FAQs

About Host:

Who is Host?
Host is a private specialist student accommodation company that builds and manages premium quality student accommodation. Something we’ve been doing since 1996. Everything we do is designed to help students get more out of their university experience; from offering comfortable, stylish rooms to also ensuring all costs are covered in your rent. It’s hassle-free freedom.

Where does Host have accommodation?
We currently offer homes in:

Bath
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Cardiff
Carlisle
Colchester
Coventry
Dublin
Durham
Exeter
Leeds
Leicester
London
Manchester
Nottingham
Oxford
Southampton
Wolverhampton

Why should I live at Host?
We want you to have the best student experience possible. That means going beyond just providing somewhere comfy and practical to live; we want you to live somewhere you feel safe and happy. And we have onsite teams on-hand 24/7 to ensure that’s the case.

Consequently, we’re a Platinum Certified Operator by the Global Student Living Index. So, the question should really be, why should I not stay at Host?

Living with Host:

Do I have to be a student to live with Host?
To take out a tenancy with us you need to be eligible for council tax exemption. This applies to all full-time students and some part-time students. However, if you’re unsure, your university or college should be able to let you know. During the summer months some of our halls offer summer accommodation which is available to students and sometimes non-students as well.

Do I need to take out contents insurance?
No, you do not. Contents insurance is automatically included with your rent. Host is working in partnership with Cover4insurance.com and their student insurance, Cover4Students, to provide some cover for the contents inside your room. You don’t need to do anything to activate this cover, but it is important for you to check and ensure that you fully understand the protection provided and whether it is sufficient for your needs.

Visit Cover4Insurance to:

Check your level of cover
Review key exclusions and limitations
Check your policy excess
Learn how to make a claim
Extend and personalise your cover to protect additional items such as bicycles, musical instruments and photographic equipment

Host share your details with Cover4insurance for the purpose of providing you with contents insurance.

Can I connect to the internet?
Absolutely. A super-fast internet connection is available in every Host bedroom. But just so you know, broadband arrangements do vary in some halls, so please visit the site-specific FAQs or contact your chosen hall to find out more.

Do I need to move out during the holidays?
Your Host contract is for a fixed length of time – so your room is yours during that period. That means that you don’t have the hassle of moving your belongings out during the Christmas or Easter vacations, and you can choose to stay in your property over these holidays if you want. It’s usually possible to book additional accommodation over the summer period if you want to stay then too. But we advise booking early to ensure rooms are available.

What does fully-furnished kitchen mean?
Host designs homes that provide everything you need to enjoy living with us. Our flats come kitted out with all your cooking appliances: cooker, hob, kettle, toaster and microwave – and some sites also provide cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils*.

* please check with your chosen location for full details as appliances can vary from hall to hall.

Safety and support:

Do you have staff at your properties?
Every Host home has a team of trained staff on site to respond to meet your needs. Their job is to make your Host experience as enjoyable as possible.

Our on-site management offices are open Monday to Friday. During these times we will answer any questions, respond to any issues and offer advice, as well as ensure a friendly face is there to greet you every day.

Many of our properties also have a highly skilled team of caretakers who are available around the clock. They’re there to resolve any maintenance issues quickly and efficiently – keeping the site safe and secure. Security guards also support the caretaker team on most sites to ensure there’s a 24/7 presence. Please check at your chosen location to confirm details.

While most students settle into living away from home quickly, we understand it can take a little longer for some than others. So, while our tenancy agreement limits how far we can get involved, our people are trained to offer advice that helps residents to overcome a range of issues.

For your peace of mind, all our people are criminal record background checked.

When is the management office open?
The management office is open Monday to Friday, each week. The opening hours are 9am-6pm Monday-Thursday and 9am-5pm on a Friday*.

* please check with your chosen location for full details as times can vary from hall to hall.

How safe are Host properties?
Host takes safety seriously. Many of our properties have a member of staff or security guard on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to ensure help is always at hand should the need arise. Please check with your chosen location to see if this service is available.

In addition, electronic door entry systems, intercoms and CCTV ensure that everyone who lives with us enjoys a high standard of security and the safest possible environment. So they can get on with enjoying themselves.

What happens if I have a maintenance problem?
Every Host home has a dedicated caretaker team to respond to and solve your maintenance issues. We respond to every issue quickly and, if possible, will complete the repair during the first visit. Of course, this isn’t always possible and there are times when parts need to be ordered or external contractors arranged. When this happens, we’ll keep you updated on the progress.

