• Pre-Letting
  • Tenancy
  • After Moving in
  • Utilities

Pre -Letting FAQs

  • HOW DO I VIEW A PROPERTY?

    We have fantastic 360 virtual tours available on our website for all of our properties so you can see each and every property without visiting!

    To arrange a viewing you can ring us on 0114 2687222 or email us at info@capland.co.uk.  We will then confirm your viewing by text on the morning of the viewing.

  • WHY SHOULD I RENT MY NEXT STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN SHEFFIELD FROM CAPLAND?

    From your first point of contact with Capland you will realise you are dealing with a very professional landlord. You will receive personal, friendly service at all times from all members of the Capland team. The properties speak for themselves – they are well maintained and comply with all current fire and safety regulations.  All properties have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.  Where legislation dictates, they are all licensed. They all have an Energy Performance Certificate too. They are in prime student locations and are of a standard usually only enjoyed by the professional letting market. Capland also provide a unique new home induction service with a trained member of staff to help you get the most from your property when you move in.  In the unlikely event that you need the services of one of our qualified tradesmen you will find them all very friendly, helpful and trustworthy.  We only use tradesmen who are known to us, and you will find a photograph of each member of our team in your house manual – you will never be letting a stranger into your home.  

  • WHAT AREAS DO YOU HAVE PROPERTIES IN?

    Ecclesall, Crookes, Broomhill, Crookesmoor, Broomhall & City Centre.  Properties are within walking distance to the University of Sheffield or Hallam University.

  • WHAT TENANT FEES MAY BE PAYABLE?

    As well as paying the rent, you may also be required to make the following permitted payments:

    • Before the tenancy starts deposit of £150.00 per person

    During the tenancy:

    • Payment of £50 if you want to change/alter the tenancy agreement
    • Payment of interest for the late payment of rent at a rate of 3% above the Bank of England Base rate
    • Reasonably incurred costs for the loss of keys/security devices
    • During the tenancy (payable to the utility provider) if permitted and applicable
      • Utilities - gas, electricity and water
      • Communications - telephone and broadband
      • Installation of cable/satellite (subject to Landlord's consent)
      • Subscription of cable/satellite supplier
      • Television licence
      • Councl Tax (for non students)

    Other permitted payments:

    Any other permitted payments, not included above, under the relevant legislation including contractural damages/cleaning/decoration and other similar items

    Independent redress provided by: Property Redress Scheme

    Deposit scheme: TDS www.tenancydepositscheme.com

    Client Money Protection Scheme: Client Money Protect

  • IF WE LIKE A PROPERTY AND ENQUIRE ABOUT IT WHEN IS IT OURS?

    All properties are let on a first come first served basis and until we have a number of deposits and a number of signatures on the tenancy agreement for a property it is still classed as available.

  • WHAT CERTIFICATES DO THE PROPERTIES HAVE?

    A Gas Safe Certificate (certified annually)

    A NICEIC Electric Certificate

    Conformity to the requirements of the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988

    HMO Licence if the property falls into the HMO legislation of the 2004 Housing Act fully protected deposit scheme covered by Tenancy Deposit Solutions

    Energy Performance Certificate

    SNUG Inspected 

    

  • HOW SAFE & SECURE ARE THE PROPERTIES?

    We value your safety and security and ensure everything possible is done to make your stay in Sheffield a safe one.  Our plumber & electrician carry out gas and electrical certification checks when required.  All our locks are on a master key system so no one else can have keys cut.  We account for all keys coming into and out if the office.  We also carry out a property induction service - where a member of Capland Sheffield student accommodation will show someone from your house how things work; boilers, cookers, showers, smoke alrms, etc.  We appreciate this is a whole new world to lots of students so offer you a helping hand.  We also provide a property manual with operating instructions for appliances in your property and helpful advice on looking after your new home.

Tenancy FAQs

  • MY FRIENDS AND I HAVE HAD A VIEWING AND LOVE THE PROPERTY, WHAT NEXT?

    We are now signing properties up online so you do not need to come into the Capland office to sign we can do it all remotely!

    Alternatively you can come into our office and have a look through the tenancy agreement. When you are happy you can sign up on the spot, or make an appointment to suit you.

    Until we have a signed tenancy agreement and a certain amount of deposits we will continue with viewings at the property and treat the property as still available to let.

  • WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME WHEN SIGNING UP FOR MY CAPLAND PROPERTY?

    • Student Number
    • Passport
    • Deposit - £150
    • Bank details i.e. account number, sort code, bank address
  • WHAT TYPE OF AGREEMENT WILL I BE SIGNING?

    It is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement for a period of 12 months. This is a joint and several agreement which means you are all jointly responsible for the rent on the property.

  • WHEN DOES THE AGREEMENT COMMENCE?

    1 July 2024 until 27 June 2025 (Broom Street properties 14 June 2024 until 13 June 2025)

  • WHAT DO I HAVE TO PAY ON SIGNING THE AGREEMENT?

    You are required to pay a deposit of £150 per person by either cash, bank transfer, debit card or credit card, which will be registered with tenancydepositscheme.com which is a deposit protection scheme. This is a requirement by law which is why we prefer the deposit at the time of signing. We also require you to complete a direct debit mandate to authorise the rental payments.

    The rental payments are taken in three instalments (52 weeks rent divided by 3).  Alternative payment plans can be agreed in special circumstances.

    Broom Street properties rent is due: 

    • 10 June 2024
    • 1 October 2024
    • 20 January 2025

     All other properties rent is due :

    • 20 June 2024
    • 20 October 2024
    • 20 February 2025

After you move in

  • HOW DO I ARRANGE PAYMENT OF THE UTILITY BILLS?

    When you move into a property you take meter readings for gas, electricity and water (where applicable). You then register all utilities in all your names, and give the companies the readings you have taken. We can help you with this information.  For all your utilities which are Gas, Electric, Water, TV Licence and Broadband we recommend around £20 per week per person. 

    Unihomes, who are a third party utility provider, offer a utility package which includes gas, electric, water, broadband and TV licence.  They can be contacted for further information on 0330 8220266 or by email to hello@unihomes.co.uk

    Please see our UTILITIES page.

  • DO I NEED TO ARRANGE INSURANCE FOR THE PROPERTY?

    Yes, you will need contents insurance for your own personal possessions. 
    The building is insured by the landlord. 

  • WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY PROPERTY ONCE I HAVE MOVED IN?

    Each property has its own house manual with full operating instructions for each appliance plus useful information on fire safety etc and contact details for tradesmen out of hours. During office hours you can call, text or email us with your problem and we will arrange for the relevant tradesman to call at your property.

  • I HAVE A CAR, WILL I NEED A PERMIT TO PARK OUTSIDE MY PROPERTY?

    Most of the areas in Sheffield where student properties are do require a Council permit for on street parking. If you would like to check the requirements for your property please follow this link.  Some of our properties do have parking facilities; enquire at the office.

  • I LOVE MY CAPLAND PROPERTY, CAN I STAY FOR ANOTHER YEAR?

    Yes of course! We do write to all our current tenants in early October giving you first option of staying - and many do!

Utility Bills FAQs

  • IS THERE AN ALL BILLS INCLUSIVE OPTION?

    Yes, this is through the service of a third-party utility management company called Unihomes.

    If you decide to go with Unihomes we will send you a Unihomes Order form for everyone in your household to complete with their personal details.  Once completed this will be sent to Unihomes and they will contact each person in your household individually to set up a direct debit with them.  The figure you will pay to Unihomes is for gas, electricity, water, broadband and TV licence.  The Unihomes Order form will have a weekly price on per person, however due to the market this may change and you should read Unihomes' terms and conditions regarding this.

    The Tenancy Agreement you sign with Capland Properties Ltd is for the rental of the property only.

    Unihomes is independent to Capland Properties Ltd and we accept no liability or responsibility for their service to you.  If during your tenancy you have a problem with the WIFI or any other service they provide you should contact Unihomes directly and not Capland Properties Ltd.

    Unihomes can be contacted on 0330 8220266 or by email to hello@unihomes.co.uk.

    You are under no obligation to enter into an agreement with Unihomes.

  • HOW DO I ORGANISE THE UTILITY SERVICES AND BILLS WHEN I MOVE INTO OUR CAPLAND PROPERTY?

    1. When you move in to your accommodation take a meter reading for Gas, Electricity and Water. The details of where your meters are situated will be in the front of your house manual, underneath the kitchen sink. The manual also contains a large plastic key which opens the gas & electric meter cabinets if your meters are located outside.   We do email everyone with the meter readings at the start of your tenancy and details of who the current suppliers are.

