What to know about halls

• There’s no deadline to apply for accommodation although it’s good to apply as soon as you can.
• If you’d like to be close to campus for the Autumn term, we recommend that you apply for accommodation now even if you’re waiting for final details about how your course will be taught. This way you’ll have the best chance of getting the accommodation that you want.
• If you decide that to wait until the new year to start on campus, then you can apply in November for accommodation starting from January. However, we prioritise accommodation for students who are starting in the Autumn which means that we usually only have a limited number of vacancies in January.

• You don’t need to pay a deposit when you apply for accommodation. Instead we’ll ask you to make an advance rent payment when you accept an offer of accommodation. If you need to cancel the room before the start of term, and there’s enough time for student to take it, then we’ll refund any money you’ve paid.
• We offer a prompt payment discount of 2% to all students. To be eligible for this discount, you must have a 40 week contract, from September to June, and you must pay your full rent for the whole contract period by the payment deadline.

Get in touch with our Disability Support team if you need different kinds of support with your accommodation. They’ll put together a support plan for you and make a recommendation to the Accommodation team.

When should I apply?

There is no set deadline but bear in the mind following:

If you're starting in the Autumn and would like to be close to campus, apply for your accommodation as soon as you can, from April onwards, even if you’re waiting for final details about how your course will be taught. That's your best chance of getting the accommodation you want.

If your course starts in January, you can apply in November. We do prioritise accommodation for students starting in the Autumn so we may have a limited vacancies in January.

Do you have halls on campus?

All our halls are off campus, but within easy reach on foot or public transport. You can find information on transport links and advice about the local area on each of the hall pages.

Do you offer disability support?

Yes. Get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team. They’ll listen to your requirements and put together a plan with you. Follow-up with our accommodation team on +44 (0)20 8411 6121 or send an email.

Problems with the online application form/payments system?

Please contact the accommodation team on +44 (0)20 8411 6121 or send an email.

Accommodation for Nursing students?

If you're on one of the Nursing programmes, we may be able to offer you a shorter and more flexible tenancy agreement to match your placement needs. To arrange this, contact the accommodation team on +44 (0)20 8411 6121 or send an email.

How long is the contract?

We offer fixed-term contracts which run for 40 weeks, but some halls allow for longer stay which spans across 50 weeks. Please contact the Accommodation Team for further details.

How much is the rent?

Prices vary for each hall, ranging from £164 - £220 per week. See the individual halls pages in this section of the website for more details.

Do I need to pay a deposit?

You don’t need to pay a deposit when you apply for accommodation. When you accept an offer of accommodation, we will need a £300 advanced rent payment, which you can pay online. This goes towards your first rent instalment. The following credit or debit cards are accepted: Maestro, Switch, Visa Credit, MasterCard, Visa Debit (Delta) and Solo.

Are there any discounts on the rent?

We offer a prompt payment discount of 2% to all students who have a 40 week contract, from September to June, and you must pay your full rent for the whole contract period by the payment deadline.

How soon after I move in do I have to pay rent?

Rent should be paid in two or three instalments as detailed in the Accommodation Offer letter and must be paid on or before those dates.

When can I move into halls and when do contracts start?

If you are applying for a place for a main intake period (September or January), your contract will begin on the main intake arrival date. If you are applying at any other time of year, your contract start date will be your individual move-in date, which will be arranged for you.

What if I need to cancel my room?

If you need to cancel the room before the start of term, and there’s enough time for a student to take it, then we’ll refund any money you’ve paid.

Why can't contracts be terminated at the end of each payment period?

All contracts are set for a specified period of time. All students should seriously consider whether they wish to stay for the full term of the contract before signing.

When does my contract finish?

Check your Acceptance Offer letter, ask at your local accommodation office, or contact the Accommodation Team to find out the exact date.

Can I extend my contract?

It may be possible to extend your contract at certain times of the year. If you wish to do this, please contact the Accommodation Team who can advise you if this is possible.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, you can:

• Call our Accommodation Team on +44 (0)20 8411 6121 or send an email.
• Contact our Disability and Dyslexia team if you need help with additional accommodation requirements.

