FAQ
General
All studio apartments include:
• Double bed and underbed storage
• Private en-suite
• Study area with desk and chair
• Double wardrobe
• Full length mirror
• Fridge freezer
• Hob
• Combo-microwave
• Kettle
Specific details about what is included in each room type can be found on our property pages…
All en-suite apartments include:
• Small double bed and underbed storage
• Private en-suite
• Study area with desk and chair
• Double wardrobe
• Full length mirror
And in the shared living, dining and kitchen area:
• Sofa
• Dining table and bench
• Hob
• Cooker
• Microwave
• Fridge freezer
• Kettle
Booking
We welcome you with open arms and would love to be part of your university experience. Any person who is a full-time student, over the age of 18 and enrolled with an educational institution can live within our buildings.
Full rent payment is required through TransferMate if you lack a UK-based Guarantor or a guarantee from Housing Hand. However, if you possess a UK-based Guarantor or a guarantee from Housing Hand, you have the option to pay your rent via Direct Debit on the first day of the month, in either 1, 3, or 4 instalments, depending on your preference.
Please note that a reservation payment equivalent to one week's rent is mandatory across all regions. No bookings will be accepted without the reservation fee being paid.
We require a reservation fee to secure your room. Your reservation fee will be equal to one week’s rent. This is shown as a credit against your first rental payment
All Rent payments are due on or before the due date set out in your tenancy agreement.
If you are unable to pay the rent instalment, you must speak to a member of your onsite team, who will assist and advise you on your options.
If you fail to pay your rent, then we will refer your debt to STA, our debt management company, who will recover the debt on our behalf, all additional costs incurred to recover the debt will be added to the amount owed up on collection of this.
You can view our Booking & Cancellation Policy here: novelstudent.com/termsandconditions
On the 9th August. For those paying in instalments a months rent is due on this date and for those paying in full all the rent will be due.
Free 24/7 coffee, free of charge in-apartment washer-dryers, in apartment Smart TVs, free bike hire, frequent events and more!
Aswell as…..
All utility bills including gas, water and electricity (to reasonable consumption), 100MB high-speed WIFI with a personal private network, and weekly cleaning of communal spaces (all included in your rent) Students are exempt from council tax but must register their student status with the local council and supply an exemption certificate to the property manager in your building shortly after moving into the property.
Booking online here is the quickest and easiest way to book your accommodation directly with us.
We will need a copy of your passport, visa (if required) and offer letter for university so please have these handy.
If you do not yet have an offer from your university or a visa yet, you can still book with us and supply these documents later at check in.
If your room is available, you may be able to move in early and you will be charged Rent for this period. Please contact a Novel team member at the property to enquire about early arrivals.
Yes. Dual occupancy is accepted in Studio rooms only. Couple-friendly rooms are identified at every property and can be searched for within our booking system. Couples will both need to sign the Tenancy Agreement and be jointly/severely liable for the rent. A 20% uplift to rent is applied to all couple-friendly rooms.
Yes. We allow students who are 17 years of age to book with us, but they should be turning 18 prior to move-in (or shortly thereafter).
We cater for all individuals, and we have rooms to accommodate students with a disability and if you have any specific requirements, please contact us and speak to a member of staff so we can ensure to be as accommodating as possible.
In addition to this, Altura has step-free/level access. We can provide information on the availability of disabled parking for customers and there are accessible WC’s in the communal areas for visitors
If you are looking for short term stay, we are here to accommodate you. Whether you are searching for somewhere to stay during the summer period where you may be on placement, a pre-sessional course, a language course or just want to settle in earlier, please get in contact with us to explore our short-term letting options.
Brilliant that you are thinking this far in advance! We would love you to stay part of our community for another year.
Please speak to the staff at reception to see if you can rebook your current room or check the availability of alternative rooms on our website.
Fire Safety
A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is an inspection of fire safety in your buildings . The purpose of the assessment is to: 1. Assess the risk of a fire occurring, 2. Assess the likelihood of the occupants being able to respond to a fire, 3. Assess the consequences of a fire occurring in the building, 4. Take preventative action.
We employ experienced, qualified, independent specialist assessors from PEMCO LLP to carry out the assessments - https://www.pemco.co.uk/. In addition, we consult with local fire authorities to ensure we are doing everything to keep you safe.
A Fire Risk Assessment is carried out annually and preventative actions reviewed monthly. On occasion it may not be possible for us to meet the desired target dates for actions set out in the assessment due to factors outside of our control. In such circumstances (and where applicable) we will identify and introduce additional or temporary measures to ensure fire safety at all times.
