Need support with an accommodation situation? Contact us at SUBUAdvice@bournemouth.ac.uk or call 01202 965779, Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm.
Looking for Accommodation?
We can provide advice and guidance on your accommodation issue, whether you live in a BU-managed property, private
halls or in the private sector with a landlord or agency.
For help with any housing issue, contact us at SUBUAdvice@bournemouth.ac.uk or call us at 01202 965779.
Looking for a property for the new academic year or want to move elsewhere? SUBU Advice does not recommend
any particular provider or site, but here are some resources available to you.
If you are looking to stay in BU Halls then contact accommodation@bournemouth.ac.uk as
they may be able to assist you with availability, waiting lists and provide further support.
This is the university lettings agent. You can send them an email or visit their Talbot office in Poole House to
enquire about any accommodation availability.
This is a Facebook page set up and run by students, it isn't specifically to do with housing, but students do
post if they need people to take over their rooms or need replacement tenants here frequently.
Further sites
Whilst we appreciate you have most likely already looked at these sites, it is always good to set reminders or visit
each day to see if there are any changes.
Below are links to private halls not affiliated with the University that you may wish to
contact
Understanding Your Rental Agreement
Before moving into a rented property, you and your landlord, landlady, or letting agency should sign a formal
agreement. This will typically be either a tenancy agreement or a licence to occupy, depending on the type of
accommodation.
Know Your Rental Agreement
Your rights and responsibilities as a tenant will depend on the type of agreement you sign. The most common
agreements in the UK are:
- Assured
Shorthold Tenancy (AST) – The most common type, giving tenants legal protection, such as deposit
security and notice periods.
- Licence to Occupy – Often used for lodgers or
short-term
stays, offering fewer legal protections than an AST.
Additionally, your agreement may be either a Joint Tenancy or an Individual Agreement, which affects your financial
and legal responsibilities.
Joint vs.
Individual Tenancy Agreements
- Joint
Tenancy: If
you and your housemates sign one agreement together, you are all equally responsible for rent and other
obligations. If one tenant tries to leave before the contract ends, the remaining tenants may be liable for the
full rent.
- Individual Tenancy: If you have a separate agreement for your room, you are only responsible for your own rent
and terms, reducing the risk of covering others’ costs.
If a tenant needs to leave early, the best approach is to find a suitable replacement or check the contract for an
exit clause. However, ensure that:
- The new tenant officially takes over your legal responsibilities by signing a new agreement.
- Any agreement changes are confirmed in writing with the landlord or agency.
- You avoid clauses that hold you responsible if the new tenant fails to pay.
If you have any issues or queries about your contract, before or during a tenancy, contact us at SUBUAdvice@bournemouth.ac.uk for support.
Viewing a property and what to look for
You can also see Shelters
checklist for viewing a property to rent.
Take this list to compare the houses you see – it may help you to decide which one is best.
Tenancy Deposits
A tenancy deposit is a sum of money that you pay to your landlord or letting agent before you move in.
The deposit is your money.
You should get it back when your tenancy ends, but your landlord could
keep some or all of it for things like:
- missed rent payments
- damage to the property
Your Tenancy Agreement or Licence should specify what the deposit is meant to cover.
- You should not have any money taken from your deposit to cover fair wear and tear.
- From 1st June 2019, the maximum tenancy deposit is equal to five weeks’ rent.
- Don't pay a deposit until you've signed a Tenancy Agreement or Licence to Occupy.
- When you pay the deposit, make sure that you get a signed receipt (or scheme certificate) for the full amount
paid which clearly sets out what the deposit covers.
- Check how quickly you will get your deposit back once you have left the property.
- If you have a Joint Tenancy, money can be taken from all your deposits to cover damage, cleaning and bills for
any part of the property or share of bills outstanding.
- If you have an Individual Agreement, you can only have money taken from your deposit to cover repairs or
cleaning caused by your actions, or for your share of outstanding bills.
All tenants signing a new Assured Shorthold Tenancy will have their deposit placed into one of three
government-backed Tenancy Deposit Protection schemes, which will ensure that your deposit is protected. Your
landlord needs to inform you which scheme has been used within 30 days of them receiving
the deposit.
In England and Wales deposits can be registered with:
Tenants can check that the deposit has been protected correctly by accessing these websites and providing the
following details - postcode, surname, tenancy start date and deposit amount.
Moving into your student accommodation
Inventory
An inventory is a list of everything in the property and the condition of those items and the property. It’s a
record you will use to evidence the state of the property when you moved in and a great way to identify any issues
or repairs.
Your landlord or agent may provide you with an inventory to complete. If not, you can do one yourself and send this
via email to the agent or landlord within a week of moving in. You can see an example from Shelter
here.
Damages & Marks
Include a list of furniture in each room, and note any damages, marks, worn furniture, mould, scuffs and items
missing.
Pictures and Videos
Take pictures and videos of everything you note on the inventory as these will be key in helping you get your deposit
back. Send these along with your inventory to the landlord or agent (keep copies for your records). This will be
vital evidence if the landlord tries to charge for damage.
Meter Readings
On the first day you move in ensure you take meter readings of all utilities to the property: water (usually
Bournemouth water), sewage (usually Wessex Water), gas and electricity.
Make a record of the readings (taking a picture is usually the easiest way) and make a note of them on your
inventory. If you are unable to find the meters, contact your landlord or agent.
Moving Out Checklist and Getting your Deposit Returned:
- Make sure that you leave the property clean and tidy, even if it wasn't when you moved in. If you have a
joint tenancy, if your housemate has left their room in a bad state, you are all liable for this.
- If anything is damaged, make a list of what is damaged and how. If you are concerned about losing your deposit,
take photographs of the damage, preferably with a camera that will display the date.
