Gallery Apartments

Deposit Fees:

• £50 - £250 to confirm the booking (Refundable at the end of tenancy)

Rent Payments:

• If you don’t have a valid UK Guarantor, you are required to pay the full rent in August, 14 days prior to your contract start date.

• Pay in 3 instalments, due in September, January and April (UK based guarantor required)

Mode of Payment:

• Pay using a debit card or a credit card (Your bank may charge you a fee usually 1.5% surcharge to make an international payment) online, over the phone or at the reception
• Pay via direct debit or bank transfer

Deferred Payment Policy (Student Loan Case)

• Rent is due 14 days before the contract start date if paying in instalments or on 1st August before the contract start date if paying in full in a single instalment, and rent must be paid before a student can move into the property.

• 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.

•  All requests for deferred payments must be made by 1st August in each academic year to the property team.

*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.

Updates to 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 porperty. 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. 

• 20-21 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 student’s 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 student’s 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 Policy

You can cancel your booking up to 14 days after you accept your offer or pay your deposit (the Initial Cancellation Period) providing you have not already moved into the property and we will refund your security deposit in full.

If you are outside the 14-days cool off period, you may cancel, but are required to find a replacement tenant. Until a suitable replacement is found, you may not be released from the tenancy agreement and are liable to pay the rent.

If you do not meet the grades of the university you initially applied to OR fail to receive a VISA, you may be released from the contract and receive a refund of your deposit provided you provide the documents as a proof of this within 2 working days of the results. In the case of University rejection, evidence can be a written rejection letter from the University/College/UCAS, or a screenshot of the customer’s UCAS status along with the results, etc. In case of VISA rejection, evidence can be a copy of the letter from the Home Office 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 student’s full name, address, and date of issue.

Q. Are pets allowed?
No pets of any kind are permitted, except registered assistance dogs.

Q. Can i choose who i live with?
If you are applying to live with friends, please ensure that you follow our ‘create application’ link online, list the friends that you would like to live with and we will then contact them and make the arrangements for you!

Q. Do i have to move out in the holiays?
Your room is yours for the full contract period and you don’t need to move out during academic breaks.

Q. 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. 

Q. 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%.

Q. 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.

Q. 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 the current year

Q. 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.

Q. What do I do if my student loan hasn’t 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 a 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

Q. 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.

Q. What happens to my deposit?

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

Q. 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.