Student Housemate Scheme
Welcome to the Student Housing Bureau’s homepage for the 2009 Student Housemate Scheme. Here you will be able to find all the most up-to-date information about the scheme and how to start your search for private housing off-campus. Please select one of the following options for more information on:
- Role of the Scheme
- How the Scheme works
- Guide for Participation
- Signing Up to the Scheme
- Further Help & Advice
The Student Housemate Scheme is run each year in August and September to help incoming first-year students find other students who are looking for private sector. The College will simplify the process by offering a number of ways in which students can be linked to other students with similar preferences and by putting them in contact with local landlords and letting agents. Once matched to groups between 3 – 6 in size students the scheme will be able to suggest available housing and properties to rent in the private sector, as well as providing details about how best to secure it.
This year the scheme will be open to both postgraduate and undergraduate students looking for accommodation in the private sector. The role of the scheme is to facilitate the house hunting process, but it is not unfortunately a substitute for it. Students / groups will still be responsible for liaising with landlords and agencies themselves. We hope the scheme will also be able to provide students with pertinent advice and information on how to approach private sector accommodation and what sort of issues they should be aware of.
- The Student Housing Bureau is in contact with local landlords and letting agents to compile lists of available properties within the private sector.
- Students will need to register their details at the link at the bottom of this page, filling in all details fully and accurately (n.b. failure to provide information or providing inaccurate details may cause delays to our response). The scheme will be open for registration from 20th August 2009. Please register once only, as duplicate registrations will be disregarded.
- The Student Housing Bureau will then combine students groups together to make units of between 3 – 6 students (matching will begin on 24th August for postgraduates, 1st September for undergraduates). The priority criteria will be stated preferences about sharing with members of the of the same or mixed gender, with smokers or non-smokers, proposed budgets and whether students are postgraduate or undergraduate.
- A unique registration number will be allocated to each group and this will then be emailed to each student within the group. Members of the group will then be able to make contact with each other, to get to know each other and discuss initial plans for finding housing.
- Within this email the SHB will suggest particular properties which may be of interest to the group (based upon their preferences).
- Students within the group must then make contact with the letting agent or landlord within 5 days of receipt of this email. Please indicate you are registered with the Student Housemate Scheme and quote your registration number. Agencies and landlords will not hold these properties specifically for you so a prompt start to your house-hunting will be essential.
- Once matched with a landlord or letting agent it is important that the group make contact with each other and make arrangements to meet and contact the nominated estate agent: this is the sole responsibility of those within the group.
- We will require a feedback form to be completed by students once they have successfully secured accommodation as we will use this to ensure that students have been treated professionally and help us evaluate the implementation of this scheme for future years.
Please note that College has no management association to any of the letting agents whom we have contacted; nor is an agency’s participation with the scheme in any way a recommendation or accreditation of quality. Similarly we conduct no checks on student applicants beyond verifying that they are in fact RHUL students and we can offer no guarantees and nor accept any liability over properties offered or matches set up. We strongly recommend that all students consult the Student Union housing advice pages, or the resources at the bottom of this page to ensure tenancy agreements are properly set up.
Whilst we cannot become directly involved in contracts or tenancy agreements, we are more than happy to offer information about the private sector. If you have any specific questions then please contact studenthousing@rhul.ac.uk.
You may now be wondering if this scheme is the best course of action for you, or whether it will be best for you to seek private sector accommodation yourself. All first-year students are welcome to take part in the scheme; however, in order to improve the progress and success of house hunting you should bear in mind the following:
- Your speed of response and communication is vital. Whenever you receive communications from us, your matched housemates or the agent / landlord you deal with you should deliver a prompt response. We are dealing with a large number of students, often on an individual basis, and so turn-over between each step in the process can take some time. Excessive and unnecessary delays in your responses will impinge upon all parties involved in the scheme. If you no longer wish to take part please contact us immediately so that we can update our records.
- Please ensure all your communications and responses are straight-forward, open and not misleading. If you already do not feel you will follow through with a match or you have reservations about a property then be frank and express this. The scheme will work best if there is a high level of clarity in order to maximise the efficiency of our service. If any students drop out of your matched group you can contact us and we may be able to match a replacement on your behalf.
