2015-16
Handbook Accommodation
UNIVERSITY OF WEST LONDON ACCOMMODATION HANDBOOK 2015-16 2 Contents
Student Welfare – Accommodation 4
Residential Student Accommodation 6
Paragon Hall of Residence – Brentford 6
Student Village – Ealing 12
Local amenities 14
Important Information 15
Franchise students 16
Tenancy 17
Deadline checklist 19
Deposit and rent 20
Berkshire Nurses 22
General information 24
Private rented accommodation 26
Useful addresses and contacts 27
3 Student Welfare – Accommodation
The Student Welfare Team will support you in How to contact us many ways during your time at the University Student Welfare of West London, including helping you with University of West London your accommodation needs. This handbook St Mary’s Road provides accommodation information for Ealing prospective and existing University of West London W5 5RF London students. We hope it will answer any questions that you may have about +44 (0)20 8231 2335 accommodation. [email protected] Before completing your online application uwl.ac.uk/accommodation form for accommodation, please read this handbook and save a copy for future This handbook is available in alternative reference. If you have further queries after formats upon request. reading the handbook please feel free to contact the Student Welfare Team. We hope you find your accommodation satisfactory and we wish you all the best with your studies.
4 Student Welfare – Accommodation
7 Ealing
To M1
2
Walpole 3 Park 1
Lammas 4 Park
South 5 Acton RD LE EDA AIR
RD Y LE AM BR Gunnersbury Park
BOSTON MANOR O CCU (PICCADILLY LINE) PATI ON L Little ANE W 8 IN B D Ealing OS M I TO L N L
M A R N O O A R D R O A D 6 To Central London
To South West BRENTFORD
and Wales STATION
B
4
5
2
A3 002
1 Ealing site 3 Ealing Studios 5 Bramley Road Surgery 7 Villiers House
2 Walpole House 4 Vestry Hall 6 Brentford site 8 Student Village Housing
Shuttle bus stop
5 Residential Student Accommodation
Paragon Hall of Residence – Brentford
This award-winning building was opened in Standards include recommendations on, September 2006 and provides purpose built for example, rent liability, repairs and student accommodation. Paragon Notting maintenance, cleaning of communal areas, Hill Student Lets is the trading name for deposits and complaints resolution. Touareg Trust, who manage Paragon. The Trust is a subsidiary of Notting Hill Housing For further information, please see Trust and provides accommodation for www.anuk.org.uk/LargeCode/ students. Touareg Trust has adopted the largercodeprivate.pdf Accreditation Network UK (ANUK) National Code of Standards for Larger Developments. The site consists of four blocks of The Code establishes a set of specific accommodation arranged as single study standards and recommendations with bedrooms in cluster flats and studios. particular relevance to larger residential student developments and by signing up to the Code, Touareg has agreed to comply with the recommendations.
6 Residential Student Accommodation
Location For students studying at other sites/ Paragon is located one and a half miles south franchised institutions, the distance and of the Ealing site (St Mary’s Road). There are approximate travelling times from Paragon excellent bus and rail services nearby giving are as follows: quick and easy access to central London. In • Tech Music Schools, Acton 4 miles addition, the University offers a free regular (30 minutes via London Underground or shuttle bus service linking the Paragon and bus) Ealing sites, with drop off points at South Ealing and Ealing Broadway stations. • Courtyard, central London 12 The site has excellent transport links: miles (50 – 60 minutes via London Underground) Tube
Boston Manor (Piccadilly line) – • Kingston College 9 miles (45 – 60 minutes via 65 bus/40 minutes approximately 15 minutes’ walk from the train) Brentford site on Boston Manor Road. • Met Film School 2 miles Train (15 minutes by bus from Ealing Broadway) Brentford station – approximately five minutes’ walk from the Brentford site with a 30 minute journey into central London The Local Authority and the University are ending at Waterloo station. committed to reducing the impact of cars on the environment. We hope that where Bus possible most students will make use of the public transport system (buses, tubes, trains) • E2 to Greenford and the enhancement of our cycling facilities and Local Authority cycling routes. • E8 to Ealing Broadway • 65 to the Ealing site, Richmond and Parking Kingston Except for a few registered disabled students, there is no car parking available on site for • H91 Hounslow West to Hammersmith students, or their visitors/guests. All cars • Free University of West London shuttle parked without permission will be clamped bus service circulating regularly between or towed away. the Brentford site, where Paragon is also located, and the Ealing site.
