CONTRACTS
Make sure you have a contract and make sure you understand it fully. Whether you have an agreement or not, everyone has automatic tenant's rights. It's better to have individual tenancies than a joint agreement as this moves liability for other people's debts to the landlord. If you have a fixed term agreement, for six months for example, and you wish to leave early, you may be liable to pay rent for the remainder of the contract. If you live in the same house as the landlord, your rights under housing law are different, and you have less protection. Once again, if there is anything you are not sure about, SEEK ADVICE (as always, your Student Union is fully prepared). RENT
When is this due? If you pay rent weekly, a rent book is required. LANDLORD
Make sure you have the address and telephone number of the landlord or agency. BILLS
Inform the gas, electricity, phone and water services that you are the new tenants as soon as you move in - you don't want to end up paying for the previous tenants! Also, do you have a TV licence? If you are all students, Council Tax should not be a problem, but as soon as one person starts to work full-time, the situation changes and you become liable to pay 75% or more. Contact your local Council for details. INSURANCE
Insure your belongings. Student houses are often targets for burglary due to the prevalence of TVs, hi-fi equipment, computers, CDs, and so on. FURNITURE
The law now states that any furniture brought into accommodation, be it new or second-hand, must be fire resistant. Is there an inventory of all the furniture and fittings in the property? Make sure you check everything and agree its condition with the landlord before signing any agreement. STANDARDS
The landlord is legally required to provide you with accommodation that meets specific requirements regarding safety and condition - from gas fires and fire alarms to the number of loos per household. If you think your home does not meet these standards, you should contact your local Environmental Health Authority. They can make an inspection of the property, and have the power to force your landlord to make the changes required. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
These include: to pay rent; to behave reasonably; not to damage the property or its contents (or you may lose your deposit); not to sub-let (unless your agreement lets you); to allow the landlord access for repairs at reasonable times. LANDLORD'S RESPONSIBILITIES
These include: maintaining the exterior of the property; keeping baths, sinks, toilets etc. in working order, plus the supply of water, gas and so on, and giving reasonable notice of repairs along with an estimate of how long this work may take. Remember, as a rule, landlords cannot just let themselves into the property and snoop around without prior notification. This can be considered harassment - seek advice from your tenant liaison officer in your local council, or approach your landlord. | 
