Moving in
You are responsible for your own keys and if you lose them you will be charged for the cost of replacement. A replacement set of keys can cost up to £50 dependant on the number of keys lost. If the lock has to be forced you will be charged for a new lock. If your keys are stolen and there is any evidence that they could be traced back to the house, in order to maintain the safety and security of the other tenants it may be necessary to replace the lock. The cost of this and the additional keys will be your responsibility.
You must not fit locks to internal doors. Some properties have room locks fitted and you will have been provided with a key for the room. You must not change any lock or use a lock (even if fitted) on internal doors unless the University has provided you with a key.
Contrary to a popular myth, fitting and using a lock to your room is rarely a requirement of insurance companies.
This can be found at Warwick MyFiles. It is in your best interest to check each item, paying special attention to the condition described. Please ensure you check your mattress carefully, as any stain or mark not recorded on the original inventory and found at the end of tenancy inspection, will result in a charge for a replacement or cleaning of the mattress. Should you disagree with the inventory please amend accordingly and take photos for your own reference should they be required. This should then be signed and returned to your Property Manager at Senate house within two weeks of the start of term. The inventory will form the basis of your end of tenancy inspection, to be carried out after you have vacated the property. At the end of the tenancy, please ensure that all furniture is returned to its original place in the house to enable the inventory to be checked thoroughly. Other than fair wear and tear, a charge will be made against you for any item(s) missing or damaged, along with any areas requiring extra cleaning.
The inventory is a record of the fixtures and fittings. Please do not use the inventory to report defects. These should be reported via the online fault reporting form.
The inventory also details the location of the utility meters in your property.
All properties are furnished and other equipment is provided as follows:
- A cooker, microwave, refrigerator and freezer will be provided, but you will need to bring all your own cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery.
- A washing machine
- A vacuum cleaner, sweeping broom, dustpan and brush, mop and bucket will be provided where necessary
- No bedding will be provided. You will need to bring your own linen, blankets (or duvets) and pillows
You can move furniture about within the property. If you wish to move additional furniture into the property then you must seek prior approval of the University so please consult your Property Manager. Do not under any circumstances remove furniture from the property, dispense of furniture, or store furniture in the cellar, loft, shed or outhouse. Please ensure that any of your own furnishings comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988.
Water
If you have problems with your water supply you should contact Severn Trent Water on 0800 783 4444. To find out if charges for water rates are included in your rent please refer back to the property details from when you booked your accommodation. Not all properties are fitted with a water meter, if yours is it should be noted on your inventory. Please ensure you take a meter reading when the first person moves in, taking a photo of the reading for reference. The water should already be turned on when you arrive at the house, but make sure you familiarise yourself with the location of the stopcock and test its operation in case of emergencies. If you are responsible for paying bills, as a household you will then need to register with Severn Trent Water. Whilst it takes several weeks for the account to take affect, you are responsible for all usage as of the start date of your tenancy and as such may receive bills addressed to the previous tenants or the "occupier" which you may be liable for.
Gas
When you move in make sure you find out where your Emergency Control Valve is and ensure that it is not stuck, as you may need to turn it off in an emergency. You will find it by the gas meter (for location, see your inventory). To find out if charges for gas rates are included in your rent please refer back to the property details from when you booked your accommodation. Please ensure you take a meter reading when the first person moves in, taking a photo of the reading for reference. If you are responsible for paying bills, the University will try to register your property with our nominated utility provider prior to the start of your tenancy. We will provide them with start meter readings and the names of all tenants so that an account can be created. The University has made these arrangements in order to make the moving in process easier however if you wish to change your supplier you are free to do so but please be aware that this can take up to 8 weeks.
It will remain your responsibility to pay the bills, which will be sent to you quarterly and will be based upon an estimation from previous usage. It is in your own interests to ensure that your supplier has accurate readings throughout your tenancy; otherwise you may have enormous final bills, which you are unable to pay. At the end of the tenancy, the University will provide a final meter reading to the utility provider so that the final bills can be calculated and can be sent to the address nominated by the tenants.
Please note that in particular specific circumstances where there is an accrued debt that has not been paid, your contact details may be passed to the relevant utilities companies for such purpose of retrieving this owed money.
Electric
When you move in, make sure you locate the fuseboard and meter for the property. To find out if charges for electricity rates are included in your rent please refer back to the property details from when you booked your accommodation. Please ensure you take a meter reading when the first person moves in, taking a photo of the reading for reference. If you are responsible for paying bills, the University will try to register your property with our nominated utility provider prior to the start of your tenancy. We will provide them with start meter readings and the names of all tenants so that an account can be created. The University has made these arrangements in order to make the moving in process easier however if you wish to change your supplier you are free to do so but please be aware that this can take up to 8 weeks.
It will remain your responsibility to pay the bills, which will be sent to you quarterly and will be based upon an estimation from previous usage. It is in your own interests to ensure that your supplier has accurate readings throughout your tenancy; otherwise you may have enormous final bills, which you are unable to pay. At the end of the tenancy, the University will provide a final meter reading to the utility provider so that the final bills can be calculated and can be sent to the address nominated by the tenants.
Please note that in particular specific circumstances where there is an accrued debt that has not been paid, your contact details may be passed to the relevant utilities companies for such purpose of retrieving this owed money.
Students are exempt from paying council tax on their property however you will need to make sure that you register your student status with the local authority. You can find out more online from Coventry City Council or from Warwick District Council.
If there are any non-students in the property then the non-student will be liable for council tax and are advised to contact the relevant council for advice.
To arrange for the telephone line to be re-connected, you should contact British Telecom on:
0800 800 150 from any line/mobile phone.
Please be aware that this may involve a new connection fee.
Should you wish to have a new line or Internet connection installed, and the Internet Provider needs to carry out any alterations to the property such as drilling, please contact your Property Manager to obtain the permission of the owner, before proceeding. Please note: Digital/Satellite communication must not be installed without prior approval of your Property Manager.
On leaving the property, the company that supplied your telephone connection should be notified and a final bill obtained. Any rented equipment (routers etc) must be returned or you will be held responsible for rental costs.
When a tenancy agreement is signed, tenants will be given the full postal address of the property including the postcode. Warwick Accommodation takes no responsibility for forwarding or redirecting mail.
The Owner insures the structure of the property against the risk of fire and other damage. Your rent includes insurance of your personal effects, details of which will be forwarded to you closer to the start dte of your tenancy, against the risk of theft, fire, flood, etc. We consider the insurance of your belongings to be a sensible precaution. We also recommend that you take out additional cover for accidental damage.
By law you are required to buy a television licence if you watch, stream online or record live TV on a TV, or on any other device (even a laptop or tablet) which is connected to an aerial or mains electrical socket. Failure to do so may result in you paying a substantial fine. You may also be eligible to cancel your television licence before you move out and get some of the licence fee back.
All properties have a washing machine in them. Some of these properties have a washing machine provided by MARRS; a sticker on the front of your washing machine giving contact details of the maintenance company will confirm this.
Please contact MARRS directly to report any defect, no matter how small including unusual noises. Failure to report any faults at the earliest opportunity which result in serious damage to the appliance or property, may result in a charge to the tenants. If your washing machine does not have a sticker from MARRS, report the issue via the online fault reporting form.