Viridian Studios, Kingston Upon Thames

COVID-19 Cancellation Policy

Please note that if a university lease or nomination agreement is in place, then the cancellation policy of the relevant university will take precedence over this policy, and the clauses within the agreement apply.

Tenancy Agreement

The tenancy agreement is a legal contract between the tenant and Homes for Students. The tenancy agreement is for a fixed term and the student (and guarantor) are liable for the full term of that agreement unless and until express written release is granted.The usual Termination of Student Tenancy Policy applies for all cancellation requests that are not EXPLICITLY related to the COVID 19 (Corona virus) outbreak.

Initial Cancellation Period

A student can cancel a tenancy agreement for up to 14 days after the date the booking is confirmed (the Initial Cancellation Period). For bookings made from 1st August to 30th September ahead of the academic year the booking is for, the Initial Cancellation Period reduces to 7 days. We will refund the full security deposit (50 to 250). 20 will be deducted from the refunded amount to cover any international bank charges for deposit refunds made to non-UK banks.

Outside Initial Cancellation Period

If a student wishes to cancel outside of the Initial Cancellation Period, and the cancellation reason is EXPLICITLY related to COVID-19, then the following applies:

19-20 Course Withdrawn (19-20 IELTS/Pre-sessional/short term/foundation etc)

If the student is attending a short term course in the UK and the course is withdrawn completely by the University or Higher Education Institute, the student may be eligible to be released from this agreement.The student must provide written evidence from the University that the course is no longer taking place within 3 days of being notified and we will release the student from the contract without penalty and refund the deposit paid.

19-20 Course Delay (19-20 IELTS/Pre-sessional/short term/foundation etc)

If the student is attending a short term course in the UK and the start date of the course is delayed by the University or Higher Education Institute, the student may be eligible for a reduction in tenancy length based upon evidence of the delayed new course start date.The student must provide written evidence that the course start date has been delayed within 3 days of being notified and we may then adjust the contract accordingly.

Special Tenancy Procedures for COVID-19 outbreak - March 2020 V720-21 Course which is reliant on IELTS/Pre-sessional

If the student is a prospective first year Undergraduate or Postgraduate student and the offer of a place at the University or Higher Education Institute in the UK is subject to completing and passing an IELTS (or equivalent) in the UK or in the students country of origin, and this is unable to be completed because the IELTS (or equivalent) is withdrawn entirely, the student may be eligible to be released from this agreement. The student must provide written evidence that the course is no longer taking place at all within 3 days of being notified and we will release the student from the contract without penalty and refund the deposit paid.

20-21 Course Delay

If the course start date in the UK is delayed by the University or Higher Education Institute, the student may be eligible for a reduction in tenancy length based upon evidence of the delayed new course start date.The student must provide written evidence that the course start date has been delayed within 3 days of being notified and we may then adjust the contract accordingly.

Travel Ban (19-20 or 20-21 bookings)

If the student is unable to travel to or enter the UK due to a restriction on leaving their country of origin, or a restriction on entering the UK which means they cannot arrive in time to start their course, the student may be eligible to be released from this agreement, subject to evidence being provided of a formal travel ban being in place.There must be a specific government ban in place at the start date of the students course that prevents the student coming to, or entering the UK in time to start their course, and there must be no realistic prospect of a delayed course start date.

Regular Cancellation Policy

You can cancel your booking up to 14 days after you accept your offer or pay your deposit (the Initial Cancellation Period), which reduces to 7 days from 1st August ahead of the academic year being booked, providing you have not already moved in to the property and we will refund your security deposit in full. Deposits will normally be refunded within 28 working days of cancellation, however our legal obligation as a landlord is to secure all deposits with a third party protection scheme. In the event that your deposit has already been sent to the protection scheme by the time you cancel your booking, your refund could take up to 60 days to be refunded due to the protection schemes processing period and your deposit refund will come directly from them you will need your repayment ID which will be sent to you directly by the protection scheme.If the deposit has already been sent to the deposit protection scheme, unfortunately, we are unable to influence their processing time.If you cancel your booking after the 14 day Initial Cancellation Period (7 days after 1st August), you will 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). If you have paid a lower deposit amount, thats the amount that will be retained. 

NO PLACE NO PAY

1. Prospective first year students who have applied to attend a University or a Higher Education Institution in any of the cities in which Homes for Students operates, and who book a room with Homes for Students, will be allowed to be released from their Tenancy Agreement if, as a result of not achieving the required A-Level, Scottish Higher (or equivalent) results, they do not gain a place at their chosen university and evidence is provided.
2. Only new customers who have never lived at a Homes for Students property are eligible.
3. If a customer does not gain a place at their chosen University or College and wishes to be released from their Tenancy Agreement, they must provide Homes for Students with evidence of their rejection and evidence of the reason why (proof of results achieved etc) no later than 3 working days after their results day.
4. Evidence can be a written rejection letter from the University/College/UCAS, or a screenshot of the customers UCAS status along with the results etc. This can be emailed to the property management email or posted to Homes for Students, Clock Tower Park, Longmoor Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool, L10 1LD.
5. Customers who do not apply to be released from their Tenancy Agreement within this timescale and provide the correct evidence will be bound by the terms and conditions set out in the Tenancy Agreement.

NO VISA NO PAY

1. Prospective international students who have applied to attend a University or a Higher Education Institution in any of the cities in which Homes for Students operates, and who book a room with Homes for Students, will be allowed to be released from their Tenancy Agreement if they do not receive the entry Visa they require for their study in the UK and evidence is provided.
2. Only new customers who have never lived at a Homes for Students property are eligible.
3. If a customer does not receive the entry Visa they require for their study in the UK and wishes to be released from their Tenancy Agreement, they must provide Homes for Students with evidence of their refusal of entry to the UK to study no later than 7 days after notification of their refusal.
4. Evidence can be a copy of the letter from the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration service or other official Visa issuing body as well as a letter from the university, sponsor or institution where they were supposed to be studying. It must clearly show the students full name, address and date of issue. This can be emailed to the property management email or posted to Homes for Students, 3 Clock Tower Park, Longmoor Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool, L10 1LD.
5. Customers who do not apply to be released from their Tenancy Agreement within this timescale will be bound by the terms and conditions set out in the Tenancy Agreement.