Flat Sharing Info

FLAT SHARES IN THE UK

WHAT IS A FLAT SHARE? A flat share is where two or more people live in a property together and is the general term used to describe most shared accommodation and/or properties with bedrooms to rent. The communal areas such as the lounge and kitchen will be shared with the other people that you live with. Someone who is living in a house or flat share is commonly referred to as a housemate, flatmate, or sometimes roommate. Rarely, a room will be offered as a room share (meaning you would be sharing the room with another person) but do double check when being offered a “room share.” WHY SHARE? Sharing is often cheaper than renting your own flat as you will also be sharing utility costs. It can make it possible to live in a better property or area than you would otherwise be unable to afford alone. In addition to the cost factor, sharing can also be a great way to live. The social benefits of sharing can be a real advantage -especially for people arriving in the UK on assignment who have not yet managed to establish social ties. How Can Dwellworks Help You? + Have initial discussion with you to explain the process, and the important do’s and don’ts + Help you decide upon an area that is suited to you + Assist with the registration with appropriate sources /websites + Assist with profile set up + Review lease documentation or provide documentation that client needs to get signed by other parties/sharers + Assist with check-in as appropriate + Provide support and information, e.g., banking, insurance, etc. + Inform on check-out procedure Flat shares will often be private lets either with an Occupant Landlord or within an already established flat share residence. Potential sharers will advertise their available room via various websites and will choose an applicant based on things such as age, gender, instinct or “likeability.” For example, a single female sharer may not want someone who is male; or perhaps another female who has a partner that potentially might stay overnight regularly. Therefore, although Dwellworks can advise you on suitable areas and practical matters and offer advice, we are not able to act directly for you in the interview and application process as we would if you were looking for your own property to rent through an estate agent. Popular Flat Sharing Websites There are several websites dedicated to finding (or advertising for a flat share) in the UK, and these are some of the most popular: + http://www.spareroom.co.uk + http://www.gumtree.com/flatshare/ + http://www.flatshare.com/ + http://www.londonshared.co.uk/ + http://www.moveflat.com

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FLAT SHARES IN THE UK

BEWARE OF SCAM ADVERTS! As with all adverts on the internet, please be mindful that not all of them will be genuine. On some websites, they may vet all subscribers to ensure they are genuine, but we cannot take this for granted. NEVER pay money without first seeing the room and always wait until you have a Landlord signed contract. WHAT TO EXPECT The first step would be to contact the advertisers either via email or telephone. Typically, you would be expected to give a brief description of yourself. Too much detail or personal information is not necessary. For example; “I am a 30-year-old professional from Spain recently arrived in London and looking for a flat share in your area….” On the actual viewing, be mindful that it is a type of interview and act accordingly. Of course, it is an opportunity for you to see the room and determine its suitability, but it is also an opportunity for the current sharers to see if you are someone they would like to live with. Therefore, it is very important to make a good impression. As most viewings for flat shares will happen outside normal business hours and current occupants are unlikely to accept a third-party relocation company accompanying you, you may want to ask a friend or a colleague to come with you for the viewing. Useful Questions to Ask at Viewing: + Have the current flatmates lived there long? + Why has the room become available? + What are the neighbours above/below like? + How are the bills split and what do they cover or include? + What is the notice period? + Can you see the space you will be given in the kitchen for food? + Is there a cleaner that you will be expected to contribute to? + What times in the morning is the bathroom usually in use? + Do they have a good relationship with their Landlord? (no need to ask this if a Live-in or ‘Occupier Landlord’) + Is the Landlord responsive when things break or need replacing? + Are you allowed to hang pictures on the walls? + Has there ever been a break in/burglary? + What happens if you or another flatmate decides to move out? Once You Have Secured the Room When you’ve decided the flat share is for you, you may be required to adhere to some of the following processes: + Pay the landlord/agent for changing names on the tenancy agreement plus any referencing fees (in the best-regulated cases – sometimes the current sharers sublet with no paperwork) + Undergo a personal referencing process + Pay the proportion of the security deposit originally paid by the person whose room you are taking + All named tenants signing a joint tenancy will be jointly and equally liable + Pay a share of the professional cleaning at the end of the tenancy agreement

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FLAT SHARES IN THE UK

+ Possibly pay a share of the dilapidations charged by the landlord for defects for the duration of the dwelling towards which the outgoing sharer has made no financial contributions + Bear in mind any ‘set up costs’ you may fall subject to – more likely to occur when starting a new tenancy with more than yourself as applicant(s) TYPICAL TENANCY ARRANGEMENTS Tenancy arrangements in shared accommodation can vary. The most typical scenarios include: + One tenancy agreement which each tenant in the property signs. You all share the property and its facilities and don’t have exclusive possession of any part, even though in practice you may agree to occupy a particular bedroom and pay individual contributions towards the rent. This is a joint tenancy + Each sharer in the property has their own tenancy agreement because they each have exclusive possession of one specific room while sharing other facilities such as the kitchen. In this case, each tenant has a sole tenancy + One sharer in the property signs the tenancy agreement and has a sole tenancy. They then sublet rooms separately to other tenants either as sub-tenants or as lodgers. Your rights and responsibilities will vary depending on whether you have a joint or sole tenancy or whether you have a tenant as your resident landlord.

Disclaimer: Please note that the above information has been provided as a guide and is subject to change. The content provided herein is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation and/or opinion. Neither Dwellworks nor any of its subsidiaries make any representations, express or implied as to the timeliness, accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Dwellworks expressly disclaims any liability for errors or omissions in such information.

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