The other place you call home

Booking a room is simple through our website. You can submit a specific room enquiry after browsing our available rooms and selecting the one you like, and we’ll get back to you within 48 hours.

Alternatively, you can submit a general enquiry, and our Lettings team will be happy to assist you.

Yes, you need to be a full-time student to live at Southgate.

No, we don’t charge a booking fee. Instead, when you accept your room offer, you'll be required to pay an advance rent payment of £250.

Advance rent is an upfront payment of £250 and is required at the point of booking. This payment goes towards your first rent installment and is therefore not returned to you when you check-out.

Advance rent will not apply if you are paying in full or if you book after the first installment’s due date.

Yes, we offer both virtual and in-person viewings. You can book a viewing by submitting a general enquiry through our website, and we’ll get in touch with you, or you can email our lettings team directly at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to arrange it for you.

Yes, you can cancel your booking with us if you're within the cooling-off period, and it will be free of charge.

The cooling-off period is:

• 7 days from the date of booking (for bookings made more than 19 weeks before the start date of your license agreement)
• 48 hours from the date of booking (for bookings made less than 19 weeks before the start date of your license agreement)

Yes, you may cancel free of charge in the following circumstances:

If you do not achieve the required grades and your place at university is withdrawn, you are entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full refund.  This policy also applies to prospective first-year students who did not achieve the required exam grades and whose place has been subsequently withdrawn, or to prospective first-year students who have opted to attend a different university after exceeding their expected grades.

To request cancellation under this policy, you must submit the following documentation (within 3 days of results):

• A written or email confirmation indicating your wish to cancel the reservation, along with your full name and complete property details.
• For current students:
  • A letter from your university/college which confirms that the required results were not achieved, and that your place has been withdrawn.
• For prospective students:
  • A written rejection letter from your chosen university/college or UCAS, a screenshot of your UCAS status showing that the required grades were not met, or proof of acceptance to your new university via UCAS Adjustment.

If your application for a UK study visa is declined by UK Visas and Immigration, you may cancel your booking and receive a full refund, subject to the following conditions:

• You must notify us in writing no later than 3 days after your visa is declined, and provide us of sufficient evidence of the visa rejection.
• The rejection must not be a result of your failure to complete the required steps for the visa application process as stipulated by UKVI.
• Your university was able to issue a CAS Number, and the visa rejection was not caused by your failure to complete the necessary application steps for studying in the UK.

If your cancellation is accepted under the above policies, your Advance Licence fee will be refunded to the account from which it was originally paid.

If you have already moved into the accommodation, you cannot cancel the agreement under these policies without charge. You will be required to find a suitable replacement for your room, and you will remain liable under the terms of your agreement with us.

You are able to move out early from your accommodation however, you are committed under your licence agreement with us to pay the full fee. We are not able to issue a refund for you until you find a suitable replacement to take over your room.

The standard contract length is 51 weeks.

Yes! At Southgate, we offer dual occupancy in our studio rooms at an increased rate. However, we do not allow dual occupancy in our shared living rooms.

Prior to your arrival, we’ll email you information about Southgate and the details of your check-in process.

When you arrive for check-in, you’ll need to bring a valid photo ID to collect your room key. For security reasons, you must collect your room key personally - someone else cannot collect it on your behalf.

Here are some helpful resources from the University of Birmingham and UCAS to help guide you on what to pack:

• University of Birmingham – What to Pack
• UCAS – What to Take

For the safety and security of all Southgate residents, we kindly ask that you do not bring any hazardous or flammable items, such as candles, electric blankets, fridges, heaters, or microwaves.

Additionally, please refrain from bringing any illicit items into the residence. Unfortunately, your furry friends can’t come along, so please leave them at home as well.

Whilst we don’t provide kits ourselves, you can purchase packages from UniKitOut, who offer a fabulous range of kit options to suit your needs.

• Visit UniKitOut

Ahead of move-in day, you’ll be assigned a drop-off time. During this assigned time slot, you can use the parking bays at the front of Southgate to unload your belongings from your car.

Southgate has a 24/7 on-site laundry room equipped with washing and drying machines. You simply pay for the washing and drying services that you use.

Yes! We have secure bike storage available on-site for our residents.

No, we do not offer parking at Southgate.

Included in your tenancy is a bi-weekly cleaning service for both your room and all communal areas.

Please note that the housekeeping team is not responsible for disposing of your rubbish and may refuse to clean if the area is too untidy. We kindly ask that you respect the building and keep your space tidy.

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed at Southgate. However, if you require a registered assistance dog for medical purposes, we can make arrangements. Just get in touch with our team, and we’ll be happy to assist.

You have your room for the entire 51-week contract so there’s no need to move out during academic breaks.

Here at Southgate we have a designated mailroom where packages can be left by couriers. Its is a secure room and student will be given a passcode to enter the room

Any maintenance issues you encounter during your stay can be easily logged through the resident portal on the Lavanda App, which you'll receive login details for once you move in.

Your safety is our top priority here at Southgate. To ensure you feel secure, we have 24/7 CCTV monitoring the building. Additionally, all door entries are key-fob access, meaning only residents can enter the building.

You can reach out to our friendly team, who are here to ensure your stay at Southgate is a great one. If you need any assistance, don’t hesitate to speak to us – we’re always happy to help!

Of course, Southgate is your home for the year! You’re welcome to have one guest stay over for up to two days, as long as they are over 18 years old.

In accordance with UK law, smoking is not permitted indoors.

If you choose to pay your rent in installments, you will need to have a UK guarantor. However, if you pay the full rent amount upfront, no guarantor is required.

If you do not have a UK guarantor, we recommend using services like Housing Hand or Rent Guarantor to assist you in this matter.

When you book your room, you'll have the option to pay either in one upfront payment or in installments. During the booking process, you'll be shown the payment due dates and amounts.

Please note, if you choose to pay the full amount upfront, you will be exempt from the advance rent payment at the time of booking.

All rent payments at Southgate must be made via bank transfer. Please remember to use your name and date of birth as the payment reference.

You can also use Stripe as an alternative payment method. Please note that is you chose this option, you will be responsible for the associated processing fee: 1.6% for domestic transactions and 3.25% for international transactions.

We like to keep things simple and stress free for you whilst you study, so all your utility bills are taken care of. This includes: gas, electricity, water and Wi-Fi.

If you plan on watching live or on-demand TV, you will need to obtain your own TV license for the duration of your stay. However, if you only use your TV for streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or for gaming, you do not need a TV license.

If you are a qualifying full-time student, you will be exempt from paying council tax. We ask that you provide your certificate of exemption within 10 weeks of your tenancy start date.

Yes, you can pay your rent from overseas via bank transfer. Please note that your bank may charge a fee for international payments, so we recommend checking with your banking provider for their terms and conditions.

No, we do not charge a deposit. Your room is covered under a fair wear and tear policy. Any charges will only apply if there is major damage to your room or communal areas. You can find the full terms and conditions in your agreement provided by Southgate