Your Unipol Code House Your guide to living in a Unipol Code House

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Contents03 Why are Code homes better?

05 Why are Code landlords better?

07 What if things go wrong?

09 What about next year?

10 Useful Contacts

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Smarter students pick a Unipol Code house

By choosing a Code landlord you will have a safer, easier experience in your rented accommodation, so well done.This guide provides details of all the perks of living in a Unipol Code home - keep it somewhere safe for future reference.

The Unipol Code is run by Unipol Student Homes, a unique student housing charity. We are here to help you find great accommodation at every stage of your student life, and you can trust us to provide impartial advice and help when you need it. Come and see us if you need some housing help.

Why are Unipol Code landlords better than the rest?

The Code sets tough entry criteria and ongoing standards - landlords who join voluntarily demonstrate that they meet the highest standards of customer care and health and safety.

This brief guide gives you all the information you need to have a great experience in your Code home, and help if things do go wrong.

We hope you love living with the Code! #LoveUnipol

For more information visit www.unipol.org.uk/code

Congratulations!

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01 . Why are Code homes better?Your Code landlord has fi tted features that provide a comfortable standard of living and that go signifi cantly beyond legal requirements for health and safety. This means you can get on with the rest of your life without worrying about your accommodation.

Unipol inspects hundreds of Code homes every year to make sure standards are up to scratch. Our trained inspectors will pick up problems and give landlords action plans if improvements are necessary. The Unipol Code will cover the important

safety stuff in a property, but you need to make a choice about the décor and level of ‘luxury’ you want, and how much you are willing to pay - the Code does not cover this.

A full copy of the Code standards are available on the Unipol website:www.unipol.org.uk/code

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Features in a Code home

When you move in you should check the property to ensure that it contains the following items in the appropriate rooms and common areas:

Bedroom/s

■ A bed ■ Adequate clothes storage space ■ A desk ■ A chair ■ Curtains/blinds on the window/s

Kitchen/s

■ A fi re door (a solid, heavy door usually hung on 3 hinges) with an overhead self closing device

■ A heat detector (usually a round object with a bulbous element in the middle of it), powered by mains electricity and linked to all the smoke detectors in the property

■ A cooker(s) ■ A sink(s) ■ Adequate worktop space ■ Adequate storage cupboards ■ A fridge/freezer(s) ■ A fi re blanket ■ At least 3 double electrical power sockets, suitably located

Bathroom/s

■ If it has a shower, then an electronically operated extractor fan should have been installed

■ The ratio of bathrooms/toilets to tenants should not exceed 1:4.

■ If there is a separate toilet (not including bath or shower) then it should have a wash hand basin fi tted

Corridors/stairs

■ Smoke detectors should be fi tted to the ceiling on all landings and hallways. These should be powered by mains electricity and linked to each other (press the test button and all detectors should sound simultaneously)

■ All internal and external staircases with more than 3 or more steps should have a handrail

External Doors/windows

■ All external doors should be of solid core timber or metal framed PVC.

■ For houses with 3 of more tenants exit doors should be capable of being opened from the inside without the use of a key – the same goes for any security grilles fi tted to the outside of doors

■ Ground fl oor windows and those which can be accessed from the ground fl oor should be of sound construction and secure

■ If windows locks are key operated then tenants should have keys

■ Any security grilles on ground fl oor windows should only be fi tted internally.

These are some of the basic minimum conditions for Unipol Code properties, however, some larger houses – with more than 5 people and three storeys – will require smoke detection in all bedrooms and the living room and fi re doors will also need to be fi tted to these rooms.

Full details of the requirements of the Code are available from the Unipol website. If in doubt about what is required, or to raise concerns about non compliance, please contact the Unipol Code Administrator.

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Some common features

Door self closer

Smoke Detectors

Door self closerDoor self closerDoor self closer

Fire Door

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Something not right in your Code home? See page 7 for information on getting help

02 . Why are Code landlords better?Code landlords are responsive, professional and committed to sorting out repairs and complaints promptly. They will also be courteous and provide fi rst rate customer service.

