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Student FAQ’s

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…

All en-suite apartments include:

  • Small double bed and underbed storage
  • Private en-suite
  • Private en-suite
  • Double wardrobe
  • Full length mirror

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
  • Kettle
  • Toaster

Booking

We welcome you with open arms and would love to be part of your university experience. Any person who is enrolled at an educational institution can live in one of our Spanish properties, but for our UK and Ireland portfolio you must be a full-time student.

For our UK & Ireland based properties

Rent will need to be paid in full via Transfermate 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.

For our Spain based properties

Rent can be paid either in full, 3 instalments or monthly.

If you choose to pay monthly you will need have to pay an administrative fee of €100 that will be charged in the first instalment.

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. At some of our Spanish properties the required deposit will be a €250 non-refundable fee.

For our UK & Ireland based properties full year payments can be made via transfermate, and instalment payments will be made via direct debit.

For our Spain based properties all payments can be made via the Novel Student portal.

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:https://novelstudent.com/terms-and-conditions.

For our UK & Ireland based properties the first instalment is due 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.

For our Spain based properties the first instalment is due on the 1st August.

For any questions you may have around paying your first instalment of rent please reach out directly to the property team whom you hold a booking with.

All properties feature a 24/7 staff presence, CCTV and cleaning of communal areas, an on-site gym, regular events and free bike hire.

As well as all utility bills including gas, water and electricity (to reasonable consumption), 100MB high-speed wifi with a personal private network.

Some buildings also offer free 24/7 coffee and free of charge in-apartment washer-dryers. Plus at our Spanish properties we also offer weekly apartment cleaning, and sheets and towels for your apartment.

Residents at our UK properties 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.

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.

We will need a copy of your DNI/NIE or 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.

Absolutely, in many of our residences you will find shared apartments, and in some two bed studios. Dual occupancy is also accepted in Studio rooms only. Couple-friendly rooms are identified 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 of 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.

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 you 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.
  4. Do not cover a fire alarm detector and never tamper with fire safety equipment.
  5. 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

For our UK & Ireland based properties Rent will need to be paid in full via Transfermate 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.

For our Spain based properties Rent can be paid either in full, 3 instalments or monthly. If you choose to pay monthly you will need have to pay an administrative fee of €100 that will be charged in the first instalment.

For our UK & Ireland based properties full year payments can be made via transfermate, and instalment payments will be made via direct debit.

For our Spain based properties all payments can be made via the Novel Student portal.

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.

For our UK & Ireland based properties the first instalment is due 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.

For our Spain based properties the first instalment is due on the 1st August.

For any questions you may have around paying your first instalment of rent please reach out directly to the property team whom you hold a booking with.

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.

For bookings at our UK & Ireland based properties, 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.

For bookings at one of our Spanish properties, any student who doesn’t pay for the academic year in full at the start of the year will require a guarantor.

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

All properties feature a 24/7 staff presence, CCTV and cleaning of communal areas, an on-site gym, regular events and free bike hire.

As well as all utility bills including gas, water and electricity (to reasonable consumption), 100MB high-speed wifi with a personal private network.

Some buildings also offer free 24/7 coffee and free of charge in-apartment washer-dryers. Plus at our Spanish properties we also offer weekly apartment cleaning, and sheets and towels for your apartment.

Residents at our UK properties 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.

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.

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.

Weekly apartment cleaning and refreshing of sheets and towels are included in your rent at our Spanish properties.

At our UK and Ireland based properties the 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 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.

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!

We also offer laundry services at some of our properties. To find out about the laundry offering in your property visit our property pages.

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, 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!

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, 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 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.

We also have a very limited number of twodio rooms at some properties, in which you share an en-suite room designed for two people.

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 information.

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.

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

Aller

CALLE ALLER, 33006 OVIEDO, ASTURIAS, 33006 OVIEDO, ASTURIAS, SPAIN

+34 722 87 28 62

Alma Place

16 LIBRARY STREET, BELFAST, BT1 2JD

+44 28 9568 4459

Altura

160 Bath Row, Birmingham, B15 1NR

+44 121 750 0090

Aster House

45 Bontanic Ave, Belfast, BT7 1HZ

+44 28 9568 0555

Bottleworks

Bottleworks, Carrigrohane Road, Cork, T12 T9CA

+353 21 206 3183

Bridle Works

350 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G1 2BQ

+44 141 846 1715

Hillside House

86 Winter Street, Sheffield, S3 7EL

+44 114 352 0362

Huxley Studios

44 Stanley Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5TB

+44 131 608 1163

Palm Studios

Av. de la Palmera, 38, 41012 Sevilla, Spain

+34 954 05 40 03

Platina

C. de Dolores Barberá París, 19, 37007 Salamanca, Spain

+34 923 38 63 33

Riverside

Riverside Student Quarter, Sturry Road, Canterbury, CT1 1JX

+44 1227 939 010

Silk Mill

162 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1FH

+44 131 608 1772

Soto House

Soto House, Calle Isabel Garbayo Ayala 29, Pamplona, 31006

+34 848 88 03 10

The Aspen

2 Glebe Street, Leicester, LE2 OLE

+44 116 350 0614

Wick Park

1-6 Stour Road, London, E3 2NT

+44 20 3695 2824