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Frequently Asked Questions for students in Cardiff

• When do students source their accommodation?
• Our property lists typically become available at the beginning of November for the next student academic year. We do this out of necessity as some tenants start making enquiries as early as October and the trend is for agencies to release their available lists early. However, new properties come onto our listings weekly, if not daily, throughout the year and we would stress that it’s important to be confident in the group you intend to move-in with. Thus if you have just moved into Halls with other students you have only recently met, it’s advisable to give it some time before committing to next year’s accommodation with them. The only exception to this is if you are looking for a 1 or 2 bedroom property. Our list for these properties don’t become available until around the beginning of January, however you can always register your details earlier and we will contact you nearer the time.
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• Where are the most popular areas for student accommodation in Cardiff?
• The Cathays and Roath areas of Cardiff tend to be the most popular area for students, as they are within close proximity to Cardiff University/UWIC buildings and the City Centre. To view our specially-created map of Cathays and Roath with all the local pubs, clubs, supermarkets and University buildings pinpointed on it, please click here.
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• What is the average rent for a student property in Cardiff?
• The average rent is around £260 per person, but this will vary considerably between £180 and £350 depending on the quality, size and location of the property. This excludes utility or council tax bills (if applicable).
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• What is a guarantor?
• As students are typically unable to provide references – such as from an employer or previous landlord – they are asked to appoint a guarantor for the duration of the tenancy. The guarantor acts as a financial backer and is liable for any rent should the person they are guaranteeing fall into arrears. It is normally a parent or guardian, though it can be anybody providing they are over 25 years of age, reside in the UK and own a home in the UK.
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• What is a bond?
• The bond (sometimes referred to as the deposit) is paid before the tenancy begins and covers any losses or expenses incurred by the Landlord and/or managing agent during your tenancy. These losses/expenses include any items damaged over and beyond ‘fair wear and tear’, lost items and any outstanding debts attached to the property/tenancy, such as rent owed or utility/council tax bills that haven’t yet been paid.
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• Who keeps my bond?
• Deposit protection legislation introduced in April 2007 saw a change to the way bonds are held. Every bond taken in connection with an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) – which pretty much every student property across the UK will be signed up to – must be registered and protected by a deposit protection scheme. If your property is managed by CPS Homes, we will register your bond with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS). Unlike the alternative two deposit protection schemes (TDS and MyDeposits), The DPS holds the bond with UK Government-approved banks for the during of the tenancy. If your property is managed by the Landlord, the Landlord will register the bond with the scheme they are registered with. You will receive information on this once the bond is registered with the appropriate scheme.
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• How much will my bond be?
• A bond is usually between one and two months worth of rent. The amount requested cannot be more than the equivalent of two months rent, but typically agents/landlords will ask for the equivalent of one month’s rent plus a little bit extra.
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• How can I pay for my bond?
• With CPS Homes, your bond will need to be cleared funds by the time you come in to sign the Tenancy Agreement. If you want to pay the bond at the signing, it must either be cash, credit/debit card or bankers draft. If you are paying your bond five or more working days prior before to signing the Tenancy Agreement, you may pay by any of the aforementioned methods or bank transfer. Please note that any credit card payments are subject to a 2% charge, although we do not charge for debit cards.
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• Can I use my bond to pay the last month's rent?
• No. It is a breach of your Tenancy Agreement to not pay your last month’s rent on time, as it would be for any other month during the tenancy.
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• Who will decide if there are to be deductions from my bond and why might there be a deduction?
• If the property is a managed one, CPS Homes carry out a “fair to all” policy where we will carry out an accompanied check-out inspection with you on the day that you leave. On the check-out we compare the condition of the property now to the inventory at the beginning of the tenancy. An agreement on which items are to be charged from your bond, if any, is then reached between both parties. You can choose not to attend the check-out with us, however we always ask that you do so as it is your opportunity to raise any queries with us. The most common deductions agreed are for additional cleaning required, marks left from blu-tack or broken furniture. These are typically items beyond the ‘fair wear and tear’ allowance.
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• What if I don’t agree with the proposed deductions from my bond?
