Money matters
How do I pay my rent?
All the accommodation offered to new students in 2011/12 will allow you to pay rent in three equal instalments if you can provide the details of a UK-based guarantor. These instalments are timed to coincide with receipt of funding from the UK funding bodies - in other words a first instalment in early October 2011, a second in early January 2012 and the final one in late March.
If you are able to pay your rent in full in advance of your arrival in Liverpool, many accommodation owners offer a discount on the annual cost - more details can be found on this webpage.
Are utility bills and the internet included in the rents?
Yes, in academic year 2011/12 rents at all the accommodation offered to new LJMU students will include fuel charges and the cost of an internet connection in each bedroom. Therefore there will be no additional charges for heating or lighting or for connecting to the internet, although it is possible to upgrade the speed of your connection for an extra charge at some accommodation sites.
What happens to my intital payment at the end of my tenancy?
All the accommodation owners require an initial payment which must be made when the tenancy agreement is signed in order to confirm a room booking. This ranges from a low of £191 at Great Newton Hall to a maximum of £250 at several locations. In some cases this becomes a damage deposit after you arrive in Liverpool and will be returned at the end of the tenancy minus any charges for damage. Some owners treat this as a pre-payment and hence the amount you will pay after you arrive is reduced by the same amount, either split across the three instalments or deducted in full from the final instalment.
Details of how much this initial payment is and whether it is a deposit or pre-payment can be found on this webpage.
Will I need a TV Licence?
Any student who brings a personal television to their accommodation will require a Licence - you are not covered by any Licence which has been purchased for your family home.
It doesn’t matter what channel you choose – terrestrial, cable or satellite, and it doesn’t matter what equipment you use – traditional TV, games console, laptop or mobile phone. You still need to be covered by a Licence if you are watching programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV. This means that if you are watching or recording programmes via the BBC iPlayer at the same time as they are shown on TV, you need a TV Licence. If you are only watching or downloading programmes that have already been broadcast using the iPlayer or other internet services, a Licence is not required.
If you use television-receiving equipment without a valid Licence, you risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000, plus court costs, and you will need to buy a Licence if you still need one. TV Licensing’s database lists addresses that don’t have a TV Licence, including university accommodation and enquiry officers do visit unlicensed properties. A colour licence costs £145.50. To find out more about whether you require a Licence, contact TV Licensing visit the TV Licensing website.
In addition a separate Licence is required for any television which is watched in a communal area of your flat and which has been purchased by you. However if a television is provided in the communal area of the flat, a Licence will have been purchased for you by the accommodation owner.
Will I be liable for Council Tax?
No - full-time students living in private accommodation with other students are fully exempt from Council Tax.
Will I need insurance for my possessions?
Almost all the accommodation offered to new students has basic insurance cover included within the rent - the only exception to this is Rose Lane. As a general rule, this cover does not include loss or damage to laptop computers and students are usually offered the chance to purchase additional cover on arrival in Liverpool. It is advisable to check carefully to ensure that all your belongings are covered, especially if you have any unusual or valuable items. However it is also a good idea to check whether your belongings would be covered by an insurance policy at your permanent home address, even if this is in the name of a parent or guardian.
