Accommodation Maintenance Policy
This page outlines our policy pertaining to the repair, replacement, and redecoration of our accommodation or items within. You will also find a range of estimated costs relating to the repair, replacement and redecoration of a range of items, fixtures, fittings and furnishings.
We will replace items that have been damaged through reasonable wear and tear during your stay, without any cost to you. In return, we ask that you look after the property and your surroundings, letting us know of any issues as soon as you become aware of them. You can raise a maintenance request via your village reception (telephone, email or in person) or via our accommodation app.
Where items have been damaged or misused, we will need to repair or replace them. As a result, we reserve the right to charge you for this. Where we incur charges for replacement items or need to appoint staff or contractors, we will pass these costs on to you, but we will never charge any more than it would cost us. Where charges have been applied after you have checked out, we will let you know by email what we’ve charged you for. All charges will be added to your student accommodation account.
We will always endeavour to repair any damaged items before we replace them. The price you will be charged is dependent on the amount of time required to resolve the issue as well as any material costs.
For full terms and conditions, please visit our dedicated web page.
All Areas
All Areas
Redecoration
We will appoint a painting contractor to repair and/or re-paint walls with typical charges as follows:
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| One wall | £62 |
| A whole room, including the ceiling | £163 |
| Corridor | £155 |
| Kitchen | £243 |
| Plastered walls | £35 per sqm |
N.B. The price you will be charged is dependent on the size of the room and the amount of work required.
Doors and fittings
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace fire door (price subject to type and style) | From £89 |
| Replace boiler cupboard | £40 |
| Replace door handle | £12 |
| Replace door hinges | £10 |
| Replace automatic door closer | £50 |
| Replace/repair Yale lock | £41 |
| Replace/repair Vingcard or DV lock | £145 |
| Replace/repair Varifree or NSP lock | £299 |
| Replace flat or room number letter | £23 |
| Replace spy hole | £16 to £29 |
| Replace door stop | £1 |
Flooring
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace carpet | £28 per sqm |
| Replace vinyl | £35 per sqm |
| Ceiling tile - 1200mm x 600mm | £15.50 |
| Ceiling tile - 600mm x 600mm | £13 |
N.B. We will always try to clean your carpet/vinyl before we replace it.
Lighting
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace non-LED light fitting | £23 |
| Replace LED light fitting | £74 |
| Replace light shades | £10 |
| Replace light bulb LED | £19.50 |
| Replace light switch | £1.50 |
Windows and curtains
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Re-glaze window | £100 per sqm |
| Replace window restrictor | £18 |
| Replace curtain rail | £20 |
| Replace curtains | £60 |
N.B. Additional cost may be incurred for scaffolding.
Flat entrance and corridors
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace/repair electrical panel | £89 |
| Replace entry phone | £55 |
Bedrooms
Bedrooms
Beds and mattresses
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace double bed base | £280 |
| Replace three-quarter bed base | £250 |
| Replace single bed base | £190 |
| Replace double mattress | £96 |
| Replace three-quarter mattress | £96 |
| Replace single mattress | £75 |
| Replace over bed reading light | £40 |
Fixtures and fittings
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace coat hook | £9 |
| Replace wardrobe door (one) | £34 |
| Replace wardrobe door (two) | £68 |
| Replace wardrobe shelf | £28 |
| Replace wardrobe rail | £10 |
| Replace bedside cabinet | From £56 |
| Replace chest of drawers | From £95 |
| Replace bedroom mirror | £23 |
Desk area
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace desk | From £102 |
| Replace desk chair | From £76 |
| Replace noticeboard | £20 |
Functional
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace electric heater | £110 |
| Replace radiator | £80 |
| Replace Wi-Fi router | £350 |
Kitchen/Lounge
Kitchen/Lounge
Furniture
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Re-upholster part of chair (e.g. arm, back, seat) | From £52 |
| Re-upholster complete chair | From £86 |
| Replace chair | From £156 |
| Re-upholster part of corner unit sofa (e.g. arm, back, seat) | From £110 |
| Re-upholster complete corner unit sofa | From £142 |
| Replace corner unit sofa | From £180 |
| Re-upholster part of two seat sofa (e.g. arm, back, seat) | From £52 |
| Re-upholster complete two seat sofa | From £280 |
