Accommodation

1. 睇樓 Search for property 

以下有些受歡迎的英國租屋網站, 你可以找到以下資料 Here are some popular renting websites in the UK. You will find the following information from the websites.  

• 房產類型(例如: 合租公寓、公寓單位、獨立屋) Property type e.g. Flatshare, Flat or House

• 房間數目Number of bedrooms 

• 每月/星期租金Rent per calendar month or per week

• 配備傢俬/部分傢俬/無傢俬Furnished/ part furnished/ unfurnished

• 長租/短租Long term let/ short term let

• 中央暖氣Central Heating

• 洗衣機 Washing machine

• 寬頻Broadband

• 郵政編碼、地區、街道Postal Code, District, Street

• 鄰近的地鐵站和地鐵區域Nearest Tube Stations and Zone

• 可租日期Date available

• 花園 Garden

• 泊車Parking lot

Moveflat (https://www.moveflat.co.uk/) 

Rightmove (https://www.rightmove.co.uk/) 

Zoopla (https://www.zoopla.co.uk/) 

Gumtree (https://www.gumtree.com/) 

Hamptons (https://www.hamptons.co.uk/) 

Savills (https://www.savills.co.uk/) 

SpareRoom (https://www.spareroom.co.uk/) 

OnTheMarket (https://www.onthemarket.com/) 

OpenRent (https://www.openrent.co.uk/) 

Movebubble (https://www.movebubble.com/) 

Foxtons (https://www.foxtons.co.uk/) 

Connells (https://www.connells.co.uk/) 

Winkworth (https://www.winkworth.co.uk/)

Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward (https://www.kfh.co.uk/) 

注意事項  Things to note 

• 吸煙和養寵物Smoking and pets

• 規矩如存放單車、垃圾處理和回收Any rules such as keeping a bike, dealing with refuse and recycling.

• 電／煤氣／水費帳單及市政稅由誰負責? 通常是租客負責。Check who is responsible for bills such as electricity, gas, water and council tax. You or the landlord? Usually the tenant pays for these.

• 裝置和設備, 檢查你對它們是否滿意, 一般入住後就不能更換 Fixtures and fittings - Check you are happy with them, as it is unlikely that you will be able to get them changed once you have moved in.

• 煙霧警報器和一氧化碳探測器, 業主必須在每層安裝至少一個煙霧警報器, 此外, 如果你有燃木火爐或壁爐,  業主必須在每層安裝一氧化碳探測器。Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Landlords must have at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of a property they let out. In addition, if you wood burning stoves or open fires, check carbon monoxide detectors must be provided. 

• 升降機數目和狀態Number of Elevator and condition

• 安全檢查: 該物業是否適合居住Safety Check that the property is safe to live in.

2. 租期與按金 Length of tenancy and deposit

租期Length of tenancy 

通常租期為固定6或12個月。不過是可以跟屋主協商更長的租期。或者, 你可以每星期或每月續期一次, 這類合約沒有固定限期, 如果你願意一直續約, 屋主就要至少要讓你住6個月。

Most landlords offer tenancies for a fixed term of 6 or 12 months. However, it is possible to negotiate a longer tenancy. Alternatively, you could agree to a tenancy which rolls over on a weekly or monthly basis. These tenancies have no fixed end date, but the landlord must allow you to stay in the property for at least 6 months. 

按金Deposit 

自 2019 年 6 月 1 日起，租戶在租賃開始時必須支付的按金也有上限。 如果年租金總額低於 50,000 英鎊，則最高按金為 5 週的租金。 如果年租金為 50,000 英鎊或以上，則最高按金為 6 週的租金。 按金必須在租賃結束時退還，通常以支付租金和歸還的房產狀況為條件，並且必須在租賃期間得到保障。Since 1 June 2019, there has also been a cap on the deposit that the tenant is required to pay at the start of the tenancy. If the total annual rent is less than £50,000, the maximum deposit is 5 weeks’ rent. If the annual rent is £50,000 or above, the maximum deposit is 6 weeks’ rent. The deposit must be refundable at the end of the tenancy, usually subject to the rent being paid and the property being returned in good condition, and it must be ‘protected’ during the tenancy. 

Tenancy deposit scheme(TDP) 租客按金保障計劃 

您的房東必須將按金存入政府批准的租客按金保障計劃  (TDP)。您的房東或地產代理必須在收到按金後 30 天內將按金存入該計劃。Your landlord must put your deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme (TDP). Your landlord or letting agent must put your deposit in the scheme within 30 days of getting it.

3. 屋主和地產代理會收取甚麼費用? 

What fees can the landlord or letting agent charge you?

政府關於《租戶費用法》的指南包含有關禁止中介和房東向租戶收取的費用以及允許收取的費用的信息。The government’s guidance on the Tenant Fees Act contains information about the fees that letting agents and landlords are prohibited to charge tenants, as well as the fees that are permitted. 

