Victoria Hall The Glassworks Leicester

Who are Victoria Hall?
Victoria Hall is a private company that has been building and managing premium quality student accommodation since 1996. We believe that modern student accommodation should be well located, comfortable, stylish and affordable to rent.

Why should I stay at Victoria Hall?

Victoria Hall is an ideal place to live if you wish to pursue your academic life boasting unrivalled locations close to University campuses. Victoria Hall provides a perfect and safe environment in order to ensure our students can obtain maximum benefit from all aspects of university life. Voted Best Private Halls Provider and awarded with an International Accommodation Quality Mark in the National Student Housing Survey in 2011 and 2012, the question should really be, why should I not stay at Victoria Hall!

Do I have to be a student to live at Victoria Hall?
To take out a tenancy with us you need to be eligible for council tax exemption. This applies to all full time students and some part time students, if you are unsure your university or college should be able to advise you whether you are exempt.

How can I make a booking?
The application process varies in our halls. In many of our halls it is possible to book direct with Victoria Hall. This can be done using our Online Booking service on this website. Alternatively a hard copy of our application booklet can be downloaded from the relevant section of the website in your chosen Hall’s website. We can also send a copy either by email or post, or they can be collected from the Management Office.

In order for a direct booking to be confirmed all required documents must be returned including a Guarantor Agreement, Tenancy Agreement, Initial Rent payment and provision for your rent payments. Any incomplete or incorrect applications will be not be accepted. A booking will only be confirmed by Victoria Hall once all necessary documentation has been supplied.

In some of our halls it is not possible to book directly with Victoria Hall and you must apply through the relevant University Accommodation office. For further information visit the FAQ section on the website for your chosen hall.

Do I pay a deposit?
Victoria Hall does not take any deposits. Any payment you make upon booking is part of your rental payment.

What are the Terms and Conditions of staying at Victoria Hall?
All rooms that are let directly to students are done so using an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement (or Short Assured Tenancy Agreement in Scotland) These agreements outline what is expected of the resident and in turn the obligations of Victoria Hall as a landlord. The agreements are a legally binding document and should be read carefully. Once signed they are for a fixed term and should the resident wish to move out of the accommodation before the end date, they will remain liable for the full rent until the end of the contracted period and are responsible for the condition of the property regardless of whether they are staying in the hall or not.

For halls where you book through a University Accommodation office rather than directly with Victoria Hall you may be provided with a different type of Agreement, please visit FAQ section on the website for your chosen hall for further information.

What does being a Guarantor mean?
All students who wish to take up our rent instalment plan are required to provide a UK Guarantor (excludes the Isle of Man and Channel Islands). By agreeing to be a Guarantor you are signing a legal document stating that you agree to pay the rent and guarantee the behaviour of the resident if they default. Please do not sign this agreement if you do not wish to take on this responsibility. Any student who does not have a UK Guarantor will be required to pay the full year’s rent upon application.

When do I pay my rent?
Our rent dates and amounts are set out clearly within our application literature. Please note that rent may be due before the contract begins and that the dates may not coincide with student loan dates. This should be taken into consideration when planning your accommodation as late payments may be subject to interest charges and, in some cases, legal action against the resident and their Guarantor.

Do I need to take out Contents Insurance?
At Victoria Hall we provide you with contents insurance for your belongings free of charge. When you arrive we will provide you with details of the policy and if you need anything extra adding to the cover you can contact them to arrange an upgrade.

Can I connect to the internet?
There is internet available in every bedroom at Victoria Hall. Broadband arrangements vary in some halls so please visit the site-specific FAQs or contact your chosen hall for further information.

Do I need to move out during the holidays?
Your contract at Victoria Hall is for a fixed length of time and you can stay at the Hall throughout this period. That means that you don’t have to move your belongings out during the Christmas or Easter vacations and you can choose the stay in the hall over these holidays if you want. It is usually possible to book additional accommodation over the summer period should you want to stay then also, although we advise that you book early to ensure rooms are available.

Do you have staff at your halls
All of our Halls have a team of Victoria Hall staff based on site to respond to the needs of our residents. Staff undertake suitable training for their role and are Criminal Record Background checked.

Our on-site Management Office is open Monday to Friday and Management are there to answer questions, respond to any issues, offer advice and be a friendly face on a day to day basis.

Many of our Halls have a highly skilled team of Caretakers who are available around the clock. They are there to resolve maintenance issues quickly and efficiently and to ensure that the site remains a safe and secure environment for our residents. Security Guards also supplement the caretaker team to ensure that most sites have a presence 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please check at your chosen Victoria Hall for further details as this service may not be available in your hall.

Our staff are not just there to upkeep the property, they want to make the experience of living at Victoria Hall to be enjoyable for all residents. Whilst the majority of students settle into University life and living away from home quickly, we understand that for some students, this can take a little longer than for others. Whilst we are ultimately restricted in the involvement we can have due to the Tenancy Agreement, our staff have experience in dealing with a range of issues and can usually assist with offering advice to help residents overcome those initial problems.

When is the Management Office open?
The Management Office is open Monday to Friday each week. The opening hours are 9am – 6pm Monday –Thursday and 9am – 5pm on a Friday.

What about safety?
Victoria Hall takes our residents safety very seriously. Many of our Halls have a member of staff or security guard on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the year to ensure there is always someone on site to offer assistance should the need arise (please check with your chosen hall that this service is available)

Electronic door entry systems, intercoms and CCTV offer further security to ensure that Victoria Hall offers a high standard of security and the safest possible environment for our residents

What happens if I have a maintenance problem and something stops working?
Every Victoria Hall has a dedicated Caretaker team to respond to and resolve your maintenance issues. We aim to respond to your problem in a timely manner and wherever possible will complete a repair during the first visit. Of course, this isn’t always possible and there are times when parts need to be ordered or external contractors arranged – in these instances we aim to keep you updated with the progress of the issue as much as possible.

What does it mean when you say the kitchens are fully furnished?
Victoria Hall designs flats that provide you with everything you need to enjoy student living with us. Our flats come fully kitted out with all your cooking appliances provided: cooker, hob, kettle, toaster and microwave. In most flats we even provide cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils, so all you need to bring is the food!

How do I know that Victoria Hall is a good landlord?
Victoria Hall has agreed to the principals required by the ANUK Code of Standards.

The National Code is voluntary and aimed at both educational establishments and private sector suppliers. Those who join, do so as part of their commitment to providing students with a first-class housing service.
Those who join the Code provide you with information, reassurance and a procedure that you can follow if a dispute occurs.
The Code is fully supported by NUS who are a key stakeholder and have representation on the management and complaints procedures of the Code.
The Code will act as a student accommodation quality guide and, if you have a choice, always rent from a housing supplier who has joined the Code.
Here are the advantages of living in a building covered by the Code:
• best practice in day to day management is supported and recognised
• your contract is clearly written, stating what you are paying for and how much your rent is, with reasonable terms and no hidden costs
• your accommodation should be fully prepared for you when you arrive to take up residence
• your accommodation meets with a set of nationally recognised standards in respect of services, furniture and fittings
• repairs and maintenance are carried out within agreed timescales
• your building will meet with, and exceed, the required health and safety standards
• you will be given information to explain what management routines are followed in the buildings
• there is a set and accountable procedure for dealing with any disputes or complaints.