Castle House, Leicester

What happens to my deposit?

Your deposit is placed into a Deposit Protection Scheme, where it is held safely throughout the academic year.

What is a deposit protection scheme?

By law, if you pay a deposit to your landlord or letting agent then they must protect it in a government-authorised tenancy deposit protection scheme. It applies to all landlords and agents in England and Wales who have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement (the contract) with their tenant.

It was introduced to ensure that you are able to get your deposit back from your landlord or agent when you move out.

What happens if I change my mind after booking the room? Before/after I move in, before/after I send my contracts back?

If you choose to not proceed before returning the signed paperwork, you can let us know and we will cancel the booking and return your deposit. Once you have signed the contract you will be bound by our cancellation policy if the 14 day cooling off period has elapsed.

Do I count as a full-time student? What is the definition of a full-time student?

Your university/college can usually tell you this.

Is my reservation fee fully refundable?

Yes, your reservation fee is fully refundable all year round.

Can I move out during the agreement?

At any point you can move out during the License Agreement, but please note you are still responsible for the rent until a new student moves in. 

Will I get a refund if I move out early?

If you move out early then a refund is calculated from the day a new student moves into your room. Please note there is an initial cancellation fee. 

Does the Reservation fee guarantee me a room?

The reservation does not guarantee you a room, but it allows you to be kept up to date with availability so you do not miss out on the chance to secure your chosen room type. 

Can I choose where I wish to live?

Yes. As long as there is availability then you are eligible to choose to stay.

Are there any additional fees to pay?

No additional fees are charged to move in. Still if any additional fees has to be charged for any extras, the same will be mentioned in the property description.

How long is the agreement?

The standard length of the License agreement is 50 weeks.

Can I move in early?

If a room is ready, then we will try and move students in early but generally it is not possible although we do try. 

Can I live here?

You must be a full-time student, and be 18 years or older to live in the property. You can book with this property whether you have a conditional or unconditional offer. However, please be aware of the cancellation policy prior to booking should your place at university not yet be confirmed.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not permitted in the buildings.

Can I choose who I live with?

If you are applying to live with friends, please ensure that you enlist the details of friends that you would like to live with in the booking form with us.

Can I choose my room?

Rooms are allotted on first cum first served basis.

Can I request to move rooms during my tenancy?

You would need to make a formal request to the accommodation team of the property you are residing at. If you request to move rooms during your tenancy please note there is a room move admin fee depending on the property owner, you would also be issued with new documents confirming the details of the room move.

A room move would be impacted by the availability at the time of the request and if there is a waiting list for the requested room or flat type.

Should your requested room move result in moving to more expensive accommodation then yourself and the Guarantor shall be liable to pay the higher rent from the date the Tenant is given access to the more expensive accommodation.

Do you provide summer accommodation?

Yes, the summer accommodation of the same provider usually opens around March.

Do I have to move out in the holidays?

No, your room is yours for the full contract period! You wont have to move out in the holidays, so you wont have to remove your belongings every term.

What do I do if Im a first-year student and Im still waiting for my exam results?

If youre still waiting for your exam results and youre not sure whether your place at university is confirmed, dont worry! You can still apply. You just need to ensure that if you do not get your place at university, you let us know on your chosen property in writing a maximum of 3 days after the A Level results day, to cancel your booking. You must provide a UCAS letter to verify your change in circumstances. In this instance, you will receive a full refund of your deposit. If you dont let us know within 3 days, your tenancy agreement will remain in place, and you will be liable for the rent on your room for the entire contract period.

What do you need from me to book a room?

1. Register with us.  

2. Tell us your preferences and then select your chosen room  

3. Complete all of your personal information and pay your deposit  

4. Accept your tenancy agreement  

5. Provide a UK guarantor (Only if youre requesting to pay by instalments)  

Can I book if Im under 18?

The bookings from students who are under 18 are accepted only if they will turn 18 in the first term of the academic year. Unfortunately, for health and safety reasons, applications from students who wont turn 18 in their first term are not accepted.

What is included in my rent?

All utility bills are included in your rent such as gas, electricity and water and unlimited wifi*. However, your TV license is not included and this is the sole responsibility of the resident as this is not classed as a utility. 

Can I  pay my rent from overseas?

You can pay your rent either online, or by bank transfer depending on your chosen property. Please note that if you make your payment using a credit card or an overseas debit card, you will be required to pay a surcharge of 1.5%.

Can I pay my rent weekly?

The largest instalment plan is 10, the total contract value is divided into 10 equal amounts and this is paid across 10 months.

What do I need to provide to be a guarantor?

Please note to be a guarantor you must be in full time employment or a homeowner and lived in the UK (England or Wales) for more than 5 years.

You can provide:

A copy of proof of identity (with photograph) such as:

*   Passport

*   Driving License

*   ID Badge

A copy of proof of address (less than 3 months old) such as: Utility bill statement (i.e. Electricity, Water, Telephone)

*   Bank statement    

*   Council tax bill for current year

Can I move in before I pay my rent?

Students who are up to date with their rental schedule are only allowed to move in early.

What do I do if my student loan hasnt arrived yet?

A deferred rent payment option is available for students paying their rent instalments with student finance.

Please note the following steps in order to request a deferred rent instalment plan if you are student who has rebooked to live in a Homes for Students property.

In order to defer your 1st, 2nd and 3rd rent payments you will be required to do the following:

1. Provide evidence of your student loan finance schedule, showing when you will receive your 1st payment, please forward this by email to the property you will be living at in September.

2. Make a payment of 2 weeks rent, 14 days prior to your contract starting, the date of your tenancy can be found on your tenancy agreement.

3. The 2 week rent payment will be deducted from the 1st instalment and the remaining balance will need to be paid in line with the date your student finance will be paid.

4. You will also need to advise if you wish to defer the date of the 2nd and 3rd rent payments in line with your student finance, this request also needs to go to your property team.

There is no additional charge for the deferred payment plan for rebooking student

Do I need a guarantor?

If you wish to pay your rent in three instalments, you will need a guarantor. Your guarantor must be a homeowner or in full-time employment.

When do I get my deposit back?

Your deposit will be returned to you after your tenancy agreement has ended and your room has been inspected. The amount returned to you will depend on any outstanding charges and any damages found in your room or the communal areas in your flat. Please see your tenancy agreement for more information. The deposit can take up to 30 days to get credited.