Berkshire House Reading

Updates To Policy

Cancellations after signing Tenancy Agreement
If, for any reason you decide to cancel your room after signing the Tenancy Agreement the following will apply depending on your circumstances: 

Government Travel restrictions preventing travel to the UK.
If you secure your accommodation by signing your tenancy agreement and then Government imposed travel restrictions (UK or overseas) prevent you from travelling to the UK to take up your place at University, then you can either:

a) Request to delay the start of the Tenancy period: If you wish to request that the start of your tenancy be put back to the nearest Saturday (Durham & Reading) or Sunday (Lancaster) to the first day of the month in which the restrictions are lifted and you are able to travel to the UK. This request must be submitted in writing by email or to the relevant site Lettings Office and needs to be received by us as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours prior to the tenancy start date. If sufficient evidence is provided, we will change your tenancy start date to the nearest Saturday (Durham & Reading) or Sunday (Lancaster) to the first day of the month in which the travel restrictions are lifted. Written confirmation of your new tenancy start date will be sent to you and a credit applied to your account for any rent paid for the period from your original tenancy start date to the new tenancy start date.

b) Request to cancel the Tenancy due to no longer attending University:
If Government Travel restrictions preventing you from travelling to the UK mean you are no longer able to attend University and you wish to request to cancel your Tenancy, you will need to submit official written evidence from the university confirming that you have cancelled your studies and will not be enrolled as a student at the University for the 2020/21 academic year. This must be submitted in writing by email or to the relevant site Lettings Office and needs to be received by us as soon as possible but no later than 48
hours prior, to the tenancy start date. If clear evidence, for example, a letter or official communication from the university or official Government Guidelines, is provided you will be eligible for release from the tenancy agreement and the full deposit will be returned. No fees will be charged.

 The face to face course at University has a delayed start

If you secure your accommodation by signing your tenancy agreement and then your University changes the official start date of the face-to-face course you are enrolled on to a later date, we will put back the start of your tenancy, to the nearest Saturday (Durham & Reading) or Sunday (Lancaster) to the first day of the month in which your course starts. You will not be liable for any rent from your original tenancy start date to the new tenancy start date. Official evidence from the University that the course you are enrolled on is a face-to-face course and the start has been delayed, must be submitted in writing by email or to the relevant site Lettings Office and needs to be received by us as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the tenancy start date. If clear evidence, for example, a letter or official communication from the university is provided, we will change your tenancy start date to the nearest Saturday (Durham & Reading) or Sunday (Lancaster) to the first day of the month in which your course now commences. We will send you written
confirmation of your new tenancy start date and a credit will be applied to your account for
any rent paid for the period from your original tenancy start date to the new tenancy start
date.

Regular Cancellation Policy

Cancellations before the Deadline for Agreement (14 days)

If for any reason you decide to cancel your booking within 14 days of submitting your booking (Deadline for Agreement), CityBlock will refund your holding deposit to you. You will not be charged any fees.

Cancellations outside the Deadline for Agreement (14 days)

If for any reason you decide to cancel your room after 14 days of submitting your booking (Deadline for Agreement), the holding deposit will be retained by CityBlock to cover administrative and marketing costs incurred and no refund will be due to you. 

Change of Mind, accepted onto a placement, booked alternative accommodation, failed exams etc.

If for reasons such as but not limited to, change of mind, accepted onto a placement, booked alternative accommodation failed exams, you decide to cancel your booking after signing the appropriate Tenancy Agreement, you will have to pay the full rent due under your Tenancy Agreement until the end of your contracted time regardless of the time you move out of your accommodation. The exception to this is if a suitable replacement tenant is found for your Room (suitability decision is at CityBlock’s discretion). You are responsible for finding a replacement tenant to take over your room. CityBlock will help and support you on the search for a replacement tenant; however, the responsibility lies with you. If a replacement tenant is found for your Room, CityBlock will release you from your obligations once we receive the replacement tenant’s signed Tenancy Agreement and rent payment. 