| Replace complete two seat sofa | From £214 |
| Replace dining chair | From £48 |
| Replace dining table | From £233 |
| Replace kitchen stool | From £78 |
| Replace waste bin | From £20 |
| Replace coffee table | From £203.50 |
Food preparation areas
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace worktop/breakfast bar | £44 per metre |
| Replace cupboard shelf/door | From £34 |
| Replace sink plug and drain | £15 |
| Replace sink taps | £52 |
| Replace sink | £44 |
Cleaning and safety
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace vacuum cleaner | £80 |
| Replace dustpan and brush | £6 |
| Replace mop and bucket | £10 |
| Replace fire blanket | £14 |
Kitchen appliances
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace microwave | £75 |
| Replace oven shelves | £13 |
| Replace grill and pan handle | £15 |
| Replace oven glass door | £45 |
| Replace hob (ceramic) | £149.50 |
| Replace hob (plate) | £91 |
| Replace ironing board | £22 |
Fridges and freezers
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace fridge freezer shelf/drawer | £19 |
| Replace fridge freezer | From £301 |
| Replace under counter fridge or freezer | From £121 |
| Replace table top fridge or freezer | £105 |
| Replace fridge or freezer seal | £30 |
En-suite / Shared Bathroom
En-suite / Shared Bathroom
Fixtures and fittings
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace bathroom mirror | £23 |
| Replace vanity cabinet | £47 |
| Replace vanity shelf | £11 |
| Replace toilet roll holder | £4 |
| Replace towel rail | £9 |
| Replace shower curtain | £10 |
| Replace toilet seat | £10 |
Lighting and functional
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace/repair vanity light | £18 |
| Replace shower head | £17 |
| Unblock bathroom drainage | £20 |
| Replace washbasin taps | £54 |
Lockouts
Lockouts
We will not charge you if you are locked out and we need to let you back in to your flat/room.
However, if you lose your key and we need to replace it then we will charge you for a replacement. We promise to charge you no more than what it costs us to replace. Typical charges for replacement keys are:
| Item Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace Yale Key | £10 |
| Replace Vingcard or DV lock key | £3 |
| Replace Varifree or NSP lock key | £8 |
Repair response times
When you report a fault, it will be given a priority, which is based on the seriousness of the problem, as follows:
Priority 1 Emergency: Response immediate (Within 4 hours)
Works if not carried out immediately will endanger the health and or welfare of staff, students, public etc.
Examples:
- Failure of an essential service e.g. electricity affecting appliances, heating, emergency lighting to public areas,
- Severe water leak
- No lighting in whole flat
Priority 2 Urgent: Response Within 24 hours
Urgent or essential work which does not present an immediate threat as above, but which if not attended to within a 24 hour period could, or result in a call-out outside normal hours.
Examples:
- No heating or hot water to specific areas,
- Blocked storm or foul drains,
- No lighting to specific areas
Priority 3: Response within 5 Working Days
Work if not carried out within 5 working days could result in the quality of the service provided, further deterioration or additional costs or inconvenience
Examples:
- Overflowing external gutters,
- Shower waste draining slowly,
- Toilet seat loose,
- No power at socket,
- Door re-hanging
Priority 4: Response Within 10 Working Days
Work of a non-urgent nature that can be planned in advance
Examples:
- General plastering, tiling or
- Replace cooker extractor bulb
- Most planned maintenance items
Priority 5: Response As Agreed With Users
Work on a defect which has been programmed for a date in the future because access may not be available or awaiting parts
- Internal decoration programmed into a planned maintenance schedule
- Work on a defect which has been programmed for a date in the future because access may not be available, or awaiting parts
Please note the priorities above assume there is no urgent Health and Safety issue involved.
Disclaimer
These charges were correct at the time of publication and are standard for all accommodation owned by University of Birmingham. You may find in some properties there are differences where University of Birmingham use different products and therefore some charges may vary.
Full replacement cost includes: parts, labour, installation, and administration costs, but does not include VAT.
The above is a non-exhaustive list of costs for replacing or repairing items damaged maliciously by the occupant (fair wear and tear of items is not charged). We reserve the right to charge for items not mentioned. Not all items listed are available in every flat.