The Student Accommodation Code protects your rights to a safe, good quality place to live. It outlines everything you should expect from your university or college accommodation as well as your responsibilities as a tenant. This includes the following 6 key areas:
The Code makes sure that your accommodation is signed up to all necessary health and safety standards.
Find out moreThis section explains your rights to information on essential safety precautions; accommodation security; and details on what furniture and facilities should be provided.
2. Health and safety
standards and procedures
2.1 Student residences and their
contents as supplied by an establishment must meet the requirements of all
relevant health and safety regulations and codes of practice. Certain special
circumstances (e.g. legislation relating to listed buildings) may justify a
partial relaxation of these requirements.
2.2 H/FEEs must make an analysis of the
risk of such events as fire, outbreak of disease or major breakdown of services
and equipment and develop procedures for dealing with them.
The analysis and the procedures must be
documented (e.g. in risk registers) and should be readily available for inspection.
2.3 Students must be given clear advice
and information on what action is to be taken in the event of an emergency e.g.
how to access first aid provision, relevant contact details and mechanisms for
reporting incidents and raising health and safety issues.
2.4 It must be a requirement in every
tenancy or license agreement for the student to maintain a reasonably safe
environment for the H/FEE‟s employees who may have to enter the premises e.g.
ensuring that cables to personal electrical equipment are safe.
2A. Fire safety Prevention
2.5 Information and advice must be
provided to students at the beginning of their period of occupation on such
matters as:
• Their role in the avoidance of fire
risks
• Cooking and the safe use of cooking
equipment
• Electrical safety – particularly
voltage differences
• The dangers of using candles or
storing flammable material
• Disciplinary action that may be taken
if fire alarms or fire fighting equipment is misused
Detection and alarm
2.6 Fire safety systems must be
maintained in working order and regularly tested in accordance with regulations
relating to each particular piece of equipment and each building type. The
design and detail of systems in existing buildings will be determined in accordance
with a fire safety risk assessment and in consultation with the fire authority
or local authority as appropriate.
Specifically:
• Fire alarm systems must be tested
weekly at pre-arranged times (but see paragraph
xxi) of this Code).
• A record of fire alarm testing and
inspection must be maintained.
• At the beginning of their period of
occupation students must be provided with information on fire safety and good
practice. Advice on action to be taken in case of fire including fire
containment procedures must be prominently displayed.
• Any fire extinguishing equipment
provided must be properly maintained.
Escape routes
2.7 In order to ensure safe evacuation of properties in the event of fire, safe access and egress (means of escape) must be maintained – including corridors, landings, stairs and hallways. The means of fire escape – internal and external – must be maintained and be available at all times. The design and detail of systems in existing buildings will be determined in accordance with a fire safety risk assessment and in consultation with the fire authority or local authority as appropriate.
Safety systems including:
• Emergency lighting.
• Emergency secondary power supplies
such as generators and battery back up systems.
• Fire door integrity including door
closures.
• Automatic door release mechanisms.
• Emergency escape ironmongery such as
push bars must be regularly tested in accordance with the appropriate British
Standard.
2.8 Fire evacuation practices must be
conducted at the beginning of each academic year in accordance with
arrangements for particular buildings, fire detection systems and the local fire
authority. A record must be maintained.
2.9 Once a student with a disability
(including those with a temporary disability) is identified, the H/FEE must
undertake an assessment and put in place any specific arrangements (e.g.personal
evacuation plans) in case of fire or other emergency.
2B. Electricity and gas
supplies
2.10 Except in the case of emergencies
or essential maintenance, electricity and gas supplies and lighting must be
maintained without interruption. Gas and electrical installations must be
properly maintained and tested in accordance with statutory gas and electrical
safety requirements and British Standards.
2.11 Where students need to operate
controls for gas fired central heating, hot water systems, and / or fixed
electrical room heaters or appliances, simple and precise instructions for
their safe and efficient use must be available.
Gas Installations
2.12 All gas supplies, distribution pipe
work and gas fired appliances must comply with the relevant gas safety
regulations.
2.13 All gas appliances must have an
annual gas safety check undertaken by a Gas Safe registered gas installer. A
copy of the safety certificate must be available in accordance with the
regulations.
Electrical
Installations
2.14 All new electrical installations
including fixed equipment must be installed and all existing installations
maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the Institute of
Electrical Engineers (IEE) Regulations.
