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Choosing Your Accommodation

A Guide for MSc and PhD Students


Choosing the right accommodation during your time in
Liverpool can make all the difference to your overall
student experience. LSTM does not possess its own halls
of residence, however, with over 50,000 students in
Liverpool there are plenty of options to choose from.
It is important to understand that there are advantages and
disadvantages to every accommodation option. This guide
aims to assist you in making an informed decision about
your choice of accommodation.

Private Halls of Residence


The most popular accommodation with long term students
is halls of residence. Many private companies now offer an
alternative to the traditional university owned halls of
residence.
The cost of private halls varies greatly. You can expect to
pay 65 - 112 per week for city centre halls which are open
to undergraduate and postgraduate students. The price you
pay is usually inclusive of fuel bills (gas, electricity, water
etc). You are usually expected to pay a deposit and will be
asked to sign a contract for the academic year. There may
be an additional fixed charge for internet access but
generally this tends to be included in the overall rent.
Bedding and crockery/ cutlery is not typically provided,
however this can be picked up relatively cheaply in
Liverpool.
Most private halls are arranged into clusters of flats. Within
each flat, students will have their own private study
bedroom but will share the main living quarters (usually the
kitchen, lounge area and bathroom(s)) with other students.
How many students you share with depends on the size of
the flat. On average you can expect to share with between
4 - 6 people but in some cases it can be as many as 10.
Some properties offer en-suite rooms, which means you
have your own private bathroom connected to your
bedroom. En-suite rooms are more expensive.
Tenancy agreements (contracts) are usually a minimum of
43 weeks and you will be expected to pay for the room for
this period, even if you will be spending time out of the UK.

Always read the cancellation policy before committing


yourself to any accommodation. Although it is not possible
for every student, where practical, you should arrange a
trip to Liverpool to view any accommodation you may be
interested in before committing yourself. Some
accommodation providers will allow students to pay in
instalments, if they have a UK guarantor. Students without
a UK guarantor will be expected to pay the full cost of their
accommodation upfront i.e. before you move in. If you
require single sex accommodation then you should state
this on your application form. It is also a good idea to stress
that you want to be housed with third year undergraduate
or postgraduate students. Lettings Managers do tend to
group mature students as a matter of course but do this as
an extra measure. You dont want to end up sharing with a
group of rowdy first year undergraduates.
MOST IMPORTANTLY PRIVATE HALLS START
TAKING BOOKINGS FOR SEPTEMBER ENTRY UP TO 6
MONTHS BEFORE THE START OF THE ACADEMIC
SEMESTER. YOU SHOULD BOOK EARLY TO AVOID
DISAPPOINTMENT.
Are private halls of residence for me?
Advantages: Private halls of residence are well suited to
single students looking to live the true student experience.
They are the perfect way to meet new people and to help
you settle into a new city. Almost all private halls in
Liverpool are within comfortable walking distance (5-20
minutes) from LSTM. Some are literally a stones throw
away. Halls of residence are reasonably priced for city
centre living and the fixed cost pricing structure means no
squabbling over bills; it also allows students to budget
easily.
Disadvantages: Sharing facilities with others can have its
problems but if you set boundaries from the start you then
youre less likely to run into problems. Student halls can
also be noisy at times. Tenancy agreements are usually for
the academic year (43 weeks) and students can only be
released from their contract in exceptional circumstances.

The majority of private halls can be booked online. In most


cases you will complete an online application form which
will ask for information such as the name of your university,
your next of kin details, etc. You will also be asked to pay a
deposit (Sometimes called a reservation/ booking fee).
Once you submit your application form and pay your
deposit
you
are
committing
yourself
to
that
accommodation. If you change your mind you could risk
losing your deposit. In some cases, if you cancel your room
at the last minute and a new tenant cannot be found, you
will be liable for the total rent for the full tenancy period!

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The following companies offer halls of residence within


comfortable walking distance (5-20 minutes) to LSTM:

Opal Student Accommodation


LSTM leases a limited number of rooms in two privately
owned halls of residence a couple of minutes walk from
LSTMs main building.
Great Newton Hall (GNH) and Opal Court (OC) are owned
by Opal Property Group. As well as LSTM students GNH/
OC are popular with undergraduate and postgraduate
students from other Universities in Liverpool. Rooms at
GNH/ OC are arranged in flats for three, four or five. Each
study bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom and students
share a kitchen/ sitting area.

