There are some important things to consider when you are moving in or leaving a property.
Moving in
You should let the landlord know when you will be moving into the property. There are some important things you must do on the day you move in. The Students’ Union have created a 'moving in checklist' to help you.
Moving out
When you move out of your accommodation – whether this is University Halls or a private rental – there are several steps you can take to ensure you do not face unexpected costs and minimise the disruption of moving. Read our 'moving out checklist'.
Moving out before the end of your contract
If you decide that you want to leave your accommodation before the end of the fixed term, book an appointment with an advisor to check the terms of your tenancy and advise you of your options.
If you wish to move from university accommodation before the end of your tenancy, you should contact the Accommodation team.
You will often be liable for the remaining rental amount even if you leave early. The landlord may pursue you for the money and possibly apply to the small claims court for the amount they are owed and possibly the costs of recovering the payment. This can make it difficult to get any form of credit for several years. Sometimes, you may be able to find a new tenant to move into the property for the remainder of the tenancy agreement. However, this must be with the agreement of the landlord and preferably the agreement of the remaining tenants.
It is advisable that you ask your landlord to complete a ‘Deed of Assignment’, which is a document that will formally exonerate you from any future liabilities with regards to the tenancy. This Deed will need to be completed by all parties and the remaining tenants in the property if it is a joint tenancy. The landlord can forward a copy of the Deed to notify the relevant deposit scheme about the change of tenant.
What can the Worcester Students’ Union do to help me?
The Help and Advice service at the Students’ Union can support students understand tenancy agreements and what is expected when moving in and out of rental properties. We offer free, impartial, and confidential appointments to all students at the University. For support with housing, book an advisor appointment.
Confidentiality
The Help & Advice service is confidential - nothing you tell us will be shared with the University of Worcester or any other organisation or individual without your permission. There are rare occasions where a breach of confidentiality may be deemed necessary. A breach of confidentiality will only occur if staff have evidence to believe that someone is at risk of harm and abuse. Further details can be found in our Confidentiality Policy. If a decision is made to breach confidentiality, the client will be informed in advance of the breach.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that all information contained on the Help & Advice webpages is both current and accurate. However, information within these pages is subject to change without prior notice. Please seek professional guidance for the latest information. Any advice given by members of staff is based on the information available and to the best of their knowledge. No liability can be accepted for any errors or misleading information. Please note the Help & Advice service is a member of AdviceUK.