- Take the final meter readings, and contact your utility suppliers to let them know your last date in the
property.
You could get your deposit back as soon as you and your landlord have agreed on the
amount.
If you don’t agree with the suggested deductions, you are entitled to negotiate
with them to reach an agreement. If an agreement cannot be reached amicably then you can challenge the suggested
deductions through the tenancy deposit scheme’s free alternative dispute resolution service (ADR). You
can't use this dispute resolution service unless your landlord/lady or agent agrees to this.
For more info check out www.direct.gov.uk/tenancydeposit.
For useful information about deposit returns, check out this blog by Shelter.
Repairs and issues during your tenancy
As a tenant, you have certain responsibilities regarding repairs and conditions in your rented accommodation. These
include:
- Keeping your accommodation reasonably clean
- Safety checks on electrical appliances you own
- Keeping gardens or outside areas in a reasonable state
- Minor maintenance such as changing light bulbs or smoke alarm batteries
- Fixing appliances or furniture you own
- Damage caused by you, your family or your guests
- Any minor repairs set out in your tenancy agreement
Your landlord is responsible for the following:
- Electrical wiring, gas pipes and boilers, heating and hot water, chimneys and ventilation
- Sinks, baths, toilets, pipes and drains
- Common areas including entrance halls and stairways
- The structure and exterior of the building, including walls, stairs and bannisters, roof, external doors and
windows
Your landlord is always responsible for these repairs even if your tenancy agreement says something different. If you
have reported a problem to your landlord, they must carry out a repair within a reasonable period.
How To Get Repairs Done:
The landlord is not responsible for repairs until they have been told that there is a
problem. If you tell them or the letting agency verbally i.e. a phone call, follow it up in writing afterwards,
clarifying the details.
Unless it is an emergency, you have a right to be given notice of when the landlord or their contractors will be
visiting. Give the landlord a reasonable amount of time to get the work done. Allow 7
days for non-urgent repairs and 24 hours if there is a risk to health.
For more information on this and further action you could take if the repairs are not being acted on, see the Shelter website.
For further guidance please contact the Advice Centre – subuadvice@bournemouth.ac.uk.
Disputes between housemates during your tenancy?
Renting for the first time can come with challenges, and knowing where to get support isn’t always clear. If
you're unsure how to handle an issue, book an appointment with an advisor.
- Disagreements are normal—respectful communication can help maintain a positive living environment.
- Start with an informal chat to address any issues. If problems persist, suggest a house meeting to discuss
concerns.
- If conflicts remain unresolved, seek help from the Advice Centre, where advisors may mediate a discussion
between you and your housemates.
Disputes between you and your landlord or letting agency?
Harassment and Illegal Eviction
If a landlord/lady cannot get a tenant to leave their property legally, they will sometimes harass them into leaving.
Harassment can take a variety of different forms but you do have legal protection from this, so if any of the
following apply to you, get advice immediately.
Harassment can be:
- Refusing to let you have access to certain parts of the property or only allowing you access at certain times
- Preventing you from having guests
- Constant visits from the landlord or agent or visiting without permission when you aren't there, or sending
builders to do work without giving you notice
- Offering you money, or threatening violence if you don't leave
- Allowing the property to get into such a bad state of repair that it becomes dangerous or difficult to live
there
- Changing the locks
- Removing or restricting services, i.e. hot water
- Throwing your belongings into the street
- Forcing you to sign an agreement which restricts your rights
Harassment and Illegal Eviction are criminal offences - you are protected by the Protection from Eviction Act
1977. If you are suffering harassment, are illegally evicted, or feel at risk, get help and advice straight
away.
In an emergency, the police have the power to help if you are being threatened with violence. You may also be able to
get free advice from a solicitor. In certain cases of harassment and unlawful eviction, solicitors may be able to
obtain emergency legal funding for a tenant that same day and, in urgent cases, arrange a hearing for the following
day. This is something worth looking into.
If you feel you are being harassed, then come and see us in the Advice Centre and we will try to assist you. It may
be that we need to refer you to a specialist, depending on your circumstances.
Further details about evictions can be found via Shelter.
Homeless or at risk of homelessness?
If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and need support with emergency accommodation, please contact us
via subuadvice@bournemouth.ac.uk. We can signpost you to relevant
sources of support.
We don't have access to free accommodation, but whether you are facing eviction, sleeping rough or sofa surfing,
our advisors will always listen and try to identify as many options as possible so you can decide your next steps.
You can also get in touch with the accommodation team at the University who may be able to provide some options with
living on or off campus in Bournemouth via the contact details below:
accommodation@bournemouth.ac.uk or call +44(0)1202 969696
You can also get in touch with the BCP
Council who may be able to help you with emergency accommodation.
Contact number: 01202 123 147
Contact organisations
There are a number of organisations that can offer advice and information if you are homeless. Here are a few:
- Centrepoint provides support and assistance to young people aged 16 to 25 who are
homeless, or facing homelessness.
- Shelter provides housing and homelessness information and advice to those in need.
For advice, call their freephone number 0808 800 4444 (08:00 – 20:00 weekdays, 08:00 – 17:00
weekends), which is available 365 days a year.
Guarantors
Most landlords now require students (and particularly international students) to provide details of a UK-based
guarantor before they sign the tenancy agreement as a condition of the housing contract. The guarantor is a
third-party individual or organisation who guarantees to pay the landlord/lady any rent which the student fails to
pay and the cost of any damage for which the student is responsible and fails to pay for.
For students who are unable to secure a guarantor via family or work, there are some companies available that will
provide this service for a fee. These companies are:
Useful links
Rate and review your landlord/agency, property and area when you move out of your accommodation so next year's
students know what to expect when searching for their perfect pad.