Responding to your enquiry


Please note that the Welfare and Accommodation
Officer receives large volumes of emails daily so there
may be a slight delay in responding to your enquiry.
Please refrain from sending numerous duplicate
emails in a short space of time as this will not result in
your query being dealt with any quicker. We aim to
respond or at least acknowledge all emails within five
working days (except during periods of annual leave).
If your email has not received a reply within five
working days please re-contact the Welfare and
Accommodation Officer either by email or by
telephone.

Other Private Halls of Residence


Rooms are charged at the following rates:
st

Great Newton Hall: 110.80 per week from 1 September


2012
st

Opal Court: 116.90 per week from 1 September 2012


Rent includes fuel bills, bedding, and kitchen basics (cutlery,
crockery pots and pans etc), internet access and contents
insurance. Unfortunately, there is no car parking at GNH or
OC. There is however, a private car park close to LSTM
which is open to anyone (Subject to the availability of
spaces). Please ask LSTMs Welfare and Accommodation
Officer for details of cost.
The rate charged for GNH/ OC is negotiated privately
between Opal Property Group and LSTM. It is higher than
the rate published on their website for three reasons:
1.

Bedding and kitchen basics are included in the rent


(Normally students are expected to bring their own)

2.

There is no minimum tenancy period

3.

Students are guaranteed to be in a flat with other


LSTM students

Please note, there are cheaper halls of residence in


Liverpool but they wont be offered on the same terms
as GNH/ OC (I.e. points 1 3 above).
Bookings and payments for GNH/ OC
Bookings for GNH/ OC are made through LSTMs Welfare
and Accommodation Officer on a first come first serve
basis. Bookings will only be accepted from students who
have received an unconditional offer of study (You will
need to email a copy of your offer letter when requesting a
booking). All rooms must be paid for in advance, you
cannot pay in instalments. There is a 200 advanced
payment required to secure a room which must be paid
within 14 days of making the booking. The advanced
payment will be taken off the balance of the rent. The
remaining balance must be settled in full no less than 28
days before your date of arrival. Please contact Rebecca
Riley for more information and to make a booking:
Rebecca Riley
Welfare and Accommodation Officer
stmaccom@liv.ac.uk
+44 (0)151 705 3176

Below is a list of other private halls of residence in


Liverpool. Some are closer to LSTM and others are at
most, a 20 minute walk away. LSTMs Welfare and
Accommodation Officer does not deal with the bookings for
these rooms. All enquiries and bookings should be made
direct with the respective providers.
Mansion Student Accommodation
 www.mansionstudent.co.uk
+44 (0)151 330 2500
St Andrews Gardens


2 7 bedroom flats with shared kitchens and


bathrooms. Some flats also have shared lounge
area. All bedrooms have their own washbasins

Prices range from 75.00 - 101.00 per week


including fuel bills. Minimum of 48 week contract

250 deposit (Refer to Mansions cancellation


policy for terms and conditions)

Broadband internet access included

Car parking available at additional cost

Windsor Court


Development of 100 studios and two bed flats

Prices start from 120 per week

250 deposit (Refer to Mansions cancellation


policy for terms and conditions)

Broadband internet
connection fee)

Car parking available at additional cost

access

included

(100

Europa Student Accommodation


 www.freshstudentliving.co.uk
+44 (0)151 260 5672


En-suite rooms in shared flats for six. Although all


rooms contain a double bed, rooms are for single
occupancy only so they are not suitable for
couples

Prices range from 102 - 115 per week including


fuel bills.

250 deposit. (Refer to Europas cancellation


policy for terms and conditions)

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Personal contents insurance included

Broadband internet access included

Cosmopolitan Student Homes


 www.cosmostudents.com
+44 (0)870 600 4777

*Prices and other information correct at the time of print.

