Accommodation in Birmingham

Selly Oak is the area surrounding Birmingham University, 15 minutes outside the city centre (by train). In this area you will find numerous house-shares/rooms available, this provides a cheaper option. Transportation: 15 minute train journey to New Street Station, then 15 minute walk to the Academy of Contemporary Music.

To further assist you in your search we also recommend websites such as:

https://www.unihomes.co.uk/student-accommodation/birmingham/selly-oak

www.openrent.co.uk

www.rightmove.co.uk

Assistance with accommodation

For more information or assistance please contact us on 01483 500817 or email accommodation@acm.ac.uk. Finally, liaise with other ACM applicants and students in our designated ACM Birmingham Accommodation Facebook Group!

What is a guarantor?
A guarantor is a third party, such as a parent or close relative, who agrees to pay your rent if you don’t pay it. Your landlord can ultimately take legal action to recover any unpaid rent from your guarantor. Your landlord may want to check that your guarantor is able to pay the rent in the same way that they’ve checked your ability to pay. For example, by carrying out a credit check. There is a legal requirement for a guarantee agreement to be in writing. The
agreement sets out the guarantor’s legal obligations.

Is a guarantor only liable for unpaid rent?
It depends on what the agreement says. In many cases, a guarantee agreement also extends to other conditions under the tenancy, for example, any damage caused to the property. If an agreement does extend to other conditions of the tenancy, then it’s best that the guarantor checks the tenancy agreement. This way they can see exactly what obligations they are guaranteeing.

Does the guarantor have to live in the UK?
Landlords will usually want a guarantor who lives in the UK, as it’s easier for them to
take legal action against a UK resident if they need to. This may present a problem for you if you’re an international student, so if you can’t get a UK-based guarantor, you may be asked to pay more rent in advance. There are companies who will, for a fee, be your guarantor.

Please search on line for a suitable
UK Guarantor Company, for example https://housinghand.co.uk/guarantor-service/

Guarantors of tenants who live in shared accommodation
If you share accommodation with other tenants under one tenancy agreement, that is, a joint tenancy, it’s common for the guarantee to apply to all of the rent, and not just your share. It’s best to check the guarantee agreement carefully and ask the landlord or agent any questions if something is unclear. As soon as the agreement is signed, the guarantor is bound by its terms and conditions. It may be possible to negotiate with the landlord for a variation to a guarantee agreement. This would ensure that the guarantor’s liability was confined to only your rent payments or any damage caused by you.

When does the guarantor’s liability end?
This depends on what the guarantee agreement says and/or what is agreed verbally.
Many guarantee agreements are open-ended and will refer to liability ‘under this
tenancy/agreement’. This means that liability could extend beyond the fixed term, to any extension, as well as to certain variations such as rent increases. If this is the case, the guarantor’s liability may continue for as long as the tenancy exists and will only end if the tenancy is legally ended by: service of a valid notice to quit by the tenant, or by mutual surrender of the tenancy between the landlord and tenant, or a possession order from the court. It may be possible to argue that an open-ended guarantor agreement is not enforceable, but a court would have to decide this.

A variation in the tenancy agreement
A variation in the tenancy agreement could bring the guarantor’s liability to an end.
For example, a change to the rent or a renewal of the tenancy would count as a
variation unless: The agreement said that the guarantee applies to any future variations or renewals, or the guarantor consents to the variation.

Checking the guarantee agreement
It’s always best to check any guarantee agreement carefully so that the guarantor
knows how and when their liability ends. It may be possible to negotiate a variation
to the guarantee agreement so that the guarantor’s liability is limited. For example,
by specifying the start and end dates the agreement applies to, such as the length of
the original fixed term only.

