Hatbox, Luton

Can I live at a this property?

You must be a full-time student to live with us. You can book with us whether you have a conditional or unconditional offer. However, please be aware of our cancellation policy prior to booking should your place at university not yet be confirmed.

Are pets allowed?

No pets of any kind are permitted at homes for students, except registered assistance dogs.

What can I bring?

You can bring most of your belongings but some electricals aren't suitable for our properties. Non uk compliant electricals such as rice cookers are not suitable for use with uk power outlets and this can cause fire risks.

Can I choose who I live with?

Yes you can but it depends on availability. We do try our best. Please contact us for the same.

Can I choose my room?

If you follow the book now process you can select the room of your choice or you can make special requests within the create application route which we will do our best to accommodate, however all requests and subject to availability and conditions.

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 in. If you request to move rooms during your tenancy you will also be issued with new documents confirming the details of the room move which you will need to sign or accept online.

Should your new room be more expensive, then you and your guarantor shall be liable for the higher rent from the date you are given access to it.

Do I have to move out in the holidays?

Your room is yours for the full contract period and you dont need to move out during academic breaks.

Can I move in before my contract?

Yes you can but it depends on the availability. Kindly contact us to know about the availability.

Does my rental price include insurance?

Contents insurance is included at some homes for students properties, which will be shown on the property page and details of the insurance can be obtained from the property manager when you check in. If you wish to confirm whether the property offers contents insurance, please contact the property team directly. Please note we advise taking out contents insurance if it is not included at your property and homes for students is not liable for the loss or damage of your personal belongings and room contents.

Do I need to pay council tax?

If you are a qualifying full time student, you will be exempt from paying council tax. You must provide us with your council tax exemption certificate which your university will be able to arrange.

If you do not have this when you move in because you have not yet enrolled on your course, please ensure that you bring with you the name of your university and your university student id number.

What is the process for dealing with complaints?

Stage 1 - where possible please make your complaint in person at reception or by telephone. Our staff on site will attempt to investigate and deal with the matter immediately. If you are unhappy with the solutions or explanations given you can escalate your complaint to stage 2 by letter or email to site within 10 working days.

Stage 2 - your complaint must be in writing. Our staff will pass your communication to a senior member of staff within homes for students, who will investigate further and provide a written response within 10 working days where possible. You must state why you think your complaint has not been treated fairly or correctly.

Stage 3 - your complaint must be in writing. In the event that you still feel your complaint has not been treated fairly or correctly you can write to the complaints panel within homes for students at: head of operations, homes for students, building 3, clock tower park, longmoor lane, fazakerley, liverpool, l10 1ld. The panel will normally notify you of their decision within 10 working days. You must state why you think your complaint has not been treated fairly or correctly to this point.

Stage 4 - homes for students is a member of the accreditation network uk (anuk).

Recycling

Recycling is one of the best ways for you to have a positive impact on the world in which we live. Recycling is important to both the natural environment and us. We must act fast as the amount of waste we create is increasing all the time.

Homes for students want to do our bit to protect the world, and were sure you want to do your bit too, so to make being eco-friendly easy for you weve provided recycling and refuse bins throughout your accommodation and we encourage all students to use the facilities provided to recycle waste where possible.

You should make sure that you empty packages completely and give them a quick rinse before you recycle them. Below you can find examples of what you can recycle and what goes in the different bins.

Be aware that if you put things in the wrong bin, it will contaminate the whole waste load which means that we cannot send that waste to be recycled. So, please take an extra couple of seconds to put things in the correct bin so we can help divert as much waste from going to landfill as possible.

Almost anything made of glass can be recycled, so make sure you put items like glass bottles and jars in the right bin and do not recycle broken glass or light bulbs. Anything that does not feature a recycling label must be put in the refuse bin. Other items that are not recyclable include: batteries, electrical appliances, kitchen waste, polystyrene, foam and sanitary products.

What can be recycled?

Plastics

Plastic cups and lids

Milk bottles

Takeaway containers

Plastic bottles such as water, shampoo or sauce bottles

Cardboard and paper

Newspapers and magazines

Food cartons

Emptied pizza boxes

Envelopes or loose office paper

Aluminium and steel

Drinks cans

Empty aerosol cans

Food cans

Lids from glass bottles and jars

Thank you for being responsible residents and for helping the world!

