Accommodation in Glasgow The Conservatoire has 2 campuses. Our Renfrew Street campus is located at 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow G2 3DB. All five of our performance venues are to be found here as well as the majority of facilities for our programmes. Speirs Locks Studios houses our dance studios, rehearsal studios and production arts studios and many of our dance courses. It is just ten minutes’ walk away from Renfrew Street and is based at 210 Garscube Road, Glasgow, G4 9RR. Contents Page Independent Student Halls of Residence 2 Paying by instalments 3 What is a guarantor? Short-term exchange, Short Course and Summer School students 4 Couples accommodation Where to find Private Renting 5 Private Renting – Hints and Tips 6 Council Tax 8 Short term accommodation in hostels/guest houses/hotels/apartments 9 Accommodation for Families More Information 10 Independent student halls of residence: • CRM Student Accommodation, St James, 110 St James Road, Townhead Glasgow G4 0PS http://www.crm-students.com/crm-accommodation/glasgow/ • Gallery Apartments, 2 Port Dundas Place, G2 3LD (0.2 miles) www.crm-students.com/en/student-accommodation/glasgow/gallery-apartments Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Xofbh • Prime Student Living, 359 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3HU (0.4 miles) www.primestudentliving.com/glasgow Map: http://goo.gl/maps/KdLgf • Fortis Student Living, Central House, 50-58 Jamaica St, G1 4QG (0.6 miles) www.fortisstudentliving.com/accommodation/glasgow/central-house Map: http://goo.gl/maps/FbNy1 • UNITE Buchanan View, 35 Calgary St, G4 0XG (0.6 miles) http://www.unite-students.com/glasgow/buchanan-view Map: http://goo.gl/maps/WqL8c • Liberty House, 59 Miller Street, G1 1EB (0.7 miles) www.libertyliving.co.uk/student-accommodation/glasgow Map: http://goo.gl/maps/hMymt • Victoria Hall, 171 Kyle St, G4 0JQ (0.7 miles) http://glasgow.victoriahall.com Map: http://goo.gl/maps/onMzz • The Ballet School, 261 West Princes Street, G4 9EE (0.9 miles) www.crm- students.com/crm-accommodation/glasgow/the-ballet-school Map: http://goo.gl/maps/giPHL • UNITE Blackfriars, 4 Blackfriars Road, G1 1QL (1.0 miles) http://www.unite-students.com/glasgow/blackfriars Map: http://goo.gl/maps/V8moF • Fresh Student Living, Collegelands, 10 Havannah Street, G4 OUB (1.1 miles) www.freshstudentliving.co.uk/collegeland Map: http://goo.gl/maps/yT7dc • Fortis Student Living (St Andrew’s), 21 St Andrews St, G1 5PB (1.2 miles) www.fortisstudentliving.com/accommodation/glasgow/st-andrews Map: http://goo.gl/maps/YBp1h • UNITE Gibson Street, G12 8SY (1.3 miles) http://www.unite-students.com/glasgow/gibson-street Map: http://goo.gl/maps/EbMg2 • Fresh Student Living, Tramworks, 107 Kelvinhaugh Street, G3 8PX (1.4 miles) www.freshstudentliving.co.uk/location/glasgow/tramworks-glasgow Map: http://goo.gl/maps/kKYHG • Kelvingrove House, 1331 Argyle Street, G3 (1.4 miles) http://digkelvingrove.co.uk Map: http://goo.gl/maps/qaBnf • UNITE, Kelvin Court, 30 Yorkhill Street, G3 8RY (1.5 miles) http://www.unite-students.com/glasgow/kelvin-court Map: http://goo.gl/maps/1OXfN • Mansion Firhill , 150 Firhill Road, G20 7BB (1.5 miles) www.mansionstudent.co.uk/glasgow-student-accommodation/mansion-firhill-flats Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Msmxp • Merchant Studios, 6 Havannah Street, G4 0UB (1.6 miles) http://freshstudentliving.co.uk/location/glasgow/merchant-studios/find-us/ • UNITE, Thurso Street, 1-3 Thurso Street, G11 6PE (1.7 miles) http://www.unite-students.com/glasgow/thurso-street Map: http://goo.gl/maps/lx9Bf • Derwent Students, Hyndland House, 10 Keith Street, G11 6QQ (1.9 miles) www.derwentstudents.com/our-locations/glasgow/hyndland-house.aspx Map: http://goo.gl/maps/J5daU Paying by instalments Students wishing to stay in an independent student hall of residence and pay their rent in instalments will, most likely, be required to provide a guarantor. Each hall will have their own criteria for accepting a guarantor but in general the guarantor must be: • over 18 years old • have lived in the UK for over 3 years • a homeowner OR in full-time employment What is a guarantor? A guarantor is a person who ensures the tenant pays their rent and adheres to the student halls rules and regulations. If the tenant does not do this then the guarantor will be responsible for paying instead.For more information please see link https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/housing/renting-a-home-s/student-housing- s/student-housing-using-a-guarantor-s/ Short-term exchange, Short Course and Summer School students Students coming to the Conservatoire on a one trimester exchange programme or a Short Course / Summer School course wishing to stay in an independent student hall of residence should consider the following halls: • UNITE (Buchanan View, Blackfriars, Gibson Street, Kelvin Court and Thurso