Living situation not working out as you’d hoped? Don’t worry – it’s perfectly normal to reconsider your student accommodation choice.
There are many reasons why your uni accommodation may not fit the bill – whether you were overambitious with the walk to university, or are packing in your course altogether.
Whatever the reason, rest assured, there are options to change or cancel your uni accommodation. But the exact circumstances will depend on timings and the type of contract you’re on.
This guide will cover what to do if you decide to change uni accommodation, how to go about it, and explain the Unite Students cancellation policy in more detail.
In this guide:
Why might you want to change or cancel your room?
Maybe you’re struggling to hack the journey home from the library? Or you’re tired of listening to the thumping bass next door? Whatever the case, your reasons for wanting to change uni accommodation are valid, and it’s worth looking into your options.
Here are a few reasons why your current living situation might not be meeting your expectations:
Noise issues. Living in a party location can be fun… until it impacts your day-to-day life.
Incompatible flatmates. Housemates can make or break your halls experience.
You feel unsafe or anxious. Safety comes first.
You want more privacy or independence. It’s important that your space works for you.
It doesn’t suit your medical or accessibility needs. [SR(1] If this is the case, please get in touch with us. We’ll always try to accommodate your needs as best we can.
You’re transferring universities or dropping out altogether. While we hope you love your uni experience, we understand circumstances change.
Yes. Unless you’ve already collected the keys to your new pad, you can still cancel your uni accommodation booking without being charged. You can write to us, or complete the Cancellation Form within seven days. This is called the 7-Day Cooling-Off Period.
After this period, cancellations can become more complicated. If you cancel after the 7-Day Cooling-Off Period has ended, you’ll need to pay for the remaining amounts still due. This is either until a replacement tenant is found – or you enter a new tenancy with Unite Students.
If you find a new tenant before your tenancy has begun, Unite Students can decide whether to go ahead with them, place the room back on general sale, or allocate the room to a student on the waiting list.
If the tenancy has started, you will need to pay £50 to cover the cost of getting the room ready for the next tenant.
For more information, take a look at our cancellation policy in full.
Can I change my uni accommodation before moving in?
If you’re happy with your choice of Unite Students accommodation, but not the room itself, you may be able to swap rooms (subject to availability). All show flats or images on our website are representative of our rooms – but they’re not identical. If you’re unhappy with your set-up, please speak to your reception team.
Remember that our rooms are first-come-first-served, so it may not always be possible to get your next choice. It’s worth getting in touch as soon as you can so you have the best chance of securing an alternative room.
If available, you may be able to swap:
Room type. For example, if you want to upgrade to an en-suite or switch to a studio.
Location. Unite Students often has multiple locations in major cities.
Flatmate preference. Changed your mind on the number of flatmates you’re comfortable with? Or, if you’ve decided you want to live with friends, check out our Group Booking options.
It’s important to consult your tenancy agreement and our cancellation policy in full to confirm whether you can swap, and what you could swap to. Bear in mind that requests may incur a charge.
What if I’ve already moved in? Can I still change or cancel my room?
If you’re already settled into your new place when you decide to cancel or change your uni accommodation, things can be more complicated. But, while it may be trickier, room swaps might still be possible.
If you decide that transferring to a different university in another city – or dropping out of uni altogether – is the right course of action for you, you’ll need to cancel your room. To do this, you must find a replacement tenant and pay a fee to transfer the tenancy.
In the case of personal issues, neighbour problems or mental health reasons, you may decide to apply for a room move. If this is the case, head to reception and discuss it with one of our team.
Can I sublet my uni accommodation room?
No, you cannot sublet your room. If you do need to leave your tenancy early, you’ll have to find a replacement tenant to take your spot.
How to change uni accommodation: Step-by-step
If you’ve decided it’s time to lay down roots in a different room, whether down the hall or in a new building altogether, here’s what you need to do:
Identify why you want to change uni accommodation. What is it about your current set-up that you’re unhappy with? Pinpoint if you want to change location, or whether you’re happy with the spot but need a different room. For example, you could consider upgrading to an en-suite.
Check availability with your provider. Speak to reception or contact Unite Students to check if there are rooms available that meet your preferences.
Consider any rent or policy changes. Remember that different rooms may have different policies or price points, so be sure to account for these.
Get written confirmation of any changes. If you’ve agreed on a new room with our team, double-check you’ve got written confirmation of any changes in case you need to refer to them later.
Pack or prepare for a move. Once you get the go-ahead and changeover date, you can start packing up your belongings and preparing to move out.
FAQs
What happens if I leave uni or don’t get in?
Unite Students operates on a No Place, No Pay policy for first-year students. This means if you don’t quite reach your grades, and your uni offer is withdrawn, we don’t hold you to your tenancy agreement.
To be released from the tenancy, you’ll need to provide us with a written rejection letter within seven days of receiving your results, along with a completed Cancellation Form.
We know this can be a tough time. We’re here to talk – contact us and we’ll do our best to help.
Can I swap rooms with someone?
If you’re not happy with your room, speak to one of the team at reception for help. You may be able to swap to another room depending on availability, but you will need to find an eligible replacement tenant for your original room.
Do I get my deposit back if I cancel my room?
If you cancel within the 7-Day Cooling-Off Period, and you haven’t collected your keys yet, you will not be charged. We’ll also return your deposit and any advance rent payments.
If you cancel after this timeframe, you’ll need to pay all amounts due under your tenancy agreement – unless you find a replacement tenant.
