2020 Clearing Partners
This year Accommodation For Students are working with a number of leading student accommodation operators as part of our 2020 clearing campaign. Each partner provides high quality student accommodation and is working closely with our team to respond quickly to your accommodation requirements during the clearing period.
Of particular note, is that each partner has a policy should your plans be disrupted by coronavirus. This is a major benefit to many students who may be unsure about whether to book at this time, as it adds an element of flexibility, which may be important if you need to cancel.
We have summarised the main benefits that each provider is offering below.
IQ Student:
Main benefits: Flexible tenancy start dates
IQ are providing students with the option for flexible start dates, in line with the start dates of their university. Students will be eligible for this form of support if their original tenancy agreement was more than 39 weeks long and they booked their accommodation directly with IQ. If the tenant’s university postpones their term dates for the 2020/2021 academic year for more than 7 days, then eligible students will have the option to delay their tenancy start dates until the Saturday before their term starts. The final date for students to move in is Saturday 31st October; students who wish to apply for a later start date must apply before Friday 28th August, they do this by completing an online form which can be accessed via the IQ resident portal or the IQ app.
Ardmuir Student Accommodation:
Main benefits: Flexible tenancy start dates, Covid specific cancellation policy
Ardmuir is committed to providing flexible options for all its students, during the recent pandemic those students who wished to return home due to COVID_19 were able to terminate their contracts and cancel the final two payments. In the new academic year, Ardmuir has made provisions to ensure that if a tenant’s university delays its start dates then the tenancy agreement will be revised to reflect the university start date. Those unable to travel to the UK due to restrictions either from their home country or from the UK, will be released from their contract and Ardmuir will refund their deposit.
Aparto Student Accommodation:
Main benefits: Flexible tenancy start dates, Covid specific cancellation policy
Aparto recognises that the impact of COVID_19 has provided a great degree of uncertainty for students, and therefore under the revised cancellation policy, those booking for September 2020 will have the option to cancel their accommodation if their university either cancels or postpones their course. Those who find their course delayed to a later date, will have the option to delay their tenancy in accordance with their university dates, and they will not be charged for the weeks that they do not occupy their accommodation. This option is available up until January 31st but tenants cannot delay their tenancy past their university’s welcome week, and students wishing to utilise the flexible start dates option must inform Aparto before 16th August 2020.
If tenants find themselves unable to travel to the UK or Ireland and are thus unable to take up their accommodation, they must inform their residency at least 14 days before arrival and provide evidence of their reasons for being unable to travel. If this is approved, students will receive a full refund of any advanced payments and can cancel their booking.
Aparto will continue to update their cancellation policy in accordance with the development of COVID_19 and will inform future tenants accordingly.
Collegiate Student Accommodation:
Main benefit: Covid specific cancellation policy
Collegiate has updated their cancellation policy to provide students with additional flexibility during the constantly changing global situation. If students are directly affected by COVID_19 and find themselves unable to take up their place at university, then their booking can be cancelled under the ‘extenuating circumstances clause’ within the cancellation policy. The policy has been changed and adapted to incorporate the possibility that students will be unable to travel to their university and take up their accommodation, or that they may be adversely affected by COVID_19.
CRM Students:
Main benefit: Covid specific cancellation policy for travel bans
The standard cancellation policy will apply, meaning students will pay a non-refundable booking-fee on their accommodation in order to ensure that their room is secured, and there will be a 14-day cooling off period to allow tenants to be released from their contract before they have moved in. If you are unable to move into the accommodation due to Covid 19 you can apply to be released from your tenancy.
Campus Living Villages:
Main benefit: Flexible tenancy start dates
In September 2020, CLV are offering international students the option to arrive two-weeks early, free of charge, in order to quarantine; they will be fully supported throughout this period. Additionally, those students that find their course postponed will have the option (in participating villages) to delay their tenancy dates in accordance with their university start dates – this policy is also applicable if there is a travel ban that postpones students’ arrival in the UK.
For those first-year students who did not achieve a place at university or cannot obtain a visa, CLV will release them from their contract and repay any payments, however students are recommended to inform CLV before 19 th August if this is the case.
In order to keep updated with the global situation CLV has appointed an incident management team, and a global crisis management team in order to keep updated with the relevant health authorities and to review CLV’s COVID_19 policy. CLV will keep students informed and updated.
NIDO:
Main benefit: Flexible tenancy start dates
NIDO have developed the option for flexible start dates for students, allowing them to arrive up to 90 days after the initial start date free of charge, there will also be additional support in place for those unable to arrive within the 90-day period, but this may incur charges. Those unable to take up their accommodation as they were unable to obtain a visa will be released from their contract free of charge.
