THE PARTIES AGREE:
- Licence Terms
The terms of the Licence granted by the Provider to the Licensee are made up of the Booking Details, this Agreement, and the Property Rules provided in the Handbook, and where any conflict exists between the provisions of those documents, they shall be interpreted in the following descending order of precedence: the Booking Details, this Agreement, and the Residence Rules provided in the Handbook.
- Definitions
In this Agreement:
‘Accommodation’ means the room or rooms in the Building that are from time to time allotted to the Licensee by the Accommodation Provider;
‘Building’ means the building identified in the Booking Details of which the Accommodation forms part including any common parts, forecourts, parking areas, gardens and land held with it;
‘Booking Details’ means the document sent to the Licensee containing particulars of the Provider’s offer to enter into a Licence for the Accommodation with the Licensee;
‘Grounds’ means any part of the Building that is not built upon;
‘Licence’ means the licence to occupy conferred by this Agreement;
‘Licence Fee’ means the fee payable by the Licensee in for their occupation of the Accommodation set out in the Booking Details;
‘Residence Rules’ means the rules relating to conduct in the Accommodation and the Building which are provided in the Handbook;
‘Term’ means the period for which the Accommodation Provider has agreed to provide the Licensee with accommodation as specified in the Booking Details.
‘Working Day’ means any day which is not Saturday, Sunday, or a bank holiday.
‘Furniture and Furnishings’ means the Accommodation Provider’s furniture, furnishings, installations and other items used by the Licensee from time to time in the Room in accordance with the latest inventory signed by the Accommodation Provider and the Licensee;
‘Check-in date’ means the Licence start date;
‘Check-out date’ means the Licence end date;
- Nature of the agreement
This Agreement is not intended to confer exclusive possession on the Licensee or to create the relationship of landlord and tenant between the parties.
The Licensee shall not be entitled to a tenancy or to an assured shorthold or assured tenancy or to any statutory protection under the Housing Act 1988 or to any other statutory security of tenure now or when this Licence ends.
The permission granted by this Agreement is personal to the Licensee. The Licensee cannot transfer its rights under this Agreement to another person.
- Licence to occupy
The Accommodation Provider permits the Licensee to occupy the Accommodation, occupation being by the Licensee personally, and to use the Furniture and Furnishings, for the Term.
- Summary of Student Responsibilities
In additional to the specific obligations specified in this Agreement, the Licensee agrees:
5.1 To pay the Licence Fee in accordance with the payment dates and payment methods specified in the rent payment schedule in the Booking Details;
5.2 To vacate the Accommodation at the end of the Term, in the state it was provided to them, clean and tidy, with all Furniture and Furnishings in the same condition (allowing for fair wear and tear) and left in the same places;
5.3 Not to engage in illegal and immoral activities, and in particular not to bring drugs, weapons or any illegal or hazardous items to the Building;
5.4 Not to engage in or permit antisocial behaviour including abuse, harassment of any person, or causing any disturbance;
5.5 To abide by all Residence Rules;
5.6 To abide by the fire and safety rule for the Building, and not to tamper with the fire prevention systems and control equipment;
5.7 Not to sublet or share possession of the Accommodation, and not to permit guests to use the Accommodation without prior agreement from the Accommodation Provider; not to give keys to any other person without the prior consent of the Accommodation Provider;
5.8 To take all reasonable steps to assist with keeping common areas of the Building clean and tidy and any shared facilities free from damages;
5.9 Not to smoke in the Building and/or in areas, other than a designated smoking area, within the grounds of the Building;
5.10 Not to keep a pet or any other animal in the Accommodation or the Building (but the Accommodation Provider with carefully consider requests for permission to keep a service animal such as a guide dog); and
5.11 To provide the Accommodation Provider with a certificate of exemption for council tax.
- Summary of Stuhomes Responsibilities
In addition to the specific obligations specified in this Agreement, the Accommodation Provider agrees:
6.1 To provide a room of the type booked by the Licensee clean and tidy ready for the occupation at the start of the Term;
6.2 To give the Licensee the right to enjoy the Accommodation (as assigned to them during the Term) without any undue or improper interruption from the Accommodation Provider or any person acting on its behalf;
6.3 To deliver any services that were specified in the Booking Details (unless subsequently varied by agreement with the Licensee); and
6.4 To deliver any additional services the Licensee has booked and paid for (which may include bedding pack, kitchen pack, extra cleaning, airport transfer).