Will I be guaranteed a room in halls?

This will depend on your student status. Find out more about our halls of residence.

Can I see a room before I apply?

You can visit a room on one of the tours at our open days or we have a video tour of each one of our halls on their pages. If you would like to book a private viewing, call our Accommodation Team on +44 (0)20 8411 6121 or send an email.

When will I be allocated a room in halls?

Allocations for the September intake start in April, and allocations for the January intake begin in November.

Can I choose my room? Can I be allocated the same accommodation as my friend?

You can tell us if you would like a particular room or location (for example, not on the ground floor or single-gender flat) or even if you would like to be with a particular person. We will do our best to help but cannot guarantee it.

Do you provide meals in halls of residence?

No, all halls are self-catering. There are lots of places to buy food on campus, plus supermarkets and shops in your local area.

Are halls mixed gender?

Yes, all our halls are for male and female students.

Can my partner or family live with me?

No, all our halls are of single occupancy only. You can find more information about our private rented accommodation.

Are all halls non-smoking?

All rooms are non-smoking; there are designated smoking areas outside the hall.

What bedroom furniture is included?

Each bedroom has a bed, wardrobe, desk, bedside cabinet (most halls), litter bin, and storage space. There is also an internet access point.

Can I stay on over the Summer holidays?

Our tenancy agreements typically only run from September to June (40 weeks). However, if you know you would need or like to stay for the summer, we can offer you a 50-week contract at Ivy Hall, Usher Hall or Wood Green. Please note that you are also welcome to enquire about extending your stay at these halls for the summer, but we cannot guarantee that we can always honour such requests. 

Do I have to move out of my room during Christmas/Easter holidays?

No, your room is yours for the whole duration of your contract.

Do I get any preference in my second year as an international student?

First-year students get priority when applying for accommodation. Returning students are still welcome to apply and join the waiting list should any room become available after all first-year students have been offered one. However, we encourage all returning students to make alternative living arrangements as it is unlikely many rooms will become available to them.

This will depend on your student status. Find out more about our halls of residence.

What do I need to bring with me?

You will need to bring bedding, towels, cutlery, crockery, and anything else you feel that you may need during your stay such as a phone or laptop charger, hairdryer, personal toiletries, food, and drink basics.

How do I collect my keys?

You can collect your keys from your local accommodation office. You will need to have a copy of your contract, photo ID (for example, a passport), and a completed residence form with a photograph before signing for your keys.

Can I move in early?

You can only move in early if this has been arranged and agreed with the Accommodation Team. Students are, however, normally permitted to move into halls from the Monday before the contract actually starts (this is chargeable at the daily rate).

Do I have to pay for using the internet in my room?

Use of the internet in all halls of residence is included in the rent.

Can I have a telephone line in my room?

Rooms do not come with landlines; the points provided are for network access only.

Does the heating stay on all night?

In most halls that have radiators as opposed to individual electric heaters, the heating will go off late at night. All boilers will be switched off at some point during the summer months.

What happens if I need assistance outside of office hours?

Security officers are on duty every day Monday to Friday from 5 pm - 9 am, and from 5 pm on Friday night until 9 am on the following Monday. The security officers are there for such things as excessive noise or emergencies.

Can I park in halls?

There isn't student parking at any of our halls, except for blue badge holding students.

Can my family/friends stay in a hall/my room when they come and visit me?

You are allowed to have guests during the day and overnight. You should always make sure to sign them in at reception and be considerate of your flatmates.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, you can:

• Call our Accommodation Team on +44 (0)20 8411 6121 or send an email.
• Contact our Disability and Dyslexia team if you need help with additional accommodation requirements.

Can I change my room?

You will not be able to change your room for the first few weeks of your tenancy. However, you will be able to fill out a room or hall move request form at the reception, and you will be notified by the management or the Accommodation Team should a suitable room become available. You will then be able to continue living in your existing room or move to a new one. Another room or hall move request can then be made again at any point during your tenancy but is subject to room availability.

If I don't like living in halls can I move out?

