Poulson House,
Stoke on trent

Tenants may choose to pay the total rent upfront or via a recurring Direct Debit schedule. 

Instalment plans are available in either four or nine payments and require a UK-based bank account and a UK guarantor.

Payment Processing & Fees

Direct Debit: Mandatory for all properties; no service fees apply.

Debit Card Payments: Processed through the online portal (StuRents).

• UK/EEA (GBP): A flat fee of £1.50 applies to booking fees, deposits, or manual rent payments.
• Non-EEA (Non-GBP): A £1.50 flat fee plus a card transaction fee of up to 2% applies.

Last-Minute Bookings: Reservations made within 14 days of check-in must be paid for with a debit card via the online portal.

Prohibited Methods: Cash, credit cards, cheques, and phone or in-person payments are not accepted.

Instalment Schedules

All payment dates are fixed and non-negotiable.

• Full Payment: Due in late August or prior to the tenancy start date.
• 9-Instalment Plan: Monthly payments of 10% from August to March, concluding with a 20% payment in April.
• 4-Instalment Plan: 10% due in August (or before the start date), 34% in September, 34% in January, and 22% in April.

Compliance and Late Payments

Tenants are responsible for ensuring sufficient funds are available by the due dates; early application for Student Finance is encouraged.

• Unpaid balances are subject to formal debt collection procedures.
• If the initial payment is not received, the booking may be cancelled 10 working days after the deadline. In this event, booking fees and deposits are forfeited.
• Room entry is strictly prohibited until the first instalment or full payment is settled.

1. Initial Cancellation (Cooling-Off Period)

Residents may cancel an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) within specific "cooling-off" windows:

• Bookings made before August 1st: Cancellation is permitted within 7 calendar days of signing the AST.
• Bookings made on or after August 1st: Cancellation is permitted within 24 hours of signing for tenancies beginning on or before September 30th.
• Late Bookings: If the AST is signed fewer than 7 days (pre-August) or 24 hours (post-August) before the start date, the resident may cancel until the day before the tenancy begins without penalty.
• Process: A cancellation request must be emailed or sent to the site team to receive a "Cancellation Pack."
• Fees: The provider reserves the right to retain all or part of the deposit to cover administrative expenses if a cancellation occurs after 24 hours but within the cooling-off period.

2. Cancellations After the Cooling-Off Period

Once the cooling-off period expires, or after the resident has moved in, they remain liable for the full rent unless a Tenancy Takeover is completed.

• Replacement Requirements: The outgoing resident must find a suitable full-time student to take over the contract. The new resident must sign a fresh AST, provide necessary documentation (including a UK guarantor if required), and pay a deposit.
• Release Terms: The original resident is only released once the replacement completes their own cooling-off period, pays all dues, and moves in.
• Costs: Outgoing residents are charged for their period of occupation and any rent discrepancies. A professional cleaning fee and potential marketing or commission costs will be deducted from the deposit.
• Liability: If no replacement is found, the original resident and their guarantor remain responsible for all rent until the end of the contracted term.

3. Provider-Initiated Cancellations

• Failure to Sign: Contracts are automatically cancelled if the resident or guarantor fails to sign the AST within the timeframe specified in the electronic document.
• Unavailability: If the provider cannot fulfil the booking after the AST is signed, an alternative room will be offered. If no suitable alternative is available, a full refund will be issued.

4. Academic and Visa Contingencies

"No Place, No Stay": 

Available only to first-year undergraduates. If a university place is withdrawn due to grade results, the deposit is refunded. This also applies if a student exceeds their grades and moves to a city where the provider has no availability.

This does not apply to voluntary withdrawals. If the provider has a property in the student's new city, the student must transfer their booking there rather than cancel.

Proof of rejection or new acceptance must be submitted within 5 calendar days of results publication.

Visa Refusal: 

If a visa is denied, the resident must provide evidence within 5 days of the refusal to receive a deposit refund.

5. Room Adjustments and Emergencies

• Room Moves: Changes are subject to availability, rent adjustments for upgrades, and the settlement of any outstanding balances.
• Uninhabitable Conditions: If the assigned room is unavailable at the start of the term or becomes uninhabitable (e.g., due to fire or flood), the provider will supply local alternative housing. This temporary relocation does not suspend the resident's obligation to pay rent.

The above cancellation policy is a synopsis of the property’s cancellation policy. There could be a few changes incorporated from time to time. Hence, we recommend you review the full Accommodation Contract for a comprehensive understanding of their cancellation policies.