Other Accommodation Options


Private sector accommodation
By private sector accommodation we mean:


Student accommodation at 6 locations throughout


Liverpool City Centre

Prices range from 67.00 - 90.00 per week


including fuel bills.

250
deposit.
(Refer
to
Cosmopolitans
cancellation policy for terms and conditions)

Personal contents insurance included

8MB broadband internet access included

MCR Student Property


www.mcrstudents.com
+44 (0)151 706 7530

Cathedral Campus


4 and 5 bedroom houses.

Prices start from 92.00 per week including fuel


bills

200 deposit (Refer to MCRs cancellation policy


for terms and conditions)

Personal contents insurance included

10MB Internet access included.

Agnes Jones House


 www.agnesjones.co.uk
+44 (0)151 706 7530


3-8 bedroom flats with shared kitchen and


bathroom facilities. All bedrooms also have their
own wash basin

Rooms are 90 per week including fuel bills. 43


week contracts

95.00 reservation fee (Non-refundable). (Refer to


cancellation policy for terms and conditions)

Internet access available (Connection fee applies)

Unite Student Housing


 www.unite-students.com


8 locations throughout Liverpool City Centre

Limited number of self-contained studio flats available for single students who dont want to
share their living space

Prices range from 99.00 - 119.00 per week


including fuel bills

250.00 deposit (Refer to Unites cancellation


policy for terms and conditions)

99.00 instalment charge, if you want to pay your


rent in 8 or 10 instalments

5MB Broadband internet access included

Personal contents insurance included

Renting a whole house or flat; or

Renting a room in a shared student house; or

Lodging with an individual or a family.

Private accommodation close to LSTM is difficult to find


and there is no parking at the School. However, the
transport networks in and around Liverpool are excellent
and students very often commute on the train or bus. You
will need to budget at least 50 per month for travel if you
live out of the city centre. If you are looking for private
accommodation then please remember that it is a timeconsuming task. With this in mind you should come to
Liverpool well before the start of your course in order to
find something suitable. If you intend to bring your family
then you should initially come alone and then send for
them once you have found appropriate accommodation.
Renting a whole house or flat
Students who dont want to share facilities or students who
wish to bring their family with them will probably be looking
for a whole house or flat to rent. The price you pay will
depend on the size of the property and the area it is
located in. You can expect to pay between 280-500 per
month for a small bedsit or flat. You can rent a small house
from between 500 - 800 per month. Flats and houses
can come fully furnished, part furnished or unfurnished.
Fully furnished properties are more expensive. Bills (Gas,
electricity, Council Tax, water rates, TV license, telephone,
internet, buildings and contents insurance) are not usually
included in the rent therefore you will need to budget
accordingly. If you are renting a small bedsit or flat then
you need to budget 200 upwards for bills. For a small
house you should budget for 300 upwards for bills.
When you find a property that you are happy with you will
be asked to sign a contract for a fixed period of time,
usually no less than 6 months. It is important to note that
you will not be able to end your tenancy agreement before
the end of the fixed period unless your tenancy agreement
(contract) contains a break clause. If you try and end your
tenancy early and you have no right to do so, you can be
liable for the rent up until the end of the fixed period. For
this reason it is important that you are one hundred percent
happy with the property before signing the tenancy
agreement. You will normally be required to pay a deposit
to the landlord as security in case you damage the property
or its furnishings. On average landlords will ask for a sum
equivalent to one months rent. The deposit will normally be
refunded after you move out of the property, provided it is
left in good condition.

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From April 2007 if you have an assured shorthold tenancy


agreement (this is the type of contract you will most likely
have) then your landlord must place your deposit with a
government authorised scheme. The scheme aims to
safeguard a tenants money by resolving the dispute
through a neutral third party. Tenants who have left their
property in good condition can be confident that they will
not have all or part of their deposit withheld unfairly. Your
landlord must provide you with details of the scheme within
14 days of you paying your deposit.
Further information
If you are thinking of renting a whole house or flat then you
should read the advice pages on the Liverpool Student
Homes website:

