Student Helpdesk

Accepting your accommodation offer forms a legally binding obligation between you and the College. Your accommodation offer will detail your accommodation fees and payment dates, along with the start and end date of your contract.

To accept your offer of accommodation you must complete and sign the Licence to Occupy Accommodation (Contract), Guarantor & Emergency Contact Form and arrange the payment of the £275 deposit.

To secure your offer of accommodation, an Accommodation Deposit payment of £275.00 is payable.

The Accommodation Deposit comprises two elements:

• £250.00 Damage Deposit
• £25.00 Course Fees for the Level 2 Food Hygiene Course

The accommodation deposit is held during your time in halls. Your deposit will be refunded within 4 working weeks of the Licence to Occupy end date less any charges for damages, unpaid rent etc.

Please note that the course fees of £25.00 for the Level 2 Food Hygiene Course are non-refundable if you do not attend or complete this course.

You will receive a separate email after you receive your offer of accommodation with instructions to create your College Account. You will then be able to make online payments. If you need further information, please visit the WisePay page.

If for any reason you experience any difficulty when making a payment, please call the Finance Team on 01509 618306.

The contract will be cancelled, and the accommodation deposit will be forfeited if the student fails to take up the place in halls or if they leave before the end of the licence period without paying accommodation fees in full. If you want to leave your accommodation, you will need to apply in writing for a Special Circumstance Release.

Accommodation Deposits are only refundable if the college refuses your application to study.

Deposits will be returned within 4 working weeks following the Licence to Occupy Accommodation Agreement (Contract) end date and providing you have no outstanding debts with the college.

Any disputes or queries regarding deposit refunds should made in writing to accommodation@loucoll.ac.uk  before 30th September 2024, otherwise, it will be assumed that you accept the charges. Any disputes received after this date will not be investigated.

Because tenancy is offered on an Occupational Licence it is not a requirement for the deposit to be protected in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Your deposit will be posted to your College student record in preparation for refunding at the end of the tenancy period.

Your accommodation contract includes details about your accommodation fees, the payment instalment dates and amount due on each date. This information is also included in the link above.

All residents are required to pay for the first term’s fees prior to arrival, or on collection of keys.

If there is a reason why you are not able to do this, there are several payment options available.

A minimum payment of £500 and an agreed arrangement for payment by instalments will still be required before keys will be issued to you.

You can pay your fees by WisePay*, credit or debit card, cash or cheque.

You will be asked to pay the second and third terms’ fees by Direct Debit payments.

Please bring ID with you so that the Direct Debit Mandate can be completed. Suitable ID includes a driving licence, utility bill (the address on this should be your current address) or passport. You must also provide a bank statement in the name of the person who will be paying the fees, and that person must sign the Direct Debit Mandate either prior to your arrival or on the day you arrive.

Funding: Where there is an application for funding, proof of application for funding will be required together with payment of £500.00 and a signed Direct Debit for nice months in advance of collection of keys.

When funding is awarded, a reconciliation of the account payments and direct debit will be arranged.

Student Finance: Where there is an application for Student Finance (SFE), proof of application will be required together with a payment of £500.00 and a signed Direct Debit for the balance of Term 1 Fees, Term 2 and Term 3 fee payments.

*You will receive a separate email after you receive your offer of accommodation with instructions to create your College Account. You will then be able to make online payments. If you need further information, please visit the WisePay page.

If for any reason you experience any difficulty when making a payment, please call the Finance Team on 01509 618306.

The Student Finance Team at the main campus can offer support and information on a wide range of subjects including funding opportunities, financial hardship, bursaries and problems with Student Finance Authorities.

If you suffer from unexpected financial hardship while you’re at college, please speak with them.
Contact the Student Financial Team at studentfinance@loucoll.ac.uk

The guarantor agrees to guarantee your ability to pay the accommodation fees, along with any further payments required from damage that occurs during tenancy.

All accommodation applicants must provide the details of a guarantor. The guarantor must also sign the Guarantor & Emergency Contact Form.

Should there be a default on fee payments and/or failure to pay for any damage caused to the property, the college will proceed against the tenant and the guarantor for payment to be made.

The College accepts no responsibility for the safety and security of students’ personal belongings (including food, bikes, cars, clothing). Residents are strongly advised to insure their belongings as they are NOT covered by the College’s insurance policy. This may be done through existing household policies or as a separate, individual policy. There are many policies specifically designed for students in halls of residence; Endsleigh is a well-known provider: https://www.endsleigh.co.uk/ but there are many options for you to explore.

Keep your flat doors and room doors locked to protect your items. Window restrictors are there for your safety and security, do not remove or break them.