- We run a strict policy of upholding equal opportunities amongst students. We match groups based upon preferences for budget, postgraduate / undergraduate housemates, smoking and gender (due to our appreciation of cultural sensitivities). We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, details of dependants, the nature of any disability, nationality, religion, political beliefs or social origins.
- Please ensure you are proactive and involved in the house-hunting process. This applies especially after we have informed you which group you have been matched to. This scheme is operated in order to make the house hunting process as simple as possible for first-year undergraduates and postgraduate students. However, we cannot secure the accommodation upon your behalf and once we have matched you and suggested available properties then you will need to take the next step yourselves.
- Do not hand over money unless you have the full-picture. If you are asked to place a Holding Deposit or hand over rent in advanced, check under what conditions this would be returned to you and what it would be contributed towards one the contract had been signed. Get this in writing when you make the payment. Do not sign your contract until you are happy with all the clauses listed within and certainly do not be afraid to ask for more time before signing a tenancy agreement.
- Make sure you are aware of the type of contract you are offered. You may be offered either Joint or Individual Contracts. Joint Contracts in essence mean contracts where all tenants share liability for rent. Individual Contracts are where the tenant is only liable for their share of rent and liability is not transferrable amongst tenants. We have recommended to landlords and agents that given the circumstances individual contracts should be offered. In particular overseas students who will not reasonably be able to arrange to come for a joint signing will need to request this.
- Be aware that Guarantors may be required. Agents and landlords often request that students provide a UK Guarantor (for more information about what a guarantor is please visit this link). If you are an international student and you do not have a suitable candidate to be your guarantor then you may sometimes be asked to pay 3 – 12 months rent up front. Though this is not something the SHB recommends, it is reasonably common amongst landlords.
- Make the effort to be friendly to neighbours and housemates. When you move in introduce yourself to your neighbours. This is only polite and will help you have as pleasant a stay in the private sector as possible. You may also find they are more receptive to you when they can put a face to the name. For more information about living off-campus please visit the Student Support website.
- Take time to get to know your housemates and establish house-rules. Sharing a house with other students can be exciting and rewarding. Often it is the foundation of firm, life-long friendships; nonetheless, it will take some time to settle down. Invest time in getting to know all your housemates and agree upon house-rules. Having set rules regarding household upkeep and cleaning will reduce unnecessary problems. If you have any welfare issues you would like to discuss you should visit the Student Support website.
In order to take part in the Student Housemate Scheme as a student you will need to click here to register. The scheme is currently open for registration by students. Undergraduate students are reminded to consider applying for accommodation before registering as we are still allocating rooms to the waiting list:
- Postgraduates: 2nd September 2009
- Undergraduates: 2nd September 2009
Once you have registered we aim to match you to a group within 2 working days; however, during busy periods it may take longer. Please make sure you only register once – duplicate registrations will be disregarded.
If you wish to be matched to another group then you should contact studenthousing@rhul.ac.uk as you will not need to register again.
If you are looking for private rented accommodation, you will often find that you need some help or advice. Please feel free to use the following resources to make your househunting as smooth as possible:
Neltet RHUL - Information for Students - The Netlet RHUL site has a comprehensive guide to finding, securing and living in student rented accommodation. The guide also includes template letters which can be sent to your landlord.
Student Advice Centre - Student Union - The Student Union, Student Advice Centre also has a number of useful guides and helpsheets for students living off-campus.
Housing Help - Contact Sheet - This is a pamphlet containing useful contact details of various support organisations.
Private Sector FAQ - A link to a list of frequently asked questions relating to the private sector.
Non-Residential Student Support Services - The Student Support services at Royal Holloway have a dedicated team to help you settle in the private sector. This is their main webpage.
Runnymede Borough Accreditation Scheme - The accreditation scheme is a voluntary scheme which landlords register with. Accredited properties have been inspected by the council to ensure they meet the scheme's code of standards.
Facebook Group - Student Housemate Scheme 2009 - We have the registered with the above online community to provide and alternate venue for students to meet others looking for private sector housing. Please join if you wish to use this group as another avenue for linking with students to apply for accommodation please.
The please remember that the College cannot accept liability or legal responsibility for the subsequent contractual agreements made between students and estate agents acting on behalf of landlords; nor can we help you vary the agreement once it is signed. You must ensure you are happy with the property, with your fellow tenants and with the contract proposed before committing yourself.