If something goes wrong in your Code home, members are committed to doing repairs within set timescales, once they have been reported, so you are not overly inconvenienced. These timescales are:

24 Hours (Priority 1 repairs)These are emergencies where there is a danger to tenant health and safety or security, or a risk of serious damage to the property. For example a smashed window or a burst water pipe.

5 Working Days (Priority 2 repairs)Urgent repairs which materially aff ect your comfort or convenience. For example a broken shower or fridge. 28 Days (Priority 3 repairs)Non urgent day to day repairs, not falling within the previous 2 categories. For example decorating a room.

Remember - you must report repairs in writing

DEPOSITS h If your landlord took a deposit, they are legally

obliged to protect it within 30 days and provide you with details of the protection - this is also a requirement of the Unipol Code. Code landlords should also provide you with clear guidance towards the end of your tenancy about how leave the property.

h Although you’ve only just moved in, making sure you get your deposit back starts now, so remember to keep the house clean and report any repairs promptly.

h There is further advice on deposits on the Unipol website.

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REPORTING REPAIRS IN A CODE HOMEGetting problems sorted in a Code home is easy:

h Put the issue in writing to your landlord (email is fine). h Be factual, clear and reasonable about what you want to happen. h Make reference to the Unipol Code, including the relevant repair

priority timescale.

Your Code landlord should respond and get the issue resolved for you within the priority timescales. The vast majority of issues are resolved this way. Simple!

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Making a formal complaint�

Most Code landlords will get on straight away with your repair once you report it in writing, often faster than the priority timescales. However some repairs and problems might take longer to resolve. For example, your landlord might need to order a part or get a specialist contractor.

You may also not agree over the priority timescale - something that is very inconvenient, for example a broken shower, may not be urgent so other emergencies might take priority. However your landlord should keep you informed about progress.

Remember - Don’t be afraid to write formally to your landlord. If you believe they have breached the Code raise this and ask for a resolution.

03 . What if things go wrong?

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HOW TO MAKE A CODE COMPLAINT

h Stage 1 - Make a formal complaint - If your repair has still not happened within a reasonable timeframe, write again to your landlord and ask them to address it. If you get no response from your landlord, or things are not resolved adequately and you think the Code has been breached you can make a formal complaint to Unipol.

h To make a complaint go to www.unipol.org.uk/code and click on ‘How to complain’. You will find full instructions plus an online form to complete. You will be asked to provide copies of your letters/emails to your landlord, so have these ready.

h Stage 2 - Unipol intervene to resolve the issue - Unipol will then contact the landlord on your behalf and try to resolve the matter through negotiation and compromise. In most cases, having an objective third party get involved resolves the matter quickly. Through the complaints procedure Unipol has helped hundreds of students get repairs done and problems resolved - it really does work.

h Stage 3 - The Tribunal - If agreement cannot be reached by negotiation, the complaint may be referred to the Tribunal. This is an independent body that has the power to reach decisions about whether there has been a breach of the Code. This is the last resort and only a few complaints get referred to the Tribunal as most are resolved at an earlier stage.

Top tip - The majority of complaints are resolved by tenants writing formally to their landlord

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04 . What about next year?

Why not stay where you are?

Under the Unipol Code your landlord should give your first refusal on staying for another year. If you like it, why not stay?

Small landlord or managing agent?

Should you rent from a small landlord or a managing agent? Typically small landlords will offer a more personalised service but managing agents often have the advantage of 24 hour emergency repair cover and a central office you can visit.

Whatever you choose, the Unipol Code is here to help. Managing agents can join the regular Unipol Code for shared student houses if all of their properties meet the Code standard. Alternatively if not all of their properties meet the Code standard, there is a specialist scheme for agents called the Supporters of the Unipol Code.