NIDO will align their tenancy contract dates in accordance with the student’s university start dates and will adjust contracts to reflect any changes, however students who wish to utilise the flexible start dates option must inform NIDO by 17th August. Students who have been impacted by COVID_19 will be supported if their home country does not allow them to travel to the UK, if there are travel bans imposed by the UK, if their semester one term dates are postponed or if their course transfers completely online in September 2020.
The following residences are included under the flexible start dates policy: Globe Works; West Hampstead; Arundel House; The Walls’ Castle Hill; Haigh Court; Heritage Court; St James; Boyce House; Haymarket; Stepney Yard; Union Square and the Bridge
Kaplan Living:
Main benefit: Flexible tenancy start dates
Kaplan will support all those unable to travel due to travel restrictions and the impacts of COVID_19, those unable to obtain a visa will not be obliged to pay. While the standard cancellation policy remains in place, the option is also available for tenants to defer their initial accommodation booking in line with their university’s teaching dates, the revised start dates will be no earlier than 14 days before the tenant’s university’s term dates. The alternation of tenancy dates will not affect the dates that students are able to terminate their tenancy.
Student Castle:
Main benefits: Flexible tenancy dates, Covid specific cancellation policy
Student Castle has amended their cancellation policy in line with the recent coronavirus pandemic, those who face travel restrictions, either from their country of residence or the UK, will have the option to cancel their tenancy provided that the tenant provides written evidence that they wish to do this. Such evidence must be provided between the period of 24 th August and 31st August, and any cancellations outside of this period will not be eligible to have their deposit paid back in full.
If a tenant’s university delays their start date by three weeks or more, then students will be eligible for their tenancy dates to be altered in line with their university dates. Student Castle must receive official notice of the tenant’s intention to delay their tenancy dates and receive evidence from the university that its term dates have been moved due to the impacts of the pandemic. Student Castle must receive this evidence by 21 st August or tenants will be contractually obliged to fulfil the requirements of their original tenancy. For those wishing to delay their tenancy, Student Castle will alter their initial tenancy agreement from 51 weeks to the number of weeks the tenant has stayed for.
Fusion:
Main benefits: Flexible tenancy dates, Covid specific cancellation policy
Fusion has a flexible COVID_19 policy, meaning that if a student’s university delays its start date, then the student can delay their tenancy date in accordance with the university timetable. Furthermore, if a student’s university operates completely remotely for the 2020/2021 academic year then Fusion will provide students with the option to cancel their tenancy. Those who find their courses cancelled for the next academic year will be supported by Fusion in either deferring their place for the next year or cancelling their tenancy agreement.
Individuals who find themselves unable to travel to the UK, either from restrictions imposed by their home country or by the UK, will be supported in deferring or cancelling their tenancy. If individuals wish to arrive at a later date once travel restrictions are lifted, then they will be supported in delaying their tenancy. Finally, those unable to obtain a visa will be subject to the normal cancellation policy, they will be released from their contract and are not obliged to pay.
Host accommodation:
Main benefits: Flexible tenancy start dates, Covid specific cancellation policy
Under their booking commitment, Host will support students during these uncertain times. Students can now secure their room for the revised payment of £100, with the option to pay rent either in instalments or to divide the full amount into two payments. Where students find their university start dates delayed, Host will credit students for the weeks that their accommodation has been empty.
Those unable to travel to the UK due to travel restrictions, or because they are unable to obtain a visa, will be released from their contracts and will not be obliged to pay for their accommodation. Similarly, those who were not able to obtain their place at university will have no obliged to pay for their accommodation.
Derwent Student Accommodation:
Main benefits: Flexible tenancy start dates, Covid specific cancellation policy
Derwent Student Accommodation has amended its cancellation policy and added temporary clauses to accommodate the ongoing pandemic. In the event that a student’s university course does not go ahead in September 2020, the student will have the option to either cancel or defer their tenancy. Furthermore, students will not be required to pay for their accommodation until they receive confirmation from their university that their courses will be going ahead, and bans on travel have been lifted. Those students that find their university course dates have been deferred, will be eligible to have their tenancy dates altered in line with their academic term dates.
Prime Student Living:
Main benefit: Site specific Covid cancellation policy
The policy will vary from site to site, and students are advised to check the policy with the individual property. In some cases students may be able to cancel their contract in the event that they are unable to take their accommodation due to coronavirus. Landlords across Prime Student Living’s portfolio will continue to review the rapidly changing global situation and should the terms of tenancy change, students will be informed. Under the standard tenancy cancellation agreement, tenants have 14 days after the initial booking confirmation to cancel their booking, after this date they will be contractually obliged to fulfil its requirements.