7 Residential Student Accommodation
Your living accommodation Facilities The 810 single study bedrooms have en- suite toilet and shower facilities organised Study bedrooms in cluster flats of approximately eight study • single bed with mattress bedrooms. There is a communal fitted • bedside cabinet kitchen/dining room. • study worktop and chair There are also 29 studios, each with a fitted • internet connection (router supplied) integral kitchen area and en-suite toilet and • wardrobe with hanging space, shelf shower facilities. All rooms are accessible by and mirror wheelchairs, served by lifts. • carpet All rooms in Paragon are non-smoking. • en-suite toilet and shower.
All rooms are fitted to the highest standard and Communal fitted kitchen/dining area, including have wi-fi broadband internet access included. individual lockable storage cupboards.
Studios The studios have similar facilities as outlined in the study bedrooms with an integral kitchen area, and are wheelchair accessible, including the en-suite toilet and shower.
8 Residential Student Accommodation
Communal facilities On-site support The main entrance to Paragon and each Common room block is accessed using an access control The common room, known as ‘The Hub’ has system by using fobs or swipe cards. Flats a large screen television, pool tables, table and study bedrooms are accessed via keys. football and vending machines. Paragon Notting Hill Housing Student Lets has a customer service team located in Landscaped gardens a central management suite behind the There is a roof garden above the common reception desk. Paragon reception area is room and seating in the central courtyard. staffed 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Laundry Licence Agreement There is a pay launderette on site, located Your Licence Agreement will apply to the behind the Common Room. It is operated 2015-2016 academic year only. If you are on behalf of Paragon Notting Hill Student joining in September at the start of the Lets by Circuit Laundry who regularly visits academic year, you will have the choice of to check and maintain the machines. The a 44 week license, which are limited and machines are swipe-card operated and these subject to availability (September – July), or a can be purchased from the vending machine 52 week (September – September) licence. in reception. They cost £5 to purchase and they will receive a £3 credit for their first use. If you apply for Paragon during the academic These cards can then be conveniently topped year, rooms are subject to availability, so up online by way of a Paypal Account. please contact the Accommodation Service for further details. Shops A convenience store/mini supermarket is If you wish to continue to live at Paragon, you situated next to the site, which has a free will be required to re-apply when your current cash withdrawal machine, and larger ones Licence Agreement ends (see page 11, under are within walking distance. ‘Licence Agreement’).
Refectory/Library Services These facilities are available in the academic block.
9 Residential Student Accommodation
Rent Apply The rent is payable in three instalments. If you wish to apply for accommodation The first instalment will be due no later than at Paragon, please go to 2 September 2015. The second and third instalments will be payable at the beginning uwl.ac.uk/accommodation of subsequent terms (January and April). You should ensure that you have sufficient Please ensure you read the Guidance Notes funds for your rent before you enter into the thoroughly before completing your form. Licence Agreement. You will not be permitted Payment is required when you have been to move in until you have made your first rent sent an offer of accommodation. payment. Please note that rent is charged from Saturday; if you move in mid-week, you will be charged from the previous Saturday. We will notify you by e-mail of the arrangements regarding rent, including instalment deadline dates and payment details. All monies (deposit and rent) are payable to Touareg Trust.
The rental charges are as follows:
Study Bedroom £142.99 per week inclusive of bills (heating, hot and cold water, light, power and internet connection).
Studio £193.82 per week inclusive of bills (heating, hot and cold water, light, power and internet connection).
Please remember that until you have paid the deposit and first rent instalment, you will not be able to take up your room in Paragon. This also applies to returning students.
