Terms & Conditions For University Accommodation 2026-27 Academic Year

The following definitions are used within these Terms and Conditions.

Accommodation means the Bedroom and shared corridors, stairwells and kitchen facilities, within the relevant Residence as detailed in the Accommodation Portal. This also includes all fixtures, fittings, equipment, furniture and floor coverings within it.

Accommodation Contract means the legally binding agreement entered into between the University and the Student for the occupation of the Accommodation, incorporating these Terms and Conditions, and which is made via the Accommodation Portal.

Accommodation Fees means the Accommodation Fees set out in the Accommodation Contract.

Accommodation Period means the fixed period during which you are granted the right to occupy the Accommodation. The Accommodation Period shall commence on the Start Date and end on the End Date as specified in the Accommodation Contract.

Accommodation Portal means the online accommodation portal available at https://studentaccommodation.bham.ac.uk/StarRezPortal/

Advance Payment means the sum of £550 payable by you prior to commencement of the Accommodation Period. This payment is made in advance and will be applied towards the total Accommodation Fees payable under the Accommodation Contract.

Bedroom means the bedroom, (which may have en-suite facilities within it or be a self-contained studio) as set out in the University’s Accommodation Portal, including all internal fixtures, fittings, equipment, furniture and floor coverings within it.

Early Release means the termination of the Accommodation Contract prior to the end of the Accommodation Period.

Notice to Quit means a formal written notice served by the University to terminate the Accommodation Contract and the Student’s right to occupy the Accommodation on a date specified in such notice.

Residence means a student accommodation building owned, leased, managed or otherwise provided by the University.

Restricted Operations means a prolonged or significant change to how the University functions, for example: campus access is limited; services are reduced or suspended; teaching moves fully online or staff are working under emergency or contingency arrangements.

Utility Services means heating, hot and cold water, drainage, electricity, internet and lighting supplied to and from your Accommodation.

Village means a conurbation of Residences grouped and designated by the University as a named village. The University’s Villages are currently: The Vale Village, Pritchatts Park Village and Selly Oak Village.

Any references to ‘you’ or the ‘Student’ means yourself as the occupier of the Accommodation.

Any references to ‘we’ or the ‘University’ means The University of Birmingham.

a. To complete your Accommodation booking, you must confirm your acceptance of these Terms and Conditions by selecting the acceptance checkbox on the Accommodation Portal and either pay the Advance Payment or the total Accommodations Fees in full.

b. Where you have only paid the Advance Payment on booking your Accommodation, you will need to select your intended method of payment for the balance of the Accommodation Fees. The remaining balance can either be paid in full, or through the University’s instalment scheme. Full payment or an application to pay in instalments must be received by Friday 18th September 2026.

c. If you are eligible to pay the Accommodation Fees by instalments, the remaining balance (after deducting the Advance Payment) will be divided into equal instalments, with any odd pence being added to the first instalment.

d. Direct debit payments to pay in instalments (for which there is no additional charge) can be set up in either of the following ways:

i) 3 payments taken on the first working day of November, February and May; or

ii) 8 monthly payments for undergraduate students on a 42-week contract and 10 monthly payments for postgraduate students on a 50-week contract, collected on the first working day of each month beginning in October through to May for undergraduate students and October through to July for postgraduate students

e. Your Accommodation will NOT be secured unless you accept our Terms and Conditions via the Accommodation Portal and either pay the Advance Payment or the total Accommodation Fees in full.

f.  You will need to have photographic identification available when you arrive at your Accommodation.

g. The University will issue you either with keys or key card access to your Accommodation. If access to your Accommodation is via use of keys, the University will issue your keys upon check in on your day of arrival. If your Accommodation is accessed through the use of a key card, the University will grant you access on your University ID card from the day that your Accommodation Contract starts. If you need temporary access to your Accommodation, for example, you have not yet been issued your University ID card, the University will issue you with a temporary key card. You must return any temporary cards once you are able to use your University ID card.

h. We acknowledge that there may be a need to cancel your booking for a number of reasons. For example, you are no longer coming to the University, you are deferring or you have made alternative accommodation arrangements. Cancellation will be dealt with as below.

1. Cancellation for all students

a. If you are in receipt of a conditional offer from the University and your offer of a place at the University is withdrawn as a result of you not meeting the conditions of your offer or has been declined as a result of you being unable to obtain a Right to Study visa for the UK, you may be eligible for your booking to be cancelled.

b. If your offer has been withdrawn by the University as a result of you not meeting the conditions of your offer, you will need to supply Student Living with a copy of a written rejection letter from the University (or if relevant to your course, from UCAS) via the Student Living Helpdesk. A screen shot of your UCAS status which confirms that the required results were not achieved, is also acceptable.

c. If your offer has been declined as a result of you being unable to obtain a Right to Study visa for the UK, you will need to supply Student Living with a copy of a formal visa refusal letter issued by UK Visas and Immigration, confirmation from the Home Office, or an official communication from the University confirming that you cannot enrol due to visa denial via the Student Living Helpdesk.

d. In both cases, this evidence must be received by Student Living prior to the Accommodation Contract start date. If not, the University will retain the Advance Payment.

e. Student Living will confirm in writing that your booking has been cancelled and, provided the evidence is received by Student Living prior to the Accommodation Contract start date, will provide you with a link to an online refund request form that you must complete.

