Halls to House

Click here for details on avoiding pitfalls when choosing your house.

Click here to download the arc housing booklet 2011-12

The transition from a university hall to a private rented house is an exciting time, the freedom, independence and experience is an integral part of university life. But choosing who and where to live, plus who to rent from can be daunting.

This section looks at some steps to take before moving into the private rented sector.

For starters please be aware that there are over 90 unlicensed letting agencies operating in Cardiff. Anybody can set up a letting agency, with no training or qualifications, so how do you know who is more honourable. An unlicensed or unaccredited letting agency is more likely to fall short of best practise standards. You are more likely to have potential trouble or issues such as poor maintenance, slow or unresponsive assistance to problems or queries and potential issues with bonds.

Regulatory bodies and accredited landlords encourage best practises such as ensuring gas certificates are in place, your bond is protected, basic living standards are met, maintenance issues are dealt with efficiently, and contact is responsive.

The organisations on the right are recommended. Check that the agent you are dealing with is registered with one of these bodies. Click on the images to visit there websites.

Also available is a housing list containing university recommended landlords available through your universities. The housing list contains landlords who manage their properties; at the top of the list are accredited landlords.

Please be aware that if a landlord has rented the property listed but offers you another property that you check with your accommodation services to establish whether any checks or safety certificates such as gas and electric have been presented for this property. Houses offered that are not on the list have undergone no checks or given evidence of appropriate safety certificates and are potentially unsuitable.