what accommodation is available?

SANGHA HOUSE is on the corner of Newarke street, right on the doorstep of De Montfort Uni.   3 studios are on the ground floor which are self contained open plan living spaces with kitchen/lounge/bedroom area and shower room suitable for single occupancy or couples to share.  Ensuite bedrooms are arranged in flats of 5, 6 or 8 persons over the upper 3 floors. Bedrooms are single (single bed), small double (4ft double bed) or double  (4ft 6”double bed) size.

SANGHA HALLS is on Guildhall Lane behind Leicester Cathedral just a few minutes walk from De Montfort Uni.  All ensuite bedrooms are small double (4ft double bed) double (4ft 6” double bed) size and arranged in 6 bed flats over 3 floors.

Although very close to De Montfort Uni, Leicester Uni is only about 20 minutes walk away from either building.  Both developments are small compared to most residence halls so you will easily make new friends and feel more cosy and at home.

what do i get in my bedroom?

Each bedroom has a bed/mattress, window blinds, desk, desk chair, bookshelves, fitted wardrobe cupboard and ensuite bathroom fitted with toilet, basin with mirror and shelf above and a shower cubicle. 

what do i get in the kitchen / lounge of the flat?

Some flats have a combined kitchen/dining/lounge area and others have a kitchen/diner with a separate lounge.  All kitchens are equipped with 2 ovens/hobs, 2 fridge/freezers, microwave and good cupboard storage.  Flats at Sangha House also have a fitted dishwasher.  A breakfast bar and stools is provided.  In the lounge area are comfy leather sofas with a coffee table close by.  Check out what incidental items you need to bring for the flat or your bedroom from the list under contract & info section.

who can stay with us?

Undergraduate or Postgraduate students from either Leicester or De Montfort Universities.

how do i book a room?

To reserve a room we must have a completed application form and the reservation fee of £250 for an ensuite bedroom or £400 for a studio.  The reservation fee is non-refundable if a student does not proceed with the reservation/tenancy for any reason but does convert to the deposit at the start of the tenancy.   You can download the application on line and post to us together with a cheque for your reservation fee or visit in person.   Once we have confirmed receipt of this then a completed  tenancy contract signed by yourself and your guarantors and your rental cheques must be received within 14 days maximum to complete your reservation.  Room reservations are not a finalised booking until this is received.   We do not have any facility to accept payments on line or by phone/in person  using debit/credit card.

can i choose my flat and who i share with?

If there is a group of friends who book a whole flat then this can be allocated to you at the time of booking otherwise we will do our best to accommodate your requests but unfortunately cannot  make any guarantees. 

allocation process

We try to match student profiles as closely as possible and group students of a similar age together respecting requests for all girls or all guys flats.  We do give preference to requests for all girls flats to those with specific religious requirements.  Many  students enjoy the atmosphere of a mixed flat.

what's included / not include in the cost?

Gas, electricity, water charges and a basic internet package is included in your rental cost.  Personal contents insurance and TV license for any TV that is in your flat or bedroom is not included and should be arranged by yourselves

how do i pay for my rental?

If you are a student who is a UK resident who can provide a UK guarantor or an international student who can provide a UK guarantor, payment is made in 3 installments by post-dated cheques in September, January and April for those with 43 week contracts and with an additional payment in July if you choose a 51 week contract.  Post dated cheques have to be provided at the time of making the reservation and should be from an account either held by yourself or your guarantor.

If you are an international student who cannot provide a UK guarantor then payment for the whole term of the tenancy should be received into our account by 1st September.

who can be a guarantor and what is their role?

A guarantor must be over 18 years of age, resident in the uk and in full time employment.  Ideally it should be your parents/guardians but if they live overseas another relative can be considered.  Their role is to pay the rental cost if the student is for any reason not able to.  They are party to the contract.

what if i change my mind and want to cancel my reservation?

If you wish to cancel your reservation after you have made the booking, if it is before 1st August then we must be informed in writing and the cancellation will be accepted with no deposit refund being made.

If you wish to cancel after 1st August and before your tenancy contract expires then no deposit refund will be made and you will be liable for payment of the rental cost and all the obligations of the contract until the end of the tenancy contract unless a suitable replacement can be found to take the room.  The replacement must fit into the profile of the flat at that time (e.g. a girl in an all girls flat) and have paid their deposit, their rental cheques and  provided a guarantor before you will be released from your contractual responsibilities.

what happens to my reservation fee once i have paid it?

Until the start of your tenancy contract your reservation fee is retained by us.  Once the tenancy starts it reverts to a deposit and is lodged with Deposit Protection Service whose details can be found at www.depositprotection.com.

how do i claim my deposit back when i leave?

You will receive notification from deposit protection service soon after you have moved in confirming your Deposit ID no and a repayment ID no which you will use to reclaim your deposit (less any charges applicable ) at the end of your tenancy.   We will inspect your room and the common areas of the flat in which you stayed at the end of the tenancy and advise you of any problems/deductions to be made.  We will then advise Deposit Protection Service accordingly and you can then make your claim.

can i smoke in the building?

Both Sangha House and Sangha Halls are No Smoking buildings.

can i have guests to stay over night?

One overnight guest is allowed to stay with you in your bedroom for a maximum of 2 nights in any week.  Overnight guests are not permitted to stay in the lounge or common areas of the flat.  You are responsible for the behaviour of any guests that you have in the building at any time of day and we reserve the right to ask guests to leave if they are in breach of behaviour, safety and occupation rules in the building.

do i have to keep my flat clean?

You are responsible for the day to day cleaning of your bedroom/ensuite bathroom and jointly with your flatmates for the lounge/kitchen and corridor areas within your flat.

is there a laundry facility?

In Sangha House the coin operated laundry facility is in the basement and is run by Circuit Laundries. In Sangha Halls a washer/dryer is located in the kitchen of each flat.

is there any car parking facility on site?

There is no on-site car parking available.  Secure multi storey car parks are located close by.

do i have to pay council tax?

As a full time student you should receive council tax exemption.  You will need to provide a council tax exemption certificate within 7 days of moving in.

do i need a tv license?

You will need to purchase a TV license for yourself for any TV you have to watch in your bedroom or the common areas of your flat.

do i need insurance?

You will need to purchase insurance to cover your personal possessions for theft, loss or damage within the building.  We do not accept any claims for damage to possessions within the building however caused.

security and safety

We take security and safety very seriously .Our properties have a secure key fob front door entry system and key fob entry to each individual flat.  Extensive CCTV camera coverage is located inside and outside the buildings. 
Sophisticated fire alarm systems including heat and smoke detectors are standard and fire alarm testing and evacuation drills are carried out.  Each of our schemes has a dedicated accommodation manager and out of hours emergency team. 

maintenance

We like to keep our buildings well maintained at all times and respond to problems quickly.  We employ maintenance contractors who look after the general building and for more specialist work suitably qualified professionals will carry out the work.