You are welcome to move out of your room at any time, but you would be liable for your rent until the end of your tenancy agreement. Should we find another student to replace you in your room and take over your tenancy agreement, we would let you know and update your rent charges accordingly, but keep in mind that this is not guaranteed and would depend on the demand at the time. Students withdrawing from their studies would be able to terminate their agreement earlier, as per the Terms and Conditions.

If I finish my course/exams before my contract end date can I move out early and receive a rent refund?

You are welcome to move out of your room at any time, but you would be liable for your rent until the end of your tenancy agreement. Should we find another student to replace you in your room and take over your tenancy agreement, we would let you know and update your rent charges accordingly, but keep in mind that this is not guaranteed and would depend on the demand at the time. Students withdrawing from their studies would be able to terminate their agreement earlier, as per the Terms and Conditions.

What happens to my room if I withdraw from the University?

If you withdraw or interrupt your academic program and leave the University or associated college, you must also leave your room in halls by giving four weeks' notice of your intention to leave. You must advise the Accommodation Team in writing of your decision and enclose a copy of the withdrawal/interruption of studies form issued to you by your student office.

Your notification should include the date by which you will be leaving halls and returning your keys. The month's notice will begin on the day that your notification is received. If you move out before the end date of the month's notice period, we will make every effort to find a replacement for the room, but it is possible that you will be liable for the rent for the full four weeks.

What can I do about students being noisy at night in halls?

You can call security and tell them the noise is disturbing you, and tell them where it is coming from. They will then ask the residents to be quieter/turn the music down. Your Hall Office will then follow the complaint up in the morning.

TV licence

If you live in halls of residence and use a device (desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile phone, etc) to watch/record TV in your own room, you need your own separate TV Licence. A licence is needed if you are watching or recording television programs at the same time as they are being shown on TV. This is true no matter what device you're watching on and no matter how you're receiving the programs (including terrestrial, satellite, cable, or digital television channels).

For further information and to buy a TV licence, visit the TV Licensing for Students website or call TV Licensing on 0300 555 0286. Anyone without a valid TV Licence who watches or records television programs as described above risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

How much do I have to pay for a TV licence?

A colour TV Licence currently costs £150.50, and a black and white licence is £49.50.

How do I buy a TV licence?

To buy a TV licence, purchase online at the TV Licensing for Students website or call 0300 555 0286.

Can I get a refund on my licence for when I move back home for summer?

If you are moving back home for the summer from university and no longer need a TV Licence over the holidays, and there are three full calendar months before your licence expires, you are entitled to a refund for the unused, quarter of your licence.

You will need to ensure you buy a licence early on, by the end of September/ early October, in order to allow enough time at the end of the academic year to qualify for a refund. If you wish to arrange a refund, please visit TV Licensing for Students or call TV Licensing on 0300 555 0286.

If you'd like more information, head to the FAQs on the TV Licensing for Students website.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, you can:

• Call our Accommodation Team on +44 (0)20 8411 6121 or send an email.
• Contact our Disability and Dyslexia team if you need help with additional accommodation requirements.

Can I get a letter to prove residency?

Yes, this letter can be obtained from the Admin & Finances Letters section of your myUniHub account.

What banks are in the area and what details/documents do I need to open an account?

At least one of the major high street banks can be found near each hall of residence. You will need proof of your current address and your home address, as well as another form of identification (for example, a passport). The requirements can differ so it is best to go in and see what they require.

I need a reference letter for bank, estate agent or embassy. Will the Accommodation team provide one?

The Accommodation team can provide reference letters for estate agents.

Are the local accommodation offices able to receive parcels on behalf of students?

Only at Ivy Hall.

Are there short stay accommodation?

There are a number of hotels and B&Bs in and around Hendon. If you are looking for temporary or overnight accommodation nearby, try the following links:

• Visit TripAdvisor
• Visit AirBnB

Alternatively, you can download our short stay accommodation list.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, you can:

• Call our Accommodation Team on +44 (0)20 8411 6121 or send an email.
• Contact our Disability and Dyslexia team if you need help with additional accommodation requirements.