Star Residence Sheffield

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

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. 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.

Q. Can I choose who I live with?

If you are applying to live with friends, please ensure that you enlist the details of friends that you would like to live within the booking form with us.

Q. Can I choose my room?

Rooms are allotted on first cum first served basis.

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 at. If you request to move rooms during your tenancy please note there is a room move admin fee of £50.00, you would also be issued with new documents confirming the details of the room move.

A room move would be impacted by the availability at the time of the request and if there is a waiting list for the requested room or flat type.

Should your requested room move result in moving to more expensive accommodation then yourself and the Guarantor shall be liable to pay the higher rent from the date the Tenant is given access to the more expensive accommodation.

Q. Do you provide summer accommodation?

Yes, the summer accommodation of the same provider usually opens around March.

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

No, your room is yours for the full contract period. You won’t have to move out in the holidays, so you won’t have to remove your belongings every term.

Q. How do I book a viewing?

You can book a viewing of any selected property by sending us an email.

Q. How do I cancel or re-arrange my viewing?

By dropping us an email for the same.

Q. Can I book a room without a viewing?

Absolutely. However, we would always recommend booking a viewing wherever possible.

Q. How long does a viewing take?

Usually up to 30 minutes. However, the sales team are always happy to spend as much time as is needed assisting you with your booking.

Q. What will I be shown on my viewing?

All communal areas and room types requested (dependent upon availability).

Q. What do I do if I’m a first-year student and I’m still waiting for my exam results?

If the student is still waiting for his/her exam results and is not sure whether his/her their place at university is confirmed, he/she can still apply. The student just needs to ensure that if he/she does not get the place at university, they let us know on their chosen property in writing a maximum of 3 days after the A-Level results day, to cancel their booking. The student must provide a UCAS letter to verify the change in circumstances. In this instance, he/she will receive a full refund of the deposit. If the student does not let us know within 3 days, the tenancy agreement will remain in place, he/she will be liable for the rent on the room for the entire contract period.

Q. Can I book if I’m under 18?

The bookings from students who are under 18 are accepted only if they will turn 18 in the first term of the academic year. Unfortunately, for health and safety reasons, applications from students who won’t turn 18 in their first term are not accepted

Q. What is included in my rent?

All utility bills are included in student's rent such as gas, electricity and water and unlimited wifi*. However, the 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?

The student can pay their rent either online or by bank transfer depending on the 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 installment 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 the person 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
• The 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 installments with student finance.

Please note the following steps in order to request a deferred rent installment 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 installment and the remaining balance will need to be paid in line with the date of student finance will be paid.
4. He/She will also need to advise if the student wishes to defer the date of the 2nd and 3rd rent payments in line with their student finance, this request also needs to go to the property team.

There is no additional charge for the deferred payment plan for rebooking student

Q. Do I need a guarantor?

If the student wishes to pay their rent in three installments, they will need a guarantor. The guarantor must be a homeowner or in full-time employment.

Q. What happens to my deposit?

The 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?

The deposit will be returned to the student after their tenancy agreement has ended and their room has been inspected. The amount returned will depend on any outstanding charges and any damages found in their room or the communal areas in their flat. Please see the tenancy agreement for more information. The deposit can take up to 30 days to get credited.