General Information

This sheet has been prepared for the benefit of our prospective Tenants. It incorporates answers to the most frequently asked questions and details the procedures involved in the renting of our properties.

OVERVIEW

The following properties are available for rent:

• One flat for two persons
• One flat for three persons
• Nine houses for four persons
• Five houses for five persons
• One house for six persons

All properties are situated in Englefield Green and are within fifteen minutes easy walking distance from the Royal Holloway College, except for the 2 person flat which is in central Egham.

All properties are maintained and furnished to a particularly high standard. All have a very full and comprehensive inventory. All you will probably need to bring with you is your own bedding and toothbrush!

All properties are covered by a British Gas Three Star Service Contract for all heating and plumbing service, maintenance and repairs. Each house carries a Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate. Any gas or water problems may be addressed to British Gas in the first instance. Please also inform the landlord.

A local builder holds keys to all of the properties and undertakes any repairs and/or maintenance that may from time to time become necessary. First contact regarding any building problems will be to the landlord who will instruct the builder accordingly.

The Contract is in the form of a joint Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement which runs annually from the 1st July to the 30th June.

Each tenant must have a guarantor. This would normally be a parent or guardian but could alternatively be another relative or personal friend able to provide such a guarantee.

Rents payable during the academic year 2007/2008 start at £349 per person per calendar month, which equates to £80.54 per person per week. The rent is payable only by bank standing order.

Council Tax is not payable provided that all tenants are in full time education.

Water rates are paid by the landlord.

All gas and electricity charges are paid by the tenant. The tenant’ will contact the appropriate energy supplier at the start of the tenancy and inform the company of the appropriate meter reading and also the names of the new tenants for billing purposes. At the end of the tenancy the tenant provides the supplier with a closing meter reading.

A telephone landline and handset are provided in each property. Tenants may avail themselves of this facility by contacting the appropriate telephone company and initiating their own line rental and billing arrangements.

Each house is fitted with an Internet Broadband router with discreet cabling to a plug-in socket in every bedroom. This enables full, fast and continuous internet access by all tenants in the same house at the same time. Tenants make their own arrangements with BT and their choice of ISP. Use of the facility is optional, but if desired could cost the individual around one pound per week.

ARRANGING THE TENANCY

If after viewing a property a group wishes to take up its tenancy then the following procedure will apply:

1. The group will pay a holding deposit equivalent to ½ month’s rent in order to secure the property pending the signing of the contract. This deposit will be receipted. In the event of the property subsequently no longer being required then the holding deposit will be returned after a similar deposit has been received from a replacement group.

2. The prospective tenants will each be provided with a specimen copy of the Contract for their perusal. They will also be provided with a Guarantee form for completion by their guarantors together with a Bank Standing Order Instruction for completion by the person from whose bank account the rent will be paid. These must be completed and returned to the landlord prior to the signing of the contract.

3. Each member of the group will provide the landlord with full details of name, home and college addresses together with home, college and any mobile telephone numbers.

4. The landlord will draw up the contract using information from para. 3 above.

5. Once all Guarantee forms and Standing Order Instructions have been completed and returned to the landlord, then at a mutually convenient time all parties to the contract will meet again in order for all concerned to sign the contract.

6. Prior to the commencement of the Tenancy the dilapidations deposit of two months rent becomes due. As the holding deposit of ½ month’s rent currently held is no longer required subsequent to the signing of the contract, the payment of a further 1½ months’ rent will complete the dilapidations deposit. This deposit is held as security against any damages or losses to the property and/or inventory that are beyond normal wear and tear. When the property and its contents are left at the end of the tenacy in the contracted condition then the deposit will be returned in full. Experience has shown that deductions from the deposit need rarely be made.

TAKING UP RESIDENCE

On 1st July, provided that all the deposits and the first month’s rent have reached the recipient account, the keys to the property will be released and occupancy may commence.

The inventory will be checked and verified to be correct and in good condition and the Inventory List signed by all tenants.

The tenants will take a meter reading of gas and electricity and inform the energy companies accordingly.

CLOSING THE TENANCY

At the end of the tenancy the tenant is responsible for returning the property and the inventory to the landlord clean and in good condition ready for the following let. The deposit will then be returned and the contract terminated.

The tenant will contact the energy suppliers and inform them of the closing meter readings.