Ethical Student Lettings 🌱 What does that mean? | Joint Living Skip to main content
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Welcome to Ethical Letting🌱

At Joint Living, we want to make sure that when you rent with us, that it’s as simple & stress free as possible. That’s why we’ve created our Ethical Lettings pages, a clear and simple guide to help you understand your commitments and responsibilities.

Our goal is to make renting fair, transparent, and stress-free, so you always feel informed and supported throughout your tenancy.

At Joint, we want to give you the best experience possible and this starts right now. We want to make sure you have all the information and resources to do so.

So before you join us, we have compiled the below information for you, highlighting some of the key commitments and considerations so you can make an informed decision.

That said, you must fully read the contract and guarantor agreements before you decide.

This information does not replace any part of your contracts.

Once you have signed your tenancy agreement it is legally binding for the full term of the tenancy. 

So it’s really important that you have all the information you need

What is a guarantor and why are they required

A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay a tenant’s rent if the tenant cannot do so for any reason. 

• Guarantors must be over 18 and a UK resident and earn £37,500 a year or above

• Joint Living will expect payment from a tenants guarantor if rent payment becomes 21 days overdue

• If a tenant cannot pay their rent for any reason a guarantor must have the financial means to pay the rent in full on the tenantsbehalf

• If the tenant and guarantor are unable to pay the rent for any reason, they are at risk of legal action being taken against them by the landlord

• If legal action is taken the guarantor may incur legal costs and may also be expected to pay interest owed as detailed in the Tenancy Agreement

• Becoming a guarantor is a significant financial commitment. There are other ways of supporting a student if being a guarantor is not the right decision for you (see below)

• Important note – Guarantors of Joint Living student tenants will only guarantee their individual students rent, not the rent of other students in the house. Other agents that use Group Tenancy Agreement require guarantors to guarantee all students on the tenancy agreement.

What if i dont have a guarantor?

Having a personal guarantor is not the right option for everyone.

There are alternative options available, and we’re here to offer advice and support.

We work closely with Housing Hand, who support both UK and international students who do not have a guarantor. They provide a guarantor service at a reduced rate exclusively for Joint Living tenants. This service can be paid for either by the tenant themselves or by someone who wishes to support a student at university. The cost associated with the service, is typically around 5% of annual rent however applying through Joint Living can save you money, Joint applicants receive higher discounts because we don’t take commission from Housing Hand, Joint offers the full benefit to our tenants.

Applying for the Housing Hand guarantor service through Joint Living can save you around 7% on their usual fee  (most Universities offer around 5% discount).

Renters Rights Act

This year (2026), the government introduced the Renters Rights Act. This Act removes fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreements. Traditionally, ASTs have been used within the student rental sector, and Joint Living has been no different in this respect. That said, Joint Living offers individual tenancy agreements so that each student in our houses has autonomy from other tenants. Students and guarantors in Joint Living houses aren’t responsible for unpaid rent or damage caused by other tenants, unlike those with other agents on group tenancy agreements.

The Renters Rights Act ends the use of fixed-term ASTs and replaces them with periodic tenancy agreements. A periodic tenancy agreement removes the end date from the agreement, meaning the tenancy will continue until either the landlord or the tenant serves appropriate notice.

To end your tenancy, Joint Living will use a new provision within the Renters Rights Act called Section 4A. Using Section 4A means you should not expect to have to rent a property beyond a 12-month period if you do not want to. Joint Living will contact tenants to confirm who wants to stay for another academic year and who wants to leave. We will handle the paperwork to ensure legal compliance, and students can manage their accommodation to suit their needs. Joint Living will continue to offer individual periodic tenancy agreements so that students have peace of mind that they are in control of their accommodation needs and are not bound by other tenants’ actions and choices.

If you currently hold a Fixed Term AST you will automatically have periodic tenancy agreement rights from 1stMay 2026, any tenancy end date is invalidated until such time a legal notice is served, you do not need to sign a new tenancy agreement for the current term.

International Student Guide

Feel Welcome. Feel Supported. Feel at Home.

Moving to a new country can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. At Joint Living, we make your transition to the UK smooth, safe, and stress-free.
We provide more than just accommodation, we offer community, guidance, and real support from the moment you book with us.


Why International Students Love Living with Us

Total support throughout the online viewing and application process

All Joint houses are available to view online. We can offer you a virtual tour and advice about the best place to live, depending on the 

university you are attending. Our staff will take the time to get to know you, understand your needs and expectations, and even try to match you with students seeking a similar lifestyle to yours. We offer individual contracts, so you don’t need to be part of a group or be responsible for any other students you live with.

Once you have picked your property and room, Nish—our dedicated and expert onboarding manager—will help you through the application process. He will explain each step of our digital referencing process to make renting in the UK simple and quick, giving you peace of mind that your accommodation is secure.

Meet Your Housemates Before You Arrive

You’ll be added to your house WhatsApp group before your tenancy starts.
This means you can introduce yourself, ask questions, and get comfortable with your new housemates before you even land in the UK.

Your Move-In & UK Arrival Guide

We meet you on move-in day to:

All our rooms are fully furnished, you just need your bedding and basic kitchen items like pans, plates, and cutlery.

Arriving Prepared

We recommend arriving during our office hours (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) so you can collect your keys immediately.
If you arrive outside these times, you will need temporary accommodation until our team is available.

Life Admin: What You Need to Know

Setting Up a UK Bank Account

A UK bank account makes everyday life easier.
You’ll need it for:

We recommend opening a student account as soon as you arrive.

Register With a Local Doctor (GP) & Dentist

Registering with a GP early is essential.
This ensures you can access free NHS services and get medical help when needed.

Housing Hand also provides 24/7 online GP access as additional support.

Transport Information

Once you arrive, we recommend:

Brighton, Bristol, and Bath all have excellent public transport networks.

Awards and recognition