In the first instance speak with the Responsible Person (RP) for your building. Information on how to contact your RP can be found in your welcome handbook and on notices in reception. If unsure speak to a member of staff who will be happy to assist you.
Be aware of the fire evacuation strategy and procedure. You will find information on your assembly point and what to do in the event of fire displayed on Fire Action Notices dotted around the building and in your welcome handbook. Every six months we will hold a fire drill, we ask for your cooperation as this will help guide you on the evacuation procedure. Failure to evacuate the building upon hearing the fire alarm puts you and others at risk. If in doubt please speak to the Responsible Person for your building.
You can reduce the risk of fire in the kitchen by following a few simple rules:
1. Never leave cooking food unattended.
2. Check the cooker and hob are turned off when cooking is finished.
3. Never cook under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
4. Keep towels away from the cooker and hob.
5. Clean your toaster frequently to avoid combustible crumbs.
6. Never tamper with the fire blanket. This is there for your safety.
Please ensure you check your welcome handbook for details of prohibited items:
1. Never use portable heaters. These are prohibited.
2. Do not use non-UK electrical items or adapters and never use a two-point plug with a three point socket.
3. Do not dry laundry on your electrical heater.
4. Do not leave mobile phones on charge while unattended or asleep.
5. Keep electrical items and leads away from water.
Please ensure you check your welcome handbook for details of prohibited items:
1. Do not use candles.
2. Do not smoke in your flat, room or studio - smoking is prohibited. Please use the designated smoking area.
3. Do not have barbeque on a balcony or inside your home. 3. do not cover a fire alarm detector and never tamper with fire safety equipment.
4. Clean the fluff/lint from your tumble-dryer after each use.
Fire doors stop smoke and fire from spreading through a building, giving people time to escape. Never wedge open a door marked with a blue and white (circular) sign that reads "Fire Door Keep Shut" and never disconnect the self closing device. If you see a damaged fire door please report this to the Responsible Person without delay.
In the unlikely event of a fire, and you need assistance evacuating a building, even if this is only on a temporary basis, then you need to bring this to the attention of the Responsible Person for your building. We will work with you to complete your Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan. You do not need to reveal any personal medical information but we do ask that you tell us about anything that affects your ability to evacuate a building.
False alarms or unwanted fire signals occur when the fire alarm is activated when there is no fire. False alarms can be a significant inconvenience to all residents and staff and cause unnecessary pressure and resources for the local fire authority.
You can help to reduce false alarms by following a few simple rules: 1. close you bathroom door when taking a shower, steam can cause an activation. 2. do not smoke in your flat, room or studio. 3.do not cover a fire alarm detector and never tamper with fire safety equipment.. 4. keep kitchen fire doors closed, open a kitchen window or use extract fan to clear room of smoke when cooking. 5. avoid using products such as deodorant and hair spray near smoke alarms.
Payment
Full rent payment is required through TransferMate if you lack a UK-based Guarantor or a guarantee from Housing Hand. However, if you possess a UK-based Guarantor or a guarantee from Housing Hand, you have the option to pay your rent via Direct Debit on the first day of the month, in either 1, 3, or 4 installments, depending on your preference.
Please note that a reservation payment equivalent to one week's rent is mandatory across all regions. No bookings will be accepted without the reservation fee being paid.
All Rent payments are due on or before the due date set out in your tenancy agreement.
If you are unable to pay the rent instalment, you must speak to a member of your onsite team, who will assist and advise you on your options.
If you fail to pay your rent, then we will refer your debt to STA, our debt management company, who will recover the debt on our behalf, all additional costs incurred to recover the debt will be added to the amount owed up on collection of this.
On the 9th August. For those paying in instalments a months rent is due on this date and for those paying in full all the rent will be due.
We do not offer any discount for full payment.
Guarantors
A guarantor is someone who takes financial responsibility of your tenancy. If, for any reason you are unable to pay any amount owed to Novel Student, the guarantor is liable to do so. Your guarantor will be required to sign paperwork to check they are eligible and that they agree to this procedure. If needs be, we have the right to contact this person under our agreement.
If you would like to pay your rent in instalments, you will need to have a UK-based guarantor or a guarantee from Housing Hand.
If you are part of a couple booking a room with us and paying in instalments only the lead-tenant requires a Guarantor. However, as you are jointly and severely liable for the rent should they choose to not guarantee you both then your partner will require their own UK-based Guarantor.
If you are under 18 at the time of booking then you will require a Guarantor and that person must be your parent or legal guardian.
Your guarantor is anyone over the age of 18. They should be in full time employment, a homeowner and/or renting accommodation. It is important you check with this person before booking your room that they are happy to act as Guarantor.