2.15 All building electrical
installations must be inspected and tested in accordance with statutory
requirements, and the results recorded in an appropriate register.
Lighting
2.16 Lighting must be provided in
accordance with the Chartered Institution of Building
Services Engineers (CIBSE)
recommendations. In study bedrooms the recommended level of illumination may be
achieved by the use of local task lighting.
Portable Appliance
Testing (PAT)
2.17 All portable appliances supplied by
an H/FEE, or used in the premises by H/FEE staff, must be inspected and
maintained in accordance with an establishment‟s PAT policy.
Where arrangements exist for the testing
of students‟ personal electrical equipment these should be set down in the PAT
policy. The H/FEE must make students aware of the PAT policy, and any procedure
for having students‟ personal electrical equipment tested.
2.18 There must be a procedure for
dealing with any potentially dangerous personal electrical equipment. This
might include labelling as unsafe, an instruction to remove, or in extreme
cases (subject to the terms of the licence or tenancy), for example if there is
a risk of fire or electrocution, removal to safe keeping or disabling. The
students must be made aware of the procedure and the action implemented.
Water Supplies
2.19 All premises must be provided with
hot and cold water to appropriately marked taps. Any cold water supply that is
not drinkable should be clearly identified.
Waste water
2.20 All waste water must be removed via an appropriate trapped connection to the sewerage system.
Water Hygiene
2.21 Hot and cold water services must be
installed, monitored and maintained in accordance with HSE and statutory public
health requirements including Legionella testing.
2C Security
Building and room
security
2.22 H/FEE managed accommodation must be
securable against intrusion. All registered buildings must be subject to local security
risk assessments,with particular attention being paid to access control,
surveillance of site perimeter and securing ground and basement windows.
2.23 All main entrances and individual bedroom doors must be lockable, the main entrance door being accessible by all student tenants of the building and bedroom doors accessible only by the student occupant.
2.24 All basement, ground and first
floor windows must be securable by the student in order to deter theft and
intrusion in student bedrooms.
Staff
2.25 All members of staff (including
contractors) must be readily identifiable whilst on the premises. There must be
a record kept of staff accessing bedrooms in the absence of the student.
2.26 Staff must be subject to vetting /
checks in accordance to the institution‟s policy formulated under the relevant
legislation. Such policy to include reference to contractors.
2.27 The procedures regarding the
issuing of keys/access cards [including the replacement of lost keys] must be
clear and transparent and arrangements for access in the event of lost keys etc
must be set out in the students' welcome pack or equivalent.. (see 5.6)
Emergency contacts/
procedures
2.28 Establishments must advise students
of the procedure to follow in the event of an emergency e.g. bomb alert,
summoning an ambulance, reporting a crime or suspicious behaviour.
CCTV
2.29 Wherever student residences are
monitored by CCTV this must be advised in the foyer or on the external entrance
to the building. Installation and operation must be in accordance with the
relevant legislation.
2D Kitchen facilities,
food storage, washing facilities, furnishing, and other matters
Kitchen facilities and
cooking equipment
2.30 Where provided, all kitchen
facilities must be maintained in good order and repair with all equipment
supplied in good working order. Facilities for the preparation, cooking and storage
of food must be appropriate to the number of students using the facilities in accordance
with local authority published standards.
Users’ instructions must be available.
Food storage
2.31 Cold storage provision must be made
available within self-catering properties.
Bathroom, toilet and
shower areas
2.32 These areas must be provided with
adequate ventilation and slip-resistant flooring. All sanitary ware must be in
good working order and free from cracks and breaks. All toilets must be
provided with fitted toilet seat. Shower curtains or screens must be provided
as appropriate.
Furnishing Quality
2.33 Décor and furnishings should be
provided and maintained in reasonable condition. All furnishings provided must
conform to the relevant regulations.
2.34 All bedrooms must be fitted as a
minimum with bed, mattress, worktop or study desk, chair, curtains/blind,
drawers/shelving, wardrobe and waste receptacle.
Post and Mail
2.35 The H/FEE must put in place suitable arrangements for the receipt and distribution of student mail. The arrangements should be set out in the students’ welcome pack or similar induction material. Distribution and collection details should be made available.
