Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We've viewed a property we want to rent, what happens next?
Please call Lindsay on 07870 270852 straight away, to let us know. If we don't already have your details we'll need the contact details of the lead tenant (group spokesperson!) in order to get the ball rolling. We'll then email you an "Application for Accommodation form" which needs to be forwarded on to each member of your group for them to fill out and email back to us within 3 days. We require £50 per person "Holding Deposit" to be paid immediately. We cannot take the property off the market and cease other viewings until we have received the holding deposit in full. This is normal with all rentals as it demonstrates to the landlord that you are committed to renting the house. We then take a signed parental guarantor form and collect forms of ID from you and your guarantor, then we're ready to sign. Upon signing the occupation contract, the holding fee can be used as part-payment for the security deposit, and upon receipt of the full balance of the security deposit it is paid to the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) within the 30 day time limit.
Can I see a copy of the contract?
Of course! Just let us know and we'll send you a draft. If you're renting via an agency we are using, please contact them for the draft.
Why do I need a guarantor?
We take parental guarantors from all our contract holders (previously known as tenants). This protects each contract holder and also us. Your contract has a "joint and several liability" clause, meaning that each contract holder is jointly and individually liable for all sums and terms under the contract. By taking parental guarantors, we can pursue the contract holder responsible and their guarantor for any arrears or damage, and we will only enact this clause as a last resort. We require UK parental guarantors for each contract holder. If you cannot provide such guarantor please contact us immediately. Please download our FAQs for Guarantors document for more information.
What happens at the contract signing?
Once we have received your holding deposit and we have received all of your Application for Accommodation forms, we put this information into the draft contract and provide a guarantor form for each parent to sign and return. Please note that we need to have the original signed document, copies or scans are not sufficient. We also require 1 form of proof ID and 1 form of proof of address for each tenant and each guarantor.
When all of the Guarantors and forms of identification have been returned to us, then we arrange a convenient time and place to meet up and sign the contract, or sign electronically, whichever the contract holders prefer.
When all of the Guarantors and forms of identification have been returned to us, then we arrange a convenient time and place to meet up and sign the contract, or sign electronically, whichever the contract holders prefer.
Are bills included? Are there any other fees to pay?
Bills are not included. You are responsible for the water, gas, electricity, TV licence, council tax (if applicable, if you are ALL registered full-time students then you claim an exemption), internet & TV throughout the entirety of your tenancy. All houses are ready to take Virgin Media and most have BT telephone points for additional choice. Please check with us prior to ordering your service.
We do not charge additional tenancy fees such as check-in / check-out fees, agency fees etc. You are required to pay a Holding Deposit to reserve the house before signing of contract, and then the balance of the agreed deposit upon signing. This is then paid to the DPS as your deposit within 30 days of completing the signing of the contract. Then all you have to pay us is your monthly rent. If you prefer to pay this on a termly basis in line with your student loan, please request this before the start of the tenancy. We will give you a payment schedule of one month's rent for July & August (50% discount for non-occupancy), one month's rent for September, then 3 months rent payable in advance in October, January and April.
We do not charge additional tenancy fees such as check-in / check-out fees, agency fees etc. You are required to pay a Holding Deposit to reserve the house before signing of contract, and then the balance of the agreed deposit upon signing. This is then paid to the DPS as your deposit within 30 days of completing the signing of the contract. Then all you have to pay us is your monthly rent. If you prefer to pay this on a termly basis in line with your student loan, please request this before the start of the tenancy. We will give you a payment schedule of one month's rent for July & August (50% discount for non-occupancy), one month's rent for September, then 3 months rent payable in advance in October, January and April.
I need to be in Cardiff over July & August, is it possible to stay at the house?
Possibly - please contact the manager of your property (either Lindsay or Marilyn) well in advance to discuss as it will depend on the planned summer maintenance schedule we have for the property. Please bear in mind the 50% discount is not available if you choose to move in before 1st September, and a full inventory and induction must be undertaken before possession of the property is passed to you. Full rent for the whole house would become due for the summer months.
Who will manage our property?
22 Treorky St, 47 Merthyr St and 17 Norman St are owned and managed primarily by Ceri & Marilyn Morgan, so they are your first point of call for any maintenance or admin enquiries. All other properties on this website are owned and managed by Lindsay & Mike Morgan. However as a family business you can contact any of us for any property and we will ensure your issue is resolved quickly and efficiently.
Moving in - what happens?
