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Getting Your Foot in the Door

Choosing accommodation is a big decision and making an informed choice can help enhance your time at Greenwich.

Whether you’re renting for the first time or have rented before this guide will help guide you when looking for and renting.

We’ll also cover the main issues that most commonly impact students when renting. In this guide you’ll find advice on choosing accommodation and where to go for support and advice if you need help. This guide isn’t definitive, but it is a good place to start with lots of helpful links to further information and services where you can seek support.

Click on the image below to open a pdf of our accommodation guide, or pick up a physical copy at GSU welcome desk in The Atrium, Dreadnought building, Greenwich campus. 

 

 

Know Your Rights

If you’ve got a problem with your housing, get free, independent and confidential housing advice from your Students’ Union.

 
We can also refer you to local specialist support to take action if you need to.
 
 
WHAT STUDENTS SAY
“Without the student union I might have dropped out of the course -as my accommodation was in bad shape.”
“There are lots of houses available in Greenwich, but it may also be worth a look in other areas such as Blackheath, Charlton, Woolwich and even just across the river in the Docklands area. By expanding your search, you are more likely to find affordable housing.”
“ If you are going home over the summer or on holiday, it may be best to wait until late August before you start looking. Most houses require you to move in quite quickly, and no one wants to be paying rent on a house they won't be living in.”
“Go into the accomodation office at the University and ask them for any information, there is also a memo board which some landlords advertise properties on.”
“Think about how you will get to Uni and how long you want to spend travelling. Also bear in mind the cost of this, it may actually work out cheaper overall to pay a higher rent and walk to and from the campus every day.”
“It is always a good idea to view as many properties as possible. Try to arrange viewings of as many kinds of property and in as many locations as possible; some might surprise you!”
“If you view a house and think it’s the one for you, it is always a good idea to have the money for a holding deposit available.”
“Most estate agents will charge a lot for their services, and this can be even more for a group of students. There are usually administration fees, credit reference fees and inventory fees. To avoid nasty surprises, ask for a list of these costs upfront and if they are excessive negotiate.”


Top 10 tips

Protect your money and feel secure when you move into rented accommodation with these ten tips.

  1. Only sign a tenancy agreement if you are 100% sure that you want to move into the property. You are liable for the whole of the rent for the fixed term of the agreement once you sign the contract.
  2. Be aware that if you sign a joint tenancy agreement when you move into a property, you are jointly liable for the rent even if another tenant does not pay the rent or decides to move out.
  3. Make sure that you fill out an inventory checklist before you move in and take pictures of any disrepair so that you are not charged for any missing items when you vacate the property. Send these pictures to the landlord or letting agent so they are dated.
  4. Make sure that your tenancy is protected in a tenancy deposit scheme.
  5. Make sure that any fees that you are charged are in line with the new Tenants fees bill 2019.
  6. Make sure that you have an UK address for your landlord on your tenancy agreement.
  7. Your landlord is responsible for fixing any repairs but make sure that you report it and put it in writing.
  8. Make sure that you take a meter reading for both gas and electricity and contact your provider to tell them the date that you have moved in. This will prevent you from being overcharged.
  9. Make sure that your you have a current gas safety certificate (GSC) when you moved in. Ask your landlord for the GSC as it is a legal requirement to have one.
  10. Agree at the start how you are going to share the bills if sharing with other tenants.