Frequently Asked Questions
At Ridley Properties, we have been there as students ourselves and we understand there are many questions and queries about letting a property.
With our experience we have compiled a number of frequently asked questions below that will hopefully cover most of your concerns. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us, we will be happy to talk to you and help in any way possible.
Deposit
What is the deposit for?
The deposit you pay is used to cover the cost of repairs for any damages done to the property whilst you are living there. This is a standard practise undertaken by all letting agents, it is sometimes referred to as a bond.
Your deposit is returned to you at the end of your tenancy agreement once we have inspected the property and are happy with it being in the same condition to when you moved in.
How much is the deposit?
The deposit is the equivalent of 1 calendar months rent. This is often rounded up to the nearest £5 or £10. 1 calender month's rent is worked out by this simple calculation: The weekly rent PPPW x 52 (weeks) ÷ 12 (months). The deposit is payable by each individual tenant.
Where is the deposit held?
The deposit is held by Ridley Properties under The Tenancy Deposit scheme, to view more information about The Tenancy Deposit Scheme please visit their website by clicking here
Contract
How long is the contract?
The majority of contracts last for 10/12 months. Please check the tenancy agreement.
What happens if I do not want to stay for the full contract period?
Under the terms of the contract you are bound to pay for the full period. In order to leave the contract you will need to find an alternative student/professional to take your place whom both Ridley Properties and your fellow flatmates approve with (Approval from flatmates must be in written form and signed by all other members of the contract - Please ask for Ridley Properties document). Our administration fee for dealing with this is £120 plus VAT. If you are able to find a suitable tenant that your flatmates are happy with in order to get your deposit back we would require the following:
• New tenants deposit
• New tenants 1st calanders month rent
• Signed confirmation from all the remaining tenants in the property confirming that you have caused no damage and that you have paid your share of the utility bills up to date. (Please ask for Ridley Properties document
• All your rents to be paid up to the date of you leaving the contact
When do I have to move out?
The last day of the tenancy. Please check with us if you are unsure of your contract end date. Please note you must vacate the accommodation by 10am on the last day of your contract.
Repairs in Student/Professional properties
Ridley properties has our own maintenance team that operates during our normal opening hours. The maintenance team will respond to any repairs or work that is required in accordance to its urgency.
What do I do if something breaks or needs repairing in my property?
Any defects of work required during the term should be reported IN WRITING to Ridley Properties preferably by email or alternatively to our office address. Reports by telephone should not be relied upon and must be followed up in writing. The time it takes Ridley properties to respond to a report will depend on the urgency of the report. We classify problems into three different categories; these are: emergency; urgent and routine.
What happens if there is an emergency?
Emergency situations include the following: major floods, gas leaks, and lack of power.
In the event of an emergency you can telephone 07976 603 026 but we must stress that this number can only be used in the event of an emergency. This facility has recently been reintroduced - but will be withdrawn if it is abused. Please use this sensibly and wait until normal office hours wherever possible. The landlord has reserved the right to charge for unwarranted call out following previous experience and these charges will be levied where they are appropriate. Ridley Properties will respond to emergency situations as soon as possible. Normally this will involve sending our own handyman or in certain circumstances an independent contractor will be called out.
What if I have an urgent problem?
Urgent responses include fire equipment problems; Broken cooker/fridge/freezer; doors that cannot open or lock that may be a potential security / safety risk; minor flooding; heating problems; or other problems considered to be a health and safety hazard.
The response to urgent situations will again be from receipt of a report IN WRITING by email. Problems discovered during weekends or holiday periods will be attended to the next working day. Where there is no alternative facility (e.g. light, toilet, bath or shower) in an area, the problem may be classified as urgent.
What's the procedure for routine repairs?
All other repairs will be classified as routine and will be addressed again according to their urgency.
Code of conduct for Students
All tenants, students or professionals, are expected to behave with mutual respect and consideration for each other and for your neighbours. It is recognised that students have a right to enjoy themselves, this equally applies to those living nearby who wish to enjoy their time in peace and quiet.
Safety and security in Student/Professional properties
All students or professionals in our properties are required to keep the accomodation safe; this includes:
• Do not admit strangers to the property
• Keep windows and doors locked at all possible times
• Do not invite anyone into a residence unless you know them well and are able to take responsibility for their actions.
Complaints
Students wishing to lodge a complaint should do so in writing to Ridley Properties 27 Ridley Place, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE1 8LE
Paying your Rent
Payment is due monthly/quarterly in advance. All students or professionals should forward to us post-dated cheques or standing order confirmation prior to the tenancy commencing. Keys will not be handed out until this done. Rent will be cashed on the agreed date every month. We would remind you that there is a charge of £30 for every cheque that is returned to us by our bank or every time your rent is not received. For each subsequent letter that is sent out, due to non payment of rent, Ridley Properties reserves the right to levy a £20 administrative fee.
Gas, Electricity and Water Charges
We would like to remind you that these charges are not included in your rent and as joint tenants of a property you are required to pay the relevant charges. These are usually on a quarterly basis. Once you have moved in, it is important that at least one tenant in the household registers their full name with the appropriate companies. However we would recommend that all tenants living in the property should register their names with the appropriate companies (where possible) to avoid any problems later in the tenancy.
Meter Readings
It is important to take a gas and electricity meter reading as soon as you have moved in and submit the reading to the relevant companies to avoid paying any extra charges. This also must be done when you move out of the property so you can settle your final bill. If you are not sure who is currently supplying gas and/or electricity to your property then you should:
• Review any recent bills that may be in the property
• For Gas contact the meter number help-line on 0870 608 1524 and they will tell you who your current supplier is.
