Accommodation FAQs

Clearing accommodation options

University managed halls of residence

Some rooms will become available in our University managed halls of residence and there is a full process of how you can apply for one of these rooms on our website

Private halls of residence

This year we have secured extra rooms for students that come through clearing in some of the city’s private halls of residence. These are all close to the campus and you would be living with other students studying in Plymouth. Find out more about our private halls.

Private accommodation

Plymouth Studentpad is our dedicated list of approved off-campus private accommodation. This is the only database approved and inspected by the University for quality and safety and so is a good alternative to halls of residence.

Clearing students

We understand how important finding the right accommodation is for our students, so we’re here to help find the best option for you. We have secured a range of halls and private housing for students coming through Clearing, and our dedicated Residence Life and Student Accommodation Office team are able to advise you on all the choices available.

"Find your place with Plymouth University through Clearing and receive University guaranteed accommodation."

Accommodation options

University managed halls of residence 

• Some rooms will become available in our University managed halls of residence through clearing. Please check our accommodation webpage for a full list of halls we offer.
  

Private halls of residence 

• This year we have secured extra rooms for students that come through Clearing in some of the city’s private halls of residence independently run by the provider. These are all close to the campus and you would be living with other students studying in Plymouth.
  

Private accommodation

• Plymouth Studentpad is our dedicated list of approved off-campus private accommodation. This is the only database approved and inspected by the University for quality and safety and so is a good alternative to halls of residence.
  

Next steps and questions

Once you have had a chance to consider the options above or if you have any questions at all about your accommodation application, please contact our Accommodation and Residence Life team who will be happy to help.

Unconditional and conditional firm students

We understand how important it is to live and study with like-minded students in a secure and welcoming environment; therefore, we guarantee University-managed accommodation to all undergraduate applications who choose Plymouth University as their first choice institution and apply for accommodation before 1 July 2017. Please note that the guarantee does not apply to students who still have a conditional status after 31 August 2017.

Already applied?

Room availability

Can I have a room in University managed halls?

• If you are coming through clearing, see above instructions for your options.
  
• Although our guarantee closed on 1 July you can enquire about availability in our University managed halls.
  

If our University Managed Halls are full?

• Contact us to talk about alternative accommodation in private halls of residence or our off-campus private accommodation. Remember if you sign a contract with an accommodation provider, it is legally binding.
  

Even if our University managed halls are full we will help you to find alternative accommodation.

I have a disability. Will I get a suitable room?

• Please contact Disability Assist (DAS) as soon as possible so that we can look at providing a room that's suitable room.
• We only allocate disability rooms on the advice of DAS. You will need to include this in your halls application form.

Portal (University managed halls)

How do I log in?

• Please visit our accommodation portal. If it is your first time visiting the portal you will need to enter your email address you used for your UCAS application and press ‘generate password’. This will send an email to your account within 30 minutes with your six digit password.
• Please type in this number rather than copy and paste it as some browsers are not compatible.
  

I’ve forgotten my username / password. How can I log in?

• Your accommodation portal username is your registered UCAS email address.
  
• If you have forgotten your password, enter your email address and click generate password.
  

• High levels of traffic may delay the release of your email. Please wait another 30 minutes.
  
• Have you checked your junk folder?
  
• Check the email address - make sure there are no spaces at the start or end of it. Please do not copy and paste the email address.

I’m getting an error message when I log into the portal.

Room offers

Moving into halls

What is my move in date?

Your allocated move in time slot will be automatically emailed to you. A copy of this will be sent to you once you have signed your licence agreement.

Medicine/dentistry students or international students - 9th September 2016

All other students - 15th/16th September 2017 (depending on your particular hall)

How do I know when to move in?

• These dates and times are calculated to ensure the smoothest experience while moving into your hall and that your future flatmates will arrive at the same time.
• Route maps will be available on the website. These are calculated with the council’s traffic management team to ensure minimum disruption to Plymouth’s road network on the day..

Will there be anyone to help me move in?

Yes - the Residence Life and Student Accommodation team and student ambassadors will be here to help you move in.

Can you advise me on where my parents can stay whilst they help me move in? 

Here is a list of accommodation in the Plymouth area subject to availability.

Payments

How long is my tenancy?

• All licences in University Managed Halls are 41 weeks.
• International and medicine/dentistry students arrive a week early, therefore your licence agreement will be at least one week longer (42 weeks).
  
• Tenancy lengths vary in private halls and housing, please check with them directly.

I’m under 18, I can't sign a contract.

• A parent, guardian or carer who is over 18 will need to sign the agreement on your behalf.
  
• If you are 18 on or before 31st August 2017 you can sign the contract yourself when it reaches your 18th birthday.

Do I have to pay a deposit?

• Yes – it is £250 for all University managed halls.
• This should be paid through the accommodation portal by either credit or debit card or PayPal.
• This must be paid within the time frame specified in your room offer email or you will lose your room reservation.

Is it OK for my parents to pay my deposit / how long do I have to pay my deposit?

Yes. Please be aware that all deposits will be refunded back to the card or bank account it was paid from, at the end of your licence agreement.

Do I have to pay my deposit from the same card I will use to pay my rent?

No, we don't keep your card details between payments so you can select a new card for each payment.

What happens if I don't pay my deposit in time?

If you don't pay your deposit (usually within 7 days) your allocation will be cancelled and you will lose your allocated room offer.

