Looking for somewhere to live off-campus? Then visit the University Off-Campus Housing Office. We can advise on all aspects of finding somewhere to live, whether through this Office or through outside agents or private lets. With several options available, there is something to suit all students.
Head Lease Scheme | Lodgings/Rooms | Advertised Properties | Sharing with Other Students | More Information | Contact Us
Head Lease Scheme
The University runs a Head Leasing scheme. This is, in simple terms, where we rent a property from a private landlord and then rent it on to a group of students to share together. The Housing Office will take care of the property management, ie collection of rent, resolving repair issues etc, and will refer to the landlord when necessary.
Head Lease properties are generally properties of three bedrooms and over. Most tenancies run for 51 weeks, usually commencing in June (some may be shorter but this depends on the individual property). This means that rent is charged for the summer vacation in most instances.
To apply for a Head Lease property, make sure that you are definite as to who will be in your group. You will then need to complete the application form, available from the Housing Office or online. Once we have made some checks, you will be offered a viewing of a suitable property. There may be up to three groups viewing the same property. Each group will be prioritised, with group one having first refusal, group two second refusal, and so on.
On accepting a property, each person in the group will have to pay a £250 deposit. This will hold the property and will become your deposit once your Tenancy begins. Apart from rent, there are no other charges made by the University. However, you will have to pay all utilities, eg gas, electric and water rates.
A Tenancy Agreement will be drawn up within the next few days and all members of the group will need to come to the Housing Office to sign the original. At this time, you will be given a sheet detailing when and where to pick up keys for moving in.
Download Head Lease application form (Word Doc 44 KB)
Download 'Head Lease - How it Works' (Word Doc 1.3 MB)
Lodgings/Rooms
Lodgings are where a resident landlord rents out empty room/s in their own home. You will usually you share bathroom and kitchen facilities with the landlord and their family, or other lodgers. The facilities available vary widely dependant on the landlord.
These landlords have to provide the relevant safety certificates for gas and electric but not all lodgings rooms are inspected by the Housing Office Team.
On production of your student ID card, we will print you the available lodgings/rooms list. You will then need to contact the individual landlord to arrange a viewing. At the viewing, ask any questions you may have, (eg what facilities you can use, where do you store you food, what are the house rules). If you like the property, you agree terms with the landlord.
Advertised Properties
The Housing Office holds lists of various sized rental properties, from studio apartments to 6 or 7 bedroom houses. These properties are owned by private landlords who wish to manage the property themselves.
These properties will all have been inspected by a member of the Housing Office Team and the landlord will have supplied the relevant safety certificates for gas and electric and met the new health and safety requirements, eg fitting of fire doors, mains wired smoke alarms etc.
On production of your student ID card, we can give you details of appropriate properties for your group. You will then need to contact the individual landlords to arrange an appointment for viewing.
Upon choosing a property you will need to pay a deposit to the landlord and probably a month’s rent in advance. The landlord will draw up a Tenancy Agreement which all members of the group and the landlord are required to sign. At this point you generally agree the arrangements for moving in to the property.
Sharing with other students
We also have options for those who want to share with others but don’t know where to start looking. The Housing Office has a Student Notice Board where students can advertise spare rooms in an already rented house. If you choose to find accommodation in this way, you would normally join them for the time remaining in their tenancy agreement.
You can also place a card here if you are searching for a room, so others can contact you.
More Information Council Tax If you are a full-time student you will be exempt from paying Council Tax, but you will need to hand in an exemption certificate to the Hillingdon Borough Council's Council Tax Office or you may find you will have to pay. If you haven't done so already, you can arrange to collect your certificate from the Student Centre in the Bannerman Centre or via your e:vision portal.
Download information on Private Rental Costs (Word Doc 1.3 MB)
Download information on Gas, Electricity and Water Rates (Word Doc 1.3 MB)
Contact Us
For more information about any of the options, you can drop into the Housing Office, which is opposite the Medical Centre or, if you prefer, you can contact us by email or telephone.
The Housing Office Brunel University Uxbridge Middlesex UB8 3PH
Tel +44 (0)1895 266187 Email housing-uxb@brunel.ac.uk
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