Student Housemate Scheme

The Student Housemate Scheme is run each year in August and September to help incoming students find other students who are looking for private sector accommodation. We seek to help simplify the process by offering a way in which students can be linked to other students with similar preferences, and by putting them in contact with local landlords. Once matched to groups between 3–6 in size, we will 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 first-year undergraduates and new nostgraduate 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 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.

1. The Student Housing Bureau is in contact with local landlords to compile lists of available properties within the private sector.
2. Students will need to register their details via 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 24th August 2011. Please register once only, as duplicate registrations will be disregarded.
3. The Student Housing Bureau will then match students into groups of between 3 – 6 participants (matching will begin on 30th August 2011). The matching criteria will be stated preferences about sharing with members of the same gender or mixed gender households, with smokers or non-smokers and proposed budgets.
4. A unique registration number will be allocated to each group. Each group will be sent an email, which gives the group's registration number and the names, contact details, and information about each member of the group (therefore, when signing up to the group, please only include information you are happy to be passed to other members of your 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.
5. Within this email the SHB will suggest properties which may be of interest to the group, based upon the number of group participants and budget preferences. Students can also look for properties using the Student Housing Bureau's private sector web-service, HouseSearch. 
6. Students within the group should then make contact with landlords of properties they are interested in. Please indicate to the landlord that you are registered with the Student Housemate Scheme and quote your registration number. Landlords will not hold these properties specifically for you so a prompt start to your house-hunting will be essential.  
7. We will require a feedback form to be completed by students once they have successfully secured accommodation. We will use this to ensure that students have been treated professionally, and to help us evaluate this scheme for future years.

Please note that Royal Holloway has no management association to any of the landlords advertised on HouseSearch, or who participate in the Student Housemate Scheme; nor is a landlord’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, nor accept any liability regarding properties suggested or matches set up. We strongly recommend that all students consult the Student Union private rented accommodation pages|, or the resources in the 'Further Help & Advice' Section towards the foot 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 option for you, or whether it will be best for you to seek private sector accommodation yourself. All first-year undergraduates and postgraduate 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:

1. Your speed of response and communication is vital. When you receive communications from us, your matched housemates or a landlord you should deliver a prompt response. We are dealing with a large number of students, often on an individual basis, and so 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.
2. 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.
3. We run a strict policy of upholding equal opportunities amongst students. We match groups based upon preferences for budget, 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.
4. 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 undergraduate and new 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.
5. 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 advance, 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 it and certainly do not be afraid to ask for more time before signing a tenancy agreement.
6. 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. In particular, overseas students who will not reasonably be able to arrange to come for a joint signing may need to request individual contracts.
7. 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 click here). If you are an international student and you do not have a suitable candidate to be your guarantor then you may be asked to pay 3 – 12 months rent up front. Though this is not something the Student Housing Bureau recommends, it is reasonably common amongst landlords.
8. 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 once they have met you. For more information about living off-campus please visit the Student Support website.
9. 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 in. 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. Registration will open on 24th August 2011. Please make sure that you are not near the top of the halls accommodation waiting list before you register. 

Matching will commence on 30th August 2011. If you register after 30th August 2011, 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.

Please note, the Student Housemate Scheme is now closed for the 2011/12 academic year. If you require private sector accommodation, please use HouseSearch| to look for vacancies.   

If you are looking for private rented accommodation, you will likely find that you need some help or advice. Please feel free to use the following resources to make your house hunting as smooth as possible:

• HouseSearch - The HouseSearch site has a Housing Information page, and links to other sources of information.  
• 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 organisation, please email studenthousing@rhul.ac.uk to request a copy.
• 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 for landlords. Accredited properties have been inspected by the council to ensure they meet the scheme's code of standards.
• Facebook Group - Student Housemate Scheme 2011 - We have the registered with Facebook to provide an alternative option for students to meet others looking for private sector housing. Please join if you wish to use this group as another avenue to link with others for accommodation.