Moving In. How do I get into the house?

Whether you move in during the months of July and August or wait until September, you need to email IDEALLY fourteen days prior to your moving in date. 
We will normally meet the first person to arrive at the house
The first to arrive will then liaise with the other members to let them in. 
Therefore, please organise who is likely to arrive first. 
This person needs to contact us with the date and a preferred meeting time. 

Occasionally the first to arrive after settling in will go on holiday for a week or two and thus be unable to let the subsequent housemates in.   Just explain your arrangements with dates and times and we will organise to meet the next to arrive who in turn will enable access to those who follow.
If you simply turn up at the house and inform us upon arrival then there may be a delay in getting you in. 
Once inside you will find all bedroom door keys in the locks inside each bedroom door and the front entrance door keys will be attached. 

Check your house for defects as soon as practicable after arrival.
Do note the link Inspectionsand list any defects you find without delay

Hardwired internet -
You do will need a cable to connect (RG45 ethernet internet patch cable).
You do not need a password to connect to the internet.

Wireless internet -
You will need a wireless card in your computer.

You will need a password to connect to the internet - no cable needed.

You will need a your computer internet settings clicked on "normal" (default position).

Most Leydon Lettings houses in Canterbury now have both Hardwired and wireless Broadband internet connections, except currently Godden Road which is wireless only.

It is prudent to read Fault Findingprior to your arrival so you have all the information you need to get connected in the event you experience difficulties.  Your computer internet settings should be set to "normal" i.e. default settings.

Introductory Welcome PackTenant Info

We provide for each house a free welcome pack without obligation.

This consists of a display folder with details of the house. 
This pack will normally be in the kitchen on a worktop or in a drawer. 
If you cannot find the welcome pack we will print out another for you.  Alternatively this information is available on our website: Where Is It...?
Additionally without obligation you may find a plastic box with a number of freebies inside e.g.:

Spare energy efficient light bulbs - do not replace these with ordinary bulbs for which you could be charged for excessive use of energy.  Bulbs (or lamps) are often cheaply available in small numbers from supermarkets at subsidised discounted prices.

Vacuum bags (for "Henry vacuum cleaner").  Do not use without bags to preserve the filters which otherwise become blocked causing poor suction. seeFault Finding

Oven cleaner

Descaler for showers toilet and sinks for removal of lime scale build up (Canterbury is a hard water area). Use this on shower door glass.
Furniture polish to remove grease around door handles on natural ash doors.

Bathroom mouse to remove scum and minor scale from sanitaryware and tiles.

Carpet stain and spot remover to avoid professional cleaning charges.

Drain unblocking fluid. Available in most superstores.  Pour down drain to remove build up of hair and grease in drain plug holes.  To avoid toilet blockages, avoid flushing down the toilet: tampons, wipes and cotton buds.  Avoid placing objects on cistern lids which could then inadvertently fall into toilets during flushing and cause a blockage: e.g. toilet rolls, tooth brushes and anything which could block a drain.  SeeFault Finding

When these free consumables are consumed, where provided, Leydon Lettings is not obliged to provide replacements, e.g. vacuum bags and light bulbs which are readily available in most supermarkets: Asda, Sainsbury, Morrisons, Tesco, Currys, Comet, etc.

At the end of your tenancy we do not want to charge for cleaning.
By providing you with the means to do this yourselves you can avoid charges.  Avoid scrubbing if to do so would scratch a surface.  Gently remove with appropriate cleaning materials such as those provided above carefully following any instructions.  See Cleaning

Caution!
Incorrect use of oven cleaners and descalant can cause permanent damage for which you could be charged. Read the instructions!
Where we provide free cleaning equipment no responsibility is accepted for any damage resulting.  It is the tenants responsibility to return the house in the condition we provided - reasonable wear expected.

Rubbish disposal - see wheelie or recycle Days

Recycling rubbish - see Waste

Be careful about what you switch off?

Some electrical appliances are computerised and have settings saved until unplugged or switched off at the wall socket.  Ariston Washingmachines may fail to work if switched off and unplugged.  Avoid switching off such appliances unless you need to.  see Fault Finding

Safety Switched Spurs
These are easy access isolation switches (without sockets).  They are most commonly found above kitchen worktops or near shower units.  Switched spurs are designed to quickly isolate some nearby appliances otherwise inaccessible in an emergency e.g. sockets under worktops. This particularly includes dishwashers, washing machines, cooker hobs, showers and the like. Switched spurs need to be switched on before appliances connected nearby will work.  If you find an appliance does not switch on look nearby for a switched spur and check it is switched on.

