So, You Want to Sign Up For Another Year? But With DIFFERENT Housemates?

You’re a student in a shared house in Brighton. It’s a great place to live, the property is clean and comfortable –  and you’re keen to stay there. But, you’re changing up the dynamic – with one or more brand-new housemates.

No problem at all. The Clarity team is delighted that you will be with us again and hopes your next year at uni or college will go really well.

Here’s what to do. Do read this article carefully.

In our experience, it’s essential that everyone involved in the tenancy follows the correct steps. This is to ensure that there are no issues and that each stage goes smoothly, and without delay. You all need to be on board.

To make things easy, we’ve outlined everything from A to Z in a series of numbered bullet points:

1. Contact Details

We will need the contact details of those staying beyond the letting expiry date so that we can send each of you an application form. Please respond as quickly as possible. A prompt response means you can look forward to your renewed tenancy – stress-free. And, that Clarity can get everything completed in plenty of time.

For EACH the NEW tenants, we will require:

• Name
• Contact details
• ID details

Plus, the same for each of the guarantors, if necessary.

2. Holding Deposit

Each new tenant must pay a one-week holding deposit. This will be deducted from their first rental payment – but it’s non-refundable if they withdraw.

How to work this out: your monthly rent times 12, then divided into 52.

You can pay this by:

• Debit card
• Over the phone to Clarity Property Management, or
• BACS

BACS Details:

Clarity Property Management Ltd 

Barclays Bank UK PLC
Sort Code 20-88-13
Account Number 83057089

Suggested reference: Your name, your address (so we know who you are!

3. Pre-Contract Agreement

Check your email for this. You will need to read and sign it via Docusign.

What exactly is a pre-contract agreement? It contains details of your renewed rental term, Clarity’s Ts and Cs, and payment terms.

4. References

We’ll send out links to your new housemates and their guarantors. Again, a speedy response is best.

5. Guarantors

Each guarantor will receive a guarantor deed (agreement), including any change in liability share if the renewing group is smaller.

6. Deposits

After we have checked the new sharers’ references, they will each receive an invoice from us for their share of the deposit and for the first month’s rent.

Assuming that you’re a remaining tenant, you will need to pay another deposit – this is a requirement by law for a renewed tenancy, so for a short while, we may hold two deposits from you, with the first deposit – either in full or minus any necessary deductions returned.

You will continue to pay your rent by standing order.

Your new housemates must pay their first month’s rent early, along with their deposits.

Do keep to the payment deadlines – otherwise, the application may be cancelled.

7. Onward/New Tenancy Agreementt

You will receive a tenancy agreement, which everyone will need to sign via Docusign.

8. Checking Out

Expect a call or email from Clarity’s property manager to book a checkout with you. This will be in line with your current contract expiry date, and after the visit, they will issue a report.

Staying put? Store your belongings neatly in your room and/or communal areas.

For those leaving, for the return of their deposit, they will be obliged to clean their bedrooms and the shared areas they’ve used. And, of course, leave the keys.

Clarity looks after the deposit you have paid on behalf of the landlord; we’ll raise any issues, otherwise, the money will be released back to the former tenants within 10 working days of them checking out.

Your “new deposit” will be protected, with a certificate issued prior to your new term.

9. Keys

Your new house pals can pick up the keys from the old ones. Or, with prior arrangement, they can pick them up from us.

Questions and Answers

How much is my deposit?

Your deposit will be 5 weeks’ rent.

Can the NEW tenants get a refund on their holding deposit?

Yes, and No.

If the landlord withdraws the property – yes.

However, the answer is NO in the following instances:

• If you provide false or misleading information, the landlord may decide not to rent to you as they could see you as an unsuitable tenant.
• If you fail the Right to Rent check.
• If you withdraw from the agreement. Or, fail to take all reasonable steps to enter the agreement. For example, you’re extremely slow in responding to requests for information, or you fail to provide them.

Have a look at the Tenant Fees Act, 2019 (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tenant-fees-act)

Can the NEW tenants get a refund on their holding deposit?

No, but you should keep everything neat and tidy in your room so that as much floor and wall space as possible is available for inspection.

At what exact point is the property ours, so to speak? When can we officially say that it’s reserved for our group?

Once you’ve all signed the tenancy agreement.

I’m staying here. Why can’t I just transfer my share of my current deposit to my new tenancy?

Because legally, we have to ensure tenants leaving at the end of their contractual term can access their deposit when it expires.

Your deposits are two different things.

Your here-and-now deposit must be held for damages or rent arrears for your current term, with the people you are sharing with now. It can’t be moved to the new tenancy as it’s part of the overall payment.  In other words, a new tenancy means a new deposit.

So, there you have it.

We hope you’ve found this article useful.

Sharing a house can be one of the best parts of university life, not least in Brighton and Hove – the best city in the UK (of course). With great housemates, you’ll always have a support system, and, if you’re lucky, an instant social life!