2. Cancellation for all students within the 7-day cancellation period before occupation of your room

a. You will have the right to cancel your Accommodation Contract within 7 days of acceptance of these Terms and Conditions, provided you have not taken up occupation of the Accommodation by raising a ticket via the Student Living Helpdesk to inform Student Living that you wish to cancel your booking. Student Living will confirm in writing that your booking has been cancelled and will provide you with a link to an online refund request form that you must complete. Any payments, including any Advance Payment, made towards the booking will be refunded to you.

3. Cancellation for all students after the 7-day cancellation period before occupation of the Accommodation

a. If you would like to cancel after the expiry of the 7-day cancellation period but before you have taken up occupation of the Accommodation, you must let the University know immediately by opening a ticket via the Student Living Helpdesk to inform Student Living that you wish to cancel your booking.

Student Living will confirm in writing that your booking has been cancelled but the University will retain the Advance Payment. If you had paid for your booking in full, Student Living will provide you with a link to an online refund request form that you must complete for sums paid in excess of the Advance Payment.

4. Cancellations for all students after you have taken up occupation of the Accommodation

a. Once you have taken occupation of your Accommodation but wish to be released from your Accommodation Contract you must apply for Early Release via the Accommodation Portal.

b. Early Release will be granted at the University’s sole discretion upon consideration of a valid reason for requesting release (for example, as a result of leave of absence, withdrawal from university or a significant change in health) together with supporting evidence. Upon granting Early Release, you will remain liable for any Accommodation Fees and charges accrued up to the date of Early Release.

c. If the Early Release request is not approved, you will remain liable for all Accommodation Fees for the entire Accommodation Period even if you are not in occupation of the Accommodation, unless you or the University find a suitable student to replace you who is both acceptable to the University and is not already living in other University owned or managed accommodation, or partner accommodation.

d. If you move out of the Accommodation before the end of the Accommodation Period, you will remain liable for all Accommodation Fees for the entire Accommodation Period even if you are not in occupation of the Accommodation and you must return your keys (or ask for your card access to be suspended in respect of the Accommodation) provided that the keys will be held to your order and can be returned to you (or your card access restored) upon production of your student ID card at any time, up until the end of the Accommodation Period or until the Accommodation is re-let. 

1. The University will provide you with the Accommodation for living and studying purposes. The Bedroom and Accommodation will be in clean and habitable condition with no material defects.
2. The University will use reasonable endeavours to carry out any repairs promptly. Unless you specifically request otherwise when reporting issues, the University will carry out repairs and maintenance without prior appointment and in your absence to ensure timely resolution of the issue.
3. The University will use reasonable endeavours to provide the Utility Services. The University will not accept responsibility for the failure of any Utility Services due to any circumstances outside its control.

1. The University reserves the right to allocate any Accommodation to any University student, subject to availability.
2. The University may change your Accommodation at any time during your Accommodation Contract, which may be at another Village, by giving you not less than 4 days’ prior notice. You must promptly move from one Accommodation to the other nominated by the University when requested.
3. The University may change your Accommodation at any point during your Accommodation Contract without prior notice, if you are involved in a serious incident where the University considers the safety of you or others is or may be at risk. Such alternate Accommodation may be at another Village. You must promptly move from one Accommodation to the other nominated by the University when requested.
4. The University may enter and/or search your Accommodation without prior notice, where it deems appropriate, in the interests of the health and safety of any individual, to abate a nuisance or to carry out essential repairs or maintenance. The University will be entitled to exercise this right in your absence if you are not present at the Accommodation at the time of the visit.
5. The University may, upon giving you not less than 48 hours’ prior notice, enter the Accommodation to complete regular scheduled visits pertaining to statutory maintenance and any other requirements, including water hygiene checks. The University will be entitled to exercise this right in your absence if you are not present at the Accommodation at the time of the visit.
6. The University may, upon giving you not less than 48 hours’ prior notice, carry out a routine inspection of each Accommodation, which may include access to inspect your Bedroom. The University will be entitled to exercise this right in your absence if you are not present at the Accommodation at the time of the visit.
7. The University may, upon giving you not less than 48 hours’ prior notice, enter the Accommodation to show prospective tenants and or students around the Accommodation, for example for University open days, marketing purposes and enabling new students to move into vacant Bedrooms within the Accommodation. The University will be entitled to exercise this right in your absence if you are not present at the Accommodation at the time of the visit.
8. The University may contact you with important information about your Bedroom and/or Accommodation via your university email address. It is very important that you check your University email address regularly for any messages from us, even during term breaks.
9. The University may issue a Notice to Quit and you must vacate your Accommodation if:

i.  you are in arrears with payment of Accommodation Fees (or any other payment due and owing under your Accommodation Contract);

ii. if you commit serious or persistent breaches of your Accommodation Contract;

iii. you withdraw from your studies;

iv. you cease to be a registered student, including if you are formally excluded from the University for whatever reason; or

v. you are granted a formal leave of absence from the University.

