Let us ponder upon a situation which you would not want to find yourself involved. Most of us at the University have witnesses what it is like living in halls. Some of the best and worst times of my life happened in those tall polystyrene buildings. Of course I didn’t realise it at the time, only in hindsight could I see I was lucky.

Moving into houses should have beaten the halls experience. Fair enough, there is more work in the second year but at the same time I enjoy working. Consider this short post as a piece of advice and a word of warning to anybody choosing their accommodation at the University.

DO NOT SIGN UP TO A JOINT TENANCY AGREEMENT

This is a really important point and I implore you to take this advice well. It is in my strictest belief that the University of Gloucestershire should warn students about this form of contract and make an effort to validate their housing lists accordingly.

To avoid any indecency I will not disclose the reason behind this post. Let me just assure you that signing up to a joint tenancy agreement is a bad idea. No manner of house is worth the risk of such a contract. You will find the University of Gloucestershire’s accommodation office impossible to deal with as they struggle to find a solution. If everyone were to sign up to a joint tenancy agreement then the University’s accommodation team would be out of a job.

When you sign up to a joint tenancy agreement the eyes of the law views your house as domestic. This is to mean that each person in the house is not seen as an individual but instead a single entity. That single entity being the address of your house.

If you sign up to a joint tenancy agreement:

1. If a housemate breaks rules in the contract then you are all evicted.
2. You will be given full responsibility over the finances and getting rent from your housemates.
3. Bills and rent are usually separated.
4. Any damages occurring to the house will be taken out of each individual’s deposit.

You might think that a joint tenancy agreement is a rare contract to come by. Believe me. It isn’t. Avoid this form of contract. My friends and I have made the mistake this year. You don’t want to make it as well.

No related posts.