Student Accommodation Notes

Providing Homes for Exeter Students

As Exeter's leading independent student accommodation provider working closely with private landlords to provide homes for students studying at The University of Exeter.

Please search below to find the right property for you – most of which have a virtual tour. You can make an online application immediately or, if you prefer, contact the office - telephone 01392 433866 - to arrange an appointment to visit the property.

Please note that the virtual tour, other images and descriptions may vary over the course of the year and these are provided as a guide. If you have any questions or require further information please contact us.

Your Lead Tenant will complete the online application providing full details of the house group and their guarantors. Once the application has been completed, and submitted, you will be directed to a screen to pay the holding deposit of £100 per person.

Please note that once you submit your application the property will appear as let agreed. To secure the property you must complete the payment process.

HOLDING DEPOSIT: Once paid in full the holding deposit completes the application process, pending the landlord’s agreement to proceed with your application. The holding deposit is £100 per applicant. When entering into a tenancy agreement the holding deposit paid will be credited against each tenant’s damage deposit of £600 leaving a balance of £500 each to pay when the tenancy agreement has been signed. If the applicants withdraw at any time before the tenancy agreement is entered into the holding deposit paid will be forfeited. You will also forfeit the holding deposit if false or inaccurate information is provided as part of your application. Should the landlord withdraw the property before the Tenancy Agreement is signed the holding deposit will be refunded in full.

RIGHT TO RENT CHECK: By law we are required to complete a Right to Rent check on every applicant irrespective of nationality. This can be completed by bringing into the office your passport and any other relevant documents that confirms your Right to Rent. If you do not have a passport a birth certificate and some other form of photographic ID will be acceptable. You may be required to provide a Home Office Share Code or Online Verification using our chosen service provider.

SERVICES: Unless otherwise stated the tenants will be responsible for payment of electricity, gas, water, sewerage, telephone, internet, and TV licence charges for the full agreed fixed tenancy term. The landlord will ensure that the main utilities are connected from the start of your tenancy. Full-time students are exempt from paying Council Tax. Should circumstances change during the tenancy term, and Council Tax becomes due, the tenant(s) will be responsible for charges arising. 

For Properties Managed by Students@Cardens Only: To help your move-in process we have partnered with a company called One Utility who will set up your electricity, gas, and water bills, saving you, time, and hassle! The account will automatically be set up in your name from the move-in-date. Please note you are free to move to an energy supplier of your choice, at any time, if you are responsible for paying these bills. If utilities are included within your rent you must not change the supplier.

What One Utility will do:

1.They will notify the relevant service providers of your tenancy start date, meter readings and will arrange to set up accounts for gas and/or electricity. You should receive an email from One Utility before your move-in date.

2.They will also contact Exeter City Council to confirm you are exempt from Council Tax and set up a water account with South West Water.

One Utility will also contact you to discuss other services they provide which include a combined bill paying service for all utilities, personal property insurance, internet, and various TV packages. Please note these are optional and do not form part of your tenancy agreement with Students@Cardens.

TENANCY AGREEMENT: The Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement will be for a fixed term of 11 months from August/September 2024 until July/August 2025, unless otherwise stated. The actual dates will be confirmed on the tenancy agreement. Tenants sharing a single property will sign a joint and several liable tenancy agreement which is legally binding on all signatories – landlord, tenants and their guarantors. Any tenant changes, after the agreement has been signed, are subject to the agreement of the landlord and will incur a £50 (including VAT) amendment fee payable by the tenants. A new applicant joining the tenancy will be required to pay the initial £100 holding deposit and the deposit balance of £500 once the amended tenancy has been signed by all parties.

DEPOSIT: Each tenant will be required to pay a deposit of £600 per person. The deposit is to be used to cover damage and dilapidations at the end of the tenancy term. It will not be accepted in lieu of rent. It is not transferable for tenants staying on in the same property for the next academic year. It will be registered in an approved Government deposit scheme within 30 days and a certificate will be provided for reference.

RENT PAYMENT:The first month’s rent must be paid by 14th June 2024. Subsequent payments must be made by standing order to be received on or before the stated rent due date shown on the payment schedule, to avoid late payment fees. You are required to cancel the standing order after the final rent payment due has been made.

INVENTORY: Although accommodation is let fully furnished please note it will not normally include kitchenware: cutlery, plates, knives, forks, spoons, pots and pans. You will also need to provide your own bedding: pillows, duvets, blankets, etc. An Inventory and Schedule of Condition is normally provided at the start of each tenancy outlining what is provided by the landlord, the overall condition of the property and other items provided by the landlord. At the end of the tenancy the property will be inspected using the inventory where provided. The tenants accept responsibility for, and indemnify the landlord, against any costs to repair/reinstate any lost or damaged items; any additional cleaning required and the cost of the replacement or repair of damage or dilapidation to furniture, fixtures, fittings and decoration beyond reasonable wear and tear. Properties are cleaned to a professional standard before tenants move-in and, at the end of the tenancy term, tenants are required to arrange for the property to be left cleaned to a similar standard.

INSURANCE: Tenants are responsible for insuring their own personal possessions and we also recommend that you also insure the landlord’s possessions against accidental damage. The landlord is responsible for arranging insurance of the building and for the contents they provide.

MAINTENANCE: The landlord is responsible for keeping the property in good repair and ensuring the property is in a safe and habitable condition. The landlord is also responsible for ensuring that all appliances, fixtures and fittings supplied by them are in safe working order. Tenants are responsible for reporting all maintenance issues promptly to the landlord or the landlord’s agent. Any costs for maintenance/repairs are paid by the landlord except when caused because of the tenant’s negligence, misuse, or any other breach of the tenancy conditions. In such situations any cost will be the responsibility of the tenants. Regular visits will be made by the landlord/agent.

GENERAL GUIDANCE NOTES: Please remember you are renting a private dwelling with joint and several liability. When forming your group please be certain that you are happy with your choice of housemates. If, for any reason, one housemate does not pay their portion of the rent, the landlord or agent can demand that any shortfall is paid by the other tenants. Before doing so all other avenues would be followed to obtain payment from the relevant tenant and their guarantor. Please note damage deposits are held collectively as a whole, for the agreed tenancy, and any deductions will be deducted from the combined sum and will not be apportioned individually, unless agreed by the lead tenant and all members of the house group.

  1. 1. None of the particulars provided by Cardens or the landlord have any contractual effect, whether by incorporation, reference, implication or otherwise. All terms and conditions pertaining to the tenancy will be incorporated into the tenancy agreement to be signed by all parties.
  2.  Prospective tenants are advised to make their own enquiries regarding the structural nature of the property; fixtures and fittings in the property; utilities, council tax and other charges; and the location and surrounding area of the property, as, whilst Cardens use every endeavour to ensure the accuracy of particulars given, no warranty is given to that effect.
  3. Cardens reserve the right to retain any interest or commissions earned by them in respect of this tenancy.
  4. Cardens reserve the right to discuss all application information with the landlord but are not obliged to disclose details of references received to the applicant or any third party, even if the application is refused, as all references are applied for in strict confidence (Data Protection Act 1984).

Thank you for choosing to rent your accommodation through Students@Cardens and we wish you every success with your course and enjoy living in our wonderful city full of history, bars, restaurants and being so close to the beautiful Devon coastline and Dartmoor National Park.