Summer Residents:
 Full Summer Rent

If you are paying full summer rent, you are entitled to move into your house as of 1st July 2008 (notice of arrival date does need to be given).  Please note that you are also required to pay full bills if you are residing in the property.  No bills are payable for those not living in the house over the month of July and August 2008.

Half Summer Rent

If you are paying half summer rent only, you may not move in until 1st September 2008 unless specifically agreed otherwise.  If you wish to move in during July or August please email as soon as you are aware.  Any difference in rent, to reflect full rent plus bills for the portion of July & August in which you are resident, is payable before your arrival.  In some instances, redecorating and renovation may mean you are not permitted to arrive early.

Payments see Payments

Please remember
Your FIRST QUARTER'S rent is due on 1st JUNE . 
Your SECOND QUARTER'S rent is due on 1st OCTOBER. 

If your rent is being paid by standing order, please check that your rent arrives into  our account on the due date.  Occasionally standing orders do not go through.  Please remember that we have no control over your standing order; if your bank does not transfer your rent, we cannot collect it at a later date. 
If your rent does not leave your account, please arrange an alternative means of payment using one of the payment option detailed on:
http://www.leydonlettings.co.uk/payments.html

 

Annual Payments DISCOUNT

For anyone wishing to pay rent annually you MAY qualify for a £100 discount.  In order to qualify for this, your rent must be paid in full by 1st June 2008.

Delayed Payments and Fees

If there is likely to be a delay in payment, please email to advise us of this as soon as you are aware.  Communication in these matters is essential.  If we do not hear from you, we are left no option other than to assume you are avoiding payment.  In such cases, a late payment fee of £35 and reminder fees of £15 per reminder may be charged.  We do not like applying these charges, but rent chasing is costly.  If you contact us promptly with any problems regarding rent payment, and honour any subsequent agreement, these fees are less likely to be applied. 

 
Each year some tenants drop out before and following arrival. 
LEAVING EARLY dropping out
Occasionally the actual tenant dropping out neglects to inform us.  Leydonlettings is unaware of this until a housemate takes the initiative and tells us (preferably by email).  If you know your housemate is not retuning or is unlikely to move in please do not ignore this.  The house is let to a group of housemates and each housemate is jointly responsible for helping to find a replacement to avoid paying for an empty room.  As soon as LeydonLettings is aware we can begin advertising. 

A level exam results precede Clearing from mid August.  Thus students are often desperate to secure accommodation at the last minute.  This results in a temporary increase in students searching for accommodation peaking during September.  Any remaining vacancies are normally snatched up between August and September.  If housemates fail to advise there is a vacancy until too late then from late September few students are still seeking accommodation.  Drop out students leaving an ensuite room are more likely to find a replacement by August. Any remaining non ensuite rooms will likely be reserved during September.  Tenants who leave during the final two quarters from January are unlikely to find a suitable replacement.  This is because there is too little time remaining before any new tenancy begins the following July. To secure someone for a short tenancy will likely involve reducing the rent to make it attractive to compensate for the short duration of tenure and the hassle of moving twice in quick succession.  If a professional is accepted, then this will result in the house losing student exempt status.  The housemates all becoming liable for Council Tax.

Summer Residency

Full Summer Rent

If you are paying full summer rent, you are entitled to move into your house as of 1st July 2008 (notice of arrival date does need to be given).  Please note that you are also required to pay full bills if you are residing in the property.  No bills are payable for those not living in the house over the months of July and August 2008.

Half Summer Rent

If you are paying half summer rent only, you may not move in until 1st September 2008 unless specifically agreed otherwise.  If you wish to move in during July or August please email as soon as you are aware.  Any additional or bills is payable before your arrival, for the portion of July & August you are resident,.  In some instances, redecorating and renovation may mean you are not permitted to arrive early.

 
Reserving your house for another year.Re-Booking  Soon after arriving each student needs to consider whether they wish to remain for a further year. If you know for certain you are remaining tel us quickly.  LeydonLettings automatically advertises all houses as available unless student tenants firmly confirm to the landlord in good time by email that they wish to remain. We do not let to partial groups and individuals until Easter to September to replace individuals who drop outLEAVING EARLY dropping out. By Christmas most houses are already been reserved for the following academic year.
Each year at least one group ends in tears as groups split up and remaining tenants cannot form a whole group to reserve a house. ''I am gutted that we can’t live there next year!"
When you have confirmed your commitment to remain a further year student tenants need to appoint to sign the contract for the following year.  See Contract Sign Diary

Frequently Asked Questions are answered in Student FAQs