How do I know that Host is a good landlord?
Host is proud to agree to the principals required by the ANUK Code of Standards. Fully supported by NUS, the National Code is voluntary and aimed at both educational establishments and private sector suppliers. Those who join make a commitment to provide students with a first-class housing service and agree to provide information, reassurance and a clear procedure if a dispute occurs.

Living in a building covered by the Code means:

Your contract is clearly written, stating what you are paying for and how much your rent is, with reasonable terms and no hidden costs.
Best practice day-to-day management is supported and recognised.
Your accommodation should be fully prepared for you when you arrive to take up residence.
Your accommodation meets with a set of nationally recognised standards in respect to services, furniture and fittings.
Repairs and maintenance are carried out within agreed timescales.
Your building will meet with, and exceed, the required health and safety standards.
You will be given information to explain what management routines are followed in the buildings.
There’s a set and accountable procedure for dealing with any disputes or complaints.

Booking, paying and the small print:

How can I make a booking?
The process for booking a room at our properties is all done via our online booking portal. To book a room, simply select any of our booking buttons on our property and rooms pages, or select the My Account / Book Now button at the top of this website.

In order for a direct booking to be confirmed, all required documents must be returned including a guarantor agreement, tenancy agreement, initial rent payment and provision for your rent payments. Any incomplete or incorrect applications will not be accepted. A booking will only be confirmed by Host once all the necessary documentation has been supplied.

For some of our properties, it’s not possible to book directly with Host and you must apply through the relevant university accommodation office. For further information, visit the FAQ section on the website for your chosen location.

Do I pay a deposit?

We don’t take a deposit or charge you a bond when you book with Host. We take an initial rent payment; this is not a deposit it is a payment made on booking which forms part of your total rental amount.

What are the Terms and Conditions of staying with Host?
All rooms that are let directly to students are done so using an assured short-hold tenancy agreement (or Licence to Reside in Ireland). These agreements outline what is expected of the resident and, similarly, Host’s obligations as a landlord.

The agreements are a legally binding document and should be read carefully. Once signed they are for a fixed term and should the resident wish to move out of the accommodation before the end date, they will remain liable for the full rent until the end of the contracted period and are responsible for the condition of the property regardless of whether they are staying in the hall or not.

For locations where you book through a university accommodation office rather than directly with Host, you may be provided with a different type of agreement.

What does being a guarantor mean?

A UK Guarantor is someone who agrees to pay your rent if you are unable to. We expect a UK Guarantor to:

Be someone you know personally, living and working in the UK.
Be between the ages of 18-75.
Be in full-time employment, self-employed or receiving a private pension.
Have a good credit history.
Provide proof of income.
Provide proof of residence (last 3 years).
This provides us with security, ensuring your rent will be paid on time and in full.

Where we accept international guarantors you will need to contact the property team directly to discuss the eligibility of a non-UK based individual.

Please note: By agreeing to be a guarantor, the person(s) is signing a legal document stating that they agree to pay the rent and guarantee the behaviour of the resident if they default. Any student who does not have a UK guarantor will be required to pay the full year’s rent upon application.

When do I pay my rent?

The payment dates for each payment plan are clearly explained once you enter the booking process. If you select an instalment plan for the 2025/26 academic year on a 51/45/44/43 week tenancy your rent is due on the following dates:

Advanced rent: on booking
1st instalment: 1st August 2025 (1st July for Point Campus, Dublin)
2nd instalment: 14th September 2025
3rd instalment: 15th January 2026
4th instalment: 12th April 2026

If you have already moved in or have booked with Host, you can see when your payments are due by logging into “My Account” on the Host Portal.

How do I cancel a booking?

If you cancel your contract before the contract begins, or you want to cancel and move out early, you will be subject to our cancellation terms and charges. You can find the Cancellation Policy for 2025/26 here.

Terms and Conditions:

No Place No Pay.

We understand that plans can change, and sometimes things don’t go as expected. Here’s what you need to know about our No Place, No Pay policy.

This offer is for prospective first-year undergraduate or postgraduate students applying to study in the UK for the 2024/25 academic year. This applies to full-term, part-term, and semester-let accommodations.

What Happens if You Don’t Get Your Place?

If you miss out on being offered a place at your chosen university or higher education institution, don’t worry! Just send us confirmation from UCAS or your chosen institution within 48 hours of your results being published and we’ll take care of the rest.

