Accommodation
For advice on accredited student accommodation please visit the University of Suffolk website. You can also search for accredited landlords at Suffolk Student Pad. For further information, you can contact the Student Centre in person in the Waterfront Building, call 01473 338833, or email studentlife@uos.ac.uk.
COUNCIL TAX
For the most up to date information please visit the Council Tax - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) website.
If you’re 18 or over and own or rent a home you will usually have to pay Council Tax. A full Council Tax bill is based on at least 2 adults living in a home. As a full-time student you are exempt from Council Tax liability.
You’ll get a Council Tax bill if there’s someone in your household who’s not a full-time student, but your household might still qualify for a discount. If there is only 1 other adult in the household they will be entitled to receive a 25% discount. You will not have to pay any Council Tax if everyone in your home, including you, is a full-time student.
To apply for a Council Tax exemption, you will need to speak to your local council. You can access their web pages through the gov.uk site here Apply for a Council Tax discount - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
You will likely need a confirmation of student status letter to provide to your council. You will receive an email to your student account to set up a Gradintelligence account, which you can then access via OASIS.
Within Gradintelligence you can obtain a letter confirming your student status; if you are eligible for council tax exemption this will also be included in the same letter. You can share this letter by secure link with any third parties that need to see it, such as the council, your landlord or to set up a student bank account. You can read more about Gradintelligence here Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) | University of Suffolk (uos.ac.uk)
Most commonly asked questions about accommodation at the University of Suffolk
I’ve just moved into my flat, but I don’t get along with my flatmates. Can I move out?
It can be a little daunting moving away from home and being put in a flat with several different people that you don’t know. But honestly, that’s all part of the fun and experience of University life. Give it some time and get to know your new flatmates. Come up with some house rules to help you navigate life in halls and show each other some respect. More often than not, your flatmates can become a huge part of your friendship circle further down the line.
If you really are finding it difficult to live together, then it’s likely that you will want to swap rooms with someone in a different flat. Have a chat with the accommodation provider.
I’ve changed my mind about the flat I wanted to move into. What do I do?
If you were set to move into Athena Hall, but have changed your mind, then you need to let them know as soon as possible. Athena Hall operates a 72 hour ‘cooling off' period. This means you can cancel your booking up to 72 hours until the 31st July, after this date the cooling-off period is reduced to 24 hours. To cancel, you need to write to the Accommodation manager.
Beyond this period, you’ll need to advertise your room so that another student can take up your contract.
I’m not happy with the service provided by my accommodation provider, and I want to complain. How do I do this?
If you are unhappy or concerned about something that has happened in accommodation or the service you’ve received, then let YOUR SU know and we can work together to try and support you and find a solution.
How do I advertise a tenancy takeover?
If you live in Athena Hall and are looking to move out before the end of your contract, you will need a tenancy take-over. Otherwise, you'll be liable to pay the remainder of your rent.
USEFUL RESOURCES
http://readytorent.nus.org.uk/
https://www.uos.ac.uk/accommodation
https://england.shelter.org.uk/