The Emporium, Birmingham

2021 Covid Policy

If you secure your accommodation and then Government imposed travel restrictions prevent you from travelling to the UK to take up your place at university, official written evidence from the University confirming that you have cancelled your studies and will not be enrolled as a student at the University for the 2021/22 academic year must be sent via email before the tenancy start date. If satisfactory evidence is provided, you will be eligible for release from the tenancy agreement.

Alternatively, you may request that the start of your tenancy be put back to the first day of the month in which the restrictions are lifted and you are able to travel to the UK. Please submit your request before the original tenancy start date. If sufficient evidence is provided, we will change your tenancy start date to the first day of the month in which the travel restrictions are lifted. We will send you written confirmation of your new tenancy start date. We will also apply a credit to your account for the accommodation fees for the period from your original tenancy start date to the new tenancy start date.

Regular Policy

If for any reason you decide to leave during your contracted term, we might be able to release you from your tenancy agreement. But only if these conditions are met:
 

• You agree not to transfer or sublet the tenancy to anyone else without our written consent, as in point 7.1(n) of the tenancy agreement.
• You find a suitable replacement to take a new tenancy agreement for the rest of your tenancy. This person must: be at least 18 years old and enrolled as a full-time student in a university close to the accommodation; enter into a tenancy agreement with us and pay all sums due within it; and provide a guarantor where reasonable, who must accept the terms and conditions set out in the tenancy agreement.
• You pay a £50 administration fee.

We can’t refund you until the student replacing you has taken over your room’s contract, signed the tenancy agreement, paid, and moved in.

If you can’t find someone to take over your tenancy, you’ll be responsible for paying the full rent until the end of your tenancy agreement.

If you’re a first-year prospective undergraduate student and your offer at your preferred higher education institute is withdrawn, we may be able to release you from your tenancy agreement if:

• You find a suitable replacement to take a new tenancy agreement for the rest of your tenancy. This person must: be at least 18 years old and enrolled as a full-time student in a university close to the accommodation; enter into a tenancy agreement with us and pay all sums due within it; and provide a guarantor where reasonable, who must accept the terms and conditions set out in the tenancy agreement; and
• you provide a written rejection letter from your chosen higher education institute; and
• you provide a copy of the acceptance letter from your new higher education institute.

Q. What are the types of community spaces?

Buildings are more than the sum of their rooms, you’ll find places to meet, play, and work with other students like - gym, cinema rooms, games rooms, study rooms and so on.

Q. How do I pay?

You can pay via a recurring card, direct debit or bank transfer. No cash or cheques

Q. Who is a guarantor?

If you’re paying your rent in instalments, you’ll need a guarantor. That gives us – and you – the security that your rent will be paid in full. This person should be a permanent resident of the UK, who has lived in the UK for more than three years, and is recognised as a taxpayer by HMRC. They’ll need to provide us with proof of address (less than three months old) and photo ID. They’ll also need to provide proof of available funds (for example, three months of payslips and/or a recent bank statement).

Q. What's the process of moving in?

You’ll find your check-in date on the front page of your tenancy document. It’s ‘start date’. You can arrive on your check in date or any day after that.

Q. What should I bring along?

Your passport, passport-sized photos, ID and visa. You’ll need these to enroll with your university, join societies, and get a part-time job (if you want one), bedding and kitchen utensils, decorations and personal things that make your room feel like home, first aid kit – plasters, sterile dressings, that kind of thing. 

Q. What about moving out?

You’ll have to move out by end of your tenancy – you can see when that is on your tenancy document. If you want to move out earlier, you can arrange that with your accommodation manager. At the end of the academic year, we’ll let you know when you’ll be expected to move out and exactly what you’ll need to do. Before you go, your accommodation manager will make an appointment to inspect your room – making sure it hasn’t been damaged or dirtied.

Q. How is the on-site security?

Every building has a secure entry system and 24-hour CCTV. We also give students a 24-hour contact number to call if they have any concerns about safety or security.

Q. How will I receive my mail and parcels?

You may receive it anytime from the reception.

Q. Can I smoke inside my accommodation?

You’re not allowed to smoke indoors, but there’ll be smoking areas outside your building.

Q. What’s included in my rent?

Electricity, gas, and 24-hour hot water. You’ll also get a stand-alone heater – your room, your preferred temperature, you’re in control.

Throughout the building and bedrooms, with an ethernet cable connection in your room. A flat-screen, 32-inch TV, to be precise. With 40 channels.

Q. Can I bring guests over?

Your friends and family are more than welcome to stay. But while they’re here, they’ll be your responsibility. So careful! If they cause damage to the property or disruption for people living with you, then that’s on you. Extensive stays (that’s longer than a week) aren’t allowed though.