St Giles Studios Durham

FIRST YEAR STUDENT WAITING FOR EXAM RESULTS
If you’re still waiting for your exam results and you’re not sure whether your place at
university is confirmed, don’t worry, you can still apply. 
If you are a prospective first year Undergraduate or Postgraduate student and your
offer of a place at your preferred University or Higher Education Institute is
withdrawn by the University or Higher Education Institute because you do not
achieve the required entry grades, you may be eligible to be released from this
agreement. 
You must provide written evidence from the University that you do not have a place
within 3 days of your results being published (and no later than 28th August,
whichever date is sooner) and we will release you from the contract without penalty
and refund the deposit paid. 
You may also be eligible to be released from this agreement if you are a prospective
first year Undergraduate student and you choose to go to a different University
because you have exceeded your expected grades. 
To apply to be released from this agreement in the circumstances referred to above,
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. On receipt of the required documentation it will be
verified and, provided we are satisfied, we will cancel your agreement and
refund your deposit in full.

FIRST YEAR POST GRADUATE STUDENT WAITING FOR EXAM RESULTS
If you’re still waiting for your exam results and you’re not sure whether your place at
university is confirmed, don’t worry, you can still apply. 
If you are a prospective first year Postgraduate student and your offer of a place at
your preferred University or Higher Education Institute is withdrawn by the
University or Higher Education Institute because you do not achieve the required
entry grades, you may be eligible to be released from this agreement. 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT WAITING FOR VISA
If you’re still waiting for your VISA to study in the UK and you’re not sure whether
your place is confirmed, don’t worry, you can still apply. 
If you are a prospective international student who has applied to a University
or Higher Education Institute and booked a room, you will be allowed to be released

from your Tenancy Agreement if you do not receive the entry Visa required for your
study in the UK and evidence is provided.
You must provide written evidence of your refusal of entry to the UK to study within
7 days of your notification of refusal. For more information, please speak with our
team.

CANCELATION POLICY (UK PROPERTY)
You can cancel your tenancy agreement for up to 14 days after the date of your
booking (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. 
Please note, £20 will be deducted from the refunded amount to cover any
international bank charges for deposit refunds made to non-UK banks. 
If you cancel your booking after the Initial Cancellation Period, you remain liable for
the weekly rent (for each and every week or part week) until you are able to find
another tenant that is acceptable and we are able to re-let the room. The
replacement tenant must be over the age of 18 and have the necessary student
status (it is your responsibility to find another tenant and provide them with the
correction information). If you find a suitable replacement tenant and the room is re-
let we will refund your deposit, less any appropriate charges, as well as a deduction
of £50 for the variation of the contract.

Q. Who cleans the room and communal area?

The students are responsible for their own rooms and communal kitchen within the flat. All other rooms and communal areas are cleaned by the site cleaner. 

Q. Which room types are suitable for double occupancy?

Some studios are suitable for double occupancy. 

Q. How much is the booking fee and what happens to it?

We charge a booking fee from £150 to £250 which will turn into your deposit once you’ve moved in.

Q. Can I choose who to live with?

We take booking preferences very seriously and take great pride in being able to accommodate these in most cases. There is a preference box on the booking form which allows the student to put any preferences they might have, for example friends they wish to live with, location of room within the building, same sex cluster flats. We always do our best to accommodate these preferences, if for whatever reason we can’t fulfil them we will always try to achieve one or two and notify the student if they aren’t possible.

Q. Can I book a flat with my friends?

Yes, you can book a flat with your friends and specific schemes do sometimes run group booking promotion throughout the year. Please check with the site for more information.

Q. Am I allowed to have guests?

Yes. It is your home so you are allowed to have guests visiting you. Generally speaking, we offer a maximum stay of 3 days with no additional charge. Extensive stay is not allowed.

Q. Do you provide female-only accommodation?

We do provide female only accommodation in some of our schemes but not always possible to accommodation. Please speak to the site team to find out more information.

Q. What shall I bring with me?

We’ve come up with a handy list of things for you take to University, click here for more information.

Q. What’s provided in the bedroom? Do I need to bring my own bedding?

Facilities and features can vary from scheme to scheme. Typically you are provided with a bed, a study with a desk and a chair, book shelves, wardrobe and plenty of storage. Bedding is not provided with each room as most of our students prefer to bring their own, however you can order bedding and kitchen utensils from our friends UniKitOut to be delivered to your room prior to your move in.

Q. Can I bring my own electrical, i.e. rice cooker?

We do not advise our students to bring your own cooking electrical for health and safety reasons. 

Q. Can you arrange airport pick up service?

We are more than happy to arrange airport pick up service for you. All you need to let us know is your name, arrival date and time, flight number and we arrange the transport for you. Please ensure you have enough UK Sterling to pay the taxi fare.

Q. What time can I arrive?

This depends on the scheme you will be living in. Please contact the accommodation team via the online contact form or email the site directly.

Q. I have booked a room but failed to obtain a visa, can I cancel my booking?

Yes you are entitled to cancel your booking but we will need you to provide proof for this.

Q. What are the payment options for international students?

For schemes in England, you can choose to pay the full amount or alternatively you can also pay in instalments. For the latter, you will need to provide a UK guarantor or use our guarantor service provided by our friend HousingHand.

For schemes in Scotland, the maximum required payment in advance is 6 months payment. Please speak to the site team if you wish to pay the full amount.?

Q. What are my options if I don’t get on with other flatmates?

If you don’t get on with your flatmates, we can help you to sort things out and try to get you to see each other’s point of view.

Q. Are there social events organised for the residents?

We want our community to suit you. We don’t force you to come to parties but we welcome you to come to our events over the year and if you have suggestions for us - even better!

Q. Can I move in before my contract starts?

It is possible but it depends on each scheme. We would advise you to check with the accommodation team before you make any arrangement.