From property enquiries to questions about deposits and payments, we’ve
listed our FAQ’s to hopefully provide the answers you need.
If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch with us directly.
Student FAQ’s
General
All studio apartments include:
- Small double, double or king sized bed with under the bed storage
- Study area with desk and chair
- Wardrobe
- Fridge
- Oven & microwave, or combi-microwave
Most studios also feature:
- Washer-dryers.
- Dishwashers.
- Smart TV.
And some studios also include:
- Sofa
- Dining table and chairs
Specific details about what is included in each room type can be found on our property pages…
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.
Rent will need to be paid in full via TransferWise BACS if you do not have a UK-based Guarantor or a guarantee from Housing Hand.
If you have a UK-based Guarantor or guarantee from Housing Hand then you can pay your Rent by Direct Debit on the first of the month either in 4, 10 or 12 instalments whichever is most convenient.
We require a holding deposit to secure your room. Your holding deposit will be equal to one week’s rent. This is shown as a credit against your first rental payment.
We want to make paying your rent as easy as possible which is why we operate a Direct Debit system for anyone on an instalment plan. Set it up at the start of the year and your rent will be automatically paid out at each due date, a smooth and simple process.
You can view our Booking & Cancellation Policy here.
On the 18th August after results day. 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.
Yes. You can view our Flexible Booking Policy here:
All properties feature 24/7 on-site staff and cleaning of communal areas. Most buildings also offer free weekday grab and go breakfast, 24/7 coffee, and free of charge in-apartment washer-dryers. To find out what is included at your Novel Student property reach out to a member of your property team or visit our property pages.
Booking online here is the quickest and easiest way to book your accommodation directly with us.
You will need to upload a copy of your photographic ID, 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.
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 have designed our buildings to ensure it is accessible for all. 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, all Novel Student buildings have 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.
Depending on your vaccination status, NHS Test & Protect may advise you to isolate immediately and to book a PCR test. They will give you advice on how and where you can book a test.
It is your responsibility to let your flatmates know that you have been identified as a close contact and that you are isolating. The current advice for people living in shared houses/flats is that you can access the kitchen. However, you should make sure you are not using it at the same time as other residents, and that you clean it fully after each use.
Please also separately wash up and dry any cutlery, crockery or cookware, using a different sponge/brush/cloth and tea towel to the ones your flatmates use.
There is a guide on the GOV.UK website on ‘Staying at Home’ if you or others in your house have symptoms and you should follow all instructions given to you by Test & Protect in respect of how long you need to isolate for and having a PCR test.
COVID-19
If you have any of the symptoms of COVID-19 you should isolate and arrange to have a test as soon as possible.
Anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19 should contact the NHS to arrange testing. Any resident self-isolating in their student accommodation should inform site staff immediately.
You are not required to isolate just because your flatmate has been identified as a close contact. However, you should take sensible precautions such as more frequent hand washing/sanitising and increased social distancing. You should also undertake regular lateral flow testing.
Site staff are instructed not to enter any apartments or studios where there are one or more isolating residents. This includes cleaning, janitorial and maintenance staff. As cleaning staff will not be entering shared apartments while there are students in isolation, it is vitally important that the residents work together to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene while sharing a kitchen.
If you have a maintenance issue which is an emergency (such as no heating or hot water), this will be dealt with and attending staff will take the appropriate precautions when entering and working in your home.
The property management team is committed to providing full support to students in our accommodation. Where the local team have been made aware that a resident is unwell or self-isolating, they will regularly check in with the resident to care for their welfare.
If family or friends are delivering food or medicines for self-isolating residents, they should ensure that all packages are properly addressed with the resident’s name, flat and room number so that the local team can take it up to the resident’s room, knock and leave it outside the door.
You must isolate in accordance with local NHS guidance.
You should stay in your bedroom as much as possible, leaving only to prepare food in your shared kitchen (if living in a shared apartment).
If you receive a positive PCR result you must inform your flatmates immediately and must also contact your Property Team to report your positive result.
If you’re a close contact, who is fully vaccinated, you can take daily LFD tests instead of self-isolating.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you should isolate whether you have symptoms or not and book a PCR test. This is because the virus can take time to develop, and you can pass on the virus even if you are asymptomatic.
All students should register with a GP practice on arrival to the United Kingdom. A list of all medical practices in the surrounding area of your building can be found in your Residents Handbook available on the Novel App.
If a resident requires access to a GP prior to registering with a practice they should call NHS 24 on 111 for assistance.
You are permitted to have guests in your accommodation as outlined in your Conditions of Lease. Where students are isolating in your shared apartment, please don’t have guests stay until your apartment is clear of COVID-19 to ensure everyone’s safety.
While it is difficult, during the pandemic, we are often asked to limit the contact we have with other households. For student accommodation, your household is your flat or cluster – people with whom you share a kitchen or living area. It is therefore advisable, during peaks in infection that gatherings in your apartment are responsibly limited to keep you safe.
Please always research local restrictions regarding any limits to gatherings indoors or outdoors on the following websites:
Scotland – https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
England – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Payment
Rent will need to be paid in full via TransferWise BACS if you do not have a UK-based Guarantor or a guarantee from Housing Hand.
If you have a UK-based Guarantor or guarantee from Housing Hand then you can pay your Rent by Direct Debit on the first of the month either in 4, 10 or 12 instalments whichever is most convenient.