- Payment
The Licensee shall pay to the Accommodation Provider:
7.1 the Licence Fee in advance in accordance with the payment dates and payment methods specified in the rent payment schedule in the Booking Details; and
7.2 a reasonable amount to compensate the Accommodation Provider for any damage, loss occurring through breach of this Agreement, or failure to return the room in a clean and proper condition.
- Consequences for non-payment and other breaches of this Agreement
8.1 In the event of the breach of this Agreement by the Licensee, the Licensee must pay Accommodation Provider’s reasonable costs or damages caused directly by the breach of this Agreement. These may include:
8.1.1 Any damage, or compensation for damage, to the Accommodation or the Building, its fixtures and fittings or for missing items for which the Licensee may be liable, subject to an apportionment or allowance for fair wear and tear, the age and condition of each and any such item at the commencement of the Term, and repairs that are the responsibility of the Accommodation Provider;
8.1.2 The reasonable costs incurred in compensating the Accommodation Provider for, or for rectifying or remedying any breach by the Licensee of their obligations under this Agreement, including those relating to the cleaning of the Accommodation;
8.1.3 Any unpaid accounts for Council Tax for which the Licensee is liable;
8.1.4 Any Licence Fees or other money due or payable by the Licensee under this Agreement which remains unpaid after the end of the Term.
8.2 The Licensee must pay interest at an annual percentage rate of 3% above the Bank of England base rate (as defined in Schedule 1 Paragraph 4(6) of the Tenant Fees Act 2019) on any Licence Fees due under this Agreement that is not received by the Accommodation Provider within 14 days after the payment was due. This interest is calculated from the date on which payment of the rent was due to the date of actual payment and is compounded daily.
8.3 The Licensee must pay the Accommodation Provider’s reasonable costs in respect of any failure by the Licensee to fulfil his obligations contained in this Agreement, including the costs of recovering debt through a debt collection agency, and the cost of the taking of legal advice and legal action in relation to any breach of this agreement by the Licensee.
8.4 In the event of non-payment or other breach of this Agreement by the Licensee, the Accommodation Provider may:
8.4.1 Terminate this agreement in accordance with the provisions set out below in this Agreement; or
8.4.2 Make a claim at court for recovery of unpaid sums, legal costs, and compensation for any other loss suffered by the Accommodation Provider; or
8.4.3 Terminate this agreement and claim money from Licensee.
- Keys
The Accommodation Provider will issue to the Licensee one set of keys or access fobs (as applicable) only for the Room and the Building.
If the Licensee loses a key, the Accommodation Provider will replace it upon the Licensee paying the reasonable cost of having a replacement cut.
The Accommodation Provider shall retain a set of keys or access fobs (as applicable), and the Accommodation Provider and any persons authorised by the Accommodation Provider may exercise the right to use these keys and obtain free entry to the Room at any time.
- Access and use of facilities
The Licensee shall have the right to use any areas of Building which are designated for communal use by the Accommodation Provider in common with the other licensees of the Accommodation Provider.
- Utilities
Provided that the Licensee makes only ordinary domestic and reasonable use of any water, gas, electricity supplied to the Accommodation, the Accommodation Provider shall be responsible for paying for the charges for such utilities.
- Amicable sharing
The Licensee must use best endeavours to share use of the Building amicably and peaceably with the Accommodation Provider and with such other licensees as the Accommodation Provider from time to time permits to use the Building and must not interfere with or otherwise obstruct such shared occupation in any way.
