Frequently asked questions

The Answers

This is a great place to start for any queries you may have about booking your student accommodation with City Room Rentals. If there’s anything we’ve missed, then please get in touch with our Bookings Team who will be more than happy answer any further questions.

Booking student accommodation with city room Rentals

Total peace of mind, book safely with a credible and reliable accommodation partner verified and approved by many of top universities in the country. And it’s a free service! Check out our University Testimonials.

ANUK NATIONAL CODE OF STANDARDS

We only work with accommodation providers that conform to the ANUK National Code of Standards for Student Accommodation which is designed to regulate and bring large student landlords into line to deliver a distinct set of standards to students. Accreditation schemes are voluntary schemes that good landlords join to demonstrate that they provide good quality accommodation. The Code will act as a student accommodation quality guide and, it is recommended that if you have a choice, always rent from a landlord who has joined the Code so rest assured that all student providers and properties advertised on this platform have been checked. . What are the advantages of living in a building covered by the National Code of Standards?

  • 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 is fully prepared for you when you arrive to take up residence;
  • Your accommodation meets with a set of nationally recognised standards in respect of service provision, furniture and fittings;
  • All repairs and maintenance are carried out within agreed timescales
  • Your building will meet with, and exceed, the required health and safety standards
  • If a deposit is charged, it will be lodged in an appropriate Deposit Scheme and it will be returned to you promptly at the end of the year or you will be given a clear explanation of why a deduction has been made;
  • You will be given information to explain what management routines are followed in the buildings;
  • A set and accountable procedure for dealing with any disputes or complaints will be in operation

For more info on ANUK. Please visit http://www.anuk.org.uk/LargeCode

Any full-time student (minimum 16 hours per week) studying in the UK who is 18 years of age or older on the date they submit the application form is permitted to live in any of the advertised purpose built student accommodation options

We advertise two main types of student accommodation – shared flats or studios:

Shared flats

Within a shared flat, students have their own private en suite or non en suite bedroom depending on the property location, sharing a kitchen/lounge area with their flat mates. This is Ideal accommodation for 1st years looking to meet new people and generally have a good social interaction with other students. It is also really popular for friends looking to book as a group together and reserve the whole flat. Most advertised bedrooms have an en suite shower room (some have shared facilities). There is also plenty of storage and a dedicated study area with good lighting, plenty of shelving for study books and numerous sockets for all the usual smart devices, laptops and IT. The shared kitchens are really modern, and come fully equipped with oven hobs, plenty of kitchen storage and Fridge Freezer. There are also nice sociable eating areas and a lounge with comfy sofa’s to chill out.

Studios

Studios are ideal for students who wish to have a bit more privacy and offer a self-contained apartment environment.  Really popular with 2nd, 3rd year and postgraduate students, they give the peace and quiet of self-contained living but also the luxury of social interaction in the communal spaces in the building if you want to catch up with friends. All properties have a number of room types suitable for students with disabilities, including rooms that are fully wheelchair accessible offering comfortable and integrated living space. For any further information on these rooms please get in contact with the bookings team.

We offer a wide selection of purpose built student accommodation across the UK offering an easy and peace of mind booking process. Have a look at our How it works section for more detailed information, but essentially on every page of the student properties pages you will see a ‘Request to Book’ or ‘Make Enquiry’ button if you find something you like. You’ll then be allocated a personal student Accommodation advisor to guide you through the booking process. It is also possible to make a booking over the phone, or feel free to call for more information and support.

Absolutely! Many of the locations have fantastic shared student apartment’s ideal for sharing the whole flat with friends. Simply ask the group leader to register the interest for the group for your favourite property and we’ll be in touch.

Studios are ideal for couples and are available for double occupancy at most locations. There is an additional charge per week for double occupancy; usually 25% of the normal weekly rate, so please always check the rate with our booking team.

When booking you can detail your preference for allocation of rooms in shared flats, for instance for living in a mixed or single gender flat, undergrad or postgrad flat and floor level preference. While the allocations cannot be guaranteed by properties they will endeavour to meet your requests where possible.

Financials

All student rents advertised are fully inclusive of all utilities, broadband and in many cases free contents insurance- there are no hidden fees or additional extras to pay and it is a free service using the City Room Rentals platform.  Prices vary depending on the property you select but will always have the price beside the room type.

Most of purpose built student accommodation providers have dedicated on site hospitality teams that in many instances will allow you to apply for a rent deferment in line with your loan payment schedule. If it is late please contact the relevant Accommodation Team at your location as they will be able to advise you on the relevant process.

Council Tax is used to pay for local services that people use such as rubbish collection, the police and the fire brigade. The Council rate is set by local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales and varies depending on what part of the country you live in and what area.

