Living in the Property

Your tenancy agreement will normally state how to pay your rent. However, there is room for negotiation, and you should ask for the method that suits you best before you sign your contract.

The common methods of payment are by direct debit, standing order or bank transfer. A direct debit allows the other party to take as much money as they want from your bank account. While this might be an acceptable method of payment for utility companies for example, it is not advisable to set up a direct debit for rent payments.

A standing order is set up by you with your bank and you remain in control. Your landlord/letting agent cannot amend the standing order and only the amount you have set will be paid to the other party.  

If you don’t have enough money in your account when a direct debit or standing order becomes due, it may bounce, and you will incur bank charges. It is possible to ask your bank to set up a one-off bank transfer from your bank account to the landlord/letting agents’ account. This service may incur an administration charge. If you are outside the UK but need to pay your rent, this is likely to be the best method to choose.

Your rent may or may not include utilities (which normally include TV licence, water, gas, electricity, and TV/broadband). See our information on utilities.

Responsibility for utilities will depend on what has been agreed with the landlord or letting agent. Having bills included can be convenient but may not always represent value for money.

• Inclusive Rent: If your rent includes bills, the landlord is generally responsible for them, and you don’t need to put your name on any utility accounts. However, check for a usage cap. If one exists, you will most likely be liable for any excess usage.

To ensure you stay within the cap, monitor your usage regularly by requesting the landlord/ letting agent for updates on your usage throughout the tenancy, and taking regular metre readings and comparing them with your usage allowance.

Also, find out what happens if your usage is below the cap—would you get a refund?

• Exclusive Rent: If your rent excludes bills, you are responsible for these payments. There are companies who can manage your bills for you, but they charge for this service, and you might still face additional bills if the monthly amount does not cover usage.

To manage your bills effectively:

• Avoid setting up a joint account with housemates, as this can affect your credit history.
• Allocate one bill to each housemate’s name and use bill-splitting apps to track payments.
• Remember, if your name is on a bill, you are legally responsible for paying it.

If you are managing utilities on behalf of all tenants, notify the suppliers in writing. 

If there is a dispute about bills with your supplier or your housemates, seek advice from the Student Advice and Support Service.

If you watch live TV, use BBC iPlayer, or watch or stream live broadcasts on any device (TV, computer, phone, tablet, console etc.), you must have a TV licence, even if your landlord provides the TV.

If there is a joint tenancy agreement one TV Licence may cover the whole house. If each tenant rents their room under a separate agreement, each will need their own licence.

Some students living away from home may be covered by their family’s TV licence if they meet specific conditions, such as using a device not connected to an aerial.

Check the TV Licensing website for more details.

Keep your bins tidy, do not overfill them, and recycle correctly. Put the bins out on the correct day and return them promptly after collection to avoid fines.

Check out bin collection days on the Charnwood Borough Council website.

For information on London, please check your local council website.

If you are moving out of university halls or from your parents’ home, your belongings may no longer be insured. Consider getting insurance.

When choosing a policy:

• make sure all your belongings are covered
• ensure accidental damage and loss are included where possible
• check whether you can be added to a parent or guardian’s policy

Insurance can be essential in cases of fire, flood or theft.

If you receive other people’s mail, you can send the letter back to the sender or to the person if you know the forwarding address. To do this you need to cross out the address on the front of the envelope. Write on the front of the envelope: “NOT KNOWN AT THIS ADDRESS, RETURN TO SENDER” or “NO LONGER AT THIS ADDRESS, PLEASE FORWARD” (write their new address). Then place the letter back in the post box, which is free of charge.

The Community Warden team are available to help and support all students living off campus in the Loughborough area. The team offer a full pastoral service to any student living in Loughborough town.

For more information, visit the Community Wardens webpage.

Student houses are often targeted by burglars, make sure you take precautions.

• Keep doors, windows and gates always locked, even if you are at home.
• Report faulty locks promptly to your landlord/ letting agent.
• Check all doors and windows are locked when you leave the property.  
• Use alarms if provided, even if you are going out for a short period.
• Make it look like you are home when you are out. You can do this by installing a timer switch to put a light on. 
• Take valuables with you during long absences i.e. over Christmas and Easter.
• Ask your neighbours to keep an eye on the property and let your landlord know you will be away in case they wish to carry out security checks.
• Keep valuables out of sight, place them in a drawer or wardrobe. 
• Do not keep spare keys outside of the property such as under the doormat or in a flowerpot, thieves know all the usual hiding places.  
• Do not label keys with your name and address.
• Be careful of anyone requesting entry into your property. Burglars will try and trick their way in. Do not be afraid to ask for ID before letting anyone in, and if you are unsure do not allow access and ask that they call back later.  
• Always lock your bike with a ‘D’ lock (you can get them cheaply from the security gate at the Loughborough campus) and register your bike with security.
• Use a UV pen to write your name and university on your valuables – this will not cause any damage to your property. 
• Record the make, model, and serial numbers of electrical equipment.  
• Register your valuables online at Immobilise to reduce property crime and improve your chances of getting items back in the case of loss or theft. 

Loughborough and London are home to students, families, professionals and older residents. It is good practice to build a positive relationship with your neighbours from the outset of your tenancy and throughout your stay. Here are some ways you can do this:

• Introduce yourselves to your neighbours when you are moving in. This will make it easier to communicate if there are any problems as the year goes on. 
• Discuss your plans with your neighbours if you are planning to host gatherings or a party. In most cases, your neighbours will not mind you hosting occasionally and will appreciate that you have considered their needs and given them a chance to discuss any concerns. 
• keeping noise to a minimum, particularly late at night or early morning.
• Keep your property and any surrounding clear of rubbish and clean.
• Be responsive and polity about complains or requests from your neighbours. It is always the best option to sort out any issues amicably.  

If problems arise and cannot be resolved informally, seek support early. The Community Warden team can also provide help and support.