10. If the University serves a Notice to Quit, you will remain liable for all Accommodation Fees until the date of Early Release or until the date you vacate the Accommodation, whichever is later.

11. The University may withdraw any future offer of accommodation made to a student currently in accommodation, and terminate any future contract of accommodation entered into between it and a student currently in accommodation, if the student fails to meet their contractual obligations set out in these terms and conditions.

12. Subject to obtaining your consent, the University may release information relating to your Accommodation Fees and payment history (including any history of late or non-payment) to third parties who specifically request a credit reference from Student Living in relation to future accommodation. No comments will be made on any other matter without your consent and as a matter of policy the University does not comment on the good character or otherwise of individuals.

1. You may request a transfer to alternative Accommodation, subject to availability. The transfer list usually opens for applications from mid-October. If you wish to transfer, the University will incur cleaning and administration costs for your existing Bedroom which you will be liable for, but which will not exceed £50. If, at its discretion, the University agrees to offer you a transfer, the University will hold the alternative Accommodation for you for a limited time and notify you of the same. If you do not accept the transfer within this time, the University will withdraw the offer and your request to transfer and offer the Accommodation to another student.
2. You are not permitted to swap rooms with other students without the prior written authorisation of Student Living and signing a new Accommodation Contract. To swap rooms you must apply for a transfer through Student Living.
3. You are not permitted to sub-let your Bedroom or the Accommodation.

1. Paying for your Accommodation

a. You must pay your Accommodation Fees at the times and in the manner set out in the Accommodation Contract, without deduction or set-off. Failure to pay may result in you being issued a Notice to Quit, requiring you to vacate your Accommodation.

b. The University follows a structured debt collection process for outstanding Accommodation Fees. Throughout the academic year, up to three debt collection letters will be issued to remind you of overdue payments and encourage resolution. Where debts remain unpaid, the University will take action, including door knocks to engage directly with you. Continued non-payment may result in the issue of a Notice to Quit, requiring you to vacate your Accommodation. If the debt remains outstanding towards the end of the academic year, the matter will be referred to an external debt collection agency. Should recovery efforts by the agency prove unsuccessful, the University reserves the right to pursue legal action to recover the outstanding debt.

c. You must notify the Finance Office or Student Living immediately by raising a ticket via the Student Living Helpdesk if you are unable to pay your Accommodation Fees on their due date outlining your difficulties and your proposals for payment

2. Maintenance and Repair

a. Within one week of check in, you must complete the inventory to identify any defects or repairs required in your Accommodation, which will be available online through the Accommodation Portal. You must otherwise report any defects or repairs arising during the Accommodation Period to the Village Reception or via the Accommodation Portal as soon as possible.

b. You must not authorise any contractors to do repairs without written permission from the Customer Service Manager, or you may be held responsible for paying the bill.

c. You must not alter, add to, or in any way interfere with the construction, arrangement or services or Utilities in your Bedroom or the Accommodation, including external fixtures or fittings, locks, door or window closures or electrical fittings.

d. You must take care not to mark the walls when hanging and removing posters, pictures or LED strip lights. Where possible, you should use the notice board/pin board provided. You must NOT drill holes in the walls to erect shelving or other fittings without the prior written consent of the University, which the University may withhold at its sole discretion.

e. You will be responsible to reimburse the University for the reasonable cost of repairs and making good any damage or loss to your Bedroom or the Accommodation, fixtures and fittings, equipment, furniture or floor coverings, including in the common parts of the Accommodation or University property for which you or your guests are held responsible, including the payment of an administration charge which will not exceed £50.

f. You must not install or erect aerials or satellite dishes in your Bedroom or the Accommodation. You must not install any telecommunications points or equipment in the Accommodation without the prior written consent of the University, which the University may withhold at its sole discretion.

g. You must not cover or block any ventilation grilles, which could result in dampness in the Accommodation due to condensation.

h. You must not use your Accommodation to dry items of clothing such that it results in dampness in the Accommodation due to condensation. Laundry facilities are provided on site for this purpose.

i. You must clear, clean, vacate, secure and check out of your Accommodation and notify and return your keys to your Village Reception by no later than 10am on the day the Accommodation Period ends. If you do not, a sum of money equal to your Accommodation Fees will continue to be charged at the full rate for the period during which you remain in occupation. Student Living reserve the right to remove and dispose of belongings left in the Accommodation after 10am on the day the Accommodation Period ends, without liability on the part of the University.

j. If at any point during your Accommodation Period you lose your keys, you must inform the Village Reception as soon as possible. You may be charged up to £150 for the cost of replacing the lock and/or keys. You must not make duplicates of your keys.