We want to make paying your rent as easy as possible which is why we operate a Direct Debit system for anyone on an instalment plan. Set it up at the start of the year and your rent will be automatically paid out at each due date, a smooth and simple process.
On the 18th August after results day. 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
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.
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.
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. The scheme can cost you anywhere from £259-80% of your first month’s rent. You can find out more about Housing Hand here.
Living with us
All utility bills (gas, water and electricity), contents insurance, 100MB high-speed wifi with a personal private network, and weekly cleaning of communal spaces are all included in your rent.
If your apartment features its own smart TV, TV licences are not included in your rent and must be bought individually by the tenants of each apartment.
Most buildings also offer free weekday grab and go breakfast, 24/7 coffee, and free of charge in-apartment washer-dryers. To find out what is included at your Novel Student property reach out to a member of your property team.
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.
Shared communal areas of our apartments are cleaned once per week. Rooms themselves are not cleaned weekly, but at most properties you can book our in-house housekeeping services at an hourly rate to clean your room. Please speak to reception to book this service or purchase a cleaning package on your residents app.
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 or online portal, and one of the team will attend to swiftly resolve the issue
At the heart of our Novel Community are our communal spaces. With fun spaces to enjoy with friends, including cinemas and rooftop terraces, spaces to relax and connect, with dedicated wellness studios and lounges, and places to focus, with private and group study areas. Each Novel property is unique so check out the individual property pages for more information.
All our properties feature their own laundry facilities. At most properties our studios come with their own washer-dryer in their kitchen, and our shared apartments with a washing machine and dryer in communal kitchens solely for the use of you and your housemates. This is at no additional cost, and your laundry is therefore included in your rent.
At other properties 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! To find out about the laundry offering in your property visit our property .
This is your new home, and at Novel you will be in the hub of your university Town or City. Our buildings are strategically placed, ensuring you are in the best place to explore and immerse yourself in this new City. All Novel resident’s benefit from being very near campuses, just how close will depend on the university campus you are studying at. Check out our university and property pages for specific information for your university.
Yes, all our buildings provide a 100MB connection as standard. Each resident also has their own private network, offering a secure connection between up to 15 devices.
Don’t have a bike? Most of our properties even have their own Novel branded bikes available to hire.
At Novel Student our properties are centrally located, within walking-distance to university campus’ most within the City Centre itself, reducing the need to travel by car. However, we do have parking available at some of our properties for those students who require it. However, spaces are limited! To find out if parking is available at your building and the cost of renting a space speak to a member of your Novel Student property team.
Additionally, if a friend or family member visits and requires parking there are nearby public car parks. If you need advice on the best place to park please ask a member of the property team, they are here to help!
Yes, all buildings have either their dedicated gym free for you to use, equipped with both cardio and strength related equipment, or their own flexible studios, perfect for classes, yoga or mediation. And some buildings even have both! To find out the fitness offering in a specific building please visit our property pages.
We provide a variety of time slots throughout the day, staggering out our move ins so that our Novel 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.
We are creating communities of happier, healthier students and want everyone to feel at home. If you are looking for some part time work and are an enthusiastic person who enjoys helping others, then please get in contact with us and ask about applying to one of our student Community Assistant roles.
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.
More floor space may in some cases mean the room benefits from some additional features such as a sofa or small dining table. Further room information about a specific room or type can be found on our property pages or by contacting a member of the Novel 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 your Novel team to facilitate your group booking and ensure you all get the apartment you want. All Novel properties have several studios available, all at different sizes, view our property pages to find out more.
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 have community assistant roles available for students, please contact us for further inforrmation.
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 Novel team so we can ensure we are as accommodating as possible.
Some studios have a TV in their room, and some shared apartments feature TV’s in their living rooms. If your apartment does not feature its own TV you can bring your own if you wish.
All Novel Student properties feature Smart TVs in the shared communal spaces of the property.
We do not provide any TV Licenses for the studios or shared apartments, so you will need to register for your own TV licence.
- Double Bed with under the bed storage
- Study area with desk and chair
- Wardrobe
- Private Bathroom
All shared living and kitchen areas feature:
- Fridge
- Oven
- Microwave
- Sofa
- Dining Table and Chairs
- Cupboard space for each resident
Some also benefit from:
- Washer
- Dryer
- Dishwasher
- Smart TV
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
Alma Place
16 LIBRARY STREET, BELFAST, BT1 2JD
[email protected]
+44 28 9568 4459
Altura
160 Bath Row, Birmingham, B15 1NR
[email protected]
+44 121 750 0090
Aster House
45 Bontanic Ave, Belfast, BT7 1HZ
[email protected]
+44 28 9568 0555
Bottleworks
Bottleworks, Carrigrohane Road, Cork, T12 T9CA
Bridle Works
350 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G1 2BQ
Hillside House
86 Winter Street, Sheffield, S3 7EL
Huxley Studios
44 Stanley Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5TB
Riverside
4Riverside Student Quarter, Sturry Road, Canterbury, CT1 1JX
Silk Mill
162 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1FH
Soto House
Soto House, Calle Isabel Garbayo Ayala 29, Pamplona, 31006
The Aspen
2 Glebe Street, Leicester, LE2 OLE
Wick Park
1-6 Stour Road, London, E3 2NT