► Housing

The Students' Union Advice Centre can help with all your housing issues. Whether you choose to live in student halls of residence or in private rented accommodation we can advise on a variety of issues from choosing the right accommodation to suit your needs to helping with problems that arise whilst you are living there.

Huddersfield Studentpad is an online accommodation service provided in association with Huddersfield Students’ Union.

It provides information and guidance on the private sector housing market including adverts from local landlords and letting agents. It’s a great place to start your search for the ideal place to live. Click on the logo above to check it out.

House Hunting Tips

When it comes time to start thinking about where you want to live next academic year don’t panic. As tempting as it may seem to rush in and sign up for the first place you see, it pays to be patient. Make sure you know what you want, where to get information and how to find the right property for you. The Advice Centre holds a ‘Housing Week’ in January each year, check out our events page for further details (link to events page). You can also check out the Housing Guide on Huddersfield Studentpad by clicking here.

Contract Checks

Most landlords and agents will ask you to sign a contract that outlines the rights and obligations of both the tenant and the landlord. In most cases as soon as you sign this contract you are bound by the terms in it and obliged to take up the tenancy, even when it isn’t due to start for some months. You should always read the contract thoroughly and question anything that you don’t understand, or better still bring it in to the Advice Centre and get one of the Advisers to go through it with you. We can explain what all the terms mean and highlight some of the consequences of these terms that you may not have thought of.

Repair Issues

If you have a problem during your tenancy and you are not sure whether it’s you or the landlord who should be dealing with it or if your landlord is not dealing with problems that are clearly his responsibility then we can offer guidance and help you to get something done. You can check out government guidance on repair issues by clicking here.

Disputes with Landlords

If you are having problems with your landlord we can advise on your rights and responsibilities and help you resolve the issues. You can find some useful information on the direct.gov website, click here.

Deposits

Did you know that your landlord has a legal obligation to protect any deposit you pay in tenancy deposit protection scheme? Tenancy deposit law was introduced on 6th April 2007 and provides protection for tenants by preventing landlords and letting agents from unfairly withholding a deposit. For further guidance on what your landlord should be doing with your deposit contact the Advice Centre or check out the link to government guidance by clicking here.

Kirklees Private Sector Housing

The local council has a dedicated team that can help with a wide range of issues within the private rented sector. We can make referrals to someone in the team to help with specific problems. Click here for further information from Kirklees.

Links to Further Support

Shelter

CHAS

Deposit Protection Service

Huddersfield Studentpad