10 Residential Student Accommodation
Applying online Licence Agreement To be able to apply for Paragon You will receive the following documents by Accommodation you must have accepted e-mail or post: your place on the course with UWL being • Paragon accommodation offer letter your first choice university. Once your with deposit/rent payment form application is an unconditional firm (U/F) or • Paragon Student Accommodation conditional firm (C/F) you will be eligible to Licence Agreement proceed your application for accommodation at Paragon. The online application is open to • Residents’ Handbook. all University of West London students (with the exception of franchise partners) Once you Please read these documents thoroughly. have registered via the UWL online process you will receive application instructions by Please note that once you have signed email on how to proceed. and returned your Licence Agreement, you have entered a legally binding contract Students will be able to do the with Touareg Trust and all the terms and following online: conditions set out in the Agreement will • Apply apply. The Licence Agreement will set out the rent payable and the start and end dates of • Pay deposits and instalments your Agreement. Your offer letter will advise • Allocate themselves to rooms you on how to make payment. • Accept their Licence. If you do not have an unconditional firm Offer of accommodation (U/F)/conditional firm (C/F) offer of a place Once your online application has been for your course, we will be unable to process received, you will be contacted by your online application. e-mail regarding your specific offer of accommodation and the terms and conditions for residency. It is therefore desirable that all applicants provide a current e-mail address on their online form. If you do not have e-mail, all documents will be posted to you.
You must abide by the terms and conditions of your Student Licence Agreement. Please make sure that you read and understand it before signing.
11 Residential Student Accommodation
Student Village Housing – Your living accommodation The properties have recently undergone Ealing extensive internal renovation and are offered fully furnished. All properties are of the same Student Village Housing is operated and high standard but layout may differ and there managed by Notting Hill Student Lets and was are resident student and staff wardens on site. launched for the academic year 2013/14 and Student Village Housing has CCTV Cameras is already proving very popular with students. around the entire site and regular patrolling is undertaken by the University security. The accommodation is offered as a private tenancy to UWL students. All houses are fully The properties available are shown below: furnished and wi-fi is included however utility bills are in addition with an approximate cost Type of Number Maximum of £10-15 per week. accommodation available occupancy
Location The Village is located only a short walk from Studio Flat 27 2 our Ealing site on St Mary’s Road. It is also 1 Bed Flat 45 2 close to South Ealing tube station, where you 2 Bed Flat 21 3 can catch the Piccadilly Line and be in either central London or Heathrow airport within 20 2 Bed 15 3 minutes. The University of West London Maisonette also provides a free shuttle bus service during 3 Bed House 4 5 peak hours. 4 Bed House 25 6
Landscaped gardens and parking There are landscaped gardens for residents to enjoy, and one parking bay per property.
12 Residential Student Accommodation
Tenancy Agreement Our aim is to allocate the entire property to Once you have been offered a property, you enhance your student experience. If you would will be asked to pay a deposit of £500 and like to discuss your accommodation offer, sign a tenancy directly with Folio London please speak to our Accommodation Team Limited, the part of Notting Hill Housing that provides these homes. [email protected]
For further information or to apply for 0208 231 2335 Student Village Housing – Ealing, complete the online application form available at If you have any questions about finances uwl.ac.uk/studentvillage. our UWL Finance Team are on hand to help. Please contact Finance to discuss your Please read these documents thoroughly. options:
Please note that once you have signed and [email protected] returned your Tenancy Agreement, you have entered into a legally binding contract with 020 8231 0282/ Notting Hill Housing and all the terms and 0283/0284/0285/0287 conditions set out in the Agreement will apply.
Your tenancy will be for 52 weeks (September – September).
If you have any queries about the tenancy agreement or site information, please contact the Student Village Property Manager.
07920466042
13 Residential Student Accommodation
Local amenities
There are many supermarkets, pubs and restaurants in the local vicinity as well as a wide range of leisure activities, including:
• The Watermans Arts Centre • Fountain Leisure Centre • Brentford Football Ground • Kew Gardens • Syon Park and House • Grand Union Canal and River Thames • Questors Theatre Ealing • All the parks and open spaces such as Walpole, Gunnersbury and Lammas parks • Ealing Broadway and its extensive shopping centre.