• All three deposit protection schemes offer an independent and free Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service should both parties agree to use it. The purpose of this service is to resolve any disputes quickly and without the need for court action. After collecting and reviewing evidence from both parties, an adjudicator will make the final decision on the amounts to be repaid to both parties.
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• When will I get my bond back?
• Where the property is managed by CPS Homes, your bond will be returned to you within 14 days providing your keys have been returned and you have provided proof that there are no outstanding utility or council tax bills on the property. In cases where council tax isn't applicable to a tenant/tenancy – such as where all occupants are full-time students – council tax exemption forms must be provided.
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• What is an inventory?
• The inventory is a full and detailed report of the furniture, contents and state of repair of the flat or house on the day that you move in. It will list all of the major areas in every single room in the house, giving complete details of every knock, mark, stain and bit of damage that is available to the naked eye. Once you have signed the inventory, it forms the basis for any deductions from your bond for breakages, loss and damage. This makes it vital that the condition of the property is accurately recorded at the start of the tenancy, or you may be charged for something that you didn't do or a missing item that was never there. If for any reason you are not provided with an inventory, you should contact our office where typically it will be available for collection or re-emailing.
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• What do I do if I have a maintenance issue?
• If your property is managed by us, call us on 02920 454555. Our branches are open from 8:30am-5:30pm on weekdays and 10am-2pm on Sat, though if you call out of hours our answer phone message provides emergency contact telephone numbers for contractors who may be able to help you until we are open again. If you deal with your Landlord directly, any maintenance issues will have to be reported to him or her.
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• What is a HMO and what does it mean to me?
• HMO stands for House of Multiple Occupancy. A HMO is any property that has 3 or more unrelated occupants. There is a common misconception that every HMO requires a HMO licence. This is not the case; only some HMOs need a licence. There are two types of HMO Licensing in force in Cardiff – Mandatory Licensing and Additional Licensing;
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• Mandatory Licensing
• Mandatory Licensing applies to any HMO with 3 or more storeys and 5 or more unrelated occupants, regardless of which area the property is in. This is why it’s called mandatory. This type of licensing came into force in 2006, having been formed under the 2004 Housing Act.
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• Additional Licensing
• Additional Licensing applies to any HMO in the Cathays Community ward of Cardiff. It is important to note that the number of storeys is irrelevant here. Prior to granting the licence, the Council will conduct a thorough inspection of the property to ensure it meets the required standards. If it fails in certain areas, they will issue a list of work that needs to be carried out before they can grant the licence.
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• If I can no longer take the property, can I transfer my agency fee to a different one?
• If you have not yet signed a Tenancy Agreement for the property, provided it has been two weeks or less since you paid your agency fee you will, in most cases, be able to transfer it to another house marketed by CPS Homes. Please note we are only able to transfer a fee once and only within two weeks of the original payment.
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• I'm a single student but want a room in a shared house - can you help me?
• CPS Homes do not rent out single rooms, but we are more than happy to take your details and put your name forward should we hear of a property that is looking for a new tenant. The whole group would then be required to come in and sign a new Tenancy Agreement for the property.
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• What is the difference between a Managed and a Let Only property and how will I find out what mine is?
• A Managed property is where CPS Homes deals with all aspects of management, including maintenance issues, paying rent and general enquires. Tenants deal directly with us. A Let Only property is where the Landlord deals with all of above issues themselves. If you move into a property on this service, you will be given all necessary contact details for the Landlord when you sign for the property.
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• What if one tenant pulls out after signing a Tenancy Agreement?
• It’s extremely important to note that once a Tenancy Agreement has been signed, there is no straight forward ‘get-out’. It is possible to relieve yourself of your duties under the contract, though it typically involves a new tenant being found to replace you. It’s therefore important that you consider things carefully before committing to sign a Tenancy Agreement. At CPS Homes we do not advertise single rooms in shared houses, though if we receive enquiries we will happily suggest any properties that have a room available. However, experience has shown that existing tenants using methods such as Gumtree and Facebook have more success in finding a replacement tenant. Once somebody is found and passes our referencing requirements, the entire house needs to come in and sign a new contract. Until this has been done, the tenant wishing to be relieved of their obligations is still liable to pay the rent for the duration of the tenancy.
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