Questions on student flats and student accommodation from iQ

Q. HOW DO I BOOK?

A. Simple. Call us and we’ll take your details over the phone, download and complete the booking form from our website, or call in and see us at your preferred location. You will need to pay a booking fee to secure your booking, which can be paid by cheque or debit/credit card, or at operating sites we accept cash during normal office hours.

Q. CAN I DO A GROUP BOOKING?

A. Yes. If you’d like to share with friends all you need to do is specify their names on the booking form when you return it and we’ll do our best to ensure that you are in the same flat.

Q. CAN I CHOOSE WHERE MY ROOM IS IN THE BUILDING?

A. Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis so you can specify where you would like your room to be from those which are still available at the time that you book.

Q. HOW DO I PAY MY RENT?

A. You can pay by debit/credit card, by telephoning or visiting Reception, or you can set up a direct debit. Payment dates are specified on your tenancy agreement.

Q. CAN I PAY MY RENT ONLINE?

A. No. Please see above question for details on how to pay your rent.

Q. ARE THERE ANY OTHER CHARGES?

A. No. Your rent is inclusive of all utilities, broadband and contents insurance.
However, at some sites we do offer additional services at low cost for those who want them such as secure car parking and faster broadband.

Q. WHAT HAPPENS TO MY BOOKING FEE?

A. It converts to a refundable damage deposit at the beginning of your tenancy.

Q. WHEN DO I GET MY REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT BACK?

A. iQ subscribes to the government run Tenancy Deposit Scheme which places legal obligations on us, as your landlord, to return your deposit within two weeks of your tenancy end date. We keep the deposit while you live with us. At the end of your tenancy, assuming the room and its belongings (including the shared areas in your flat) are in the same condition as when you moved in, fair wear and tear notwithstanding, you will get your deposit back promptly and in full.

Download the TenancyDeposit Scheme document (pdf)

Q. IS INSURANCE INCLUDED WITH MY ROOM?

A. Yes. We provide contents insurance cover via Endsleigh Insurance Ltd. You can extend this cover once you move in to protect additional items. To find out more about the cover, ask the staff at reception or visit www.endsleigh.co.uk. For iQ Student Quarter, this is provided by Salford University.

Q. DO I NEED TO BUY A TELEVISION LICENCE?

A. Yes, if you watch television in your living area or bedroom. All homes in the UK require a television licence and your room is treated as a home under the licensing authority's definition. There is a large screen television with Sky in the Social Hub. For IPTV, you will need a licence. For more information on TV licensing visit: www.tvlicensing.co.uk.

Q. DO I NEED TO PAY COUNCIL TAX?

A. No, not if you are a registered student. You will be required to produce an exemption certificate, proof of your student status within 7 days of your arrival at the scheme.

Q. DO I HAVE TO BE HOME BY A CERTAIN TIME EACH NIGHT?

A. No. This is your home, so it’s up to you when you come in.

Q. CAN I HAVE OVERNIGHT GUESTS?

A. Yes. It's your home so you can have guests staying over occasionally, but we would ask you to respect your fellow residents and let the accommodation staff know. You cannot sublet your room to another person though.

Q. CAN I MOVE IN EARLY?

A. Yes, if your room is available. Call us to find out.

Q. DO YOU PROVIDE BEDDING?

A. No we don't. We figure you will prefer your own sheets, duvet, pillows etc so please remember to bring some. If not, we can always point you in the right direction of the nearest department store! See Serious iQ for what items you need to bring.

Q. WILL MY FLAT BE CLEANED?

A. You are responsible for keeping your own space clean. It's our responsibility to keep clean the other communal areas like the Social Hub, reception and laundry.

Q. CAN I SMOKE?

A. No. All iQ accommodation is non-smoking.

Q. CAN I BRING MY CAR?

A. We choose central locations close to the universities and social facilities so a car shouldn't really be necessary. As part of our sustainability commitment we also promote green travel - cycling is good for the environment! All of our schemes have secure bicycle storage. Some of our schemes, however, do have limited parking. Please check with local staff for specific details. We do provide disabled parking bays at some sites.

Q. DO YOU HAVE A COMMON ROOM?

A. Yes. All schemes have a Social Hub, which is open 24 hours, with comfy seating, large screen TV with Sky, and pool table where space permits.

Q. DO YOU HAVE A LAUNDRY?

A. Yes. All of our sites have a 24 hour laundry (charges apply), managed on our behalf by Circuit (www.circuitgroup.com).

Q. HOW DO I CONTACT THE ACCOMMODATION TEAM?

A. All contact details can be found on the Contact iQ page of our website or in the Tenant’s Handbook (which you can download from the Serious iQ page).