    2. Many houses do not have water meters and water is billed at a set amount dependent on the size and location of the property. Generally, students without a meter pay around £1 per person per week for water. Accommodation with water meters will pay for the amount of water actually used plus a standing charge.

    3. If you have any problems at all locating your meters and taking readings you can call Capland for help.

    4. You then need to call the relevant utility company and register the bill in you and your fellow housemates’ names. We advise having bills in all of your housemates’ names as you will all be equally responsible for their payment. You can call us to find out which company the previous tenants were using.

    5. We recommend setting up a joint account into which you all pay £90 per month and then have payment for your utility bills go from this accound by direct debit.

    There is a possible saving of around 30% if you pay your bills yourself!

  • WHAT BILLS SHOULD WE BUDGET FOR?

    The 3 main bills you will have to budget for are Gas, Electricity and Water. Additionally, if you watch live TV then a TV licence will need to be purchased per household and any broadband or TV packages you may opt for. As a student you are exempt from Council Tax.

    If you went all bills included this would cover Gas, Electric, Water, TV Licence and Internet. Please ask us at the office for costs and further info.

  • WHAT IF WE HAVE HAD A LARGER THAN EXPECTED BILL? WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

    Quite often bills are not based on actual meter readings, they are estimated. This can happen during the summer months if you are away and your meters are inside the property and cannot be accessed by a meter reader. You can tell from your bill if it is estimated/customer reading or an actual bill.

    1. If you think this is the case read the meter yourself and compare the readings. There will be a telephone number on the bill that you can ring and give an actual reading. A revised bill will be prepared and sent out to you.

    2. If the bill is based on an actual reading but is still very high you may have to look at how you are using energy. Lights left on, heating on too high, appliances left on standby, water left running whilst brushing teeth, boiling more water than you need in the kettle, they all add up so take a look around and see what you could be saving.

  • CAN MY HOUSEMATES AND I CHOOSE OUR OWN SUPPLIERS?

    Yes, you can choose your own supplier. If you decide to do this, we recommend you shop around for the best deal- check out our list of recommended comparion sites which can be found under the 'Utilities' tab. 

    We do also offer All Bills Included, ask at the office for further details and costs

  • COMPARE UTILITY PROVIDERS FOR THE BEST VALUE...

    https://clubs.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub 

    www.uswitch.com

    www.confused.com

    www.comparethemarket.com/energy/

    www.moneysupermarket.com

    www.energyhelpline.com

    www.theenergyshop.com

    www.ukpower.co.uk

  • ENERGY PROVIDERS

    Here is a helpful list of Energy Prvoviders 

    www.britishgas.co.uk

    www.eonenergy.com

    www.scottishpower.co.uk

    https://octopus.energy/

    https://www.edfenergy.com/

    https://fusedbills.co.uk/ all your utilities in one place. 

  • WATER PROVIDERS

    All of our properties fall under Yorkshire Water

    www.yorkshirewater.com

  • PHONE AND BROADBAND PROVIDER LINKS

    www.cable.co.uk

    www.sky.com

    www.virginmedia.com

    www.talktalk.co.uk

    www.aol.com

    www.BT.com

    www.plusnet.com 

  • WHEN DOES THE AGREEMENT COMMENCE?

    1 July 2024 until 27 June 2025 (Broom Street properties 14 June 2024 until 13 June 2025)

  • WHAT ABOUT AT THE END OF THE TENANCY, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE ALL OUR BILLS ARE UP TO DATE?

    1. On the last day of your tenancy the last housemate/tenant leaving your accommodation should take final meter readings and phone them through to your utility suppliers or Unihomes should you have chosen to go all inclusive. They should give the suppliers a forwarding address/email for the final bills to be sent to.

    2. A receipt should be obtained as proof of payment of each of the utility bills. Capland requires sight of both the final bill showing the meter reading up until the end of the tenancy and a receipt as proof of payment of final bills before deposits are released.

  • HOW DO I CHECK THE BROADBAND AND MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE FOR A PROPERTY?

    To check the Broadband and Mobile Phone coverage for a property please check out the Ofcom or BT Website, the links can be found below: