Accommodation problems
We provide information and advice on a wide range of accommodation issues including University run and privately rented accommodation
We can help with most problems including landlords, contracts, deposits, council tax and difficulties with housemates.
Below is a list of links to information about accommodation issues that you may find helpful. If you cannot find the information here that you need, or you would like to discuss something in confidence, then get in touch with us in the Advice Centre. The Shelter website has a lot of useful information about rights when renting.
Letter template for challenging deductions (Word 94KB)
Check to see if your deposit is protected
Unfair terms in tenancy agreements
The Office of Fair Trading has an online leaflet which gives guidance on unfair terms in tenancy agreements.
If you are looking to find accommodation then contact the University’s Accommodation Service, email: accommodation@bucks.ac.uk or telephone: 01494 603 063.
Recent updates to regulations for renting
“Right to rent” regulations are designed to stop people who are in the UK without permission from obtaining access to rented accommodation. In order to not be discriminatory, those regulations apply to all British nationals, EU nationals and nationals of all other countries. You should not be offended if a landlord asks to see your passport or other documents which confirm your immigration status. A landlord or letting agent will wish to protect their position in law by checking that a prospective tenant is lawfully here. A British or EU national can satisfy the check by showing their passport or other documents such as a driving licence or a birth certificate. For international students who are here lawfully, the checks are equally simple and can be satisfied by showing a student visa and a letter from the University confirming that you are a registered student.
List of documents which you may need to show your landlord, if asked:
• UK passport
• EU passport or identity card
• other (than UK or EU) passport with a stamp that shows the holder is allowed to stay in the UK for a time-limited period (student visa stamp)
• permanent residence card or travel document showing indefinite leave to remain
• Home Office immigration status document
• letter from the University confirming your enrolment.
The landlord must:
View the original versions of the acceptable documents for all adult tenants, in the presence of the holder of the documents, and retain copies with a record of the date on which the check is made.”
The information contained above was taken from Code of practice for landlords: Avoiding unlawful discrimination when conducting ‘right to rent’ checks in the private rented residential sector.
Accommodation links and leaflets