For more information visit the ‘leisure’ section of www.brentfordtw8.com
14 Residential Student Accommodation
Important Information Rent arrears Rent arrears are subject to normal credit When you accept a place on one of our control debt collection procedures. You are courses, you will be able to apply for a place therefore advised to pay the rent when it is in Paragon or the Student Village. due. Failure to comply with this requirement could lead to an eviction, which will affect Students applying for accommodation before your housing options. 31 May 2015 will be prioritised for a place in the Halls of Residence as the University is keen to fill the site. At present, rooms and properties are allocated on a first come first served basis. It is important that those who would like to apply for accommodation at Paragon or the Student Village apply in a prompt manner.
It is expected that most students will choose to be accommodated in the Hall of Residence or the Student Village. However, should you wish to secure your own accommodation in the private rented sector, we can advise you on the options available. There are groups of students for whom halls accommodation will not be suitable. Please read the section ‘Private rented accommodation’.
Please note that Paragon and the Student Village are unable to accommodate students who are under eighteen years of age and students with dependants and pets.
15 Residential Student Accommodation
Franchise students
Met Film School The University will confirm your offer with your particular institution and proceed with your accommodation application. For franchise partner students only – Once you have registered with our student Applying for accommodation accommodation you will receive application instructions by email on how to proceed. To be able to apply for student accommodation you must have accepted Students will be able to do the your place on the course with your particular following online: institution. Once your application is an • Apply unconditional firm (U/F) or conditional firm • Pay deposits and instalments (C/F) you will be eligible to proceed your application for accommodation. You will • Allocate themselves to rooms need to complete a paper application and • Accept their Licence. send this to:
Student Accommodation TC37 St. Mary’s Road Ealing W5 5RF
16 Residential Student Accommodation
Tenancy
Deposit Payment methods You will be required to pay a £500 deposit to You should use one of the following payment confirm your room at Paragon or the Student options in order to secure your room at Village. This is refundable but will be held Paragon or the Student Village: against any outstanding debt, and/or damage • credit/debit card incurred within your room, flat or block, or for • bank transfer. the loss of items of furniture and equipment. Cash will not be accepted. If you are unable to take up residence a refund of the deposit may be possible in the Confirming your decision by the deadline following circumstances: Whether you decide to accept or reject • Failure to meet the entry criteria the offer of accommodation you must (new students) inform Touareg Trust for Paragon Student • Refusal of a student visa. Lets and The University of West London Accommodation Team for Student Village Paragon: Housing either in writing, email or by Requests for refunds should normally telephone by the deadline. If you do not be submitted in writing to Touareg Trust respond within the specified time, it will be within 20 working days from the start of assumed that you are making your own your course. In all other circumstances your arrangements. deposit will be held for the period of your Licence Agreement. Moving out of student accommodation You must abide by the terms and conditions Student Village: of your Licence/Tenancy Agreement, which Requests for refunds should normally be means that unless you find a replacement submitted in writing to UWL Finance within tenant for your room, you are liable for 20 working days from the start of the course. payment of rent for the duration of the Licence/Tenancy Agreement.
17 Residential Student Accommodation
Eligibility Smoking There are a number of student groups for Smoking is not allowed in any internal area whom residential student accommodation of both accommodation sites, including may not be suitable. This would include: bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, the launderette and the common room. • Under 18s Some housing providers will accommodate Anti-social behaviour and drugs under 18s with a parental guarantor. There is a zero tolerance policy towards illegal Please contact the Student Welfare Team drug use and anti-social behaviour. Failure for details. Alternatively, we can provide a to abide by the terms and conditions of your list of hostels, which may be suitable. Licence/Tenancy Agreement may result in the termination of your contract. However, you • Students with dependants/families will still be liable for payment of rent for the Currently we are unable to accommodate duration of your Licence/Tenancy Agreement. students with families in University accommodation. However, we can provide you with information on seeking accommodation in the private rented sector, such as lists of letting agents or hostels, which may be suitable for you.
