Housing Advice
USSU Advice Centre is a service that is here to give you free, impartial, confidential and independent advice. Whether you are living in Salford or are commuting from further a field we have advisors to deliver you advice on your housing rights.
Unable to find the answers you're seeking about (PMC/Complaint/Housing) issues? Our Advice Centre is here to assist you. For quick and straightforward queries, you can send us an email at advicecentre-ussu@salford.ac.uk. For more complex enquiries, or if you prefer a more in-depth discussion we recommend booking an appointment through our booking portal to speak to one of our advisors who can provide tailored guidance.
Ways to contact us
- Email us: advicecentre-ussu@salford.ac.uk
- Referral Form: If you wish for one of our advisors to ring you at a time that suits you, you can self-refer via this form. We will aim to contact you within 2 working days however please note during busy periods it may take longer to contact to you.
- Appointments: You can book an appointment at a time and date that suits you via our website. We hold appointments Wednesday and Thursday 10am-12pm. You can book virtual Teams appointments through our portal, however if you would prefer a face-to-face appointment, please drop us an email.
What can we help you with?
- Starting your tenancy: There is a lot to think about when starting a new tenancy. We can help you check through your tenancy agreement, discuss what’s affordable for you and what you should check before you move in, or sign a contract. We can also give you information about guarantors, and advice if you are having trouble securing a guarantor.
- Rights and Responsibilities: Our advisors can give you information on your rights and as tenant, and what responsibilities you have when maintaining a tenancy. We can also discuss your landlord’s responsibilities and what standards you should expect in a rented property.
- Managing Household Bills: We can discuss what bills you need to pay and ways of managing those bills. That could be discussions about gas, electric, water and council tax, as well as making arrangements to split them with your housemates.
- Disrepair: Your university accommodation should always feel safe and free from any hazards. We can offer you guidance and what steps you should take are should this not be the case.
- Deposits: We can help you understand your rights to deposit protection and what to do if your landlord hasn’t protected your deposit. We are also able to offer you advice and guidance on how to get your deposit back at the end of your tenancy as well as what you can do if you get into a dispute with your landlord over your deposit.
- End of Contracts: When you are moving out of your property or accommodation, our advisors can give you advice on what you need to do, giving you the best opportunity to avoid disputes and to have your full deposit returned to you.
Other Support
If you are having a problem with your housing, it’s not just the Students’ Union who can offer you support. There are lots of resources available for you to read up on your right and get some help fighting your case:
AskUs Housing Advice – AskUs offer advice on housing issues and are acutely aware of matters which are specific to students.
Housing advice from Shelter – Shelter’s online advice helps millions of people each year with homelessness, council housing, eviction and more.
Citizens Advice – Citizens Advice is a free resource offering guidance on a range of issues including housing, benefits, work, debt and much more.
Salford City Council – Salford City Council offer a range of services to help anyone in the rented accommodation including what to do when things go wrong and how to complain about poor accommodation.
Other Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I find suitable accommodation?
The university has plenty of information about how to find accommodation. You can find that here: Finding Accommodation.
What should I consider when choosing a student property?
When considering accommodation options, think about: your budget; the type of people you would like to live with; the distance from campus and local facilities; access to transportation, and the type of property you'd like to live in.
What should I when I’m moving into my accommodation?
Complete the inventory checklist you may be given and record state and condition of the property. By doing this you are keeping record of what the property was like upon you moving in. This may be helpful as evidence should your accommodation provider try to charge you for any damage to the property and it wasn’t you, therefore is good practice to do. Take pictures of anything you want to keep for your records.
What is a tenancy agreement?
You should have a tenancy agreement when you move into a property. This is an agreement that outlines the terms of your stay and includes rights and responsibilities of the landlord and you as the tenant; it should also include information about rent price and your deposit. Sometimes you may feel like to must rush to sign an agreement, please make sure you understand what you are agreeing to. It can be difficult in leaving a tenancy once it has been agreed by both parties and it is a legally binding document.
Should I bother with a house viewing?
Yes, we would always recommend that you go and physically visit the property to check you are happy with the state and condition it is in as well as happy with the local area. Once a student signs and agrees to their tenancy agreement it become a legally binding contract therefore you want to be sure you know what kind of place you are signing up to live in. In the world of online convenience, we know some accommodation providers will offer to do a virtual or online viewing of the property but this may not give you a full insight to what the property is like!
What should I do if I have a repair that needs fixing?
Speak with your landlord or letting agent about repairs. If you have a letting agent then there may be information on their website about how to request a repair. You may be provided with details of how to report emergency or out of hours issues with the property. Keep this information stored where you can easily find it.
If I am unhappy about an aspect of my housing, can I withhold rent?
This is not something we would advise. Your obligation to pay rent is separate from the landlord’s obligation to carry out repairs. Your landlord could evict you if you withhold rent, even if there are repairs to be done. If you are concerned about an issue with your housing, you could seek advice from the Students’ Union.
What is a ‘guarantor’?
A guarantor is an individual who agrees to cover the cost of your rent (and perhaps other costs) if you are unable to pay. This may be something that an accommodation provider may ask for; the guarantor will need to agree and sign this agreement if they do. They will need to sign a guarantor agreement.
Do I have to pay council tax as a student?
Full time enrolled students at university are exempt from paying council tax. Therefore, if you are full time student, you should inform the local council of this; they may require you provide evidence, you can provide them a university letter to prove you are in studies full time. You can get a letter through the following page: Letter Requests.
What steps do I need to take when moving out of my student accommodation?
- When it's time to move out of your student accommodation, make sure to pack everything and clean the space thoroughly. Check for any damages or repairs needed when you are moving out, take pictures and keep a record of them. Make sure any household bills are settled and you have updated your address with anyone who may write to you. Return the keys to your landlord or letting agent.
You can find a detailed moving checklist here: Moving House Checklist
Head over to our blog to read more about our housing advice. Including advice on getting your deposit back.