Primo Property Management:
Main benefit: Flexible tenancy start dates at some sites
As Primo Property Management operates across many different cities, tenants are recommended to confirm with their specific provider if they have been adversely affected by the COVID_19 pandemic and require support. At Primo Property, tenants have a 14-day cooling off period, to cancel their booking after their initial confirmation.
Gather:
Main benefit: Covid specific cancellation policy
In light of the recent global pandemic, if students find themselves unable to travel to the UK either due to restrictions from their home country, or from the UK, then they can request for their tenancy to be cancelled or postponed without incurring any costs. Similarly, if tenants find their university course cancelled or delayed, they are recommended to contact Gather to discuss either delaying their start date or cancelling their contract. In order to be eligible for this flexibility, students must provide Gather with the relevant documents and evidence surrounding their particular circumstances as soon as possible. Gather is committed to supporting all students during such unprecedented times.
Dwell Student Living:
Main benefit: Flexible tenancy start dates
This accommodation has updated its cancellation policy to incorporate all circumstances relating to COVID_19. This will include the possibility that courses are cancelled for the 2020/2021 academic year, start dates have been delayed, courses have been moved online or that individuals are unable to travel to the UK. Those students who find their circumstances changed will be supported under the revised cancellation policy.
Manor Villages:
Main benefit: Flexible tenancy start dates
Manor Villages have incorporated a flexible start date policy to enable students to delay their start dates where necessary, and to support students within their personal circumstances. Students must apply up to two weeks before their tenancy begins to be considered under the policy and provide evidence outlining their reason for using the policy and why they cannot take up their tenancy. Students unable to travel to the UK, who are displaying symptoms of COVID_19, or whose university operations have changed will be eligible for the policy.
Portergate Property Management:
Main benefit: Flexible tenancy start dates
Portergate Property Management is providing students with the option of flexible start dates in accordance with their university term dates. Those who need to self-isolate will be provided with two weeks of accommodation rent free to ensure the safety of themselves and others. This flexible policy is available at most Portergate Property sites, but students are recommended to confirm this with their accommodation officer at their chosen location. Those who have confirmed their place within their accommodation must inform their accommodations team of any changes to their residency immediately.
Fresh Accommodation:
Main benefit: Flexible tenancy start dates available at some sites
Many of Fresh accommodation locations will implement flexible booking policies to reflect the uncertainty surrounding the COVID_19 pandemic and to cater for the specific needs of its tenants. While T&C’s may vary between locations, the flexible booking policy will support those students who are unable to obtain a Visa due to COVID_19, have had their term dates altered, their course cancelled or who cannot attend university for another reason related to COVID_19.
Unless the accommodations team at your chosen location state that they are conforming to the flexible booking policy, the standard cancellation policy will apply. This involves a 72-hour cooling off period operating until 31 st July, after the cooling off period individuals can cancel their booking if they have not obtained a visa or did not get the required grades to attend their chosen university.
Xenia Students:
Main benefit: Flexible tenancy start date
Xenia is operating a flexible booking policy, meaning that if a student’s university delays their term dates then provided that the student can offer evidence of this, then Xenia will adjust their tenancy dates in accordance with the university term dates. Those students whose courses go completely online in September or operate through a blended approach will still be obligated to their contract and required to pay rent throughout the academic year as planned.
Those unable to obtain a visa on the grounds of COVID_19 will be assessed on a case by case basis. Xenia has developed a specific cancellation policy to incorporate the impacts of COVID_19 and to enable Xenia to support students during this uncertain time.
Mezzino:
Main benefits: Flexible tenancy start dates, Covid specific cancellation policy
Mezzino is committed to supporting students during the uncertainty of COVID_19, therefore, those unable to take up their accommodation due to travel restrictions either from the UK, or their home country, will be released from their contract and will be repaid for any deposits or down payments.
If a tenant’s university or college start dates are delayed as a direct result of COVID_19 then Mezzino will adjust tenancy start dates in line with the university term dates, and the rent will only be charged from the revised tenancy dates. If a tenant’s circumstances change and they need to stay longer in Mezzino accommodation, then Mezzino will extend their tenancy for the number of weeks that the tenant requires, and tenants will have the option to pay weekly.
Sodexo:
While Sodexo is committed to supporting all students in the current circumstances, it is the recommendation that students do not book their accommodation until their visa has been confirmed. Those who have booked a room but find themselves unable to take up their tenancy will be tied to the standard cancellation policy and will need to find a replacement tenant to ensure that the room is not left empty.
If you need support finding accommodation during the clearing period visit our clearing page https://www.accommodationforstudents.com/clearing-2020 for additional resources.