• You would need to contact us to reactivate your application as soon as possible.
• You will no longer be covered by the guarantee (if applied by 1st of July and met guarantee criteria). Please note that the guarantee does not apply to students who still have a Conditional status after 31st August 2017.

Do I have to pay any rent before I move in? How much? 

• Yes, you will have to pay four weeks (one month) rent this is prior to your arrival. This is due by 2nd September.
• We will contact you by email to explain the process.
  

When are my payments due throughout the year?

The remaining rent is split into three, at the beginning of each term. These dates tie in with payments from the student finance company. These are detailed on your licence agreement.

• 14th October - rent instalment due
  
• 20th January - rent instalment due
• 28th April - rent instalment due
  

What happens if I can’t afford to pay my deposit?

Unfortunately, we cannot make any allowances. If you are unable to pay the deposit you would not be able to secure a room.

What happens if I can’t afford to pay the first four weeks rent before I move in?

If you can pay the deposit but you have difficulties paying the first four weeks rent then you would need to contact the Residence Life and Student Accommodation Office when the four weeks rent is requested by email.

Can I pay monthly?

If you have evidence that you are being paid monthly with for example and NHS Bursary, then you can apply to set up a monthly payment plan. You would need to do this once you have arrived by going to the Residence Life and Student Accommodation Office.

General information

Smoking

All University-managed accommodation is non-smoking and a fine will be applied to those who do not comply.

Postage

When vacating your room at the end of your contract, please ensure you change your postal address.

Can I register with a doctor?

You can register with a GP at the University Medical Centre on campus who work with two surgeries Beaumont Villa Surgery and Peverell Park Surgery. You may also call 01752 222341 or visit their website for further information.

Insurance and Information Guide

If you live in a UPP hall please read the insurance policy information and the general information guide.

Internet

All residents have access to the University network at no extra charge. Please look at the Halls Guide for information about internet usage in halls.

Private Accommodation

Approved off campus private accommodation – how we can help you find your new home.

Landlord information

Do I need to pay for a TV license? 

Yes - if you are watching live TV, you need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes, including downloadYour room needs to be covered by its own licence if you're plugged in to watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or if you download programmes. If there are TVs in communal areas, check with your halls' manager to see if they’re covered by as on any channel.

This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder. If you do any of the above without a valid licence, you risk prosecution and a maximum penalty of up to £1,000, plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay. You will also still have to buy a TV Licence if you need one.

To find out more, go to tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo

How can I buy a TV Licence?

There are lots of different ways to buy a TV Licence. Whether that’s through weekly cash payments, using your nearest PayPoint outlet, spreading the cost with monthly, quarterly or yearly direct debit, credit/debit card or by post – just choose the one that suits you best.

For more information on the ways to pay, go to tvlicensing.co.uk/payinfo

If I live in halls, won’t I already be covered by a TV Licence? 

Your room needs to be covered by its own licence if you're plugged in to watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or if you download programmes. If there are TVs in communal areas, check with your halls' manager to see if they’re covered by a halls' licence.

What if I live in a shared house? 

You'll probably only need one licence between you if you have a joint tenancy agreement for the whole house – this is the most common type of shared house arrangement. You might need your own licence if your accommodation is self-contained. That means you have exclusive access to washing facilities, or your own entrance to the property. You will also need your own licence if you have a separate tenancy agreement for your own room. If you're not sure, check our advice for tenants and lodgers.

 Won't my parents' licence cover me? 

Your parents' licence will not cover you while you're away at uni unless you only use a device that's powered solely by its own internal batteries and not connected to the mains.

What if I'm not at uni for the summer? 

If you're leaving your halls or rented accommodation and moving back home for the summer, there's a good chance you won't need your TV Licence if there's one at home. You can see our policy and apply for a refund online.

 What if I don’t need a licence?

If you don’t need a TV Licence, you still need to let TV Licensing know.

Can I bring a bike / watersport equipment?

Halls on campus 

• a limited number of bicycles and water-sports storage facilities are provided at a cost of £38 per year, per permit. This is a non-refundable charge. Permits can be bought online at the eStore once you have confirmed your halls room offer.

Private halls of residence

• There is a limited number of spaces available on a first come first served basis - this must be arranged at the hall reception.
• There is no wet storage at Central Point, Discovery Heights, St Teresa and St Thomas.

Please note: Bicycles and water-sports equipment are not permitted in bedrooms or any communal areas for health and safety reasons. Bicycles must be stored in a bicycle storage room within designated buildings or the outdoor bicycle racks. If you have a bicycle it is essential to insure it and lock it.

Bicycles stored in other areas, for example on railings etc, will be removed by the facilities management team. Personal diving equipment, including high pressure diving cylinders, full or empty, cannot be stored in or around halls.

Plymouth University will not cover loss or damage to items in a halls storage area.

Can I bring a car?

Parking is very limited in the centre of Plymouth. All the halls of residence are close to both the University and the city centre. Public transport links are very good; for example, there is a frequent bus to Derriford Hospital.

• Parking priority is given to DAS students and sporting excellence students.
• We only have 50 parking spaces for all of our halls of residence. Students who are allocated a University managed hall room can enter a parking lottery. Parking costs £270 for the period from October - June. An email will be sent a few weeks after you have signed your licence on how to enter the lottery.

Please note: If you park on campus or any of our halls without a valid permit then you are liable to be fined, which we are sure you will want to avoid. So please make sure that you park only where you are permitted to do so.