可收費用Permitted fees are as follows:

• 租金Rent 

• 按金 – 年租少於£50,000的單位, 按金上限為5星期的租金; 年租£50,000或以上的單位, 按金上限為5星期的租金

A refundable tenancy deposit capped at no more than 5 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is less than £50,000, or 6 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is £50,000 or above 

• 留位按金(上限為一星期租金等值) 

A refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property) capped at no more than 1 week’s rent 

• 若租客提出提前終止租約需付的相關款項

Payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant 

• 更改、轉讓或新契約最多可收取£50 (或合理的費用) 

Payments capped at £50 (or reasonably incurred costs, if higher) for the variation, assignment or novation of a tenancy 

• 水電煤費、通訊服務費、電視費、市政稅

Payments in respect of utilities, communication services, TV licence and Council Tax 

• 合約上列明的逾期交租罰款、遺失鑰匙/ 門咭的費用

A default fee for late payment of rent and replacement of a lost key/security device giving access to the housing, where required under a tenancy agreement 

禁止收取其他費用, 包括All other fees, including the following, are banned:

• 睇樓費

Viewing fees, any charge for viewing the property 

• 任何設立租賃或合同的費用

Tenancy set up fees, any charge for setting up the tenancy or contracts 

• 退房費

Check out fees, any charge for leaving the property 

• 第三方費用 (介紹費、行政費、信貸評級查證費、入境身份查證費及續租安排費)、經紀佣金

Third party fees, any charge for anything that is done by someone other than the landlord or tenant but that the landlord must pay for 

4. 留位按金 Holding deposit

留位按金是一筆支付給房東或地產中介的預訂房屋的費用。請確保你是認真考慮簽租約才支付留位按金,，因為如果您決定放棄，房東或中介可能不退還這筆錢。當您支付了留位按金，房東或中介應停止為該物業出廣告，並且不得同時就該房產向多於一人收取的留位按金。

從你支付留位按金起，你有 15 天的時間來簽訂租約，稱為達成協議的最後限期。你也可以用書面形式與房東或中介協議簽約的最後限期。

如果你簽訂租約，房東可以在同意合同後 7 天內退還留位按金，或者在你的同意下將留位按金撥入租金按金或第一筆租金。

以下情況房東可能不退還留位按金: 

• 你決定不租該物業

• 你未有採取行動在最後限期前簽約

• 你誤導戶東或地產中介

• 你無法通過英國租住權檢查

房東不可以其他原因沒收你的留位按金。

A holding deposit is a payment to a landlord or agent to reserve a property. Only pay a holding deposit if you're serious about taking on the tenancy. The landlord or agent might keep the money if you decide not to go ahead. When you pay the holding deposit, the landlord or agent should stop advertising the property. They are not allowed to take a holding deposit from more than one person for the same property at the same time. 

You have 15 days from when you pay a holding deposit to enter into a tenancy agreement. This is called the deadline for agreement. You can agree a different deadline with the landlord or agent in writing.

If you enter into a tenancy agreement, the landlord can either return your holding deposit within 7 days of agreeing the contract, or put it towards a tenancy deposit or the first rent payment with your permission. 

The landlord or agent can only keep your holding deposit if you:

• decide not to rent the property

• don't take the necessary steps to agree a tenancy by the deadline

• misled the landlord or agent

• fail a right to rent immigration check

The landlord can’t keep the money for any other reason.

5. 背景審查Reference check

房東會要求你提供審查資料以表明你負擔得起該物業，並且將是一個好租戶。

• 銀行月結單

• 雇主資料

• 地址證明

• 身份證明

• 前房東資料

• 租住權證明

你可能會被要求提供擔保人，例如，如果你之前沒有租過屋。 擔保人是同意在你不支付租金的情況下支付房租的人。

房屋中介和一些房東會進行信用檢查，看看你過去是否在支付賬單時遇到過問題。 他們必須先獲得您的許可再進行信用檢查。

查清楚你房東的身份

• 房東的姓名及地址

• 房東是物業承租人還是永久持有人

• 若物業是抵押物業，需要貸方的同意下出租。請注意，如果房東不支付抵押貸款，您可能須離開該物業。

• 如果「房東」不是業主—而聲稱自己是租戶、家人或朋友，請務必小心，因為這可能是非法轉租。

• 您可以直接向房東或通過房屋中介租屋。 房屋中介必須是財產補償計劃 (redress scheme)

• 的成員。你應該問清楚房屋中介是哪個財產補償計劃的成員，一旦業主或租客與相關中介人發生糾紛及投訴，業主及租客可以向當地政府部門投訴。

• 如果他們從您那裡收取租金，您還應該檢查他們是否是客戶資金保護計劃的成員, 並核對獲批准的計劃列表。 根據法律，房屋中介的營業點和他們的網站上應該清楚地展示這些信息。

• 多用途房屋 (HMO) 通常是三個或更多不相關的人共享廚房或浴室等設施的物業。某些 HMO 必須獲得許可。 檢查你的房東是否擁有正確的許可證。 獲得許可的 HMO 的房東必須依法向租戶提供一份關於他們在該物業中居住的條件的聲明。

You'II be asked to give references to show you can afford the property, and will be a good tenant.