4. Student Living Plus Accommodation Residents Only

a. “Student Living Plus Accommodation” means that your Accommodation Fees include the provision of catering. As a resident of Student Living Plus Accommodation or designated Student Living Plus flat, you will be provided with Accommodation and a weekly amount to spend on food and non-alcoholic beverages in the Accommodation and other University catering outlets. Full details of the Student Living Plus provision can be found here.

b. If you are staying in Student Living Plus Accommodation, under the terms of your Accommodation Contract, your Accommodation and catering are provided as a package, and it will not be possible to separate your Student Living Plus from your Accommodation Fees (even if they are invoiced separately by the University). Consequently, you may not opt out of receiving and paying for the catering provision unless, with our consent (and subject to availability) you also transfer to accommodation that is not Student Living Plus Accommodation.

c. The value of the Student Living Plus allowance cannot be transferred to another student. Students may only use their own QR code in the Food Fellows App or scan their Student ID card to make purchases.

d. Students living in self-catered Accommodation can choose to add Student Living Plus to their Accommodation package if they wish. This additional service and fee will have the effect of varying your Accommodation Contract and upon signing up for Student Living Plus you will be committing yourself for the remainder of your Accommodation Period and Student Living Plus cannot be removed once it has been added.

e. It is your responsibility to ensure you are availing yourself of the entirety of your Student Living Plus allowance. Any unspent Student Living Plus balance at the end of your Accommodation Contract will be lost. It is not possible to carry forward, exchange or refund any unspent balances.

5. Permitted Occupants of Accommodation

a. Only you, as the person specified on your Accommodation Contract, may occupy the Bedroom.

b. You may accommodate a non-student guest, who must be personally known to you, in the Bedroom for a maximum of two nights in a row on an occasional basis only and with the agreement of all members of your Accommodation. You are not permitted to give your Bedroom key or key card to anyone else at any time, including those who you allow to stay as a guest.

c. In the event of a dual tenancy of a self-contained studio, both occupants must be students. Non-students are not permitted to occupy a self-contained studio with a student.

d. You must provide the details of all occupants via the Student Living Helpdesk.

e. Your guests must comply with these Terms and Conditions and you are responsible for the behaviour and actions of any guests you bring or allow into the Accommodation, including fire safety, health and safety and antisocial behaviour.

6. Health and Safety

a. The University has issued guidelines relating to Health and Safety for the general welfare of all its students.

7. E-bikes

a. You must NOT keep bicycles, E-bikes, scooters, E-scooters or motorcycles in the Accommodation or common parts, or secured to street furniture within the Residences. Dedicated areas for bicycle storage are available at each Village. You must not charge personal E-scooters, E-bikes or their detachable batteries in your Bedroom, Accommodation or anywhere in or outside an Accommodation building. The University may remove and dispose of any bicycle, E-bike, scooter, E-scooter or motorcycle left in breach of this condition, and will not accept any liability for any damage, loss or theft of such items.

8. Fire Safety

a. You must familiarise yourself with the fire and safety procedures and the appropriate escape routes in the event of a fire alarm in your Residence. You must abide by all fire and safety regulations, and co-operate with the Emergency Services (as well as Security Services and other University personnel).

b. You must NOT interfere with any fire or safety appliances. You must NOT prop open, or interfere with, fire doors. You must not attach any device or accessory, such as an over door hook or poster, to any fire door that will compromise its efficiency. Fire doors are a primary method of preventing the spread of fire and ensuring safe egress for all.

c. You must not block or impede any fire exit or exit route from any building (including hallways and stairwells). On hearing the fire alarm in your Accommodation, you MUST leave the Accommodation immediately using designated fire escapes for the purposes of emergency escape. Any resident found not to be complying with evacuation alarms and/or instructions may be subject to disciplinary action which may result in you being served with a Notice to Quit, requiring you to vacate your Accommodation. Interference with, or misuse of, firefighting equipment or alarm systems is a criminal offence and will be treated as such by the University.

d. You must not cook or use kitchen appliances, including kettles, in your Bedroom due to the fire risk.

e. The Accommodation is Smoke Free and designated as a No Smoking area (this includes electronic cigarettes and vapes). You must NOT smoke or vape anywhere within your Bedroom, the Accommodation or in the common parts of the Residence. You must not smoke or vape inside or within 10 metres of any Accommodation building. This includes outside stairwells, parking areas and passageways. For more information on where you are allowed to smoke and vape, please contact your Village Reception. If your Bedroom or any area of the Accommodation requires additional cleaning to remove damage caused by smoking or vaping, you will be liable for the University’s additional cleaning and administration costs, which will not exceed £50.

