Living Out
RENTING IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Looking For Accommodation:
You can find available accommodation in Sunderland by
a) Searching Using the University sponsored Student Pad search facility or
b) Doing a GOOGLE search (using search words such as students,accommodaton,sunderland) and ensure that the landlord is an accredited landlord with the City of Sunderland (Ask to see the certifiicate which will be unique to that property) or is registered with a reputable Lettings Agent. In January 2011 there were 380 accredited landlords in Sunderland, they are not all listed here. If you want to know more then ring 0191 5611488.
Guidance and Advice:
We would recommend that before you enter into any contract with a private landlord that you contact the Welfare Advisers at the Student Union who will offer advice about the contract or you could visit their accommodation advice pages.
We also have a Safe and Secure advisory booklet and helpful checklist for you to use when looking for private accommodation.
International Students
Please be aware that when using housing/lettings websites such as Gumtree fraudsters use these kind of websites to advertise services that dont exist and instead steal your money we know of two reported cases in April 2012. Please be careful when transferring cash to people you do not know and never give your personal bank account details to anyone without taking advice first. (Further information)
Sunderland City Council has a wealth of Housing Advice, The Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal Teams is responsible for co-ordinating and responding to concerns relating to housing conditions and standards by ensuring the maintenance, management and improvement of housing throughout the city.
For more detailed information on the following:
A useful guide "Is Your Landlord Putting You at Risk? Renting Properties ( with a Guide to Renting Properties in PDF format), before you rent make sure you find out more about the City Private Landlord Accreditation Scheme.
If you want to seek further advice and help from the City email housing.renewal@sunderland.gov.uk or ring 0191 5611488
Another very useful source of information is Shelter : the housing and homelessness Charity
Deposits:
You should also read about the Tenancy Deposit Scheme
If you are living in rented accommodation that has gas appliances (cooking, central heating, fires etc.) we would encourage you to read the following. The potential for students living in the private rented sector suffering CO (Carbon Monoxide) poisoning from unsafe gas appliances is heightened in winter months. The following campaign reminds of the dangers.
Gas Safety for Students and report:
Best Value Utilities:
You'll quite likely have to pay for and arrange your own utilities, so it's good advice to always use a price comparison site to ensure you get the best value. Additionally and perhaps more importantly, you need confidence that the information provider is acting impartially allowing you to make an informed choice.
For Utilities (water, gas and electric) make use of Consumer Focus, who are accredited and independent http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/get-advice/energy/confidence-code
For broadband, telephone and TV packages, Ofcom accredited sites such as Cable.co.uk provide free and impartial comparisons.
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