• Bank statements

• Employer reference

• Proof of address

• Proof of identity

• Previous landlord reference

• Right to rent certification

You might be asked to provide a guarantor, for example if you haven't rented before. A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay the rent if you don't. 

Your letting agent and some landlords will do a credit check to see if you’ve had problems paying bills in the past. They must get your permission first.

Check who your landlord is

Name of your landlord and an address

If the property is a flat, ask whether the landlord is the owner or leaseholder of the flat, and ask whether the freeholder, for example the owner of the block, has agreed to the flat being let out. If the landlord has a mortgage ask whether the mortgage company has agreed to the letting. The landlord may not need the freeholder’s consent but, if there is a mortgage, the lender’s consent will always be needed. Be aware that you may have to leave the property if the landlord does not keep up the mortgage payments.

If the property is a house, ask whether the landlord is the owner, whether the landlord has a mortgage and whether the mortgage company has agreed to the letting. You may have to leave the property if the landlord does not keep up the mortgage payments.

If the ‘landlord’ is not the property owner – and they claim to be a tenant, a family member or a friend, be very cautious, as it could be an unlawful sub-letting. 

You can rent a property direct from the landlord or through a letting agent. Letting agents must be a member of a redress scheme. You should check which independent redress scheme the agent is a member of in case you have an unresolved dispute.

If they receive money from you such as rent payments, you should also check they are a member of a client money protection scheme. See a list of approved schemes. By law, this information should also be clearly visible to you at the agent’s premises and on their website.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

HMOs are usually properties where three or more unrelated people share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.

Some HMOs must be licensed. Check that your landlord has the correct licence. Landlords of licensed HMOs must by law give tenants a statement of the terms on which they live in the property.

6. 合約 Tenancy Agreement

在簽署之前，請確保您有書面的租賃協議並仔細閱讀以了解您的權利和責任。房東或中介通常會提供一個版本，但你可以要求房東或中介考慮使用不同的版本。 政府公佈了一份可免費下載的示範租賃協議。 如果您對協議有任何疑慮，請在簽署前尋求建議。 如果您對租賃協議不滿意，《租戶費用法》允許租戶放棄不公平的條款，而不會沒收押金。

租約應包括：

• 所有相關人士的姓名

• 租金及其支付方式

• 有關如何以及何時審查租金的信息

• 按金及其保護方式

• 有關何時可以扣除全部或部分按金的資料（例如用於維修你造成的損壞）

• 物業地址

• 合約的開始和結束日期

• 任何租戶或房東的義務

• 您負責的賬單大綱

也可以包括以下資料：

• 合約是否可以提前結束，以及如何結束

• 誰負責維修（法律指定房東負責的除外）

• 物業是否可以出租給其他人（轉租）或有房客

Make sure you have a written tenancy agreement and read it carefully to understand your rights and responsibilities before you sign it. The landlord or agent usually provides one, but you can ask the landlord or agent to consider using a different version instead. The government has published a model tenancy agreement which can be downloaded for free. If you have any concerns about the agreement, seek advice before you sign. If you are unhappy with the tenancy agreement, the Tenant Fees Act allows tenants to walk away from unfair terms without forfeiting the holding deposit.

A tenancy agreement should include:

• the names of all people involved

• the rental price and how it’s paid

• information on how and when the rent will be reviewed

• the deposit amount and how it will be protected

• details of when the deposit can be fully or partly withheld (for example to repair damage you’ve caused)

• the property address

• the start and end date of the tenancy

• any tenant or landlord obligations

• an outline of bills you’re responsible for

It can also include information on:

• whether the tenancy can be ended early and how this can be done

• who’s responsible for minor repairs (other than those that the landlord is legally responsible for)

• whether the property can be let to someone else (sublet) or have lodgers

7. 房屋檢查報告 Inventory report

在你搬入之前與房東議訂一份清單（或入住報告），作為額外的保障，記得拍照和影片紀錄。萬一在租約結束時對按金有爭議，處理事情就更容易。如果你對檢查報告感到滿意，請簽名並保留一份副本。 

儀表讀數: 入住時記得抄表，最好拍一張顯示儀表讀數和日期和時間的照片，確保你不需支付前租戶的賬單。

向你的房東報告任何維修需求，如果你認為需要維修，你應該將這些報告給您的房東。沒有報告維修需求可能違反你的租約協議。 在極端情況下，如果因為你沒有報告維修而變成大問題，你的按金可能會被扣除。

Agree an inventory (or check-in report) with your landlord before you move in and, as an extra safeguard, make sure that you take photos and videos. This will make things easier if there is a dispute about the deposit at the end of the tenancy. If you are happy with the inventory, sign it and keep a copy. 

Meter readings: Remember to take meter readings when you move in. Take a photo showing the meter reading and the date and time, if possible. This will help make sure you don’t pay for the previous tenant’s bills.

Report any need for repairs to your landlord. If you think there are any repairs that are needed, you should report these to your landlord. Failure to report the need for repairs could be a breach of your tenancy agreement. In extreme circumstances there may be a risk to your deposit if a minor repair turns into a major problem because you did not report it.