You are advised to start looking early especially if you wish to secure hostel accommodation, as demand is high. You should only bring your family with you once you have arranged permanent accommodation.
If you fall into one of these categories, please contact the Student Welfare Team as soon as possible. Please also see the section on ‘Private Rented Accommodation‘.
18 Residential Student Accommodation
Deadline date checklist Timing Activity Checklist Completed 1 March – Reserve your place in halls Apply for 30 April 2015 accommodation 1 May 2015 Deadline for UK/EU students to apply for onwards accommodation (late applications will be considered on an individual basis)
19 Residential Student Accommodation
Paragon Accommodation – deposit and rent Licence Type of Amount Instalments Total per agreement accommodation academic year 44 week Study Bedroom £142.99 pw 3 instalments £6,291.56 52 week Study Bedroom £142.99 pw 3 instalments £7,435.48 52 week Studio £193.82 pw 3 instalments £10,078.64
Deposit £500
Student Village Housing – deposit and rent Type of Accommodation Cost per week * Cost per month* Maximum Occupancy
Studio Flat £220 £950 2 1 Bed Flat £290 £1,250 2 2 Bed Flat £358 £1,550 3 2 Bed Maisonette £370 £1,600 3 3 Bed House £462 £2,000 5 4 Bed House £508 £2,200 6
Deposit £500 * Utility bills excluded
20 Residential Student Accommodation
DE TU NT S
The student village will provide our V students with everything they need I E for a successful University experience, L L A G connecting them to the University, Ealing and the rest of London during their studies. The new accommodation, alongside the University’s Future Campus project, is part of our long-term vision to continually improve the learning experience and social spaces at the University of West London.
Professor Kathryn Mitchell University of West London Deputy Vice-Chancellor
21 Berkshire Student Accommodation
Students studying a pre-registration nursing fantastic communal spaces too where you or midwifery course in Berkshire are advised can study or just relax with friends. Facilities to stay in student accommodation. As 80% include a large TV, comfy seating, vending of the course in the first year is based in our machines and large outdoor areas with Reading Hub. The University of West London barbecues and ping pong tables ideal for has arrangement with student housing summer events. There’s an open study area, providers taking into consideration student’s an on-site launderette, bike storage areas and budgets and preferences. We advise student secure underground car parking is available. to apply as soon as possible as allocations will be made on a first come basis. Regular events for all Unite students take place in both Crown House and Kendrick Hall, plus you can hire the common room for your Unite – Kendrick Hall own party. All bills and wi-fi are included in the price. In addition, Kendrick Hall has 24- Built in 2012, Kendrick Hall provides a modern hour security, secure door entry, a customer home for students. Based on London Road, service team and a maintenance team. Kendrick Hall is only a 15-minute walk to University of West London’s Berkshire www.unite-students.com/reading/ Institute of Health and a 3-minute walk kendrick-hall from Royal Berkshire Hospital. Reading train station is only 15-minutes’ walk away too.
Kendrick Hall provides allocated accommodation for students from University of West London on a first come, first served basis. This means that if you book early, you will not only secure the best rates, but also be provided accommodation sharing with UWL students only.
You can choose from en-suite rooms in shared flats for three, four, five or six people as well as a range of studios. There are
22 Berkshire Student Accommodation
Other student housing On Occasions, we run accommodation fairs and will be happy to assist and advise if you providers in Reading wish to secure private accommodation for the following academic year. Central Studios Reading If you would like to discuss your freshstudentliving.co.uk/location/ accommodation options, please speak reading/central-studios-reading/ to our Accommodation Team
Fawley Bridge Student Accommodation [email protected]
www.fawleybridgestudents.com 0208 231 2335
Spectrum Housing Group
www.spectrumhousing.co.uk/home/ homes/studentkeyworkerhomes/ reading.aspx
23 General Information
Code of Conduct Safety Students are reminded that at all times and Irrespective of your accommodation whilst in residence they should abide by the arrangements, you must take responsibility University Regulations and Student Code of for the safety of yourself, other occupants, Conduct as outlined in the current student personal property and dwellings. You must handbook (uwl.ac.uk/studenthandbook). remember to close front doors and lock all windows when leaving the premises. Never Student status confirmation/ give your front door key/access card to council tax exemption anyone else. Due to increased risk of fires, You will be required to confirm you are a the Student Welfare Team advises you not to student by providing your housing provider use naked flames such as candles, or incense. with documentary evidence. Student status/ Council Tax exemption letters are available You should also be aware that pickpockets from the University once you have enrolled. and bag snatchers target the London Underground and crowded shops and streets. Student support Students have access to all student support Mobile phone theft is commonplace. services which are normally provided across Take care when using your phone and all university sites. keep it in a safe place at all times.
