Today we’re announcing that the trustees of the Students’ Union have approved a plan to restructure and significantly improve the way we support students in their search for private housing.
Today we’re announcing that the trustees of the Students’ Union have approved a plan to restructure and significantly improve the way we support students in their search for private housing.
Over the past six months we’ve been looking at what we provide our members when it comes to moving into off-campus accommodation. In the past, our ULet operation has offered a let-only service – acting as the go between for students and landlords.
Each year we’ve helped approximately 80 students, charging no administration fees. However, in the third year of operation it’s now become clear that the current model isn’t fit for purpose – we know the resources could be better spent.
Our aim is to make a positive impact on all 10,000 students at Royal Holloway, and because of this, we’ve made the decision to cease the trading arm of the operation, and instead hire a team of students into a brand new service running from our Advice Centre – offering a contract checking service during November to February, to make sure landlords aren’t ripping you off.
You can apply for one of these new positions here.
This will have a huge impact, particularly on first year students, who often don’t know whether the contract they’re signing has their best interests at heart.
And if that wasn’t enough, we’re also now working with the College on a feasibility study (which will include a large piece of research) into whether a new venture working in partnership with the Accommodation Office could be successful in the long term from 2016. We’ll update students as soon as we know more details on this.
If you’ve got any questions, check out our FAQs document here, or feel free to email Nayab Cheema - President, Education and Campaigns, and Chair of Trustees.