- Regulations for the Building
13.1 The Licensee agrees to abide by any rules relating to the occupation and use of the Accommodation and the Building which are contained with this Agreement or contained within the Residence Rules supplied with this Agreement. A breach of any such rules shall constitute a breach of this Agreement.
13.2 The Licensee must observe and perform the regulations for the use and conduct of persons in the Building reasonably made from time to time by the Accommodation Provider for the management or improvement of the Building and communicated to the Licensee.
- Reporting Maintenance Issues
14.1 The Licensee must promptly report any maintenance or repair issues. If the Licensee discovers any problem relating to the Accommodation, including the Furniture and Furnishings (such as defective heating, broken fridge, hot water, Wi-Fi), the Licensee should report this to residence management or reception at the Building.
14.2 In case of any emergency the Licensee must follow any instructions provided in the handbook provided to the Licensee or on posters at the Building. Emergency repair issues should be reported to reception at the building immediately.
- Cleaning and care for the Accommodation
The Licensee must keep the interior of the Accommodation in good and clean condition and shall make good any damage caused there or to other shared parts of the Building used by the Licensee. The Accommodation Provider is responsible for cleaning shared parts of the Building.
- Furniture and furnishings
The Licensee must keep the Furniture and Furnishings in good order and condition and must not remove any of them from the Room. The Licensee must make good any damage to the Furniture and Furnishings caused by the Licensee and replace with articles of a similar kind and value any items broken or damaged by the Licensee, as reasonably requested by the Accommodation Provider.
The Accommodation Provider confirms that the Furniture and Furnishings comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988.
- Rubbish
The Licensee must ensure that the Room is cleaned regularly and kept in good clean condition and that all the Licensee’s rubbish is disposed of regularly and placed in the rubbish bins provided for use by the Licensee.
At the end of the Term the Accommodation must be left free from rubbish.
- Council tax
18.1 The Licensee agrees to pay any Council Tax which is payable in respect of the Accommodation (in the event that any Council Tax is payable).
18.2 The Licensee agrees to provide the Accommodation Provider with a valid Council Tax exemption certificate and to take all reasonable steps required to assist the Accommodation Provider in claiming exemptions or reductions from Council Tax. The Licensee must indemnify the Accommodation Provider against any loss or liability incurred if the Accommodation Provider becomes liable to pay Council Tax due to the Licensee’s failure to do so.
18.3 The Licensee acknowledges that Council Tax exemption is assessed solely by the local authority and may depend on the nature of their course, institution, or reason for study. While the Accommodation Provider may assist by providing supporting documentation, it remains the Licensee’s sole responsibility to ensure their eligibility for exemption.
18.4 If the local authority does not accept the Licensee’s course, institution, or reason for study as qualifying for Council Tax exemption, the Licensee shall remain fully liable for any resulting Council Tax charges. The Accommodation Provider shall not be held responsible for the outcome of any exemption application or appeal.
- Pets
The Licensee must not keep any dogs, cats or other pets or animals in the Accommodation without the prior written consent of the Accommodation Provider. In general pets are not permitted in the Building but the Accommodation Provider will consider any requests based on special circumstances of the Licensee (such as service animals for persons who have a disability within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010).
- Gas, electrical and fire safety
The Accommodation Provider confirms that the electrical appliances and installations provided by the Accommodation Provider are safe and will not cause danger and that a copy of an appropriate inspection and test report has been provided to the Licensee prior to this Agreement.
If there is a gas supply to the Building, the Accommodation Provider confirms compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and that a copy of the record of the appropriate inspection and safety check has been provided to the Licensee prior to this Agreement.
The Accommodation Provider confirms that Building is suitably equipped with smoke alarms (and, where appropriate, with carbon monoxide alarms) that are in proper working order.