f. You must NOT use or bring into the Accommodation or your Bedroom any flammables, candles, incense sticks, fireworks, bottled gas (for any purpose), any apparatus using halogen bulbs or halogen heaters, or chip pans, since these pose a serious fire risk. The University may remove any such items in the interests of fire safety, and you can reclaim these items from the Village Reception when you move out of your Accommodation.

g. If any fire extinguisher is discharged or otherwise tampered with, or any fire blanket is removed from its protective case without proper cause, you will be liable to pay the cost of refilling the fire extinguisher and/or replacing the fire blanket plus an administrative charge, which will not exceed £50.

h. If any fire alarm, or other break glass units e.g. interconnecting hallway doors into other flats, is activated without proper cause or if fire/smoke/heat detectors are tampered with, you will be liable to pay an administration charge for a safety check, which will not exceed £50.

i. If you use any of the firefighting equipment in your Accommodation, or it is damaged in any way, you must immediately inform your Village Reception.

j. Any breaches of these fire safety rules will be treated as a serious breach of these Terms and Conditions and may result in you being served with a Notice to Quit, requiring you to vacate your Accommodation.

k. The above does not preclude any other action that the Fire Authority or the University may decide to take.

9. Electricity and Gas Supplies

a. You are responsible for your own electrical appliances which you use in the Accommodation. You must ensure they are manufactured to British Standards, are wired correctly and are in safe, working order. You must not plug in or use any electrical appliances from overseas as these may operate at a different voltage and frequency. Electrical sockets must not be overloaded and you should not plug adaptors into other adaptors. You should switch off electrical sockets when not in use. Seek advice from your Village Reception if you are unsure. You can also get general electrical advice, including a Socket Overload Calculator, from the Electrical Safety Council https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/safety-around-the-home/overloading-sockets/.

b. You must ensure that any electrical appliances which are older than 12 months are PAT tested successfully before attempting to connect them to the University’s power supply. If you require assistance with getting an item PAT tested, please speak to your Village Reception.

c. The University may remove any unsafe or faulty electrical appliances found in your Accommodation. You can reclaim these from the Village Reception when you move out of your Accommodation. If you have concerns about any electrical item being used in your Accommodation, please contact your Village Reception.

d. If you are living in Accommodation with its own gas central heating boiler, you must report any defect in its performance to the Customer Service Manager immediately. You will have a carbon monoxide detector in your kitchen. You should press the test button on this alarm monthly and report any problem or alarm activation to the Village Reception immediately.

e. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off the main gas tap to the Accommodation, call the National Gas Emergency Service (Telephone: 0800 111 999) and notify your Village Reception immediately.

f. You must not use the electricity or gas supply in your Accommodation for any purpose external to your Accommodation (for example, to charge a vehicle).

g. You must not bring hired E-scooters or E-bikes into internal areas of an Accommodation building. You must not charge personal E-scooters, E-bikes or their detachable batteries in your Bedroom or anywhere in an Accommodation building.

10. Insurance

a. Personal possessions insurance cover is included within your Accommodation Fees. You should familiarise yourself with the cover provided by the insurer (as set out in their documentation supplied to you) and arrange any additional cover required as necessary. Cover is only provided for the Accommodation Period. The University of Birmingham shares your details with Howden (formerly Endsleigh) for the purpose of providing you with contents insurance. Register with Howden for Students to access your cover https://students.howdengroup.com/

b. The insurer reserves the right to decline claims or cover if they deem necessary in line with their policy terms.

11. Security

a. You must not allow any person access to your Accommodation unless they are your authorised guest.

b. You must provide your Student ID upon request from a member of staff.

c. You must not tamper with any security equipment within the Accommodation, including temporarily preventing access doors from closing or locking.

d. All Bedroom entrances are lockable and you must keep your windows and doors locked when not in your Bedroom.

e. The use of any recording equipment, including but not limited to a Ring doorbell or similar devices, is strictly prohibited in the communal areas of the Accommodation, including the communal areas such as the hallways, entrances, shared living spaces, and common areas. Unlawful recording of any member of staff, students or visitors within any part of the premises is strictly prohibited.

f. The University has installed close circuit television (CCTV) on some Accommodation where images are recorded continuously for security purposes. You must not tamper with this apparatus. All CCTV footage, and footage captured by bodycam technology used by authorised personnel within the University, is processed in accordance with the University’s data protection policy.

g. Under the provisions of the Data Protection Law, if you wish to access your own image(s) you can submit a “subject access request” in writing to the University’s Information Compliance Manager in Legal Services who will investigate whether the image(s) are still in existence and whether to release the image(s) or the personal information. Further information is available at www.birmingham.ac.uk/privacy/.

h. The University will not be liable for injury or the loss of, or damage, to any personal property in your Accommodation except as a result of its negligence.

i. To report suspicious behaviour or if you need assistance and feel vulnerable or unsafe, you can contact University Security Services who work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year by telephone on 0121 414 4444.

