Hi,

Me and a friend are looking for a flat/house as near to west st/university of sheffield as possible.

We have seen that most of the lettings have a minimum of 6months. We were wondering if 9month contracts would be available, or is it a set periods of 6months?

Also if you know of any good websites/estate agents that would be helpful. Based on a 9month contract our budget is £580pcm.

Thanks

Ross

On mine after the first 6 months were up i could:-
1.Leave
2.sign for another 6 months
3.take it at a month at a time,which i imagine is what you'll be wanting. :)

www.blundells.co.uk
^^ That has some city center pads on it,you might also want to check out spencers on eccy road.

I'd also have a look at saxton-mee's website here (http://www.saxtonmee.co.uk/city.htm) as they have some good "city-living" places... the flat on the ground floor of my place is up for rent with them, and has two bedrooms. Mine costs £475 pcm, so I'd imagine an extra bedroom would be about £575... worth checking out?!

I agree with Mr Craig you need to take out 6 months and then keep extending a month at a time I doubt that you would get a straight 9 month contract either 6 or 12 so do a six and extend a month at a time

I would have thought that they would welcome a 9 month contract - it's longer than 6 months! It only needs a quick change on an AST contract which should be no trouble perhaps unless you are students.

I wouldn't recommend only doing 6 months though. If you go into a 6 month contract expecting to extend on an AST you will probably find yourself out on your ear if they find another tenant. You can only ask though.

it is very difficult to evict a paying tennent after 6 months if they want to keep extending the contract so taking out a 6 month contract is the best possible soloution as you can then take a month at a time either stay for 9 10 or 11 months you can not be thrown out if they find another tennet after you 6 months have expired

Depends on the form of tenancy, and I admit that this is where I will defer to higher knowledge! :)

However, I would imagine that anything under 12 months is done as an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) which means that when your fixed term is up, youre out.

Im no expert on this subject but from what im lead to be corect is that you will be given the option of extending the contract before it will be offered to a new tenent irespect of the length of the contract but I also would love some expert advice

Righty...well thats scared me slightly...and guess what we are students!!

But I intend to look and sound a bit polished when at the estate agents.

Do many places come available over summer, or is it that there will be less availbale then? As presently there are only a few places. And as they are up for rent now, we obviously cannot sort something out for October.

Ross

WEll as students you might struggle with the references / income side of things. A parental guarantee might just be the sort of thing to see you through though! :thumbsup:

Don't forget that most landlords will want a month or two up front and a bond on top of your first months rent in advance. You will have to pay all your own bills, and council tax until you get the propety de-registered by the council (which your landlord may not let you do).

a month up front + bond. Ok.
Bills...everyone pays bills.
References. Our current landlord will provide us with good references.

Council Tax...is a big NO! That may be a defining point! Is it a big deal to do so?

I guess that will depend on the individual landlord, but I personally would be reluctant to keep changing it if I didn't need to. Just ask 'em!

I am a private landlord and I arrange contracts from 6 months to 12 for my properties - anything inbetween is fine. I also am quite willing to sign reliable tenants for 6 months and then extend it on a month by month verbal contract. I think many landlords do it like this.

Reply to poster. A landlord can evict you after 6 months (on a 6 mth contract) if he has given a notice to quit 2 months before the end of the contract. If, however the tenant wants to stay on, it is best to mention this 2 months before the contract ends so the landlord will probably be prepared to keep them on. Us landlords often get bad press but we are usually eager to keep tenants as long as possible if they pay ok and keep the place well. I get on really well with all my tenants.

Also - reply to Tony
The council tax has nothing to do with the landlord. All a landlord has to do is contact the council - by law- when a tenant goes into and out of his property and they send out the forms etc. If someone is going to uni and takes a summer let first I'm pretty sure they would be registered as a student straight away. Best way to find out is ring up the council anonomously.

Hi,

Extremely helpful information. Thank you.

Would you yourself have any properties suitable for me?

I will be interested in all two bedroom properties, under £600pcm.

You can PM me or post on here.

Kind regards,

Ross

Vision: Thanks for being a lot clearer than I was :) I was just making the point that many landlords would not want the hassle. Agreed that landlords get an unwarranted bad press. After all, without them, where would people live? :D