STUDENTS - Why you need to take out insurance NOW!!

Surfing the net the other day, I came across this article and thought that I should share with all Students renting property in Bristol. Sadly as a Bristol Letting Agent, renting to 1000's of student over many years. I have seen many a nice laptop and priceless possessions stolen.

The Telegraph has published a financial guide for students who have started university for the first time this term. The guide says that taking out contents insurance is an essential part of moving away from home for the first time.

All landlords should have full landlords insurance, but this rarely covers tenants’ belongings should there be a break-in or a fire or flood that damages property. These days, most students have valuable electrical equipment such as laptops, iPhones, flat screen TVs and games consoles. In fact, the average student has £4,500 worth of belongings with them at uni.

A third of students become victims of theft while living away from home at university, according to Home Office figures. Students are also advised to take pictures of the equipment they own and note down any serial numbers to speed up insurance payouts.

Some students will be covered on their parents' contents insurance but many will not, so it is always worth checking – the message is to never assume.

Accommodation costs for students are no longer as cheap as they used to be and getting their contents insured is an expense students are unlikely to regret.

If  you would like a really competitive quotation for insurance from Endsleigh Insurance, one of the biggest and most student friendly of insurers in the market place contact me directly. 0845 652 1428

Top 10 rental excuses you can use

Trawling through the internet the other day I thought I would just share these top 10 rental excuses (13 actually) with you. Some are a bit cheesy I know, but hey if your a tenant of mine, no good using them on me! I have the list!!. But hey they might give you a smile. They did me.

1. I have to spend on my food this month, so unable to pay your rent

2. I am sorry I can’t pay my rent because I don’t have any money!

3. I am so sorry that I am late paying my rent this month. I fell in the shower, hit my head and subsequently forgot what month it was.

4. I can’t pay my rent this month because I have more important bills to pay.

5. I will be late on my rent because my check was a little short this week. I will pay next week.

6. I can’t pay your rent because my sister past away this weekend.

7. My payment was late for this month because I send my check through mail and the weather’s been bad so work has been slow.

8. I am a sick old person, I need money for my medicines this month so I goanna be late on my rent.

9. I will not pay my rent because the knob on a closet door is not working well.

10. Reason for not paying rent is that my big screen TV is ruined because the bathtub overflowed.

11. I can’t pay my rent because my bank closed my account and didn’t inform me.

12. We are just back from our honeymoon…so can’t pay rent.

13. My ex-husband wiped out all of my accounts…sorry I can’t pay rent this month.

Can landlords pass on inventory clerk fees?

So you have finally found your ideal home, such a relief, money in hand you rush off down to your agency. Fill in the application form then pay their fee, then maybe a referencing fee, yeah yeah thats all fine, then just as your about to sign the tenancy agreement, WHAM out of the blue comes the CHECK IN FEE!!

Its a great idea that you have someone totally independent carrying out the inspection when you move in, but should YOU be expected to pay for it. Isn't it the Landlord who pays.

Well that depends, first check out your tenancy agreement. DID you honestly ead it carefully, ah! i thought not. As you were so excited right!

With a lot of agencies it is now quite common to employ an independent clerk, and to include in the tenancy agreement a clause providing for the tenant to pay for the inventory check in charges. But this should be shared equally with the Landlord, otherwise is an unfair clause. Often the tenant pays for the check in and the Landlord pays for the check out. This would be deemed to be fair, and generally cant be challenged. Providing that the charges are reasonable.

If the inventory clerks fee is not mentioned in your tenancy agreement and the demand for payment is the first thing you have heard about it , you may be justified in refusing to pay.

However, at the end of the day, if you have a large deposit, and it totally avoids any disputes at the end of the tenancy, its money well worth spent.