Friday 21-08-2026 - 09:32

Whether you’re moving to university halls, or private accommodation, it’s important to understand the legal commitment you’re taking on when signing an occupation contract. Before you sign on the dotted line, take a few minutes to check these five things so you can start the term with confidence.

Do your research

Check your landlord or letting agent are meeting the legal requirements. For example, in Wales, landlords and agents should be registered and licensed through Rent Smart Wales. You can also do your own research – check reviews on Google or Marks Out of Tenancy. 

View the property

Before signing a contract, we do recommend viewing the property to ensure that it’s right for you – for example, checking the location is workable for your commute.  We've created an online, easy-to-use tool to help make it easier for you to record important information when viewing properties.

Read the contract carefully

Make sure you read your occupation contract and understand:

• When your contract starts and ends
• Deposit amount and how it is protected 
• How much rent you’ll pay and when 
• What is included in your rent – for example, utilities or internet
• Any extra wording in the contract around guests, decorating, pets etc 
• Who is responsible for repairs and maintenance

Remember to check the cancellation terms and conditions – once you sign the contract it can be very difficult to cancel outside of the ‘cooling off period.’​

Have those early conversations with housemates

Moving into shared accommodation, or with housemates can be really exciting but it might also be an entirely new experience for you and naturally a big adjustment. Before signing your contract, try and have honest conversations around cleaning, bills, guests, noise and shared responsibilities. By setting these expectations early, you can avoid awkward situations and disagreements later.

Keep those receipts

Keep copies of everything, including your occupation contract, inventory, emails and receipt of your deposit and rent. If you later need support with a housing query, these documents will be really helpful to have on hand. 

Where can i find more support?

• You can check out our Housing FAQS here: Housing @ UWTSD Students' Union or contact us by emailing su.advice@uwtsd.ac.uk.
• Shelter Cymru offer tailored resources for students moving into accommodation, and you can also reach out to them if you need advice on a situation. Check out their website here: Students - Shelter Cymru.
• Citizens Advice is an external service that can also provide housing advice. Check out their website here: Housing - Citizens Advice.
• If you’re moving into UWTSD Accommodation, you can also contact the accommodation team by emailing accommodation@uwtsd.ac.uk. 

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