Proof of Results: Please email us your proof (in English) of declined or deferred admission to the relevant site email address within the required timeframe. This can be a rejection letter from the university or a UCAS confirmation.
Voluntary Withdrawal: If you decide to withdraw from your course or university on your own, the usual cancellation policy will apply.
Course Cancellation: If your course is no longer running, reach out to us. Depending on the details, we may be able to release you from your contract or help you relocate to another Host accommodation near an alternative course, if applicable.
University Decisions: If your offer is withdrawn by the university due to disciplinary or personal reasons, you’ll remain responsible for any contractual charges, and the usual cancellation policy will apply.
Late Enrolment or Exam Re-sits: If you miss your enrolment date or need to re-sit exams due to circumstances beyond your control, we may be able to release you from your contract. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Each case will be reviewed by Host, and in some cases, the decision may rest with the landlord.
If you haven’t collected your keys, you’ll still be responsible for rent from the tenancy start date until an agreed release or cancellation date.
If you’ve already moved in, you’ll be liable for rent from the tenancy start date until an agreed release or cancellation date.
Final decisions rest with the landlord, and while we’ll do our best to provide them with the necessary information on your behalf, they’re not required to approve a release or relocation request if your place at university is cancelled.

Refund Process: Once we verify your documentation and confirm it meets the terms, we’ll cancel your agreement and refund any rent owed to you, assuming all timings were followed.

Important Note

We can only accept a cancellation under these terms up and until 7 days before your tenancy start date at the latest, and if we receive the required evidence within 48 hours of it being published. If you’re unable to provide the required evidence on time, the standard cancellation terms will apply.

These terms are current as of 11/11/2024, but please remember, we may need to update or adjust them if needed. If we make changes, we’ll let you know via our website.

No Visa No Pay.

We’re here to support international students as you plan your studies in the UK for the 2024/25 academic year. If your visa plans don’t go as expected, here’s everything you need to know about our No Visa, No Pay policy, which applies to full-term, part-term, and semester-let accommodation.

What Happens if Your Visa Isn’t Approved?

If your visa application isn’t approved, we’re here to help. Simply send us proof of the visa refusal as soon as you can (within 48 hours of finding out, and no later than 7 days before your tenancy start date). Here’s how it works:

Proof of Visa Rejection: Please email us written confirmation (in English) of your visa rejection to admission to the relevant site email address within the required timeframe. We’ll only accept official written confirmation of the visa decision.
Missed Deadlines: If the required proof isn’t provided by the deadlines, we’ll apply the usual cancellation terms, and you’ll remain responsible for any rent charges.
Refund Process: Once we receive and verify the visa rejection proof within the specified timeframe, we’ll cancel your booking and refund any rent payments in full within 28 working days.
Pending Visa Applications: If your visa status is still pending within 7 days of your tenancy start date, let us know. We’ll do our best to hold your room, though this will depend on availability and our team’s discretion.
Responsibility: You’ll need to keep track of your visa status and keep us informed throughout the process to avoid any misunderstandings or unexpected charges.
Voluntary Visa Cancellation: If you choose to cancel your visa on your own, the usual cancellation policy will apply.
Visa Termination Due to Conduct: If your visa is terminated due to conduct or legal issues, you’ll remain responsible for any contractual charges, and the usual cancellation policy will apply.
Visa Cancellations During Your Stay: If your visa is cancelled or terminated after you’ve moved in, you must notify us within 48 hours. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Each case will be reviewed by Host, and in some cases, the decision may rest with the landlord.
If you haven’t collected your keys, you’ll still be responsible for rent from the tenancy start date until an agreed release or cancellation date.
If you’ve already moved in, you’ll be liable for rent from the tenancy start date until an agreed release or cancellation date.
Final decisions rest with the landlord, and while we’ll do our best to provide them with the necessary information on your behalf, they’re not required to approve a release request solely due to visa issues.

Important Note

We can only accept a cancellation under these terms up and until 7 days before your tenancy start date and if we receive the required evidence within 48 hours of it being published. If you’re unable to provide the required evidence on time, the standard cancellation terms will apply.

These terms are current as of 11/11/2024, but please remember, we may need to update or adjust them if needed. If we make changes, we’ll let you know via our website.

Tenancy Agreement 2025-26:

Assured Shorthold Tenancy 2025-26