12. Kitchen Facilities, Food Storage, Washing Facilities, Furnishing, Cleaning Routines and Other Matters

a. You must not use or install any cooking, heating, washing, drying or refrigeration appliances in the Accommodation which have not been supplied by the University, unless permitted to do so in writing by the University.

b. You must keep your Bedroom and Accommodation clean and tidy at all times. If you fail to comply with this obligation, you will be liable for the University’s additional cleaning and administration costs, which will not exceed £50.

c. You must dispose of all refuse safely in the designated receptacles on a daily basis and ensure this is not left to accumulate in the Accommodation. All rubbish and kitchen waste must be put into sealed bags and placed in the containers provided for refuse disposal and the dedicated refuse area. If refuse is not disposed of correctly, for example, left in a stairwell, you will be liable for the University’s additional cleaning and administration costs, which will not exceed £50.

d. You must dispose of all glass, bottles, plastic, paper and recyclable materials in the designated recycling points regularly and ensure this is not left to accumulate in the Accommodation. If items of this nature are not disposed of correctly, you will be liable for the University’s additional cleaning and administration costs, which will not exceed £50.

e. Where the Accommodation is shared by a group of students, the cleaning of the communal areas, including the kitchen, is the joint responsibility of all the students of that Accommodation. We suggest a weekly cleaning rota to ensure that the Accommodation is kept clean and that each student does their fair share but this is your responsibility. You are expected to fairly divide your kitchen storage areas between you; all kitchens come equipped with at least 1 cupboard per student.

f. Your fridge/freezers will usually be frost free appliances. In the unlikely event of frost build up you should defrost these appliances accordingly.

g. When informed in advance of a new student moving into your flat you must make space in the kitchen cupboards, fridge and freezer available for them and ensure all communal areas are left clean and tidy for their arrival. The University will endeavour to give notice of new arrivals; however, this is not always possible.

h. You may wish to engage Cleaning Services to clean your Bedroom or Accommodation for a fee. For further information please contact Cleaning Services on 0121 414 5633.

13. Environmental Quality and Energy

Energy

a. The University is committed to the conservation and improvement of the environment and to minimising the environmental impact arising from its activities. As a resident of University Accommodation, you have a major part to play in helping the University achieve its sustainability objectives and to conserve the environment. We expect you to be sensible regarding your usage of Utility Services to help keep carbon emissions and energy costs to a minimum. You should try to conserve energy and not use the Utility Services in a wasteful manner. For example, if your Accommodation is too warm, we would ask you to turn down the heating rather than open the windows with the heating on.

b. Your Accommodation Fees include an allowance to cover the average cost of Utility Services for the Accommodation Period based on the previous year’s expenditure for that Accommodation. The University may make an additional charge to reflect a fair and reasonable proportion of any additional costs of Utility Services used in your Accommodation during the Accommodation Period in excess of the allowance made within your Accommodation Fees. Should we have to make such an additional charge we will give you notice of the amount and a reasonable amount of time to pay together with a breakdown of the Utility Service costs. This charge may be passed on to either all residents of the Accommodation or to you alone.

c. If your Accommodation is serviced by central heating radiators as opposed to electric heaters, they will only activate when average temperatures outside and/or inside are cold enough to deem heating necessary.

Parking

d. The University has a very limited number of parking spaces at its Residences and therefore you are not encouraged to bring your own vehicle.

e. The Vale Village and Pritchatts Park Village have a limited number of parking spaces. Permits can be requested via the Village Reception. Permits are chargeable at the following rates for 2026-27:

• £349 for 42 weeks (19th September 2026 - 10th July 2027)
• £172 for Term One (19th September 2026 - 10th January 2027)
• £290 for Term Two & Three (11th January 2027 - 10th July 2027)
• £93 during Summer Vacation (11th July 2027 - 13th September 2027)

f. Due to the limited availability of parking spaces, permits are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis and at the absolute discretion of the Customer Service Manager. Parking for visitors is available on a pay and display basis.

g. Vehicles are not permitted at Jarratt Hall or Bournbrook, except for blue badge holders by prior arrangement with the Village Reception. The Vale Village and Pritchatts Park Village have a limited number of mobility parking spaces.

h. You must not park your own vehicle on University land without a valid parking permit or either purchasing a pay and display ticket or initiating a parking session via Ringo. You must comply with the University’s traffic regulations.

