Regularly Asked Questions for Students & Parents

If tenants want to take the house that they have viewed? 
You are to call or visit the office. Identification (original passport and student ID) will be required at the point of application.

If applying for a property you will be given an application form to complete, you will be shown a draft copy of the Tenancy agreement, a How To Rent Guide and the EPC. We will also require passport I.D. and Student I.D as part of the Right to Rent legislation. To secure the property a holding fee will be required, this will form part of your first months rent. All parties will agree a date to enter the tenancy agreement within 15days (extensions may apply) at which point the Guarantor forms are to be returned to Star Lettings, Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement must be signed.

Are Utilities Included? 
Normally no.

What do I need to pay and when? 
Property Holding Fee: This is payable when you apply for a property and must be received by the Lead Tenant to secure the house. The Holding Fee per person will be equivalent to no more than one weeks rent per person

Deposit: Will be equivalent to 5 weeks rent. If overseas students, rent is due in full for the whole year.

Overseas Students? 
Rent for the whole year is due upfront at the commencement unless a UK-based guarantor can be supplied.

How is rent paid? 
Monthly or termly, unless overseas students where rent is payable upfront.

Are there individual locks on bedrooms? 
Mainly no.

What happens if my rent is paid late? 
If managed by us, our accounts department is required to send out late rent letters requesting your rent payments. If the rent is more than 14 days in arrears, you will be liable to pay interest at 0.75% above the Bank of England Base Rate from when your rent is due until it has been paid.

What furniture is included? 
Tenants should ask to see a copy of the Inventory. If you are at the property and the current Tenants are home, ask them. Usually the following items are included:-

Bedrooms: - Bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, desk, chair.

Living Areas: - Sofas

Kitchen: - Cooker, washing machine, fridge/freezer.

Is there parking? 
Normally you can obtain 2 x permits from Devon County Council. Some streets are exempt from this and no permits will be available. We recommend contacting DCC directly for confirmation.

How long is the Tenancy? 
Normally 11 months.

What is the difference between Managed and Tenant Find? 
Managed: You will deal with Star Students throughout your Tenancy. 24 hours, 7 days a week contact is available and your damage deposit will be registered with The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)

Tenant Find: Deal with Star Students until the day you move in then the landlord will be the point of contact with the Tenants. The landlord will register the damage deposit.

How much is the damage deposit? 
Normal amount is equivalent to 5 weeks rent per person.

Will the property be cleaned? 
Yes before the Tenancy commences.

Can we rearrange furniture? 
No. We will place the furniture in the best location at the commencement of the Tenancy.

When can we collect keys? 
At the commencement of the Tenancy by one person. All rent must be paid before the keys can be collected.