The student letting process with Wellbridge
You're in good hands when renting student houses with us
At Wellbridge Properties, we take great pride in maintaining our student houses to the highest standard. Our strong reputation with governing bodies reflects our commitment to providing the best possible experience for our tenants, and we consistently strive to be the top letting company in the North East.
With years of experience renting student properties, we know exactly what makes a great home for our student tenants. Whether you're looking for a 2-bed flat in the city center or a 9-bed student house, Wellbridge Properties can help you find your ideal living space.
Here’s what you need to do when searching for your perfect student property:
Step 1: Finding your new student house
Browse the student house shares and flats on our website.
We offer virtual tours and floor plans for each of our properties, so you can take a closer look before deciding to view in person. Virtual tours are a convenient way to explore multiple properties without the need for physical visits, and they help reduce both our carbon footprint and yours.
Feel free to contact us at 0191 925 0631 to discuss your housing needs. Our team is friendly and ready to guide you through the letting process. You can also create a shortlist of properties on our website or submit an enquiry about a specific property you like.
Step 2: Interested in a property?
If you find a property you're keen on, make an enquiry or call 0191 925 0631. We're happy to answer any questions you might have.
The pandemic has actually improved our letting process, helping us reduce travel and disturbances to our current tenants, while still providing excellent service. Many prospective tenants have opted for virtual viewings, taking advantage of the detailed images, floor plans, and virtual tours for each property. With e-signing now available, the process is easier than ever.
If you’d still prefer an in-person viewing, just let us know, and we’ll arrange a convenient time to show you the property you’re interested in.
Step 3: Decided on your new home?
The house-hunting season can get quite busy, so once you've chosen a property, let us know and we'll confirm its availability.
Once everything is checked, please send us an email with the full names, email addresses, and phone numbers of each member of your group to move forward.
We'll also ask whether you'd prefer 'bills inclusive' or 'bills exclusive of rent'.
You'll also need to choose one lead tenant for your group. This person will have the additional responsibility of handling deposit returns at the end of the tenancy and will be our main point of contact throughout the process.
Once we have this information, the property will be reserved for you and your group for 24 hours, allowing us time to prepare the relevant paperwork and send it to you for review. You’ll also have time to consult your student union, parent/guardian, or other advisors.
If you're unsure about any of the rental process details, the government-issued 'How to Rent' guide is a useful resource for questions you should ask.
Step 4: The application process
After reviewing the paperwork and getting answers to any questions, just let us know you're ready to move forward with signing for the property. This secures the property as your group’s home for the next academic year.
We'll then send you the paperwork via our e-sign software and guide you through the signing process.
Step 5: Confirming the tenancy
Once we’ve received the signed paperwork from everyone involved – your group as tenants and us as the landlord – we can confirm that the property will be your home for the next academic year.
Please note, as per the terms of an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, there is no cooling-off period once the paperwork is fully signed.
At this stage, we’ll request a joint deposit from your group. The deposit amount will be equivalent to 4-5 weeks' rent per person.
You can pay via our secure online payment system using a debit or credit card.
Once the deposit payment has been made, we will provide the Prescribed Information Document and deposit protection certificate to confirm your deposit is protected under the relevant scheme.
If you’re already a tenant in one of our properties, your deposit will be transferred over to the new tenancy.
Step 6: Before you move in
Wellbridge Properties is committed to making the process of renting a student property smooth, easy, and stress-free. We're always finding ways to make your move as hassle-free as possible. The North East is a fantastic place to live, and we want you to enjoy every moment of your time here.
Here’s a checklist to complete before moving in:
- Set up a Direct Debit for each tenant using our secure Go Cardless platform.
- Complete the provided Guarantor form, unless you have opted out.
- Make sure you and your housemates have signed all tenancy documents and paid the deposit and first rental instalment.
We will send reminders in the lead-up to your move-in day, so you're clear on any outstanding tasks.
If any of your housemates forget to complete the necessary steps, we won't be able to release the keys, so be sure to check with our office before coming to collect them!
Step 7: Moving in
Once everything is completed, you can look forward to moving into your new home! To make the move easier, follow these steps:
- Key collection: Please confirm our office hours and book a convenient time for key collection. If your tenancy starts on a weekend, get in touch to arrange a time slot, as our office is typically closed over the weekend except for pre-arranged appointments.
- Don’t forget to bring your photographic ID (driving licence preferred).
We’ll provide plenty of helpful information to you and your group before and during the move-in process. Make sure your contact details are up to date with us so we can keep you informed.
Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy your new home with Wellbridge.
If you have any more questions, feel free to check out our FAQs.