14. Behaviour

a. You must not use the Accommodation for any purpose other than for your own private residential use, and you are strictly prohibited from using the Accommodation for any commercial purposes.

b. You must NOT keep, bring, use or allow the following into your Bedroom or the Accommodation, which list is not exhaustive:

1. any unlawful drugs or other such substances including any controlled drugs (for example, Nitrous Oxide) listed in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Psychoactive Substances Act 2016;
2. firearms, fireworks, airguns, bb guns, combat knives, other dangerous weapons of any sort (in each case whether functional or not) and any imitations of the foregoing;
3. gaming machines (other than games consoles or computers), large speakers, pool tables, juke boxes or similar items;
4. road signs, traffic cones, shopping trolleys or the like.

c. You must not carry out any activity within your accommodation for which you must be registered with a Government agency to perform including but not limited to; tattooing, piercings, taxidermy and food service.

d. You must not keep pets or other animals in your Accommodation, with the exception of assistance dogs who have been authorised by both Student Living and Disability Services.

e. You must not feed animals that do not belong to you, or leave food out for animals, near to the Accommodation.

f. You and your guests must not cause any disturbance, inconvenience, nuisance or annoyance to any other resident(s) or owners or occupiers of the Accommodation or the neighbouring vicinity. You must keep noise to a minimum, both during the daytime and particularly at night between the hours of 10pm and 8am.

g. You must comply with all current University legislation. This includes the University’s Policies on Equality and Diversity and Harassment and Bullying. The University is committed to creating a working and learning environment free from harassment and discrimination in which all staff, students and visitors to the University are treated with dignity and respect. The University recommends that students and staff visit the Report and Support page as a first source of support and advice for anyone who believes they are being subjected to harassment, or other inappropriate behaviour. The University’s Report and Support service is available to both staff and students and provides information, support and reporting options for harassment, bullying, discrimination, assault, hate crime, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Individuals can submit a report and request to be seen by a Responder (for students) or Advisor (for staff) who will discuss all available options. The University’s Report and Support service is available at the following link: https://reportandsupport.birmingham.ac.uk/

h. Where an alleged breach of your Accommodation Contract may constitute a breach of the University’s Student Conduct Regulations and/or illegal activity or unacceptable behaviour within the wider community, Student Living may refer the allegation to The Registrar and Secretary of the University and/or to the police as necessary. Any illegal activity brought to the attention of the University may lead to prosecution by the police and/or to disciplinary action by the University.

i. When using personal electronical devices and/or computer network and internet in your Accommodation, you must comply with the University’s “General Conditions of Use of Computing and Network Facilities” policy.

j. If you watch television within your Accommodation, you are required by law to obtain a TV Licence.

k. You must not to put up any prohibited sign, poster, flag, banner, advertisement or recyclable materials in the window of the Accommodation so as to be visible from the outside. The Customer Services Manager has the final say on what is prohibited in this regard.

15. In the case of a national emergency, such as a pandemic, you must comply with all applicable legislation and guidance set by Governmental departments and any other statutory authorities, and all University legislation and guidance.

16. You must not use any vacant bedroom in your flat for any reason, including for storage. Vacant bedrooms must be locked at all times. If you realise a vacant bedroom's door is unlocked, please let your Village Reception team know as soon as possible.

a. It is recommended that you register with a local doctor within 14 days of moving into your Accommodation.

Information regarding local surgeries can be obtained from the NHS website which can help you find medical practices and dentists within your locality. Select either ‘GP’ or ‘dentist’ using your accommodation postcode or the University’s postcode which is B15 2TT.

b. Information on preventing infectious disease (including meningitis) is available on the Student Intranet via the University website. 

c. Anyone too unwell to leave their bed should contact their Village Reception for assistance as soon as possible.

d. In a medical emergency telephone Emergency Services immediately on 999 and inform the Village Reception team if possible.

e. If you feel you need support with your mental health, please visit our dedicated Student Wellbeing website for links to all affiliated services and support.

f. For all other non-medical emergencies, you can contact a Wellbeing Ambassador (see Section H.1), your Village Reception or UBHeard, which is the University’s Mental Health support helpline on 0800 917 9379.

Confidential counselling is also available from Student Support in the Aston Webb Student Hub, located on the ground floor of C Block, Aston Webb Building. Tel: 0121 414 5130 or the University website Your Wellbeing.

To book an in person or online appointment visit https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/student/student-hub/solution.aspx?nodeId=210

g. Further support is available from Guild Advice. Tel: 0121 251 2400, or visit the Guild of Students’ website.

h. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). It is your responsibility to tell us that you may have a requirement for assistance to evacuate in an emergency so that the Customer Service Manager can prepare a PEEP. For your own safety we need you to inform us of this requirement as soon as possible.

The University provides a wide range of support for its students. For more information on Student Support in general, please visit the University’s website at the link provided. The University also provides a wide range of support for students with disabilities and further details can be found on the University’s website at the following link: Disability Services.

1. The Wellbeing Team

The Wellbeing Team is a welfare support system that is operated by the Guild of Students in partnership with the University. It offers support to all students who live in University Accommodation and nominated partner accommodation.

They can help with a wide variety of issues including but not limited to the following:

• Your general wellbeing whilst living and studying at the University

• Shared living and Accommodation related issues

• Your academic course

• Financial matters

The Wellbeing Team is a peer-to-peer service delivered by Wellbeing Ambassadors who are students, both undergraduates and postgraduates from the UK and abroad. Wellbeing Ambassadors are recruited, trained and supervised by professional Wellbeing Co-ordinators.

The Wellbeing Ambassadors offer support to students through casework or one-to-one mentoring, through proactive campaigning about relevant student issues such as finance, or by referring students to another support service.

The Wellbeing Team also provides a Welcome Team which assists students upon arrival into University Accommodation and they visit the Accommodation over the first few weeks of the academic year to help with any queries which may arise. They also run a number of events and activities to help students settle into University life.

Students can access the service by email, telephone or by visiting the Wellbeing Office at The Hub at the Vale Village. Wellbeing Ambassadors will also come out to your Accommodation if requested.

Tel: 0121 415 8568

Email: residencelife@guild.bham.ac.uk

Website:  Accommodation - Guild of Students

The service opening hours are Mon-Fri 4pm-8pm during term time. Outside of these times students can contact the team via email or approach site staff/ Village Reception for assistance.

Wellbeing Ambassadors do not deal with repairs, lost keys or disciplinary matters of any kind.  Staff at the Village Reception for your Accommodation can assist with these issues.

The Wellbeing Team are constantly seeking feedback to improve the service and would welcome any comments using the contact details above.

The Guild of Students also has a range of support and other services available. For more information please go to www.guildofstudents.com.

2. Data Protection Law

a. The University and the Guild of Students may hold information in connection with your welfare whilst you are residing in the Accommodation. Such data may be held by employees of the University and the Guild of Students operating the Wellbeing Team and may be shared with other employees working within the Wellbeing Team. The information will be held according to the University’s Data Protection Policy. The University’s Privacy Notice for current student students can be found at https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/privacy/students.aspx and the Guild of Students Privacy Notice can be found at Student Privacy Policy Notice - Guild of Students.

b. In addition, where a Wellbeing Ambassador or the University considers that there is a risk of harm, either to you or to a third party, the Wellbeing Ambassador or the University may disclose such information to a doctor, appropriate School Welfare Tutor, Counselling and Guidance service, an appropriate member of staff within the University or appropriate third party.

For further information, please contact Residence Life at the Guild of Students residencelife@guild.bham.ac.uk

1. In the event of circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control, such as natural disasters, war, national emergency, terrorism, government restrictions, acts of God, civil disturbances, epidemics, pandemics, and/or unavailability of key personnel, the University may move to Restricted Operations. The University will give you notice of such circumstances, periodically review the effect of such circumstances on your Accommodation Contract and use reasonable endeavours to mitigate such circumstances.

2. You shall not have the right to terminate your Accommodation Contract for any delay or default in performance of the obligations under your Accommodation Contract if such delay or default is caused by any of the circumstances referred to in paragraph I.1 above unless the University, at its sole discretion, considers this necessary.

1. If you have any concern or complaint regarding your Accommodation, you can raise this using the procedure set out below. We strongly encourage you to resolve any issues informally or with your Customer Service Manager or Accommodation Officer in the first instance.

2. You can find out more about who your Customer Service Manager is here: Settling into your new home. You can speak to an Accommodation Officer by visiting the Contact Us page, or you can raise a ticket via the Student Living Helpdesk. You can also visit the Student Living Hub in person.

3. In accordance with the UUK Code, the University must share a summary of any complaints that reach at Stage 2 or Stage 3 with the UUK Code Administrators and will keep the UUK Code Administrators updated as to their progress until the complaints have been resolved.

4. If a student raises a complaint directly under the UUK Code, the UUK Code Administrators will refer the complainant to the University’s complaints process.

a. An application for or offer of Accommodation is not an application for or offer of admission to the University as a student or vice versa.

b. The absence of a signed contract does not materially affect the relationship between you and the University. The Accommodation Contract is formed by making a booking of Accommodation and you accepting these Terms and Conditions by selecting the acceptance checkbox on the Accommodation Portal and paying the Advance Payment.

c. Postgraduate students should note that as each School across the University sets its own course deadlines, your Accommodation Contract end date may fall before the completion of your programme. Whilst this is uncommon, you must look at your individual programme end date and, if this is after the end date in your Accommodation Contract, you must source and secure alternative accommodation as extensions to the Accommodation Contract are not possible.

d. These Terms and Conditions are governed by English law. If any student wishes to commence court proceedings, they must do this within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in England.