Frequently Asked Questions

For any advice regarding moving in, looking for a property, deposits or rent advice please read our FAQ's alternatively you can call us on 01179 308 750 or email info@bristoldigs.co.uk

1. If I see a property I like, how do I book a viewing?
Viewings are by appointment only and must be arranged through our office, we have to give regard to existing tenants to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum. In addition to this 24 hours notice must be given to existing tenants when booking a viewing unless we are already pre-booked into view that property with other groups. The majority of our viewings during busy periods are carried out as block viewings and are always arranged to meet at the property unless otherwise stated.

2. How do I go about securing a property?
Once you have chosen your property you will be required to pay a deposit of £400 & £100 plus VAT admin charge, this can be paid by cash, cheque or card at our office. The deposit is held as a security deposit until you move into the property where it will be transferred to a deposit against damages. The deposit is held by Digs in a ring fenced deposit account and protected by tenants deposit scheme.

3. Would my parents need to guarantee my rent?
A parental guarantee is required for all student tenants which guarantees rent payment for the duration of your tenancy. Guarantee forms will be sent to your home address and we must receive these back, signed by your parents before the tenancy commences. You will not be allowed to move into the property until all forms are returned and signed. This will affect all tenants who are joint and severally liable.

4. When would my first rent instalment be due?
Rent is payable in advance and is due on 1st July, 1st October, 1st January and 1st April. You will be charged £30 if your cheques are returned to us by the bank unpaid. If you think this is likely to happen, please let the office know and we may withhold payment for a few days. You are responsible to make rent payments on time. The office will write to you if your rent is late at a charge of £10 per letter. Arrears of more than 1 month will be placed in the hands of our solicitors and all fees incurred the tenant’s responsibility.

5. What happens with regards to the utility charges?
Rent is exclusive of other outgoings such as water, sewage, electricity (including common supplies), gas & telephone. Each property has separate supplies for all services. When you move into the property we will take a meter reading and advise the service companies accordingly. When you vacate the property a meter reading will be taken again and ask that you do not arrange for any services to be disconnected. Please note that we do not take water meter readings.

6. As students do we need to pay council tax?
Full time students are currently exempt from council tax; however any professional tenants that are living in a student house/flat will be responsible for making their own council tax payments. Please note that if any professional tenants live with students tenants they would be responsible for paying council tax for the whole property not just their share of it.

7. What happens at the stage where we move into the property we have taken?
We will try to ensure that all properties are handed over in a clean/tidy condition at the start of tenancy, however please be aware that in most cases previous tenants may only have vacated on 30th June and therefore tenants wishing to move in on or around the 1st July may have cleaning and maintenance being carried out around them.

8. Is there anywhere provided to store my bike or park my car?
For those of you with bikes we offer covered storage in some of our properties. Parking permits (although in limited supply) are available from Bristol City Council.

9. How would we get rid of our rubbish?
Communal hallways will be cleaned on a 6 weekly basis, so please try and keep rubbish to a minimum in the communal areas. You will be informed of the bin collection days and most of our properties rubbish is collected at least 3 times a week. Please make sure that all rubbish is put into black bags, secured tightly and only put outside the flat the night before collection day. There are some exceptions to our rubbish collection service where our vehicle cannot gain access due to the road being too narrow, in these cases the normal council collection service would apply.

10. What happens if we have a maintenance issue in our flat/house?
We have a full time maintenance team that are on hand daily to deal with any problems that may arise during the course of your tenancy. All maintenance problems must be reported to the office where a member of our maintenance team will be instructed to attend. We also offer a 24hrs maintenance service, this is for emergencies only. If it is not an emergency please wait and contact our office during the office hours, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm.

11. What happens if I lose my key or lock myself out of my flat/house?
Locking yourself out of your flat or losing your keys is not classed as an emergency and there will be a charge of £40 if our maintenance staff are asked to attend such matters.

12. Would the Landlord or Agent carry out any inspections throughout our tenancy?
Quarterly inspections are carried out on all our properties to ensure that you are happy, general maintenance standards are maintained and the property is being looked after by the tenants.

13. What happens if any damage is caused to the property by the tenants?
If the property requires maintenance work to be carried out on it that has been caused by the tenants and it is the tenants fault, this will be invoiced to the tenants(s) immediately after the works have been carried out. Payment is to be made to the Digs office and not taken out of the deposits.

14. What happens when we need to move out of the property?
It is very important that the flats are handed back to us at the end of the tenancy in a clean and undamaged state. A cleaning guideline sheet will be sent out to all tenants to make sure that we are all clear on what needs to be cleaned and to what standard. If the property has been left clean and maintenance free your deposit will be returned to you quicker and without deductions.

If however the property is not left in the same condition that is was at the start of the tenancy (after cleaning) we typically would charge £20 per hour for cleaning services and £25 per hour for decorating. Carpet cleaning and other damage will be assessed and charged accordingly.