Does my rental price include car parking?

On-site car parking is available at some properties, but is not included within the rental price unless explicitly stated and confirmed in writing. Payments for car parking permits are separate to your tenancy agreement. Please speak to the property team if you wish to purchase a car parking space. Car parking spaces are very limited and are strictly on a first-come first-served basis.

What is included in my rent?

All utility bills such as gas, electricity, water are included in your rent. Unlimited wi-fi* is also included. Your tv licence is not included in your rent as this is not classed as a utility and is your responsibility to purchase.

All of our properties offer a wi-fi connection at the stated level** included within the rent and there is no additional charge for use of the on-site internet. Some providers may offer more services and packages at an additional charge which you are under no obligation to use. If you choose to add additional features to your internet package, that relationship is with you and the service provider directly and does not fall under the terms of your tenancy.

For information on the speed of your internet connection, please ask your property team for more information.

*a one off connection fee may apply dependent on property. Please see your property page and your tenancy agreement for more information.

** the internet speed is the maximum stated speed available into the property.

Can I move in before I pay my rent?

All rent that is due must have been paid when you check in. If you are having difficulties or this will be a problem, please contact the property as early as possible who will assist you.

What if I dont have a uk guarantor?

If you are unable to provide your own uk guarantor, we recommend the service of housing hand you can find further information, prices and how to apply on their website.

Who can be a guarantor?

To be a guarantor you must:

Be resident in the uk for a minimum of 1 year

Be over 21 years of age

Be a homeowner or in full time employment

Provide a copy of photographic identification, such as a passport, driving licence or id badge

Provide a copy of proof of your uk address which must be less than 3 months old, such as a utility bill (e.G. Electricity, water, gas, telephone), a bank statement or a council tax bill.

Can I pay my rent from overseas?

You can pay your rent either online by logging in to your student account, by bank transfer or by credit or debit card over the phone.

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

You can defer your rent instalments to be in line with your student loan payments if you wish. All requests for deferred payments must be made by 1st august in each academic year to the property team.

You will be required to provide evidence of your student loan schedule to the property team in order for the payment plan to be set up.

You will be required to pay two weeks rent 14 days prior to your contract start date, which will be deducted from the balance of your first instalment on the agreed date.

A one off admin fee of 50 will be charge and payable with the initial 2 week rent payment and this 50 admin fee will not be deducted from the balance of rent due.

Please note deferring your rent must be pre-arranged and agreed with the property manager prior to your move in date. If no arrangement has been made, rent is due as per your tenancy agreement.

Do I need a guarantor?

If you wish to pay your rent in instalments, you will need a uk guarantor.

Do I need a guarantor if I am a sponsored student?

We may be able to accept sponsors in place of guarantors in some cases, however this depends on the terms of your sponsorship and whether your sponsor is willing to guarantee rent payments. If you are a sponsored student, please contact your chosen property directly to enquire about using a sponsor in place of guarantor.

Can I pay my rent weekly?

Weekly rent payments are not available, however homes for students offers a number of instalment options for students to pay their rent.

When does the discount come off my rent?

All discounts offered will be deducted off your final instalment of rent.

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.

If you are a prospective first year student and your offer of a place at your preferred university or higher education institute is withdrawn because you do not achieve the required entry grades, you may be eligible to be released from your agreement.

You must provide written evidence from the university/ucas that you do not have a place within 3 days of your results being published (and no later than 1st september, whichever date is sooner) and we will release you from your contract without penalty and refund your deposit.

You may also be eligible to be released from this agreement if you are a prospective first year student and you choose to go to a different university because you have exceeded your expected grades. To apply to be released from your agreement, you will need to supply us with a copy of:

A written or email confirmation that you wish to cancel your reservation, stating full name and full details of the property booked

A written rejection letter from your chosen university/college or ucas, a screen shot of your ucas status which confirms that the required results were not achieved, or a copy of the proof of acceptance of your new university by ucas adjustment.