Students should be advised of any arrangements for forwarding or redirecting mail after the end of the tenancy/license period.
Your university or college is responsible for ensuring your accommodation (including outside areas) is in a good state of repair and that you know how to report a problem.
Find out moreThis section explains what repair and maintenance work is the responsibility of your university or college, and the timescales for emergency or planned maintenance work.
3. Repair and
Maintenance management
Approved contractors
3.1 Where an H/FEE is directly
responsible for repairs and maintenance these must be carried out by
appropriately identified H/FEE employed staff or external approved contractors.
Fault / Defect
notification and rectification
3.2 The H/FEE must provide students with
information on how to report a defect or fault, including out of office hours
procedure and expected response times from the service provider.
3.3 The information should set down
response times in the published categories – the
usual terminology will be: emergency, urgent and non urgent. If response times
are different for different locations this should be made clear. Students
should be kept informed of progress in rectifying any reported defect and in
particular any delay in meeting defined response times e.g. if an initial visit
is diagnostic or if batching of works occurs.
3.4 Where repairs or maintenance work is
necessary due to damage caused by residents or their guests, the residents
should be notified of the total costs and charges for the repair as soon as
practicably possible.
Planned Maintenance
3.5 All maintenance works should be
undertaken so as to minimise inconvenience to residents. This will not always
be possible with unplanned (reactive) maintenance. For planned maintenance 7
days notice should normally be given to residents; endeavours should be made to
avoid sensitive periods such as examinations. For urgent work the minimum
notice should be 24 hours unless an emergency requires immediate action.
Grounds maintenance
3.6 All planting and fences around
residences should be maintained to minimise opportunities for concealment of
intruders. Principal pathways and car parks must be hard paved (or have another
suitable surface) and must be illuminated appropriately for the environment.
3.7 Grounds should be cleared of rubbish
and litter on a regular basis and kept tidy.
Students should be encouraged to avoid
causing, or adding to, litter. Particular care should be taken to provide
adequate and appropriately located cigarette disposal bins.
Snow and ice clearance policies
3.8 Policies on snow and ice clearance should specify expected clearance times and should be displayed in a communal area and/or on the appropriate web site where residences are part of a campus environment. Residences in urban areas should display advice regarding the Local Authority's responsibilities.
Your accommodation should offer good heating, lighting, hot water and ventilation – all that goes without saying.
Find out moreThis section explains the services you can expect in your accommodation. Including heating and lighting; rubbish and recycling collection; and bicycle and car parking.
4. Environmental
Quality
4.1 Adequate heating, lighting, hot
water and ventilation must be provided, as appropriate, for each bedroom,
social space, kitchen, circulation space (e.g. corridors, stair cases, entrance
lobbies) and shower/bath room.
Energy Efficiency
4.2 H/FEE‟s must be able to demonstrate
how they encourage residents and staff to be environmentally responsible in
their consumption of energy and water.
Refuse Collection
4.3 Provision must be made for the
collection of all domestic refuse generated from residences. Details should be
communicated to students and notices on collection arrangements should be placed
in appropriate common areas.
Pest Control
4.4 Arrangements for reporting
infestations should be made clear together with the anticipated response times.
Recycling
4.5 Where local authority or private
recycling/reuse schemes exist, and where it is viable to do so, the H/FEE
should encourage residents to take advantage of this provision. Details of recycling
arrangements, including the location of recycling stations should be communicated
to students and contained in the H/FEE‟s environmental policy.
Transport and Travel
4.6 Residents must be advised of any car
parking arrangements. The information provided must also refer to the
availability of bicycle and motor cycle parking.
4.7 Residents should be provided with details of access to public transport and any designated safe walking routes.
As a tenant, you should have a formal contract with your university or college, as your landlord.
This section explains the information you can legally request including rent payment schedules, cleaning schedules, and details on how to raise an issue.
5. Landlord and tenant
relationship
5.1 H/FEEs
must have a clear and coherent statement in place outlining the relationship between
the H/FEE, as landlord, and the student, as tenant or licensee.
5.2 A written contract must exist
between the H/FEE and student for the provision of residential accommodation
prior to the commencement of the tenancy. This must be provided by the H/FEE
and include reference to any contractual terms and responsibilities of both the
H/FEE and the student. The H/FEE must provide the student with a copy of this residential
contract.