- Early termination
21.1 The Licence may be ended:
21.1.1 by the Accommodation Provider giving a fair written notice and a reasonable opportunity to remedy the breach, if there is a material breach of any of the terms of this Agreement, except in cases where immediate action is required for safety or to prevent material loss or damage;
21.1.2 by the Accommodation Provider giving a fair written notice and a reasonable opportunity to remedy the breach, if the Licence Fee is not paid on the day when it becomes due;
21.1.3 by the Accommodation Provider, where the Accommodation Provider can demonstrate that the Licence was granted as a result of a materially false or misleading statement by the Licensee or Guarantor, provided that the Licensee is given written notice and reasonable opportunity to respond;
21.1.4 if the Building or Room becomes uninhabitable due to fire, flood, or another catastrophic event covered by a standard insurance. In such cases, the Licensee is entitled to either:
alternative accommodation of equal or higher standard, or a refund of Licence Fees for any period the Room is uninhabitable.
21.2 The Accommodation Provider may direct the Licensee to occupy an alternative Room within the Building if necessary for operational, safety, or maintenance reasons, provided that reasonable notice is given (normally at least 7 days, except in emergencies) and the Licensee is offered assistance in relocating personal belongings. The alternative Room will be of equal or higher standard.
21.3 Where applicable, any special arrangements recorded in the Booking Details shall apply, provided that such arrangements do not override statutory rights or regulatory protections.
- Accommodation Reassignment
22.1 The Accommodation Provider may require the Licensee to move to a different Room within the Building or, if no suitable alternative is available, to a Room in a different building for operational, maintenance, refurbishment, or safety reasons.
22.2 The following principles shall guide any relocation:
22.2.1 The Accommodation Provider will aim to provide at least 7 days’ written notice, except in genuine emergencies.
22.2.2 The Accommodation Provider shall offer assistance with moving personal belongings and may move the Licensee’s possessions if they fail to do so.
22.2.3 The Accommodation Provider will aim to minimise disruption and ensure that the alternative Room is of equal or higher specification.
22.3 If the Licensee refuses to relocate to a reasonably offered Room that meets the above criteria, the Accommodation Provider may take further action consistent with clause 21.1.
22.4 The Licensee acknowledges that refurbishment, maintenance, or improvement works may occur during the Licence Term. If such works necessitate relocation, the Licensee will be moved to a suitable alternative accommodation of equal or higher specification. If no suitable Room is available within the same Building, the Licensee may be offered a Room in a nearby partner property of equal or higher standard. No reduction or suspension of Licence Fees will apply for temporary inconvenience, but reasonable compensation will apply if the alternative Room is of lower standard.
- Replacement Process
23.1 The Licence is personal to the Licensee. The Licensee cannot transfer their rights under this Agreement to another person without approval.
23.2 The Licensee has no automatic right to terminate the Licence early. However, for long-term bookings (13 weeks or longer), the Accommodation Provider may allow early termination if the Licensee proposes a suitable replacement licensee, subject to the following conditions:
23.2.1 The replacement licensee meets all eligibility and referencing criteria;
23.2.2 The replacement licensee and their guarantor shall enter into a new licence agreement with us in similar terms as are contained in this Licence Agreement and which commences on the same date that the original Licensee’s licence is terminated and occupy the Accommodation for the remaining term;
23.2.3 the Licensee proposes a replacement student who is at least 18 years old, a student, and is not an existing resident and does not have an existing 2026/27 room booking with the Licensor or its affiliates;
21.2.4 the Licensee settles all rental arrears and debt accumulated up until the replacement licence start date, and all other costs and losses incurred by the Licensor as a consequence of the early termination (normally £50).
23.3 Once the replacement tenant occupies the Accommodation, all parties will be released from the obligations under this Licensee agreement.
- Check out at the end of the licence
24.1 At the end of Term of occupation granted by this Agreement, the Licensee shall immediately cease to be entitled to use the Accommodation and the Building and must vacate the Accommodation, leaving it clean and tidy, and return the keys or fobs (as applicable) to the Accommodation Provider immediately.