These document(s) must be received by us within 3 calendar days from the date your results are published. If you fail to provide the information within 3 days, your deposit will not be refunded and you may be held rent liable.

What do I do if Im a first year post-graduate 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.

If you are a prospective first year student and your offer of a place at your preferred university or higher education institute is withdrawn because you do not achieve the required entry grades, you may be eligible to be released from your agreement.

You must provide written evidence from the university/ucas that you do not have a place within 3 days of your results being published (and no later than 1st september, whichever date is sooner) and we will release you from your contract without penalty and refund your deposit.

You may also be eligible to be released from this agreement if you are a prospective first year student and you choose to go to a different university because you have exceeded your expected grades. To apply to be released from your agreement, you will need to supply us with a copy of:

A written or email confirmation that you wish to cancel your reservation, stating full name and full details of the property booked

A written rejection letter from your chosen university/college or ucas, a screen shot of your ucas status which confirms that the required results were not achieved, or a copy of the proof of acceptance of your new university by ucas adjustment.

These document(s) must be received by us within 3 calendar days from the date your results are published. If you fail to provide the information within 3 days, your deposit will not be refunded and you may be held rent liable.

How do I book a room?

To book a room, create an online account and select book now. You can choose the property, your room and the required tenancy length, then pay your deposit and accept the room offer within a few minutes.

If you have any special requests or requirements please use the 'create application' route instead.

Do I have to pay a booking fee?

Homes for students do not charge a booking fee. When you accept your room offer, youll be asked to pay a deposit to secure your room which is secured with a deposit protection service and refunded at the end of your tenancy.

What if I want to cancel my booking?

Our full termination policy is within your online account.

We will only accept cancellation of an accepted room offer if you cancel your application up to 14 days after the date your booking is confirmed. From the 1st august before the start of the relevant academic year this period reduces to 7 days. As confirmed in your agreement, we will refund the full security deposit.

Please note, 20 will be deducted from the refunded amount to cover international bank charges for deposit refunds made to non-uk banks under these circumstances.

If you cancel your booking after those 14 days, you remain liable for the weekly rent (for each and every week or part week) until we are able to re-let the room. If we are able to re-let the room we will release you from the agreement upon payment of a 250 release fee which we will recover by retaining your deposit (which will not, therefore, be returned).

Can I book if Im under 18?

If you turn 18 in the first semester of university, we can accept your booking with no restrictions other than an adult over the age of 18 must be a co-signatory on your tenancy agreement and must accept the terms of it.

We can accept under 18s in some of our properties subject to our policy for students under the age of 18.

What do I need to bring with me?

When you come to pick up your keys you need to bring some photographic id. To find out what else you may need to bring check out our what to take to university page.

Is there car parking facilities for when I move in?

Some properties have car parking facilities available for a small charge, please speak to your property team directly if you would like to reserve car parking.

How much are deposits?

Deposits vary by property from 50 to 250 and your deposit is placed into a deposit protection scheme, where it is held safely throughout the academic year and will be returned to you at the end of your contract subject to the contract terms.

The deposit you pay when making the application cannot be used towards a rent instalment as this is secured with a deposit protection scheme for the duration of your tenancy.

What happens to my deposit?

Your deposit is placed into a deposit protection scheme, where it is held safely throughout the academic year and will be returned to you at the end of your contract subject to the contract terms.

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 damage found in your room or the communal areas of your apartment. Please see your tenancy agreement for more information. The deposit can take up to 30 working days to be credited at the end of your tenancy period.

All deposits are secured with a deposit protection scheme, such as the deposit protection service or letting protection scotland. You will be contacted by the deposit protection scheme and asked to authorise the refund and submit your bank details to them. For this you will require your deposit repayment id, which will have been sent to you via email at the time of registering your deposit.

Please be aware, the deposit refund process is managed by the deposit protection scheme and is not able to be influenced by homes for students. Should you have any queries regarding your deposit repayment id, you should contact the deposit protection scheme directly: deposit protection service or letting protection service.

Please note if you ask for your deposit to be repaid to a non-uk bank account, bank charges will apply.