Hatbox, Luton

Deposit Fees: 

Deposits vary by property ranging from £50-£250 and your deposit is placed into a deposit protection scheme, where it is held safely throughout the academic year and will be returned to you at the end of your contract subject to the contract terms.

The deposit you pay when making the application cannot be used towards a rent instalment as this is secured with a deposit protection scheme for the duration of your tenancy.

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 damage found in your room or the communal areas of your apartment. Please see your tenancy agreement for more information. The deposit can take up to 30 working days to be credited at the end of your tenancy period.

Rent Payments:
If you have a valid UK Guarantor, you can choose to pay your rent in three instalments, which are due in September, January and April.
If you don’t have a valid UK Guarantor, you are required to pay the full rent in August, 1 month prior to your contract start date.
Please note you must have paid the rent due by the time you arrive to check in.
Pay in 10 instalments with an additional one-time admin fee (UK based guarantor required)

Mode of Payment:
Pay using a debit card or a credit card online, over the phone or at the reception
Pay via direct debit or bank transfer

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withdrawn by the University or Higher Education Institute because you do not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 can live here?

Any full-time student (minimum 16 hours per week) enrolled in a university or college, who is 18 years of age or older on the date they submit the application form.

Q. What is the contract length?

We offer a variety of contract lengths from short term summer and semester stays and longer academic year stays. Some semester stays may be available so please inquire with our bookings team.

Q. What is included in the room rate?

All utility bills (water, lights, and electricity), 100Mb internet access, 24-hour security, contents insurance and gym access at specific sites only.

Q. Can I choose my room in the building?

Normally rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis. You can specify any special requests at the time of your booking and we will do our best to accommodate you in that room.

Q Is there somewhere to store my bike?

Yes, all residences have secure bike storage available free to residents.

Q. Do you have extra storage for suitcases?

If students need to arrive earlier than the check-in time on their contract start date, it is fine to leave suitcases with the Reception team until it's time to check-in. However, there is no storage space at any of the residences, and any luggage is left at your own risk.

Q. What furniture is in my room?

Our rooms are all standardised and have the same high-quality furniture throughout.

Q. What are the guest policies?

Residences are your home so you are allowed to have friends and family visit you when you want, we just ask that you respect your fellow residents and sign your guests in and out of the buildings so we know who is in the building in case of an emergency.

Q. Is there a curfew?

No, you can come and go as you please. 24-hour security will be available to welcome you at the front door.

Q. Can I smoke in my room?

No. You may smoke outside in designated smoking areas.

Q. Will I have a phone in-room?

Phones are not provided in-room, however, Ask4 have provided VOIP telecoms which is available using your laptop and allows residents to call home at discounted rates.

Q. Will I have a TV in-room?

No, however flat screen TV’s are provided in all communal areas and IPTV is available to stream on your laptop.

Q. Will my room is cleaned?

We have a housekeeping team on-site, they will clean all communal areas in the residence. This does not include your room, however, you can arrange a room clean with them directly at additional cost.

Q. What if something in my room breaks?

We have a maintenance team on-site, they maintain the residence and make sure that it is always in the best order for students living in the building. Should you have a problem with anything in your room; say your fridge stops working or a lightbulb needs replacing, they will fix it as soon as possible for you. Maintenance issues can be reported online through your student portal.

Q. Are there accessible facilities throughout the buildings?

All of our residences feature accessible rooms alongside wheelchair and mobility access throughout.

Q. Is there a laundry?

Yes. We have enlisted the help of laundry specialists Circuit to manage our laundry facilities within the residence.

Q. Is the use of the Gym included in my rent?

Yes. We have a fully kitted out gym and fitness suite in some of our residences. This is free for students to use and open 24hrs a day.

Q. What about my Post?

Our front desk and security staff will take collections for you and sort your mail. Each resident has a secure mailbox which they share with around 4/5 students living in the building.

Q. What hours can I use the courtyard?

The courtyard is open from 10am-10pm and is a smoke-free zone.           

Q. Do you provide bedding?

No. It is up to students to purchase their own bedding.

Q. Can I move in early?

Yes, if your room is available. The additional charge will be at the current room rate per week and early move-ins are on a week, not daily basis. Please check with our team as to whether your room is available to secure an early arrival.

Q. What do I need to bring?

Provided your checklist is complete and the required rent payment is received, you will only need to provide an ID at Reception when you arrive at check-in

Q. What documents are required for me to check-in?

We require a copy of your passport, visa, photo and proof of address.

These documents must be uploaded to the Student Portal within 10 days of receiving your accommodation offer. Failure to do this will mean that your check-in could be severely delayed and could possibly result in you not being able to check in.

Q. What if I want to live in a different residence to the one I have booked?

Should a resident book with us at one of our residence and then want to move to another residence, this will be possible provided there are rooms available.

Q. Do I need a television licence?

Yes, if you watch television in your bedroom. All homes in the UK require a television licence and your room is treated as a home under the licensing authority's definition. There is a large screen television with Sky in the Social Hub which has a television licence associated with it. However, for IPTV provided by Ask4 and viewed in your room, you will need a licence.

Q. What other charges can I expect?

You will have to pay for laundry, phone calls, your TV licence, upgrade of insurance or internet packages, and any items purchased from the vending machine.

Q. Can I pay by Bank Transfer?

It is possible to pay by bank transfer, however, please be aware that it can take up to 5 working days to reach us and the payment must be showing in your account before you would be able to check-in to the residence.