Passed: March 2024

What is the current problem, and how does it affect students?

1. Housing Access and Process: Students face challenges in accessing and navigating the housing process, including a lack of information and guidance.

2. Standards of Accommodation: Inconsistencies in the quality of university accommodations impact the overall satisfaction and well-being of students.

3. Short Deposit Times: Inadequate timeframes for deposit payment create financial stress and limit students' ability to secure suitable accommodations.

4. Lack of Communication: Insufficient communication channels result in a lack of clarity about allocated accommodations, creating confusion among students.

5. Deposit Protection Schemes: Inadequate protection of deposits puts students at risk of financial losses and disputes.

6. Availability: Limited access to suitable accommodations and availability issues disproportionately affect certain student groups.

7. Guarantor/Deposit Asks: Excessive demands for guarantors and deposits create financial barriers for students.

What is your proposed change? How will it benefit students?

1. Housing Access and Process: Develop comprehensive information resources and support mechanisms to guide students through the housing process.

2. Standards of Accommodation: Advocate for consistent and high-quality standards across all university accommodations.

3. Extended Deposit Payment Period: Lobby for an extended timeframe for students to pay accommodation deposits, ensuring financial flexibility.

4. Improved Communication: Establish clear and effective communication channels to provide detailed information about allocated accommodations.

5. Deposit Protection Schemes: Advocate for robust deposit protection schemes to safeguard students from financial losses.

6. Availability: Work towards increasing the availability of accommodations and ensuring equitable access for all student groups.

7. Guarantor/Deposit Asks: Address excessive demands for guarantors and deposits, advocating for fair and reasonable financial requirements.

Benefits to Students:

1. Empowerment: Students will be better informed and supported throughout the housing process, empowering them to make informed decisions.

2. Enhanced Well-being: Improved housing standards and legal support contribute to the overall well-being and satisfaction of students.

3. Financial Security: Extended deposit payment periods and robust deposit protection schemes provide financial security for students.

Have you considered the impact of the proposed change for traditionally underrepresented student groups?

International students may fit into some of LUU’s Liberation categories, who tend not to have UK based guarantors. Therefore they are more likely to have to pay months or rent upfront in order to access accommodation.