Duncan Smith House, Birmingham

Booking Deposit

• The property requires a £250 deposit to secure the booking, which will be applied as a booking deposit.
• The deposit is returned within 14 days after the tenancy ends.
• Note: Post-tenancy confirmation: this amount will be considered as a security deposit.

Pay In Instalment

• Rent may be paid:
• Monthly.
• Termly.
• In full for the year.
• Students choosing to pay by instalments must provide a qualifying guarantor or use an approved guarantor service.

Mode Of Payment

• Bank transfer and online payment

Guarantor Requirement

• A UK-based guarantor is required when paying rent in instalments.
• Students without a UK-based guarantor may:
• Pay the full annual rent upfront; or
• Use Housinghand, a third-party guarantor service.
• Additional fees apply when using Housinghand.
• A suitable guarantor is also required for any replacement tenant paying by instalments.
• Failure to provide a suitable UK guarantor for an instalment plan may result in cancellation of the tenancy before the tenancy start date.

Cooling Off Period

• For bookings made between March and the end of July, a 14-day grace period applies from the date the deposit is paid.
• If cancellation is made within the 14-day grace period, the deposit is refunded in full with no penalty.
• If cancellation is made after the 14-day grace period, the deposit is non-refundable and the tenancy agreement is terminated.

No Visa No Pay

• Applicable where a visa application is refused through no fault of the student.
• The student must notify the property in writing within 72 hours of receiving the visa refusal.
• Official evidence of the refusal must be provided.
• If acceptable evidence is received before the tenancy start date and before key collection, the tenancy agreement will be cancelled and the deposit will be refunded in full.
• If notification is provided on or after the tenancy start date, the student remains liable for the full tenancy rent until a suitable replacement tenant is found and the room is re-let.
• The policy does not apply where the student voluntarily withdraws a visa application or where the visa is revoked due to the student's conduct or legal reasons.
• Where the deposit has already been registered with the deposit protection scheme, the refund may take up to 60 days.

No Place No Pay

• Applicable only to first-year students.
• Students may cancel without penalty if their chosen university withdraws its offer of a place.
• Relevant documents or emails from the university must be provided within 72 hours of receiving them.
• No deposit penalty applies.

Replacement Tenant Accepted

• The student will be released from tenancy obligations once a suitable replacement tenant is found and accepted by the property and the room is re-let.
• The replacement tenant must:
• Be a full-time student within the relevant council tax area.
• Have the right to rent in the UK.
• Complete the booking process.
• Provide all required documents and information.
• Provide a suitable guarantor if paying by instalments.
• Pay the required deposit and first or full rent instalment in cleared funds.
• Sign the tenancy agreement.
• The property must approve the replacement tenant.
• The property is not obliged to accept a replacement tenant suggested by the student.
• Liability for rent ends on the start date of the replacement tenant's tenancy.

Other cancellation policies

• Cancellations through a third party are only accepted if the accommodation was booked through that same third party or prior written permission has been granted.
• For cancellations between September and the end of March, any holding deposit or deposit paid is refunded in full with no penalty.
• For cancellations during August and September, the deposit is non-refundable.
• The deposit is non-transferable and cannot be transferred to another tenant or another academic year.

Delayed Arrivals & travel restrictions

• If you are unable to travel due to government-imposed travel restrictions, please contact the team with the relevant supporting documentation. We will facilitate the request to review your circumstances and explore the possibility of cancellation/contract amendment. Requests are considered individually, and any outcome will depend on the property's review and applicable booking terms.

University Course Cancellation/Modification

• If your course has been cancelled by your university, please reach out to the team with the relevant supporting documentation. We will liaise with the property team to review your request on a case-by-case basis for cancellation. The resolution will be subject to the property's assessment and the terms of your booking.

Deferring Studies

• If you have deferred your studies, please contact the team and share your updated university documentation. We will notify the property team to review your request for cancellation/contract amendment. Requests are assessed individually, and the final outcome will be subject to the property's review and booking terms.

Subletting

• Subletting available, no tenant commissions

Smoking

• Smoking is only permitted outside the building where there are designated smoking areas

Room allocation

• Students can indicate specific room number or location preferences during the booking process, and the team will accommodate these preferences wherever possible, based on availability.

Check in guide

• Approximately 2–4 weeks prior to the scheduled move-in date, students will receive check-in instructions via email. This communication will include the steps required to select a check-in date and time slot, complete necessary documentation, and settle any outstanding payments prior to arrival.
• In case of any questions or queries, please feel free to contact the team, and our team will assist to ensure a smooth check-in process.

Renewal policy

• Students who wish to extend their stay can contact the team for renewal or rebooking at the same accommodation. Our team will support the renewal process and help students secure a suitable room of their choice. Students are encouraged to reach out early to ensure they can rebook the same room or another room of their choice at the same property.

Early check in policy

• Early check-in requests can be shared in advance with the team. Our team will do a feasibility check to facilitate early check-in requests based on room readiness and availability. Additional charges may apply where applicable.

Guest policy

• Guests may stay with you where permitted by the property. Always notify the property 1 to 2 weeks in advance to complete the required formalities.

Minimum age

• You must be 18 years or older on your move-in date to stay at this property. Please ensure you meet the age requirement before booking. In case you do not meet the minimum age requirement, inform the team while enquiring with us, and we can suggest you accordingly.

Student eligibility

• This accommodation is exclusively available to students. Non-students are not eligible to stay at the property.