Adam Smith College Students' Association

Accommodation

Looking for Accommodation?

Are you a current or prospective student of Adam Smith College?  Are you looking for accommodation during your term time at college?  Contact the Guidance Department to see if they have any properties listed which may meet your requirements.

Leven:(01592) 223260
Priory:(01592) 223712
St Brycedale:(01592) 223400
Stenton:(01592) 223000

Email:guidance@adamsmith.ac.uk  
If you are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless contact Home4Good.

Kirkcaldy Home4Good
Marwood House
34 St Calir Street
Kirkcaldy
01592 583394

Leven Home4Good
34 Commercial Road
Leven
01334 659391

Dunfermline Home4Good
Segal House
Pittencrieff Street
Dunfermline
01383 602388

A centre for Glenrothes is planned soon.
We also suggest you check the local press such as Fife Free Press or search online for flats to rent in the area.  Remember if you're travelling light, you will likely be in need of a "furnished" flat.  We have provided some search engines below to help you. 

The properties contained in the search engines have not been inspected or approved by the Association or the College, so you must satisfy yourself as to their suitability.  We do not accept any liability in connection with these properties.  Be aware too, that where a number of students rent a flat together, the responsibility for damage/rent often rests equally with each individual.  CHECK THE CONTRACT BEFORE SIGNING. 

PROPERTY SEARCH ENGINES

IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT A PRIVATE LET THEN MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CHECKED THE LANDLORD HAS REGISTERED WITH THE PRIVATE LANDLORD REGISTRATION SCHEME.

Under Part 8 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, all private landlords letting residential properties in Scotland must apply for registration at their local authority. Fife Council must be satisfied that they are fit and proper to be letting in order to register them.

Nationally local authorities have to be satisfied that landlords are "fit and proper" to let residential property. Local authorities will make use of any relevant information available to reach a decision on whether the landlord/applicant is "fit and proper". Local authorities must take into account any evidence of:

fraud, dishonesty, violence or drugs
unlawful discrimination
breaches of law relating to housing
failure to act in relation to antisocial behaviour
But the decision is a judgement in the light of the information available - it is not automatic.

The aim of landlord registration is to ensure that all private landlords in Scotland are "fit and proper" to be letting residential property. The requirement will help local authorities remove disreputable landlords from the market and protect tenants and their neighbours from the impact of antisocial behaviour and mismanaged property on the wider community.

From 1st May 2006, it is an offence to let property in Scotland without making a valid application to register.

To check if a landlord is registered on the scheme click here.

If you rent from a private landlord, you will probably need to pay rent in advance and a deposit up front (this is usually equivalent to a month's rent). When you move in, make sure you get an inventory of all the furniture and other household goods that belong to your landlord. This will help you ensure you get your deposit back when you move out.

Before you sign an agreement with a private landlord, make sure they are registered with the council.  

What to look for

The Exterior

  • The roof looks sound, there aren't any tiles missing.
  • The gutters and pipes aren't broken or leaking.
  • The window frames aren't rotten.
  • The windows aren't broken or cracked.


The Interior

  • No signs of damp - e.g dark patches, peeling wallpaper or flaking paint.
  • Few signs of condensation such as mould on the walls.
  • There aren't any signs of pests, like slug trails and mouse droppings.


Gas & Electricity

  • The plugs don't get hot when switched on. There are plenty of sockets.
  • The wiring doesn't look old, there aren't any frayed cables.
  • The gas fire heats up properly and isn't heat stained (if it is it may be dangerous). You know when it was
  • last serviced and have been shown the valid Gas Safety Certificate.
  • The cooker works!


Plumbing

  • There is hot water.
  • The taps all work properly.
  • The bath and basins aren't cracked, and the toilet flushes properly.


Security

  • The external doors are solid with five-bar mortice locks.
  • The internal doors all have locks.
  • The windows all have locks.
  • Does it have a burglar alarm? Use your bargaining powers to get one. It is in the landlord's interest aswell as your own.
  • Does it have a smoke detector?

SAFETY ISSUES

Gas Safety Certificates 

From 1st April 2009, the law requires all landlords to ensure all gas appliances in a property are safe and checked annually by a person registered with the Gas Safe Register and provide each tenant with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate. If you are a new tenant, then you should be issued with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate before you move in. All existing Corgi gas safety records will be valid until their expiry date (even if that date is later than 1st April 2009). Any gas safety record given to you after 1st April 2009 will only be valid if the engineer is registered with Gas Safe Register.

Electricity

Many landlords may hold a NICEIC certificate which proves that the property has had an electrical check within the last five years. Although this is recommended, it is not a legal requirement.


Fire Safety - Furniture and Furnishings

On 1 January 1997 the final phase of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 came into force. This means that furniture and furnishings supplied in let accommodation must comply with the fire and safety requirements in the Regulations. All residential premises including flats, bedsits and houses where furniture is supplied as part of the let are covered by these regulations. The type of furniture covered by the regulations are: any upholstered furniture including chairs, sofas, children's furniture, beds, head boards (if upholstered), mattresses, scatter cushions, seat pads, pillows and even garden furniture if it is upholstered and can be used in the dwelling. Carpets, curtains and duvets are not covered by the regulations.


Carbon Monoxide 

If you have gas appliances in your house, Carbon Monoxide is a possible danger. It's invisible and odourless, but it can kill.

Watch out for.....

  • Gas flames that burn orange or yellow rather than blue.
  • Sooty stains on or around your appliances
  • Solid fuels thats burn slowly or go out.

Know the symptoms....

  • Unexplained drowsiness.
  • Giddiness when standing up.
  • Headaches.
  • Sickness and Diarrhoea.
  • Chest pains.
  • Unexplained stomach pains.

How can I avoid getting ripped off by my landlord?

Some unscrupulous landlords believe they can take advantage of students because they don't know their housing rights and won't complain when they receive bad service.  To stay one step ahead, make sure you know your rights as a tenant.
click here for more advice about private renting