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FAQs
Here are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions.
What is the Police emergency number?
999
What is the emergency number to call an ambulance?
999
Do I need to register with a NHS GP (doctor) when I arrive?
Yes, you must register with a GP as soon as you arrive as you may not be able to use NHS services without being registered to one. Your GP surgery must be the closest available one to your residence. Use this online GP search tool to find your local practice.
Do I have to pay council tax as a student?
In most cases, no. But you would require an exemption from your local council. If you are a fully enrolled student, you can download a Council Tax exemption letter from your local council’s website and obtain status letter from your university confirming you are fully enrolled. Such a letter would typically contain your course information (title, length and dates of the course) and your address.
I have just flown into the UK and the airline has lost my luggage. How do I get compensation if my luggage is never recovered?
You must first register your complaint to the airline you travelled with. We strongly recommend that you document each correspondence even if this is made in-person or via phone call. Make a note of the discussion you had, the date and the time. It is also advisable that you follow-up your verbal call with a written correspondence (email) to the airline’s customer service department confirming what was discussed verbally. If there has been no resolution after 8 weeks, you can open a compensation claim with the CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution) here.
Is it normal for a landlord to ask me for a deposit in advance?
Yes, a non-refundable deposit to secure the property is normal. However, please be very careful to not send a deposit to a property you have not viewed. If you are overseas and cannot view the property in person, ask for a virtual viewing (via WhatsApp video call). If you are still uncertain of the credibility of the property, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Do all landlords demand a security deposit? And how can I make sure it is used properly?
A security deposit is a sum of money paid to a landlord at the start of tenancy to be used as safeguard against potential damage to the property or unpaid rent. In England, a landlord cannot charge more than five weeks’ rent for a security deposit. In Scotland, the maximum is two months’ rent. This deposit does not go into the landlord’s account but must be registered with a government-backed Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) scheme. Your landlord must give you a receipt from said scheme and you can find out how the scheme’s dispute resolution works. In England and Wales, your deposit can be registered with one of these services: Tenancy Deposit Scheme, Deposit Protection Service or MyDeposits. In Scotland, your deposits schemes are Letting Protection Service Scotland, mydeposits Scotland or SafeDeposits Scotland. If your landlord has not held your deposits in one of these schemes, please get in touch with us.
At the end of your tenancy, your landlord will conduct a review of the property to make sure it was left in the state you found it. Ensure that this is done in your presence so you are left with a surprise bill. It is also wise to video yourself conducting a thorough review of the property on the day you move-in so that you can compare and contrast on the day you move out, in case there has been any damage.
If your landlord decides there has been damage that needs fixing, you will be charged for it. If you neither agree with the cause nor the cost of the damage, you must start mediation proceedings with the TDP scheme. Once you and your landlord have signed-off the agreed amount to be returned to you, the scheme will payout.
Whom do I contact if I am experiencing a mental health crisis?
The emergency number is 111 for urgent help or for an urgent GP appointment. You may also want to discuss things through with a trained volunteer whom you can reach by calling 116 123 to talk to Samaritans for a reply within 24hrs. Or text “SHOUT” to 85258. If you are under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline.
Where can I donate blood?
You may donate blood and learn about donating blood to NHS here.
How can I volunteer with charities?
Volunteering is a great way to get involved in your local community and make a difference. There are thousands of volunteers and a range of roles you can opt for. You can find a list of charities here.
