Frequently asked questions - Rooms to Rent in South Liverpool | Professional House Shares | Carbon Lettings

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Tenant FAQs

We’ve collected the questions we get asked most often by tenants and guarantors to help you get the answers you need as quickly as possible. Use the categories shown to find exactly what you’re looking for.

My question is about:

Rent/package | Moving in | Virgin Media | Keys | Security and safety | Deposits | Tenancies | Decorating | Maintenance and repairs | Sign up process | Housemate disputes | Bins | Heating | Neighbours | Moving out

Rent/package

Are bills really unlimited?
Yes. Your water, electric, gas and internet are all completely unlimited.

Moving in

When can I collect my key?
We offer appointments to collect keys from the first date of your tenancy. Please call to arrange an appointment.

Why do I need a mattress protector?
We ask tenants to use a mattress protector in order to maintain the condition and cleanliness of the property for future tenants. Previous tenants have been asked to do the same in order to preserve the property for you. You may provide your own or purchase one from us on the day that you collect your keys.

What ID do I need to collect my key?
You need to bring with you a passport OR a driving licence and birth certificate. This is to enable us to comply with Right to Rent legislation which is enforced in the UK.

I’ve noticed something broken when I have moved into the property, what should I do?
Please notify us immediately of anything which is not up to scratch with your property or bedroom.

Can I swap rooms with another tenant?
You need to let us know if you intend to swap rooms with another tenant, or swap at any point during the year. This is simply so that we can update our records and be sure that you do not get charged for mess or damages in a room that you have not been living in.

Am I allowed to bring a pet?
Regrettably, we cannot accommodate pets in any of our properties. This policy ensures fairness to all, as some of your housemates may suffer from allergies.

Virgin Media

How do I get the WiFi password for my property?
Your WiFi password will be given to you when you collect your keys and may also be available on/near the router in your property. If you cannot connect, contact us on 0151 522 5800.

Keys

The key doesn’t work in the lock for my property.
Our keys are double sided. Try removing the key, flipping it over and re-inserting it into the lock. If the key still will not work, give us a call on 0151 522 5800.

The key is stuck in the lock.
Our keys go into the locks horizontal and will also only come out when they are horizontal. Try twisting the key until it is flat and then try again to remove it from the lock. If the key still will not come out, call us ASAP on 0151 522 5800.

Why do I only have one key?
Our keys are on a suited system, so you have a single key which will open your front door and your bedroom door only. Your housemates will have keys which open the front door and their bedroom door only, etc.

Security and safety

How do I get the alarm code for my property?
Your alarm code will be given to you on the day that you collect your key. Do not leave it written down anywhere inside the property: this defeats the purpose of the alarm and makes it easy for thieves to take your belongings without challenge.

I think that the security of our property has been compromised, what should I do?
You must contact us immediately on 0151 522 5800 if you believe that the security of your property has been compromised in any way. This could be a damaged external door or window, stolen keys or an alarm code that has become public knowledge.

A window or door is broken at my property. What should I do?
Call us immediately on 0151 522 5800 if there is damage to the outside of your property that might allow somebody access.

What should I do if there’s been a break-in?
If your property is burgled, or if the property is no longer secure as a result of a successful or attempted burglary, you should take the following action:

  1. Call 101 or 999: Report the incident to the police as soon as possible. Use 999 if the burglary is currently happening.
  2. Obtain a crime reference number: We’ll need this for the insurance, so it is vital that you get one and pass it onto us.
  3. Phone us immediately: Ring us to report the burglary and notify us of any damages to the property which need repairing.

Sign up process

How do I apply for a Carbon Lettings property?
You can apply via our website here.

Security and safety

One of our housemates is behaving unacceptably. Can you help?
We are only able to intervene if the behaviour in question is damaging to the furniture/property or upsetting neighbours, whether the behaviour is wilful or negligent. If you are having difficulty with or have concerns about a housemate which do not fall into these categories (i.e. suspected theft, arguments, etc.), Citizen’s Advice Bureau can offer guidance which we encourage tenants to make use of.

