The university has developed a support package for students in university owned/leased and managed accommodation. The communication below sets out what this means for students and how it will be achieved.

We are writing to students who hold contracts for accommodation that the university owns/leases and manages, to let them know what we have decided to do about accommodation fees in light of recent government guidance.
In the current circumstances, we appreciate that you will have many questions and anxieties about the implications of lockdown and staff at the university are working hard to continue to support your studies and welfare.

Exceptionally, and in recognition of the very specific circumstances that apply to the start of spring term 2021, we have put together another support package for those in university owned/leased and managed accommodation.

Accommodation support we have previously provided includes evening supper free of charge, additional weeks’ residency at no extra cost where a course needed to start earlier than originally planned, and more than £1 million in hardship funding since September to support students experiencing hardship as a result of the impacts of Covid-19.

Accommodation Support Package

The additional support package aligns your accommodation charges to the government’s current advice on which programmes can presently deliver in-person teaching or should continue online, where the majority of students are not expected to campus until Saturday 13 or Sunday 14 February.

The following information applies to students with accommodation contracts for university halls, Dagfa, Varsity, and UPP (Broadgate Park, Albion House & Cloister House).

We are pleased to confirm that if you are not studying on a programme that currently allows you to return for in-person teaching AND you are not using your room, you will not be required to pay accommodation fees for the period from the start of term (Sunday 10 January) up to and including either the date you start to occupy your room or the projected restart of in-person teaching (Saturday 13 February), whichever is earlier.

If you are studying on a programme that allows you to return early for in-person teaching, you will remain liable to pay full accommodation fees, regardless of whether or not you occupy the room, with the next payment due on Monday 18 January.

If you choose to occupy your accommodation for any reason prior to Sunday 14 February, accommodation fees will be due from and including the date on which you commence occupation of your room, with the next payment to be made on Monday 1 March.

Private Accommodation Providers

While the university’s accommodation support package can only apply to those in accommodation that the university owns/leases and manages, we are actively liaising with private and third party accommodation providers to see if they are able to support students in a similar manner.

Unite Students announced on Monday 11 January that eligible students will receive a 50% discount on rent for a total of four weeks, beginning on Monday 18 January, where students are not in residence in their property between 18 January and 14 February, and paid their account in full (to 31 January). Applications for the rebate must be received by 14 February, and the discount will be credited to student accounts in March. Unite Students has invited any student who is currently struggling to keep up with rent payments to contact them.

Student Roost (Nottingham 2 / Hydrogen) is offering a credit of up to 100% of 6 weeks of rent where students have been away from the property before 5 January 2021 when the latest national restrictions came into place, and affected by the government advice not to travel. Applications for this credit should be submitted by 25 January 2021.

The University may be able to offer interest free loans or non-repayable grants to students experiencing financial difficulties resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. For further information, please visit Support Funds or email financialsupport@nottingham.ac.uk.

We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding and assure you that the university will continue to monitor this situation and provide the best possible support for students in accommodation.

[Article originally published Friday 8 January 2021]