You will be liable for any rent owed until the start date of the replacement tenant's Tenancy Agreement. Additionally, you will incur an Early Termination Fee of £100.00 as stipulated in your Tenancy Agreement, which CityBlock will use to cover administrative and marketing costs incurred together with the costs of preparing the room for the replacement tenant. CityBlock will refund your Tenancy Deposit once the Early Termination Fee and any outstanding rent or invoices are settled.

 Illness

If you wish to leave the accommodation due to illness, this will be assessed on a case-bycase basis. The request to cancel must be submitted in writing by email or to the relevant site Lettings Office, together with any documentation supporting the reasons for the request. Until a decision is made you will remain liable for all rent. If a tenancy release is not granted, you will be required to find a replacement person before you are released from your tenancy. If you are granted a tenancy release, you will be liable for any rent owed until the agreed release date. Additionally, you will incur an Early Termination Fee of £100.00 as stipulated in your Tenancy Agreement, which CityBlock will use to cover administrative and marketing costs incurred together with the costs of preparing the room for any replacement tenant.

 Pre-fresher

If you would like to cancel your accommodation because you are a prospective first year undergraduate student and your offer of a place at your preferred University/Higher Education Institution is withdrawn by the University/Higher Education Institution as a result of you not achieving their required entry grades you will need to let us know in writing either by email or by letter to the relevant site Lettings Office and provide a copy of:

•  a written rejection letter from your chosen university/college or UCAS or
•  a screenshot of your UCAS status which confirms that the required results were not achieved 

These document(s) must be received by us within 7 calendar days from the date your results
are published. On receipt of the required documentation it will be verified and, provided we
are satisfied, your tenancy deposit will be refunded and your Tenancy Agreement will no
longer be binding. 

Q. Travel restrictions (UK or overseas) are preventing me from moving into my room at CityBlock. Can I change my tenancy start date?

 Yes, you can request a delay to the start of your tenancy - this request must be submitted in writing no later than 48 hours prior to your tenancy start date, with appropriate evidence. A credit will be applied to your account for any difference in rent due to the amended dates.

Q. I am canceling my university studies this year due to travel restrictions preventing me from traveling to the UK. Can I cancel my room at CityBlock?

 If you wish to request to cancel your tenancy due to travel restrictions, you will need to let us know in writing no later than 48 hours prior to your tenancy start date, with appropriate evidence. (university letter or other official communication). If your request is successful your full deposit will be returned, and no fees will be charged.

Q. My university is delaying the start date of my face-to-face university course. Am I able to delay my tenancy start date?

 Yes – if your university changes the official start date of the face-to-face course you are enrolled on, we can amend your tenancy dates to suit your studies. We will need clear evidence of this (university letter or other official communication) no later than 48 hours prior to your tenancy start date. A credit will be applied to your account for any difference in rent due to the amended dates.

Q. I am a prospective first year student and I missed the grades to get into the university I wanted. Can I cancel my room at CityBlock?

Yes – you will need to let us know in writing with a copy of either your rejection letter from your chosen university/college or a screenshot of your UCAS status which confirms that the required results were not achieved. We will need this information within 7 days of you receiving your results.

Q. Can I Smoke?
City Block has adopted a no smoking policy for your safety and the comfort of other residents. This includes the use of e-cigarettes and vape pens.

Q. Is There Car Parking Available?
No, as all of our sites are in city-centre locations we are unable to provide parking. We are always happy to advise on alternative parking options locally.

Q.How Will, I Get My Post & parcels?
Each flat within CityBlock has a communal post box and each studio has its own individual post box. All postboxes are located in the entrance foyer and are lockable. Staff are available to accept your parcels.

Q.Do I Need My Own Insurance?
Each resident is responsible for the insurance of their own personal possessions. Our preferred partner is Endsleigh Insurance who are able to offer a specialist service to our residents if required.