Terms & Conditions - Students

IMPORTANT - ALL STUDENTS PLEASE NOTE

1 Contracts will generally commence from the available date stated on the housing list (displayed in our office and on www.universalproperty.co.uk) and therefore all rents are payable from that date. If students do not wish to start the tenancy until October, they should not view properties until September. No accommodation will be held without the Administration Fee being paid.

2 An Administration Fee of £125 + VAT per person is payable at the outset. The fee is reduced per person in the case of a Joint Tenancy agreement. If the tenancy is not taken up the fee will not be returned and the property will be deemed available for re-let to other tenants.

3 Contracts are Fixed Term, i.e. from the agreed start date until the agreed end date. Students are committed to the Fixed Term and can only be released from the contract if they can find a replacement tenant and even then as head lessee, they are responsible for the payment of rent should the replacement tenant fail to honour the contract.

In order to establish availability for the next academic year, notice must be given by all students 2 months prior to the end of contract, e.g. before 30 April 2008 in the event of the tenancy ending 30th June 2008. The Administration Fee must be paid in advance if the tenancy is to be renewed for the next year.

4 Single Tenancy Agreements (Sole or Multiple Occupancy) – No tenancy can be taken up until all fully signed contracts are returned to UPM.

Joint Tenancy Agreements (Multiple Occupancy) – Students and their surety/guarantor must be aware that the liability is joint and several. Any student can take up the tenancy having signed the Agreement but all tenants remain collectively liable for the whole rent of the property should any tenant/surety fail to sign.

5 Surety – Parents are asked to act as guarantor for the students. We will not house any student whose parents/guardian will not act as Surety to guarantee their rent.

Late Rent – In the event of rent being received after the due date, without prior authorisation by UPM, an administration charge of £10.00 + VAT will be charged. Such fee shall become payable and a Late Rent Reminder letter will be sent where rent is not received within 5 working days of the due date. Interest can be charged at 5% per month. “Bounced” standing orders or cheques will also incur a charge of £10.00 + VAT.

6 Utility Accounts – At the commencement of the tenancy, tenants must register with all utility/service accounts (e.g. Gas, Electric, Southern Water, Portsmouth Water, BT, NTL & Virgin). Contact numbers for the utility service providers is available at UPM.

Proof of payment of all service accounts for the duration of the tenancy, must be submitted to UPM. (e.g. Gas, Electric, Southern Water, Portsmouth Water, BT, NTL & Virgin). Failure to submit proof of settlement of accounts and UPM having to contact and deal with any utilities at the end of the tenancy will result in a charge of £25.00 + VAT per utility account and will be apportioned between the tenants.

7 Council Tax – On receipt of all students’ HEMIS numbers, UPM will endeavour to register full-time students with Portsmouth City Council Local Taxation Section for “Student Exemption”. It nevertheless remains the tenants’ liability and responsibility to ensure that they are registered

Students who are in receipt of Housing Benefit or Income Support, or are only part-time or in the event they drop out of full-time university will cause the property to lose the Council Tax “Student Exemption” status. In such case the tenant(s) become liable for the cost incurred including for the period after their departure until the property is re-let for the next academic year which under normal circumstances would retain the exempt status until occupied by full-time students in the next following academic year.

8 Keys – At the end of the tenancy, all keys must be returned to UPM. Failure to do this will result in lock changes and the costs being charged to tenants plus any additional rent incurred for the time that keys are withheld.