Students are encouraged to register with Insurance the local doctor’s practice to ensure they The University is not responsible for any have primary health care cover in place. damage or theft to personal belongings. We Student Services at our Ealing site can strongly advise you to insure your belongings provide further information. when you arrive. You can do this through any insurance company and most banks. You can get information about insurance policies for students from the Students’ Union.
24 International students and visas Communal living For students who are seeking detailed You must make yourself aware of and comply information about Entry Clearance visas, with fire and safety regulations as outlined in please contact the International Office your Tenancy or Licence Agreement. (see useful addresses and contacts). Being housed together with new colleagues However, you may wish to refer takes some effort on everyone’s part to to the following websites: ensure a harmonious co-existence. • uwl.ac.uk/international You should consider how you will manage • www.ukvisas.gov.uk the following matters and collectively agree • www.ukcisa.org.uk some ‘house rules’ about: • www.homeoffice.gov.uk • general consideration for each other • www.britishcouncil.org • communal area cleaning rotas • saving methods for utility bills Television (TV) licence (if applicable) You are advised that if you bring a television • paying for additional hired facilities in the to residential accommodation, you must accommodation eg telephone, internet ensure that you purchase a TV licence. Even connection, television or video/DVD if you watch a programme on a device such as a laptop as it is being shown on TV, you • acceptable noise levels (music, late night TV) will need a licence. • visitors (how many and how late) • the general good order of the For full details please visit: accommodation. www.gov.uk/tv-licence Moving out of accommodation You must abide by the terms and conditions of your Tenancy or Licence Agreement.
25 Private and rented accommodation
The Student Welfare Team may be able to assist you with information about the private rented sector. There is a wide variety of accommodation suitable for students available to rent close to University of West London. Properties advertised online via our Studentpad site are from landlords who have agreed to the University code of standards for the housing they provide. We can provide you with lists of letting agents, hotels, guest houses or hostels.
The Student Welfare Team can also advise you of the current legislation regarding health and safety issues in the private rented sector.
For further information, please contact Student Welfare or visit uwl.ac.uk/accommodation
26 Useful addresses and contacts
University of West London Finance Department Student Welfare St Mary’s Road 020 8280 0283 Ealing W5 5RF [email protected] Ealing Site: The Street, SMR Satellite: From Brentford/Reading Students’ Union 020 8231 2335 St Mary’s Road Ealing W5 5RF [email protected] 020 8231 2276
Student Advice Team [email protected]
020 8231 2591 University of West London [email protected] Ealing Site St Mary’s Road Ealing W5 5RF Wellbeing University of West London 020 8231 2739 Brentford Site Paragon House [email protected] Boston Manor Road Brentford Middlesex TW8 9GA Counselling Team 0800 036 8888 0208 231 2218 uwl.ac.uk
Chaplaincy Team
020 8231 2365
27 UNIVERSITY OF WEST LONDON LONDON WEST OF UNIVERSITY
University of West London Ealing Site St Mary’s Road Ealing W5 5RF
University of West London Brentford Site Paragon House
Boston Manor Road ACCOMMODATION HANDBOOK 2015-16 Brentford Middlesex TW8 9GA
0800 036 8888
uwl.ac.uk
Disclaimer The University of West London does not accept responsibility for accommodation acquired by students themselves.
The information given in this publication is accurate at the time of going to press.
Amendments may be made without notice.