Deposits

When and how do I pay my deposit?
Paying your deposit is a key part of securing your room and so is paid when you sign up for your property. To pay it, you will be sent a link to where you can pay the deposit online, though if you wish payments can also be taken over the phone or by card if you pop into our offices.

Who looks after my deposit whilst I am a Carbon Lettings tenant?
Your deposit will be paid into and protected by the Deposit Protection Service. You will receive confirmation that your deposit has been placed into the deposit protection scheme, including any appropriate reference numbers.

When will I get my deposit back?
When your tenancy ends, we’ll assess the condition of your property. Although this process can take some time: you will hear back from us regarding your deposit within # weeks.

Tenancies

Do you offer short term lets?
Yes. We offer lets of 3 months or 6 months. After this period, your contract will become a rolling contract.

Decorating

Can we redecorate the property?
No. You are not permitted to redecorate the property.

Can I fit shelves?
Contact us prior to fitting to confirm, but generally, we will agree to you fitting shelves on the condition that they are left in situ. However, if they are not of an agreeable standard and need to be removed, you will be charged for the cost of repairs to the wall.

Can I put up posters?
You may put posters on the walls. However, please bear in mind that if there are any marks left on the wall at the end of your tenancy, you will be charged for repair costs.

Maintenance and repairs

How do I report an issue at my property?
We have a property management portal known as PropertyCloud, where tenants can make us aware of any issues at their property, including any pictures or videos. Once an issue has been reported through PropertyCloud, we classify it and assign it to our maintenance team. Tenants can track the progress of the job via PropertyCloud.

How long does it take to fix issues at my property?

We classify repair work into four priority areas and assign target times for completion according to these priorities.

Priority 1: Emergency repairs
Target time: within 24 hours

A repair is classified as an emergency if it presents a serious health hazard, is dangerous or affects the security of the building.

  • Burst pipes
  • Issues with boilers or tanks
  • Serious storm or fire damage
  • Major roof leaks
  • Blocked drains or toilets
  • Total loss of power or lighting
  • Total loss of hot water
  • Damage to doors/locks/windows
  • Total loss of heating (Nov 1st – Apr 30th)

Priority 2: Urgent repairs
Target time: within 3 days

Priority repairs are those that are a serious nuisance but which do not place the tenants in immediate danger.

  • Leaking pipes
  • Minor electrical faults
  • Heating faults

Priority 3: Non-urgent repairs
Target time: within 10 days

  • Minor electrical repairs
  • Minor plumbing repairs
  • Minor leaks in roofs and gutters
  • Total loss of heating (May 1st – Oct 31st)

Priority 4: Non-essential repairs
Target time: within 30 days

  • Brickwork
  • Plasterwork
  • Joinery
  • Other non-essential reapirs not specified as a Priority 1, 2 or 3

Bins

Which bin is which?
Your purple bin is for household and food waste only. Your blue bin is for recycling. You must put the correct waste in the correct bin, or the council may refuse to collect it. For more detailed information about what belongs in each bin, please visit: www.liverpool.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling

When will my bins be collected?
Check the council website for specific information about your bin collections: www.liverpool.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling

Heating

How do I adjust my heating?
Heating is controlled remotely using smarthome technology: if you would like to change the schedule or temperature that your heating is set to, please contact heating[at]carbonlettings.co.uk with the request.

My room stays cold when the rest of the house is warm, what should I do?
Report the issue to us on Property Cloud. Our heating engineer, Craig, will come out and take a look at the heating system. There are lots of things that could cause this.

Moving out

How do I return my key?
Keys must be returned to our offices in person no later than the final day of your tenancy. You will be given a receipt to prove that you have returned it safely.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Contact us on 0151 522 5800 and we’ll answer your question.