Contracts and legalities
Make sure you understand what you're legally responsible for under your tenancy agreement, and learn about inventories, references and repairs.
Tenancy agreements
What is a tenancy agreement?
A tenancy agreement is the contract between you and your landlord. Most tenancy agreements provided by landlords for student properties are Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements.
Make sure you read and understand the terms of the tenancy agreement before you sign it. Usually, you’ll sign a tenancy agreement for a fixed period, and you won’t be able to end this early.
Most tenancy agreements provided by landlords for student properties are Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements.
What type of tenancy do I have?
Different types of tenancy are available, such as a joint tenancy, shorthold and licence agreements.
If you’re intending to live in a shared house, it’s likely that you’ll be asked to sign a “Joint and Several Tenancy Agreement" with your other housemates. This means that you could be pursued altogether or separately for any liabilities.
Further information on the different types of tenancy can be found on the Shelter website.
Key information on your tenancy agreement
You should ensure that you fully understand what you’re responsible for under the Tenancy Agreement. Always ask for your agreement to be in writing as verbal agreements can be hard to enforce. Ensure that the agreement clearly states the rent, dates to make payments and the way to end your agreement.
Can I leave my tenancy agreement early?
Usually, you can’t end your tenancy agreement early. Don’t leave a property or sign up for another property while you still bound by a tenancy agreement. Returning the keys to the landlord when you leave doesn’t end your responsibilities. You're still responsible for rent and any charges until the tenancy officially ends.
Your landlord might let you leave early if you find someone else to take over your lease. After you're no longer on the lease, tell the utility companies and local government. Make sure the new tenant will be responsible for the bills.
If you're having problems with your property and want to move out early, please contact us. We can offer advice and guidance on what steps to take.
Changing a tenancy agreement
You can request that your landlord puts additional wording into a tenancy agreement. If your landlord wants to change the property before you move in, get it in writing. Do this before the agreement begins. If your landlord doesn't complete the work, you'll be in a much stronger position to take further action.
What to do if you need help
If you’re in any doubt about your rights or responsibilities under a tenancy agreement, please contact us. If we can’t answer your question, we’ll advise on where you can get support. We can advise you on where to go for legal help if you need it.
Shelter also has a helpline that you can call to get some initial legal advice about housing issues.
Tenancy reference requests
How you obtain a reference for your new landlord depends on where you lived in the first year of your studies.
Bath Spa University accommodation
If you lived in our halls (Newton Park or Bankside) and paid your rent on time, we can give you a financial reference. We can't provide a personal reference. To request a tenancy reference, please email the Fees team (fees@bathspa.ac.uk) stating your:
- Name
- Current address
- Student number.
Charlton Court and Waterside Court
If you live at Charlton Court or Waterside Court, ask UNITE Students staff at your building for a tenancy reference: bath@unitestudents.com.
Twerton Mill
If you currently live at Twerton Mill, you’ll need to ask the iQ Student Accommodation team if they can provide this for you: twertonmill@iqstudentaccommodation.com.
Renting privately or living at home
If you rent privately, you should contact your landlord or letting agent for a reference. If you live with parents or guardians, you should declare this to your prospective landlord and advise that you can't provide a reference.
Repairs and maintenance
Your tenancy agreement should set out the rights and responsibilities in respect of repairs and maintenance at the property.
If you find a repair that needs doing, report it to your landlord or agent (whoever is managing the property). Review your tenancy agreement to ensure that it is their responsibility to fix. If it is, they’ll generally arrange the work and inform you of timescales.
Legally, a landlord has the right to enter the property to inspect it or carry out repairs. They must give you 24 hours’ notice, unless they need immediate access to deal with an emergency.
As a tenant, you’re expected to use the property in a 'tenant like manner' which means:
- Keeping the house clean and in the condition in which you found it
- Reporting required repairs promptly
- Rectifying any issues caused by you.
You can find a guide to repairs on the Government and Bath and North East Somerset Council websites.
What happens if the landlord doesn’t fix the issue?
Don't stop paying rent because of a repair unless a legal representative tells you to do so. Doing so could put you at risk of eviction from the property.
Log and repairs and communication with the landlord or agency, in case you need to settle any disputes later.
Mould and damp
Damp can be caused by structural or maintenance issues, but the most common cause is condensation. Condensation builds up very easily – just sleeping in a room produces a lot of moisture. Key things that add to moisture build-up are:
- Drying clothes in the property
- Not ventilating enough after cooking and showering
- Not opening bedroom windows
- Not putting the heating on.
Make sure you ventilate your property to allow the moisture to escape. Switch on the heating to get some warmth into the building. If you don't undertake these steps in the right balance, mould can grow, and you’ll see a build-up of water on surfaces. B&NES council offer advice on mould growth and dampness.
Update your landlord on any issues. Ask for their advice and get them to check that there isn’t an issue with the property itself. If you continue to experience problems, please contact us.