for help and we will either explain it remotely or pop around.
What about the gas, electricity, water and internet?
The internet is included within the rent so this should be up and running and ready for you to use from the minute you arrive at the house. The electricity, gas and water accounts are held by the Landlords over the summer and these accounts are transferred into your name on the starting date of your tenancy agreement. You are responsible for paying these costs during your tenancy. You should receive bills in the post, check these against the meters for more accurate usage at the property and ensure you settle up any amounts owing with the relevant companies at the end of your tenancy.
What do I do if something breaks down?
Just call or email us straight away and we will normally assess the situation within 24 hours and the necessary action will be taken within a reasonable timescale. Rest assured that it will be fixed as soon as possible so that as little disruption as possible is caused to the household. It is important that you report problems however small immediately so they can be resolved before they grow into big problems or result in damage to the house.
How do I pay the rent?
The rent should be paid monthly in advance and can be paid by bank transfer, standing order, cash or cheque.
What happens if I'm having trouble paying my rent?
Just call or email us to let us know there is a problem and to say when funds are due in and in most circumstances this is acceptable. However, this has to be agreed. Persistent late payment or large overdue amounts may attract a late payment charge.
What happens if I quit my course?
Under exceptional circumstances tenants may wish to terminate their contract early. We will allow you to do this if a suitable alternative tenant can be found but until then you are responsible for the rent under the terms and conditions of the ongoing contract.
How should we clean up at the end of the tenancy?
Before starting cleaning, check that the dust bag on the vacuum is not full – if it is you will need to buy another – do not waste your time vacuuming with a full dust bag!
To clean your room:
Carefully remove any posters or other decoration, including any blu-tac or other fixings and then
Vacuum:
- inside each drawer and cupboard,
- the carpet, including under the bed and around each edge,
- the tops of the skirting boards
- inside each drawer and cupboard,
- window cills
- desk top
- shelves
- wastepaper bin
If you have removed the net curtains then please re-hang them in their original position.
You do not need to clean the windows, nets or curtains, the top of the wardrobe, or the lampshade.
To clean the bathroom:
Using a proprietary cleaner, clean:
- The bath, including the taps, and the surface area around the taps, the side panel, the shower attachment and any tiles around the bath
- The washbasin, including the taps, the pedestal, the surface area around the taps, and any tiled splashback
- The toilet, including the pan, the seat (top and underside), the lid, the pedestal. the cistern and the handle
- The mirror
- The floor, paying particular attention to the area around and behind the toilet and the washbasin
- Skirting boards
- The shelves, towel rail, toilet roll holder, etc.
To clean the hall, stairs and landing
- Vacuum the carpet, around all edges, and the tops of the skirting boards
- Dust, then wipe the banisters with a damp cloth
- Wash the hall floor, paying particular attention to any scuff marks.
Vacuum:
- the carpet, including under the furniture and around all edges
- The tops of the skirting boards
- the furniture, using the upholstery brush supplied with the cleaner
- window cills
- fireplace (if fitted)
To clean the kitchen
- Clean all work tops, inside the cupboards and drawers, window cills and tiled splashbacks , sink, draining board and taps
- Clean out the swing bin and the covering lid
- Wash the floor and remove any scuff marks(do not scratch the surface of the vinyl)
- Cooker: the top, grill compartment and the oven, the grill pan and oven pan must all be left clean
- Fridge/freezer: must be cleaned inside and out – do not use any abrasive cleaning products on this, best product to use is bicarbonate of soda ( found on the baking goods shelf in your local supermarket) use 1 tablespoon to 1 gall (8 pints) water.
- Washing machine: this must be wiped out, especially around, and in the rubber seal and the wash powder drawer must be left clean
The Garden
Please leave it as you found it. If you have had a barbecue then please clear away any remaining coals, bricks etc. and remove any rubbish
What happens on the day I leave?
Before the day:
- Plan to leave the house as clean as you found it. Work out with your housemates who will be doing what and make sure you do your share. We accept normal wear and tear for the period of your occupation but please note that damage, breakages and/or cleaning will result in claims for deductions from your deposit.
- Leave no rubbish in the house or garden, and ensure you take with you all personal effects and anything you may have collected during the year. There will be a charge for removal of items if you fail to remove them yourself.
- Ensure you and your fellow tenants are up to date with the bills due on the property. As Landlords, we see neither the bills nor the payment of them, it is far easier to pay these whilst you are all in contact, rather than to receive regular reminders from the utility providers once you have moved out.
When you leave
- Leave the house secure – lock all doors and windows. Leave the window keys (if fitted) in the windows and lock your room keys in your room. If there's no-one around then use your front door key to lock the front door and then post it back through the letterbox. If your housemates are there then please lock your key in your room and ask them to let you out.
We do not normally perform an inspection until after you’ve left, but we do aim to come in within a couple of days of your leaving. We’ll then let you know pretty quickly whether or not we propose to retain any of your deposit to cover additional cleaning, rubbish removals or repairs.
Your feedback
We would really value your feedback about the quality of the accommodation and the service we provide as Landlords. Positive feedback about things we have done well, the cleanliness of the house on check-in, for example, or the service we provided as Landlords. Constructive feedback about anything we could do better to improve customer service, your experience as a tenant or any issues or niggles regarding the house. Please email us at [email protected] or add a comment to out facebook page,
https://www.facebook.com/EarlsdonProperties
Return of my deposit
Your deposit will be held with either the DPS (Deposit Protection Service) or My Deposits:
Deposits held with the DPS:
In this case we do not hold the deposit as it is lodged with the DPS. Once we have inspected the accommodation and have received your keys then we will instruct the DPS to return your deposit to you, less any retentions that we are proposing. We will send you an email reconfirming how to log-on to the DPS (they will already have told you this when we lodged the deposit with them) and, assuming that you agree with any proposed retentions then you simply log-on, enter your bank details, and you will receive the refund within a few days.
Please note that we do not forward the refund to you, it will be repaid directly by the DPS.
If you don't agree with any proposed retentions then please contact us in the first instance so that we can discuss it with you. If we can't agree then the DPS has an arbitration process that we can go follow.
Deposits held with the DPS:
In this case we do not hold the deposit as it is lodged with the DPS. Once we have inspected the accommodation and have received your keys then we will instruct the DPS to return your deposit to you, less any retentions that we are proposing. We will send you an email reconfirming how to log-on to the DPS (they will already have told you this when we lodged the deposit with them) and, assuming that you agree with any proposed retentions then you simply log-on, enter your bank details, and you will receive the refund within a few days.
Please note that we do not forward the refund to you, it will be repaid directly by the DPS.
If you don't agree with any proposed retentions then please contact us in the first instance so that we can discuss it with you. If we can't agree then the DPS has an arbitration process that we can go follow.