5.3 The terms of any contractual
relationship and information on the respective roles and responsibilities of
the H/FEE and the student must be made available to all prospective residents
in advance of students entering into a contractual relationship for residential
accommodation.
5.4 Establishments should return
deposits held within 28 days of the end of the tenancy.
5.5 The H/FEE must make available the
following information:
5.5.1. Students must be advised of any
cleaning schedules. These must include which areas are cleaned, the frequency
of cleaning, and any student responsibility for cleaning of facilities in
accordance with a service level statement if applicable. All rooms must be prepared
for the start of occupancy in a clean and habitable condition.
5.5.2. Laundry facilities where
provided, must be in maintained in good working condition. Instructions,
including fault reporting and emergency procedures, must be made available.
5.5.3. The relevant procedures for
application and allocation of residential accommodation including any
application eligibility criteria.
5.5.4. The total number of rooms
available by type (i.e. single, en suite and self catering).
5.5.5. The fees and charges for each
type of available accommodation.
5.5.6. The length of the contract period
for each room type.
5.5.7. Availability, if any, of parking
facilities and/or cycle storage.
5.5.8. Payment schedules and options for
payment, including any additional costs that may be incurred by a resident
(e.g. late payment charges, debt pursuance charges, debt arrears penalties) and
any discounts that may be available and the terms under which these are offered.
5.5.9. Damage deposits / caution fees:
how any scheme operated by the H/FEE is administered and specifically: how much
is to be paid, what the money is to be used for, and when/how balances are to
be returned.
5.5.10. The terms under which a student
or H/FEE is able to terminate or cancel a residential contract.
5.5.11. The procedure for lodging a
complaint about the residential accommodation or management of the property, or
ancillary services provided by an H/FEE.
5.5.12. Information concerning
management’s right of access to a study bedroom.
5.5.13. Service level statements (SLS‟s)
or equivalent: should set out schedules and response times for any services
which are required in each establishment.
5.5.14. The procedure for reporting a
defect or requesting maintenance: including who to contact.
5.6 Arrangements for access in the event
of lost keys etc must be set out in the students' welcome pack or equivalent.
Induction Briefing
5.7 H/FEEs must hold an induction
briefing, and/or provide relevant information to students by way of welcome
literature or other e-induction processes at the beginning of occupation. This
must advise students that their accommodation is covered by this Code. It
should also include specific advice on issues such as health, safety (e.g. fire
evacuation procedures) welfare matters, conduct and behaviour and guidance on
communal living.
Management contact
details
5.8 At the commencement of occupancy
H/FEEs must provide students with relevant contact details of duty officers /
wardens / security staff, student representatives etc and also, as appropriate,
any central accommodation office, maintenance office or halls office.
Insurance liabilities
5.9 H/FEEs must provide a statement outlining the extent of their own insurance liabilities in respect of a student’s belongings and personal items.
It can be tough living away from home, so it's good to know that your residence will provide information about the support services available.
Find out moreThis section explains the requirements for your accommodation to provide information on where to find welfare support, medical help, financial advice and counselling services
6. Health and Wellbeing
6.1 H/FEEs must provide information to
students in respect of its provision of welfare support, financial advice and
counselling services, particularly to the provision of accommodation. The
information provided must also include reference to services provided by the
students‟ union.
6.2 H/FEEs must ensure that residents have information on and access to out of hours emergency support including contact details and procedures to follow.
6.3 H/FEEs must encourage registration with the local health service or a local GP or, where these exist, with their own medical services.
No one likes anti-social behaviour, and your residence should have procedures in place to help make sure everyone is treated with respect.
Find out moreThis section explains the measures that universities and colleges should take to help encourage a happy and respectful environment in your accommodation.
7. Anti Social
Behaviour and Disciplinary Procedures
7.1 The H/FEE must demonstrate
procedures to minimise and, deal with, any anti-social behaviour by tenants or
their visitors.
Conduct & behaviour
7.2 The H/FEE should encourage residents
to act in a fit and proper manner at all times, treat both the property and
neighbours - fellow students, staff and members of the local community – with
due respect, regard and consideration.
7 The term anti social behaviour is used here in a general and not a specific statutory sense.
7.3 The H/FEE must make residents aware of the H/FEE‟s code of behaviour and disciplinary procedures, and how it deals with any inappropriate conduct or behaviour.