Street) Short-Term Lets: http://www.unite-students.com/short-stays • Liberty House Summer Lets: www.libertyliving.co.uk/summer-accommodation/glasgow • Victoria Hall Summer Lets: www.victoriahall.com/summer-stays • Fresh Student Living (Collegelands and Tramworks) Summer Lets: http://freshstudentliving.co.uk/news/stay-summer • Mansion Firhill Summer Lets: www.mansionstudent.co.uk/glasgow-student- accommodation/mansion-firhill-flats/rent-rooms Couples accommodation Students interested in living with a friend or partner in an independent student hall of residence should consider the following halls: • Gallery Apartments • The Ballet School • Kelvingrove House • Derwent Students Where to find Private Renting: • Our Freshers’ page on Facebook is an excellent source to find a room or flat in Glasgow especially with other Conservatoire students. You must join in order to view the page but can do so at www.facebook.com/#!/groups/136097426563792. • Glasgow PAD (Private Accommodation Database) is a website run by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in partnership with 4 other institutions in Glasgow. You will find private accommodation advertised there and you can search according to rent per month, number of bedrooms and other facilities. There is also lots of useful information on what to look for in a flat and on other frequently asked questions that students may have: www.glasgowpad.org/Home.aspx • This is a list of local Letting Agents websites with properties in Glasgow: o www.infinitiproperties.com o www.martinco.com o www.clydeproperty.co.uk o www.oneillproperty.co.uk o www.fineholm.co.uk o www.djalexander.co.uk o www.1-2-let.co.uk o www.rightmove.co.uk o www.spareroom.co.uk o www.glasgow.gumtree.com o www.lettingweb.com o www.s1rental.com o www.citylets.co.uk o www.zoopla.co.uk o www.accommodationforstudents.com/searchform.asp?city=Glasgow o uk.easyroommate.com Private Renting – Hints and Tips When viewing a property: • Take a friend with you on any property visits. • Check security: main entrance, locks and windows. • Check smoke detectors: all flats should have one. • Check gas: if there are gas appliances in the flat (i.e. gas cooker or fire), there should be a carbon monoxide detector fitted. Ask the landlord to see the original CORGI Gas safety certificate for any gas appliances. A CORGI registered inspector should check this every 12 months. • Make sure all taps work when you view the flat and that sinks are not cracked and that the toilet does not leak. • Make sure you check the lease carefully and ask for a signed copy – check the details regarding repairs, communal fees, check all tenants’ names are included on the lease. • If 3 or more unrelated people occupy a house, the landlord must have a HMO licence (House of Multiple Occupancy), which means that the property meets certain safety standards. It is the landlord’s responsibility to arrange and pay for this licence and you should check that your landlord has one if this is necessary. • The Glasgow PAD website also has useful advice on flat-hunting, and tenant and landlord responsibilities. When leasing a property: • Ensure that you have read and understood the lease agreement before signing. • There is usually a deposit to pay, which is normally one month’s rent. This is to cover any damages or unpaid bills at the end of the tenancy and will be returned in full at the end of the tenancy, as long as there are no damages or unpaid bills. Make sure you receive a receipt for any deposits paid. • We strongly recommend (for international students in particular) that you do not pay deposits by Western Union money transfer, so that you can track your payment. When you move in: • You must take the gas and electricity meter readings as soon as you move into the flat. • Ensure that new accounts for gas, electricity, telephone etc. are set up in your name. • Ensure that any damage is reported in writing and keep a copy of all letters. • Make sure that you have proof of payment for all rent paid. • An inventory (list) of the contents of the flat should be taken, if possible before signing the contract and this should be signed by the landlord and the tenant. If the landlord has not provided his own inventory then you should make one and the landlord should check and sign it. • Make sure you get contents insurance for your possessions. The landlord will be insured for the contents that come with the flat but this will not cover your possessions. • If you are a full-time student, you should complete a Council Tax student exemption form. Council Tax What is Council Tax? • Council Tax is a tax levied on households by local authorities in Britain, based on the estimated value of a property and the number of people living in it. • Students are not required to pay council tax if they are enrolled on a full-time course of 21 hours or more per week for a minimum of 24 weeks per year.