Unfair terms in a guarantee agreement
If a guarantee agreement is in a standard form rather than one that has been
negotiated individually, it may be possible to challenge a standard term if it is
considered unfair. A term may be unfair if it creates a ‘significant imbalance’ between the parties to the agreement. If a term is held to be unfair then it cannot be relied on and has no effect
in law. You can refer a possible unfair contract term to the local authority’s Trading
Standards Officer, who should be able to provide further guidance

Council Tax Discount: If you are renting privately, to apply for Council Tax Exemption or discounts you will need to provide your local council with proof that you are a student in Full Time Education:

You can obtain a Confirmation of Study Letter (which will exempt you from paying council tax) from your Campus Reception or by emailing enquiries@acm.ac.uk This can be provided to you once you have enrolled at the start of your first term and onwards. Should you move house during your studies a new letter, with updated address, will be required by your local council.

Points to remember:

• You are only exempt from Council Tax whilst you are in Full Time Study.
• You should advise ACM and the Council of any change of address as soon as possible.
• Do not ignore a Council Tax Bill – confirm your student status with the council.
• Council Tax discounts and exemptions can be backdated.

Please ensure you check your inventory as soon as possible. All landlords and Letting Agents should provide you with one of these documents. Inventories are reports that accurately describe the condition of the rental property so they can be used to assess claims for damages at the end of the tenancy. In cases where no move in inventory is produced, tenants are often exempt on damages claims.Inventories will also list furniture and white goods such as ovens and fridges and walls, floors and any outdoor areas etc. If you find any furniture damage or chips on wall paint please take a picture and send a report upon moving in. This way you will not have any money taken out of your deposit when you leave.

By law it is your Landlords responsibility to provide a copy of an up to date Gas Safety Record Certificate (should your property have a gas boiler or gas central heating then you should ensure that you have been provided with one) and a valid EICR Certificate (Electrical Installation Condition Report) at the start of your tenancy. Please check all appliances are working correctly and ensure that you are aware of the maintenance reporting procedure should anything go wrong. Always report all leaks, damp patches and any other problems of this nature in a timely manner. It is always a good idea to take a picture of the problem area and send it to your landlord/letting agent and keep a record or the date the report was sent for future reference.

Please remember that you will need to set up an efficient and fair way of sharing the payment of utility bills amongst all sharers (unless you are renting a property where bills are inclusive in the monthly outgoing payments). There are companies available online who will budget, bundle and manage all utility bills such as fusedbills.co.uk but do shop around to see which one would be suitable for you all.

In order to ensure a harmonious and hassle free household it is always a good idea to set up a cleaning rota between you and your housemates. It goes without saying that living in a clean and clutter free environment is essential for your wellbeing.

Cleaning up after yourselves in communal areas is extremely important to the whole household. Check your local council website for rubbish and recycling bins collection dates and ensure you are consistent in putting out your rubbish. Most rubbish and recycling collections alternate each week. Contain your rubbish well otherwise it can attract vermin, insects and other pests.

Being a Good Neighbour

ACM is committed to maintaining the best possible relationships with the local community. We are also aware that the vast majority of our students contribute greatly and in many ways to the local community and local economy. ACM respects the independence of its students; it is not our job to supervise the behaviour of people who are legally adults, however in some circumstances we do intervene.

When you move in, please take the time to introduce yourself to your neighbours and request that they communicate directly with you should they have any problems.This  will help resolve any misunderstandings before they get serious and are reported elsewhere. It is also a great way of getting to know your neighbours, for example, they may be happy for you to rehearse in the house at certain times of the day but not others.

Keep your music down to reasonable levels, especially late at night. If you plan to have a small gathering in your house please warn the neighbours beforehand and make every effort to ensure that you are not disturbing them with loud music or your guests shouting loudly outside when leaving your house.

Being a good neighbour in your community is not difficult and will ensure you have a happier stay in your home away from home.

Be safe! Don’t share any personal or banking information with anyone unless you trust the individuals and agencies involved.

Useful Links

My Property Guide website has a section solely dedicated to students renting:

https://www.mypropertyguide.co.uk/students-guide-to-private-rented-accommodation/

The NUS (National Union of Students) regularly publishes informative articles giving advice to students seeking accommodation:

https://www.nus.org.uk/student-housing-hub

Shelter is a national housing charity that gives out full information on renting in the private renting sector and has lots of information and tips including your consumer rights.

http://www.england.shelter.org.uk/