When you are ready to move into the property, we ask that you choose a date that all contract holders can make. We encourage as many contract holders to attend this property induction as possible, because it's always the contract holders that haven't attended that end up making the call outs for issues that have been covered in the induction!! We spend around an hour going through the inventory document, pointing out any condition issues on the inventory, and we show you how everything works in the house, such as kitchen appliances, heating system, fire alarm, burglar alarm (if fitted), position of water stop cock, position of meters and how to read them etc. You'll receive all the front door and bedroom keys at this induction, so if you can't make the meeting then you need to contact your housemates to obtain your keys before you arrive in Cardiff. At this induction & inventory meeting, we'll also talk about "being a good housemate", refuse arrangements and then we'll sign all the inventory documents together. You'll then get a scanned copy emailed to you within a couple of days, and you'll receive a link to a Google Drive folder containing all the important documents and inventory photographs you need during the contract period. Please keep the link safe as you'll need them at the end of the tenancy to check that you've returned the property back to us in the condition you received it.
Do we need to contact the utility companies when we move in?
Your property manager (Lindsay or Marilyn) will take meter readings and contact the utility companies to advise them of your details. So you don't need to do anything, just respond to the welcome letters when they arrive and pay your bills when due. You may wish to set up a joint house bank account to pay into each month, which can pay the bills via direct debit. Or choose to split the bills as they come in with each tenant paying a share. It's up to you. If you do wish to switch utility companies, you MUST advise us before you do so. Beware of cheaper fixed term contracts, which may charge you large exit fees.
How do we report maintenance issues?
For any urgent maintenance or emergency issues (e.g. leaks, lack of power etc) call your property manager straight away. Do not text, or email as these may not be read immediately. Leave a voicemail giving clear information of your name, property and the nature of the emergency. Keep calling until the phone is answered. On your notice board in the hall there is a notice stating emergency numbers to call depending on the issue. If you get no answer from your property manager go down the list until you are able to report the emergency.
For other non-urgent maintenance, call, text or email your property manager. Give as much information as possible so we can respond quickly.
For other non-urgent maintenance, call, text or email your property manager. Give as much information as possible so we can respond quickly.
What happens if I lose my keys?
Please contact us immediately so that we can ascertain if there is a security risk in order to protect the house, and you and your housemates belongings.
Moving out - what happens?
Moving out can be a stressful time for all contract holders. Make suitable arrangements well in advance of the end of your tenancy to move your items (be aware that a lot of van hire companies won't rent to under 25s) and fully clean your room and a share of the communal areas. We send cleaning checklists out to all contract holders in May to assist our contract holders, in order that you can start to think about cleaning the house as a group and ensure that those left at the property at the end of June do not end up with the lions share of the work. Please understand that it is our honest desire to be able to return your deposit in full, and as such we offer pre-inspection visits at the end of June to advise if the cleaning has been done to a satisfactory standard, or if additional cleaning is required.
If you have caused any damage that you need to pay for, we request that you report this as soon as it happens so that we can arrange to have it rectified before the end of the contract. If you leave damage reporting until the end of the contract, or we find it during the full inspection, then this may delay the administration and return of your deposit as we will have to get quotes for the cost of the repair.
Take meter readings for gas, electric and water (if on a meter) and keep these safe. We contact the utility companies in early July to change the bills over from your names so you don't need to worry about this. If you wish to close your own accounts then please put the bills in the name of your property manager.
Return the keys in the manner your property manager has asked for them. This will be made clear towards the end of the tenancy. Failure to return keys within 24 hours of the end of the contract may result in you being charged for a new front door barrel and all keys for the security of any incoming tenants.
If you have caused any damage that you need to pay for, we request that you report this as soon as it happens so that we can arrange to have it rectified before the end of the contract. If you leave damage reporting until the end of the contract, or we find it during the full inspection, then this may delay the administration and return of your deposit as we will have to get quotes for the cost of the repair.
Take meter readings for gas, electric and water (if on a meter) and keep these safe. We contact the utility companies in early July to change the bills over from your names so you don't need to worry about this. If you wish to close your own accounts then please put the bills in the name of your property manager.
Return the keys in the manner your property manager has asked for them. This will be made clear towards the end of the tenancy. Failure to return keys within 24 hours of the end of the contract may result in you being charged for a new front door barrel and all keys for the security of any incoming tenants.
Why am I now called a Contract Holder? What is an occupation contract?
The Renting Homes (Wales) 2016 finally came into force on 1st Dec 2022. It aims to make renting easier, safer and more secure for tenants, who are now called 'Contract Holders'. Tenancy agreements are now called 'Occupation Contracts'. Take a look here for more information: https://www.gov.wales/housing-law-changing-renting-homes