On average landlords will ask for a sum equivalent to one


months rent. The deposit will normally be refunded after
you move out of the property, provided it has been left in
good condition. From April 2007 if you have an assured
shorthold tenancy agreement (this is the type of contract
you will most likely have) then your landlord must place
your deposit with a government authorised scheme. The
scheme aims to safeguard a tenants money by resolving
the dispute through a neutral third party. Tenants who have
left their property in good condition can be confident that
they will not have all or part of their deposit withheld
unfairly. Your landlord must provide you with details of the
scheme within 14 days of you paying your deposit.
If you are thinking of renting a room in a shared student
house then you should read the advice pages on the
Liverpool Student Homes website:

Liverpool Student Homes:


http://www.studentpad.co.uk/liverpool/accommodationsearch.asp

http://www.studentpad.co.uk/liverpool/accommodationsearch.asp
Is a shared student house for me?

Shelter:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/finding_a_place_to
_live/renting_privately
Communities and Local Government:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/assur
edassuredtenants
Is renting a whole house or flat for me?
Advantages: You can enjoy the luxury of your own privacy
and can live according to your own customs and rules. It is
much quieter than other accommodation options. Your
deposit will be protected and you have the peace of mind
that you cannot be evicted without legal notice and a court
order.
Disadvantages: This is probably the most expensive
accommodation option. It is difficult to end your contract
before the end of any fixed period.

Advantages: A shared student house can be a good cost


effective alternative to other accommodation options. It is
also a great way to meet people who are not studying on
the same course as you. Your deposit will be protected and
you have the peace of mind that you cant be evicted
without legal notice and a court order.
Disadvantages: If you are sharing a house then you will
be asked to sign a joint tenancy or a separate tenancy. If
you sign a joint tenancy then you and the people you are
sharing with will be jointly responsible for paying the rent
and any damage to the property; if you have a separate
tenancy then any problems that arise will be between the
individual and the landlord and not the other tenants.
Sharing facilities with others can have its difficulties but if
you set boundaries from the start you then youre less likely
to run into problems. Difficulties can also sometimes arise
when it comes to paying the bills so make sure you arrange
a bill paying system early on.

Renting a room with an individual or a family (Lodging)


Renting a room in a shared student house
This involves sharing a house or flat with other students.
How many people you share with will depend on the size of
the property. Generally, each person will usually have their
own study bedroom and will share a living room, kitchen
and a bathroom/ toilet(s) with the other students. In most
cases (but not all) the bills (Gas, electricity, water, TV
license, telephone, and internet) are not included in the
rent and the responsibility for payment is usually shared
equally between the tenants. Student houses are generally
furnished but students should be prepared to bring their
own bedding, towels and kitchen basics (cutlery, crockery,
pans etc). Always check with the landlord what is included.
Each student will be asked to sign a tenancy agreement
(contract), usually for the full academic year. Costs for this
type of accommodation range from 55-100 per week
(Plus bills). You will normally be required to pay a deposit
to the landlord as security in case you fail to pay any bills
or damage the property or its furnishings.

There are many individuals and families in Liverpool who


rent out bedrooms to students in their own homes. This is
also known as lodging or sometimes home stay. In most
cases you will have your own bedroom but share the main
living quarters (Kitchen, lounge and a bathroom/ toilet(s))
with the landlord (and his/her family if applicable). In most
cases (but not always) the rent is inclusive of bills.
If you are thinking of lodging with an individual or a family
then you should read the following publication:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/rentin
grooms
If you are looking for lodgings then you should visit
Liverpool Student Homes website.
Is lodging for me?
Advantages: Lodgings offers a cost effective alternative to
other accommodation options and there is good availability
especially in the outer city.

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You can expect to pay between 250 -450 per month


(Bills are usually included in the rent but not always).
Owner occupied properties are generally kept in better
repair than rented properties and you dont have to worry
about bringing your own bedding and crockery/ cutlery
because in most cases the landlord will provide these.
Disadvantages: You will need to adapt your lifestyle to the
customs and routines of the household. If you fall out with
your landlord, you will usually have no option but to find
somewhere else to live. Having said that if you set
boundaries and agree them before hand lodgings can work
out really well for some people.
Liverpool Student Homes (LSH)
LSH is a joint initiative between the Universities of Liverpool
and their respective Student Unions. If you are seeking
student accommodation in the private sector you are strongly
advised to use this service. All properties advertised on the
website are registered to the LSH Code of Practice which
gives you confidence that they meet rigorous criteria. The LSH
website provides details of accommodation offered by private
landlords/letting agents including; lodgings, rooms for rent in
shared student houses, student flats/apartments, bed-sits and
larger housing schemes.

