Tenant Information

Billfreehomes offers superior high quality housing run on renewable sources of power. We are proud to offer luxurious student homes in the most convenient and sort after locations in Durham City. We are also founder members of Studenthomezone, the largest private landlords group in Durham City. If you cannot find what you are looking for then visit www.studenthomezone.com

We insure all of our houses to ensure that you have a number to call 24 hours of the day, 365 days a year in case of emergencies. We have a dedicated repairs team that respond to any repairs (urgent or cosmetic) when an repair request is sent to repairs@billfreehomes.com

See the Bill Free Package page for more details on our exclusive deals!

What we offer:

We have various partnerships throughout Durham City, resulting in fantastic offers being passed on to our tenants.

We pay the membership fee for all of our tenants to join www.commonwheels.org.uk. This means that tenants do not need to bring a car to Durham as they have access to one included in their rent!

We also have a partnership with www.gocarshare.com who provide safe car sharing opportunities whilst travelling to Durham or whilst visiting the delights of the North East.

We provide a free bike for every tenant on request also (subject to good notice)! In association with www.recyke-y-bike.org we can provide a recycled, refurbished bike for your use for the year. We generally need 8 weeks notice to get the bikes ordered and refurbished but a bike can be waiting for you at your new house! We also suggest that if you do take up this scheme that you make a donation to recyke-y-bikes charity "Recycle to Africa" – so as well as getting a free bike, your helping a worth while cause!

As well as these amazing transportation partners, we have various partners within Durham such as the New Inn and Fabios, who allow us to pass exclusive offers on to our tenants (you can obviously opt out of receiving any offers).

The Important Stuff:

We are a responsible student landlord, we recognise that you are eager to secure your home for next year but would caution you against rushing into agreements too early. The number one rule is know your housemates! We don't want to have to get involved with substituting house mates a few weeks into your contract. Choose your housemates as wisely as you choose your house and you will not go far wrong.

Safety is undoubtedly the top priority in any home. By law, all properties must have a current gas safety certificate (renewed annually); please ensure that you have seen this and are happy that it is up to date. It is good practice for each property also to have an electrical safety certificate (renewed every five years). Again, check that the property you are looking at has one, and ask to see it. We insist that all of our properties display these as a matter of course. All of our houses now have Energy performance certificates also - this is a legal requirement from October 2008 - if your house does not have one - ask why!

We PAT test all portable electrical appliances this is not a legal requirement - we think that it should be.

It is always prudent to ask the current tenants about your prospective landlords - and to check with the University accommodation office. We have no worries about you asking our tenants about us!

On Moving in:

Once you have moved in, check that you have keys for any locking windows - these may be your escape route in the event of a fire. Check that fire blankets and extinguishers are in place, and in working order. Practice a fire drill and work out a strategy for safe evacuation. You will have a yellow folder in your house containing safety information plus other details on what to do in event of problems.

Modern smoke and heat sensors are very sensitive and may annoyingly go off whilst you are enjoying a Sunday joint or a joint on any other day of the week! However, they are provided to save your life, which they cannot do if disconnected or baffled. Do not tamper with them or remove them they are there for your safety.

Ensure that the house is always locked when unattended, and try to maintain good relations with neighbours as they will then keep an eye on the house when you are away. 90 % of all complaints to all Universities are from disgruntled neighbours, none of whom were ever young , got a little merry on home brew or played football in the street . Your life will be so much easier if you get on with everyone around you … we know that sometimes this is difficult.

Owing to our high standards, our properties always let very quickly - but don't let the rush stop you from taking these steps before committing. Stay safe at all times.