• For Electricity contact C E Electric on 0845 601 3268
• Your water board is Northumbrian Water and there should be a registration card in the post. If there is not then please give them a ring on 0845 717 1100 to register your details.
Living in the community
It is extremely important that you do not do anything that may cause or become a nuisance to the landlord, tenants or occupiers of any adjoining premises and that nothing is committed which may increase the ordinary premium for the insurance of the property.
You must make sure that those who live with you or visit you do not harass, annoy or cause a nuisance to:
• Anybody, because of his or her race or ethnic background.
• Anybody who lives or works in the local area.
• Any of the landlord's employees, the landlord themselves or people acting on behalf of the landlord.
You must make sure that you are not convicted of, and make reasonable effort to ensure that your visitors or members of the family are not convicted of:
• Using or allowing the use of the premises for immoral or illegal purposes.
• Any serious, or illegal offence committee in the local area.
• Using controlled drugs or other controlled substances.
Council Tax
It is important that once you have moved in that all tenants in the property notify the city council that you are students and therefore exempt from paying council tax.
Where do I go to notify the council?
This must be done in person at the civic centre customer service centre. They will require some form of proof that you are a student. You should receive a document from your university when you enrol which will suffice. The customer service centre is located over the road from Northumbria University on the corner of St Marys place and Sandyford Road. If you do not notify the city council of your student status then you will still be liable to pay council tax.
Keys and Security
What do I do if I lose my key?
You must inform us as soon as possible and we will arrange for a replacement key. Please note that replacement of lost keys will cost £20 per key.
My bedroom doesn't have a lock, can I get one?
Not all bedrooms have locks. If you require a lock on your bedroom door there is a charge of £50 plus vat. You are not allowed to fit your own lock as the lock has to be of a certain type in order to comply with H.M.O Licencing and Accreditation legislation.
Security in your property
For your safety and security please ensure that windows and doors are kept locked at all times possible to minimise theft. Please report any burglaries to the police as soon as possible. The telephone number for Northumbria Police is: 08456 043 043. We would strongly advise you to take out personal belongings/contents insurance.
Television Licenses
Students and Professionals are reminded that if you bring a television you must have a television license. Only 1 licence is required per household as long as everybody is on the same contract.
Refuse Collection
All residences are required to dispose of rubbish regularly in the wheelie bins that are located at the front or back of the property. It is essential that rear yards are kept free of litter.
When is the rubbish collected?
There may be a sticker on your wheelie bin indicating the day your rubbish is collected. If you're in any doubt you should phone Envirocall at Newcastle Council on 0191 274 4000
What if I have larger items to dispose of?
If there are any items that you wish to dispose of, that are too large for the wheelie bins, then please phone Envirocall on: 0191 274 4000 to arrange a collection. This service is free.
Personal Belongings left behind at the end of tenancy
This is not the responsibility of Ridley Properties. Any items left behind at the end of the tenancy will be discarded.
Cost of Damage
Student and Professional tenants are jointly responsible for the condition of communal areas in the property and individuals are responsible for the condition of their rooms. Any damage to paint work etc caused by putting up decorations and posters etc. will be charged to the tenant and taken from his/her deposit.
Fire safety
We undertake regular fire inspections of your property on a quartlerly basis. This is in keeping with fire regulations and ensures all smoke alarms and fire equipment is in full working order.
Smoke alarms
There are smoke alarms located in all communal areas of the properties and in all bedrooms, which will be triggered to alert you if there is a fire. You should never tamper with the smoke alarms.
The smoke alarm keeps beeping, what should I do?
Smoke alarms will usually sound a beep every so often to indicate the battery is low, if you suspect the battery is low then please inform us and we will replace them for you, do not attempt to do this yourself as you may damage the alarm.
Door closers
Door closers are not to be removed from the doors. These are there for a reason and required by law in keeping with fire regulations. There will be a charge if they are found to have been removed by any tenants.
Cooking in your property
Cooking in any form is not permitted in bedrooms Please ensure that, when cooking, you close the kitchen door and open the window to avoid setting off the smoke alarms that are located in the property.
What should I do in the event of a fire?
If a fire breaks out in the property:
• Get everyone out
• Stay out
• Dial 999 immediately - it's free from any phone
Other things to remember include:
• If possible, close all doors behind you as you get out - this will delay the spread of fire
• If you need to open a closed door, check to see whether it feels hot first - if it does, there may be fire behind it so don't open it
• If there's a lot of smoke, stay as low to the ground as you can and cover your nose and mouth with a cloth
• If you need to break a window to get out, cover the edges with a cloth so you don't cut yourself when you climb out. If possible, throw soft things like bedding out to cushion your fall.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is not permitted in any part of the property. If at any point during your tenancy we discover this policy has been ignored then Ridley Properties reserves the right to make good any rooms that have been affected. This may include redecorating or the need for new fixtures and fittings. The cost of this will then be deducted from your damage deposit. PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS POLICY
Cleanliness
We would advise tenants to keep the property in a clean and tidy condition - communal areas are the responsibilty of all tenants. We would like to remind tenants that when the tenancy is over, the property must be left in exactly the same clean and tidy condition in which it was in when you moved in, failure to do so may result in deductions from your damage deposit.
Pets and Animals
Pets and animals are not to be kept in any part of the property.
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