Straits Village

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

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: 

• 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 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. 

• 20-21 Flexible Start*SOME PROPERTIES ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE 2020-21 FLEXIBLE START POLICY, THIS IS ONLY APPLICABLE AT PROPERTIES AS DISPLAYED

If the course start date in the UK is formally delayed by the University or Higher Education Institute, the student may be eligible for a reduction in the 20-21 tenancy length, and start the tenancy later.

• The student must provide written evidence that the course start date has been delayed within 3 days of being notified by the education institute, or this must be publicly available and formally announced by the University, the contract may be adjusted accordingly.
• If a tenancy agreement is adjusted, the reduction in tenancy length will be by a maximum of the length of the formal delay to teaching unless specifically stated otherwise. Some properties may have a maximum length of delay.

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 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. Can I live here?

You must be a full-time student, and be 18 years or older to live in the property. You can book with this property whether you have a conditional or unconditional offer. However, please be aware of the cancellation policy prior to booking should your place at university not yet be confirmed.

Q. Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not permitted in the buildings,except registered assistance dogs.

Q.What can i bring?

You can bring most of your belongings but some electricals aren't suitables. Non UK compliant electricals such as rice cookers are not suitable for use with UK power outlets and this can cause fire risks.

Q. Can I choose my room?

 You can select the room of your choice or you can make special requests which they will do their best to accommodate, however all requests are subject to availability and conditions.

Q. Can I request to move rooms during my tenancy?

You would need to make a formal request to the accommodation team of the property you are residing in. If you request to move rooms during your tenancy you will also be issued with new documents confirming the details of the room move which you will need to sign or accept online.

Should your new room be more expensive, then you and your Guarantor shall be liable for the higher rent from the date you are given access to it.

Q. Do I have to move out in the holidays?

Your room is yours for the full contract period and you don’t need to move out during academic breaks.

Q.When does the discount come off my rent?

All discounts offered will be deducted off your final instalment of rent.

Q. What is included in my rent?

All utility bills such as gas, electricity, water are included in your rent. Unlimited Wi-fi* is also included. Your TV licence is not included in your rent as this is not classed as a utility and is your responsibility to purchase.

Q. Do I need a guarantor?

If you wish to pay your rent in instalments, you will need a UK guarantor.

Q. What happens to my deposit?

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.

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 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.