Managing agents who become Supporters have agreed to steadily increase the proportion of their properties that meet the Code. This means that not all of their properties are covered, but they are moving in the right direction.

Supporters of the Unipol Code should make clear to all prospective tenants which properties are in the Code to avoid confusion. You can also check if your property is covered by contacting Unipol - our contact details are on the back cover.

The Unipol Code offers quality housing for students in every year of study. No matter what kind of accommodation you want, there is a Unipol Code that covers it:

h Houses and properties split into flats - the Unipol Code for Shared Student Houses

h Purpose built accommodation such as halls of residence - the Unipol/ANUK Code for Large Developments

In each of the cities where Unipol operates there is a huge choice of student accommodation of all types, whether it be a house, flat, studio or room in halls, and you will always be able to find something covered by the Unipol Code.

Give Code landlords Priority

You should always try to rent from a Unipol Code landlord. This gives you a guarantee of quality service. Code landlords are given priority listing in the property search area of the Unipol website.

Before you rent, check www.unipol.org.uk/code to see if your landlord is in the Code. Those two minutes spent checking the website could be the secret to a happy year in your new home.

Look for the Unipol Code logo

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05 .

Useful ContactsIf your landlord is not in the Unipol Code, you can still come to Unipol for information but we will not be able to intervene to resolve your complaint. In these circumstances, or if you need detailed legal advice or assistance, there are other sources of help available:

General Housing Advice and Guidance

Unipol Student Homes - Leeds 0113 243 0169 www.unipol.org.uk - Bradford 01274 235 899 - Nottingham 0115 934 5020

Leeds University Union - advice 0113 380 1300 www.luuonline.com/advice

Leeds Beckett Student Union - advice 0113 380 1290 www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/advice

Bradford University Student Union - advice 01274 233 300 www.ubuonline.co.uk/advice

Bradford College Student Union - advice 01274 433 007 www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk

The University of Nottingham Student Union - advice 0115 846 8730 www.su.nottingham.ac.uk/advice

Nottingham Trent Student Union - advice 0115 848 6260 www.trentstudents.org/accommodation

Other useful contacts

Police (non emergencies) 101

Leeds City CouncilEnvironmental Health 0113 222 4406(Pest Control, Noise Nuisance, Refuse Collection)Street Scene (Street Lighting, Street Cleaning) 0113 222 4407Out of hours noise service 0113 240 7361

Mediation Leeds 0113 242 4110

University of Leeds Neighbourhood 0113 343 1064Helpline (24hr Voicemail Service)

Bradford Metropolitan District CouncilEnvironmental Health 01274 434 520Noise Nuisance and refuse 01274 434 366

Nottingham City CouncilPublic Health 0115 915 6798Rubbish Collection 0115 915 2000Trading Standards 0115 915 5555

Nottingham Housing Advice 0845 241 4515

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Leeds

The Accommodation Bureau Located between the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University Civic Quarter, 155/157 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 3EDOpening Hours: Monday - Friday 9.30am to 4.45pmTel: 0113 243 0169Fax: 0113 234 3549Email: info@unipol.org.ukTwitter: @unipol_students

LUU OutletLocated in the retail area of the University of Leeds Union buildingOpening Hours: Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm in term timeTel: 0113 380 1247Email: L.UnionBureau@unipol.leeds.ac.uk

Bradford

The Accommodation Bureau Located in the Richmond Building , Great Horton Road Bradford, BD7 1DP Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 11am - 4pmTel: 01274 235 899Fax: 01274 235 824Email: info@bradford.unipol.org.uk

Nottingham

The Accommodation Bureau Located in the City Centre at 28 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 9:30am - 4:45pmTel: 0115 934 5020Fax: 0115 934 5021Email: info@nottingham.unipol.org.ukTwitter: @unipol_notts

Get in touch

Unipol Student Homes is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales No. 3401440. Registered Office 155/157 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 3ED. Registered Charity No.1063492 VAT registration No.6988 45649. Unipol is a Registered Trademark.