24.2 The Accommodation Provider will carry out an inspection of the Accommodation to check whether it has been left in good clean condition.
24.3 The Licensee acknowledges any damages, losses or other liabilities arising from a breach of this Agreement will be assessed at the end of the Licence Term, and the Licensee will be invoiced accordingly for any of the following:
24.3.1 The reasonable cost of repair or replacement or any damage caused to the Accommodation or the Building, including fixtures, fittings, furnishings or any missing items for which the Licensee is liable, subject to allowance for fair wear and tear, and taking into account the age and condition of the items at the start of the Term;
24.3.2 The reasonable costs incurred to remedy any breach by the Licensee of their obligations under this Agreement, including cleaning charges where the Accommodation has not been left in a reasonably clean and tidy condition.
- Data Protection
25.1 The Accommodation Provider will from time to time collect and use information relating to the Licensee (or the Guarantor) for the purpose of managing the Building, performing its obligations under this Agreement, and ensuring the Licensee and the Guarantor perform their obligations. Please see the Stuhomes privacy notice for further details about how personal data is processed.
25.2 The Accommodation Provider invites the Licensee to provide emergency contacts to allow the Accommodation Provider to share information with these selected third parties in the event that there are serious concerns surrounding the Licensee’s health or well-being. Such third parties might include the Licensee’s next of kin, emergency contact, Guarantor, university (including university welfare team) and any other person whom they have nominated for this purpose.
25.3 In an emergency it might be necessary for the Accommodation Provider to share personal data about the Licensee with emergency services or healthcare professionals without first obtaining the consent of the Licensee.
- Notices
26.1 Any notice to be served on the Licensee may be served by being left in the Accommodation or in any other part of the Building from where post is usually collected and shall be deemed to have been received upon the expiry of 24 hours after service.
26.2 The Accommodation Provider agrees to accept service of notices and any other documents relating to the Licensee’s occupation of the Accommodation by email to the email address identified in the Booking Details. Any notice or document served by email shall be deemed to be served on the same day if sent before 5pm on a Working Day, and otherwise on the next Working Day.
- Severance
If any term of this Agreement is, in whole or in part, held to be illegal or unenforceable to any extent under any enactment or rule of law, that term or part shall to that extent be deemed not to form part of this Agreement and the enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected.
- Jurisdiction
The Accommodation Provider and the Licensee agree that this Agreement shall be exclusively governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
- Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
This Agreement shall not operate to confer any rights on any third party and no person other than the parties to it may enforce any provision of this Agreement by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
- Obligations of Guarantor
30.1 If the Licensee does not pay any Licence Fee or other payment lawfully due to the Accommodation Provider under or as a consequence of the breach of the terms of this Agreement, the Guarantor must pay it to the Accommodation Provider on demand.
30.2 The obligations of the Guarantor under this clause are entered into with the Accommodation Provider as sole or principal debtor. This means that the Guarantor is primarily liable to the Accommodation Provider in relation to the obligations of the Licensee to the Accommodation Provider under this Agreement.
30.3 The obligations of the Guarantor under this clause will not be released or reduced by any immaterial alteration of the terms of this Agreement that does not adversely affect the Guarantor.
30.4 The obligations of the Guarantor under this clause will not be released or reduced by any delay by the Landlord in enforcing the payment of any Rent or other payment lawfully due to the Accommodation Provider under this Agreement or in enforcing compliance with any other obligation owed to the Accommodation Provider under this Agreement or by any arrangement entered into by the Accommodation Provider in relation to those matters.
30.5 Any demand of the Guarantor under this clause may be made by sending it by first class letter post to the address given for the Guarantor at the beginning of this Agreement and, unless returned undelivered, will be deemed to have been served within 2 working days after posting whether or not it is, in fact, received.
