Contracts
Your letting agent or landlord may ask you to sign a tenancy agreement (contract). This is legally binding.
Once you sign it is almost impossible to reverse, and if it is possible – it will cost you!
Your landlord should give you 24 hours to take the contract away for an expert to check through it for ‘unfair terms’. During this time, the house should be held for you free of charge.
Get someone to look over the contract for you, perhaps your parents, the Student Union or University.
Remember – You do not have to sign on the day you decide you want to rent the house.
Cardiff University Students
Take contracts to the Student Advice Centre on the 3rd floor of the Students’ Union and ask for an advisor to check it over.
Cardiff Metropolitan University Students
Get in touch with your Accommodation Officer:
029 2041 6188 / accomm@cardiffmet.ac.uk
University of South Wales Students
Get in touch with your Accommodation Office:
01443 482044 / accom@southwales.ac.uk
Make sure:
- any verbal promises are included in the written tenancy agreement. They should be signed and dated;
- all tenants names are on the agreement;
- you have a copy of the contract and you keep it in a safe place so you can refer back to it if any problems arise;
- you understand that if you are on a joint contract that you are jointly liable for any damage caused to communal areas of the property e.g. kitchen and living room. Only rent with people you can trust;
- you understand that if you or another tenant wants to leave the tenancy before the end of the contract, it is your responsibility to find another tenant. There may also be charges for leaving the contract early. You are responsible for rent until the end of the tenancy;
- you don’t make any payments (including the deposit or agency fees) before signing the contract.
Download the Understanding your tenancy contract leaflet for more information.
If you are unsure about anything in the contract, please call:
Housing Options Centre on 029 2057 0750