Most students do not have to pay Council Tax, but some do. Therefore, we advise students to check that you qualify for exemption. Guidance on whether or not you are exempt from Council Tax can be found by visiting the following link: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/LifeAtUniversityOrCollege/DG_071488 We would also advise that you check with your admissions office at University to confirm that your course qualifies for Council Tax exemption.

Most universities have an online application process for applying for Council Tax exemption which they should explain during your induction week. However, if you have haven’t received any information after 7 days please visit your Admissions Office at your University/College/Institution and they will be able to provide your exemption certificate.

As with most student courses in the UK, if you are classed as a full-time student then you are usually exempt from paying Council Tax. Please note however that not all courses qualify for this exemption and you should always check first for advice from your University/College/Institution to confirm the status. Further guidance can also be found at the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) via the following link: http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/council_tax.php In the cases of Erasmus Students or Students on the Socrates Scheme, these are specific shorter courses for international students. The Institution where you are studying can provide a letter of exemption which is also accepted by the Local Council. Please check with your Institution to confirm this exemption status.

Tenancy

The Tenancy Agreement is an important legal document which, once signed, places obligations on the accommodation provider, as the landlord, on the guarantor and on the student as the tenant. Accommodation providers in many cases issue Assured Shorthold Tenancies and you should read this important document carefully, if you have any questions you can discuss this with your personal Student Accommodation Advisor.

All students choosing to pay in instalments will need a Guarantor who guarantees to pay the rent should the student be unable to make the required payments. If you are acting as a Guarantor you will be required to review and sign the Tenancy Agreement that is sent through on behalf of the student. You will also need to provider one of the following forms of ID:

  • Valid Passport
  • Valid Driving License
  • Utility Bill dated within last 3 months

There a variety of tenancy lengths available across our locations with a number offering semester stays so please enquire with our bookings team. Typical contract lengths available are 17, 35, 43 and 51 weeks.

Most accommodation providers will try and meet your requests for summer extensions when       possible. Alternatively, touch base with the Bookings Team at City Room Rentals who will be able to offer you suitable summer accommodation options.

No- your room is yours for the duration of your tenancy and you only vacate the room at the end of your contract.

Living in student accommodation

Purpose built student accommodation is well equipped with all the basics a student will need. You will need to bring the following items though: Own bedding, crockery and utensils and any IT equipment you need such as a laptop. Students will need to bring a full set of bedding including sheets, pillows, duvet and towels. However, a top tip is to wait until you arrive if you are in a shared flat otherwise you will end up with duplicate sets of crockery/utensils/pots & pans, sometimes up to 5 or 6 of everything. Perhaps wait to see what resources you and your flatmates have brought with you and then pull together to buy communal items for the flat locally.

Yes! Like most things these days you can order online and unikitout.com are our preferred suppliers http://www.unikitout.com/collections/city-room-rentals . You can order a range of bedding and kitchen packs from their website, including duvets, covers, pillows, kitchen equipment and cleaning supplies and have them delivered straight your accommodation. Simply order online and save 10% using the promotion code CITYROOM19, select your arrival date and have it all there when you arrive!

Most properties allow occasional overnight guests, usually not exceeding two consecutive nights. We would always advise to double check with your property management team when you check-in.

All accommodation providers fully maintain the buildings and your room with the majority providing full time on site maintenance teams so many issues are fixed very quickly unlike private landlord flats. Most have an online maintenance portal which means that students can log a fault any time of day and night. For anything that can’t be fixed by the on-site maintenance teams, the accommodation teams have a dedicated and trusted list of preferred contractors who go through an approved vetting process.

Broadband and Wi-Fi is available throughout all the advertised properties in all parts of the building and your room, 24 hours a day.  Wired connections are available via an Ethernet cable and connected to the wall socket in your room, all you need to do is open your web browser and follow the instructions to get connected.

Yes, student accommodation has on site laundry rooms containing washing machines and dryers that can be used at an additional charge.

Student Welfare

Universities take leadership in providing the main point of contact for pastoral care but you will find that most of the staff and management at your accommodation provide an initial level of care support and always have their door open for a chat. They also have really good relationships and points of contact with the university pastoral care team and welfare support services and can refer students who need additional support.

The safety and security of students is the top priority of all the property teams which includes secure access control to the main doors/rooms and extensive CCTV inside and outside the building. All properties have integrated fire alarm systems including heat and smoke detectors as standard, with Health and Safety teams carrying out regular fire alarm testing and evacuation drills. Most student properties also have on site accommodation teams and an out of hours emergency service or security teams.

First of all, don’t worry! You’ll find that most students feel exactly the same as you do and communal student living is all part of the university experience, ideal for meeting new people. We work with hand-picked accommodation partners that offer a real sense of community, friendly environments and great Hospitality teams that love supporting their students! You’ll find many love creating memorable experiences and organise regular events throughout the academic year to help you get to know your flat mates and most importantly allowing you to have a great time! Also ask to join the resident Facebook page for your student home so you can keep up to date with events.