Guide For Student Tenants
Avoid any problems when searching for your new home by reading Bricks & Mortar's step-by-step guide to renting a property. The start of your rental property journey begins... Decide how many bedrooms you need, where you want to live and the price you want to pay per person per week.
1. Register interest
If you’re not sure about what type of property you want, let us do the hard work. We’ll gather suggestions, send photographs and pick a range of properties that we think will be suitable for you, based on what you’ve told us. Simply pop into our office or give us a call. Next, browse our website to find properties that fit your criteria. You can share your favourite properties with your other flatmates and even book viewings.
2. Book accompanied viewings
We’ll arrange viewings and give you a tour of each property and answer any questions you may have. Our office has extended opening hours including late nights and even weekends. Our opening times are:
- Monday – Thursday 9am to 6:30pm
- Friday 9am to 5:30pm
- Saturdays 10am to 4:0.
We will accompany you to every viewing, we can even drive you there, to ensure any questions you may have are answered. After finding your dream student property, we advise you secure it as soon as possible. Discuss with your flatmates if you need then pay your ‘holding fee’ – we require this fee to be paid in order to take the property off the market for you.
3. Reference & guarantor checks
Complete a simple reference form and choose a guarantor someone who’ll pay your rent or pay for any of your charges if you don’t. If you’re an international student and don’t have a guarantor, don’t worry – we just ask you to pay rent in advance. You’ll sign the tenancy agreement at this point, ensuring the property is yours. If you or your guarantor fail referencing, don’t worry we’ll discuss alternative arrangements. This could include rent in advance or another guarantor. These options are discussed on a case by case basis and we will do our best to ensure the landlord will still accept you. Your deposit is due when your tenancy starts. Rent is payable in advance, so a month before you move in we ask for your first month’s rent. You’ll set up a standing order to pay your rent every month, unless you’ve agreed alternative payment arrangements (such as advance rent or termly payments), which will be in writing.
4. Moving in
Come in to our office to collect your keys and your move in pack, which contains all the important documents including your tenancy agreement. If you’re living in a let only property your landlord may meet you or have alternative arrangements for your check in and keys. If your house is managed by Bricks & Mortar, we’ll look after you throughout your tenancy. If your landlord looks after you, then they will take over and you’ll pay your rent to them each month.
5. Renew
Around the middle of October, we will check if you want to continue your tenancy for another year. to give you first refusal at renewing If you decide to move, we can help you find a new property. If you want to stay, you can renew your tenancy for another year if the landlord agrees. Still have questions after reading our step-by-step guide? Visit our FAQs for students for more info or you can even to speak to our friendly and approachable team today - call: 0191 230 5577.