A Rough Guide to Renting Student Properties

Finding student accommodation in the private rental sector can be a daunting task. Every year Heritage have over 500 students in over 80 student properties of varying size, located in prime locations in and around Leamington Spa. They are not all “Accredited” properties but they are generally of a much higher than average standard of accommodation.

Whether you are a group of 10 first years looking for a big house to share or post graduated looking for a two bedroom flat, we can help!

From early November each year, all available student properties for let for the following August will appear on our website. The market is very fast moving and we operate on a STRICTLY FIRST COME FIRST SERVED basis.

Click here for viewing arrangements.

To Secure a Property

1. One hundred pounds from each person wishing to occupy the property is required as a reservation fee.

Note:- This money is non-refundable, should you withdraw from the application. Do not pay a reservation fee unless you are certain you and all other members of your group wish to proceed. The reservation fee is deducted from the final balance on completion.

2. You will need to complete a reference form at the time of reserving the property. Download form here [MS Word Document]. A property won’t be considered reserved until we have the full reservation fee and all reference forms completed. We specifically require details of:-

i) Your Name, Address and all contact telephone numbers

ii) Your Parent or Guardian's details, as they will be expected to guarantee payment of your rent if it should fall more than 7 days overdue. Administration charges for chasing payments will be made if rent is not paid promptly.

Contracts and Payment

Each group will be given a copy contract once a property has been reserved. A charge will be made for additional copies. Please ensure that the whole group reads the contract thoroughly. We recommend you nominate a spokesperson for your group.

If your group has any questions, (including parents questions) these should be listed. They will then be answered with one phone call or visit to the office.

All students must complete signing contracts in one group visit to our office and pay the security deposit and administration fee (minus the reservation fee already paid) at this time. We require this to be done no later than February. Your first months rent needs to be paid no later than the 1st of June. You will be sent a letter confirming these details, along with an invoice stating what needs to be paid, when we advise you of an appointment to sign your contracts.

The contracts you sign will be for either a 10, 11 or 12 month period. Full rent is payable for these months.

Example of money due for 5 bedroom house, with rent at £170 per person:-

Note: Security Deposits are always One hundred pounds more than the total of one months rent for the whole property.

Rent £850 pcm £170 per person, per month

Deposit £950 £190 per person returned subject to contract

Admin fee £293.75 (£50+ VAT per person)

Total £2093.75 = £ 418.75 per person

Minus res fee £500 Paid in advance to reserve property

Balance £1593.75

(£318.75 per person)

The contracts make each person joint and severely liable. This means that the whole groups deposit could be jeopardised by the actions of one person. Administration charges will be made should it be required to write to you regarding any breach of contract or misconduct at the property.

You must set up a joint account from which the full rent is to be paid from each month by standing order only. We do not accept individual payments. We recommend that all bills are paid out of this account as well.

Please ensure that you are happy with your co-sharers before signing the contracts. Once you have signed, each person is responsible for paying 10/11/12 months full rent as stated in the contract. Tenants are also responsible for paying all outgoing utility bills and will be registered with the Council Tax Department. (Note:- Most students do not have to pay council tax)

Heritage will hold the deposit and will be responsible for returning it to you at the end of your contract, by the instruction of your Landlord.

If an inventory is not provided by the Landlord we recommend that tenants write their own schedule of condition if required.