Proof of address (this could be a utility bill dated from the last 3 months or a council tax letter). We also need a proof of ID which could be a provisional /driver’s license or a passport. Your Guarantor will need to sign a separate Guarantor’s Agreement when you sign your lease with us.
Housing Hand provide the only secured, reliable and insured Rent Guarantor Service for students and working professional tenants renting in the UK. Housing Hand acts as a guarantor for students who want to pay for rent in instalments but do not have a UK-based Guarantor. Payments start when you move in, from £31pcm. You can find out more about Housing Hand here.
Living with Us
Free 24/7 coffee, free of charge in-apartment washer-dryers, in apartment Smart TVs, free bike hire, frequent events and more!
Aswell as…..
All utility bills including gas, water and electricity (to reasonable consumption), 100MB high-speed WIFI with a personal private network, and weekly cleaning of communal spaces (all included in your rent). Students are exempt from council tax but must register their student status with the local council and supply an exemption certificate to the property manager in your building shortly after moving into the property.
No, unfortunately pets are not allowed. Of course, if you need a guide dog or working dog to assist you, please do get in touch to discuss your options with the Novel team.
Rooms themselves are not cleaned weekly but you can book a clean via our online service portal: novelstudentservices.com for an additional charge.
We have a dedicated maintenance team on-site who are there to quickly resolve any breakages you may have in your room. Simply log the issue via our resident’s app, and one of the team will attend to swiftly resolve the issue.
At the heart of our Altura Community are our communal spaces to enjoy with friends, including our cinema area, games area, on-site gym, lounge, main study space, private study space, study booths and a TV nook.
We have a shared communal laundry room, with both washers and dryers which can be paid for via a handy app – so no worrying about having spare change!
13-minute walk to Birmingham City University South Campus
10 minute bus ride to the University of Birmingham
11-minute cycle to the University of Law
14-minute cycle to University College Birmingham
Yes, we provide a 100MB connection as standard. Each resident also has their own private network, offering a secure connection between up to 15 devices.
We have on-site bike storage. Don’t have a bike? You can hire one of ours for free!
We unfortunately do not have any parking on-site.
However, we do have a parternship with NCP Broadway Plaza, who provide parking for £3 a day, please speak to a member of the leasing team for further information.
Yes, we have an on-site dedicated gym free for you to use, equipped with both cardio and strength related equipment.
We provide a variety of time slots throughout the day, staggering out our move ins so that our Altura team can greet and assist each resident as they move in. If you would like to book in a particular slot, please let a member of the property team know when you will be arriving as soon as possible.
Rooms
For those looking to share with friends, or live communally with likeminded others, we have a selection of en-suite rooms in shared apartments, with living areas, dining seating and plenty of kitchen space to cook up a storm.
If you are looking for a bit more privacy, we also have a variety of studio rooms available, each with their own private kitchen.
All our rooms have been designed for both style and practicality, spaces which largely all have the same furniture and fixtures. However, they do differ on size, layout, and location in the building, so they have been categorised and priced with this in mind.
Further room information about a specific room or type can be found on our property page or by contacting a member of the Altura team.
No problem at all, of our rooms come with their own private shower room en-suite. If you would also like your own private kitchen, then we would recommend booking one of our studios.
Please contact our Altura team to facilitate your booking.
Absolutely! Our en-suite apartments have their own private bedroom and bathroom, but also benefit from a shared kitchen and living area – the ideal space to get to know your new flat mates! We do also accept applications for Dual Occupancy in Studios.
We cater for all individuals and have accessible rooms for disabled students. If you have any specific requirements, please contact us and speak to the Altura team so we can ensure we are as accommodating as possible.
Our rooms do not feature TVs but you can find Smart TVs in a number of your communal areas.
We do not provide any TV Licenses for the studios or shared apartments, so you will need to register for your own TV licence.
We want you to be happy with your room choice and will do our best to accommodate any requests to change rooms. However, these are largely dependant on what rooms we have available at the time the request comes in. Booking early will mean you get your pick of all our rooms so that you will not have to settle for your second choice.
Get in Touch
Altura
160 Bath Row, Birmingham B15 1NR
+44 121 750 0090
Didn't find an answer?
Our team is always ready to answer your questions.
Testimonials
The staff have always been lovely and accommodating, and you can speak to them about any worries you may have. The building itself is gorgeous, in a great location close to clubs, the city centre and transport links.
- Michael Heath
The staff at reception are lovely and helpful beyond their job roles (i.e chats about future job opportunities and housing). Staff are always around and willing to help and have a chat. The place is lovely with lots of amenities and very modern, highly recommend.
- Oliver Francis