Student accommodation is a minefield, there are loads of ways in which landlords and letting agents will attempt to drain every penny out of student tenants. From withheld deposits, to lucrative administration fees or attempting to get tenants to pay for repairs which aren't their responsibility, it pays to know your rights as a tenant.

When you move into a house you should be provided a detailed inventory to prove what was in the house when you arrived, and what condition it was in. You should check the property and any fittings or furniture that has been provided and ensure that the inventory is accurate. It can be wise to take photos of anything in particularly bad condition so the letting agent or owner can't blame you for it later. Landlords can't withhold a deposit unless they have a good reason, so keep copies of your tenancy and inventory, as you never known when you might need to use them.

Before signing a tenancy agreement, find out about administration costs. Letting agents will inevitably charge a fee for compiling the tenancy and other administrative tasks, including sending letters out (late rent payment, for example). You could also find that letting agents charge a fee at the end of the tenancy agreement, so make sure that you're not headed for an unexpected surprise at the end of term.

Included in any tenancy agreement is general maintenance for the house. You can expect a certain amount of wear and tear, so don't be fooled if your landlords or letting agent tell you to pay for major repairs. You have probably signed an "assured shorthold tenancy agreement", which stipulates that the landlord is required to keep the structure and exterior of the property in a good state of repair, including the roof, walls, windows and doors.

One risky but potentially beneficial idea is to ask your landlord if he or she will deposit your deposit into a separate bank account, in the hope that you will end up receiving any interest earned on it. This is not a legal requirement but it can be a good way of securing (and gaining interest on) your deposit.

It is also the landlord's responsibility to pay for any repairs to do with the supply of gas, electricity, heating, water and sanitation. Don't let them get you to pay for these repairs as responsibility lies with them.

If you have trouble with landlords and letting agents, then Shelter and the Citizen's Advice Bureau can help.

Buy to Let Furnishings, Rental Property Furniture Specialist who offer a complete range of furnishing solutions for rented or buy to let investment property.