 www.lsh.ac.uk
+44 (0)151-794-3296

Non-UK partners of full-time students, who are either not


able to work or not able to claim benefits due to the
conditions of their visa, are also not liable for Council Tax.
This does not apply to EEA nationals.
If you will be living in private rented accommodation then
you will need a Council Tax Exemption Certificate from the
Welfare and Accommodation Officer in order to qualify for
exemption or discount. Please contact Liverpool City
Council once you have moved in to your property and they
will
send
you
the
appropriate
forms:
http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/One_stop_shops/index.asp
Once you receive the forms you should complete and
return them along with your Council Tax Exemption
Certificate.
Please be advised that the Council Tax regulations are
very complex, this information serves as a general guide.
Further information
UKCISA:
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/council_tax.p
hp
Liverpool City Council:
http://liverpool.gov.uk/council-tax/

Contents insurance
Council Tax
Council Tax is a tax imposed by the local authority e.g.
Liverpool City Council. It is based on the estimated value of
a property and it helps pay for local services such as
refuge disposal, the Police, and Fire Service. Everyone
who lives within the Councils catchment area must pay
Council Tax, unless eligibility for exemption or disregard
can be proved. The amount of tax charged depends on the
number of people living in the property, the personal
circumstances of each resident and the value of the
property. The will be no Council Tax payable on the
property if:


The dwelling is a University hall of residence


(including private student halls of residence); or

It is a private rented property and all of the


residents are *full-time students.

*A full-time student is defined as someone who is enrolled


at a UK institution on a course of study which:
- Extends over at least 24 weeks of an academic year; and
- Requires on average at least 21 hours a week, during
term time, of study, tuition and/or work experience; or
- Work placement officially recognised by the University for
the whole academic year; or
- Work placement for part of the academic year immediately
followed by further full-time tuition.

If you live with non-students or part-time students then


there will usually be a bill for the property but in certain
circumstances you (the student) may not be liable for it. If
you are liable for the bill, you may still be entitled to a
discount.

We advise all students to insure their possessions and


belongings whilst studying at LSTM. If you are staying in
private halls then your accommodation costs will usually
include basic contents insurance. You should check what
is included in the policy as you may wish to take out
extended cover for high value items above the basic sums
insured.
Check if the policy includes theft of belongings outside of
halls most do not. A copy of your insurance policy should
be sent to you along with your tenancy agreement.
If you are living in private rented accommodation
thenproperty itself and the landlords fixtures and fittings
should be covered by the landlords building insurance.
However, you will still need to insure your personal
belongings as soon as you arrive in the UK.
There are many companies offering insurance to students
and you are encouraged to shop around for a deal which
suits you. You may want to try Endsleigh insurance:
http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/student-possessions.html

Bedding and Crockery


Most private student halls do not provide bedding or
crockery/ cutlery (excluding GNH/ OC). If you are staying in
private rented accommodation (with the exception of
lodgings) bedding is not usually provided but cutlery/
crockery sometimes is. Make sure you make enquiries with
your landlord or halls manager as to what you need to
bring with you. Bedding and crockery can be bought
relatively cheaply in Liverpool.

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If you prefer to take the hassle out of shopping you can buy
a readymade pack: http://www.all-unied.com/ (this is a
more expensive option) If you are staying in
accommodation with a shared kitchen then you might want
to arrange to pool kitchen items with your house mates
this is much more cost effective. Only do this if its going to
be practicable for you all. TJ Hughes, a discount
department store, is on located London Road, a two minute
walk away from the School. You can pick up low-cost
bedding and crockery/ cutlery from here.

Further information
For further information and advice on accommodation please
contact:
Rebecca Riley
Welfare and Accommodation Officer
Tel: +44 (0)151 705 3176
Email stmaccom@liv.ac.uk

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