September 2021 might seem like a long way off, but now’s the time to start thinking about where you’d like to live in your next university year. There are three main options for student housing – university halls, private halls (like us) and private housing – but with the current pandemic, there’s arguably a lot more to think about.
Hands up – we might be biased, but we think private halls (and specifically Sanctuary Students halls) offer you the support, cleanliness and financial reassurance to help you deal with the uncertainty caused by COVID-19. Did we also mention you can now rebook for just £1?
Here are four reasons why we think you should stick with us when you’re looking at your second- or third-year accommodation!
We’ve got your back!
At Sanctuary Students, we go the extra mile to make sure that you get the best possible living experience. And, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our benefits have really come into their own.
You want to feel welcome, supported – and above all, safe – in your student digs. At Sanctuary Students, we can offer much more than a landlord-let or houses in multiple occupation, but also way more than university halls. Here’s why!
1. We offer More Than Just A Room
At Sanctuary Students, we care about you and your health and wellbeing, and our superhero team members are here to help with any problems you might have. Most of our locations have an on-site team 24 hours a day to make sure everyone in our student community is happy, healthy and safe.
Our More Than Just A Room programme is designed to offer our students something more than bricks, mortar and a comfy bed. We’re doing everything we can to help and reassure our students during the current pandemic. For example, if you’re self-isolating and are therefore unable to leave your room – and you have ordered a takeaway or shopping delivery, we will bring it directly to your door in a contactless drop-off. We can’t imagine a landlord doing that!
We’ve also come up with a list of ways to look after your mental health if you’re self-isolating, including ways of keeping in touch virtually, ideas for getting creative, and types of gentle exercise you can do in your flat.
We also offer professional support to help you with any problems you may face – our Student Advice Line from our partners at Health Assured is open day and night, 365 days a year, and everything you discuss is kept confidential, so there’s nothing to worry about. Call the freephone number on 0800 030 5182 – we’re here as often as you need us, for as long as you like. Learn more about Sanctuary Students well-being services.
2. We have cleaners around the clock
Having on-site cleaners is a perk of staying in halls over a private house – but it’s even more of a benefit in the current climate.
Our accommodation has dedicated cleaners, plus sanitising stations throughout the properties, and screens in all of our reception areas to help keep staff and students safe. Our student flats also have on-site laundrettes with an app to see when machines are available to help you keep your distance from others.
Another benefit of student halls is having maintenance team a phone call away – whereas in a private house, it can take a while to get repairs done. At Sanctuary Students, we will be carrying out repairs and compliance checks as normal, but please keep your distance from our maintenance staff.
3. All your bills are taken care of
We always promote the fact we have all-inclusive bills at Sanctuary Students – something you wouldn’t get in a private house – but with the financial uncertainty at the moment, having your bills covered means there’s one less worry.
ALL utilities are included, including electricity, water and heating – plus there’s Wi-Fi in your room and throughout the building. Chances are you’ll be using more of all of these ‘utilities’ if there’s a lockdown or you’re self-isolating – however there’s no additional cost to you! Contents insurance is also included.
Having your bills covered in your halls cost means you won’t have to spend time with your housemates trawling through various suppliers, and then arguing over who is using all of the hot water!
Last but not least, we offer flexible payment options with no risk to you if a flatmate moves out – whereas in private housing, the remaining tenants would generally be expected to cover the short-fall in rent. So, if you rebook with us, you can guarantee no hidden costs.
4. We build a community
At Sanctuary Students, we pride ourselves on our range social opportunities, which are designed to help you make friends and settle in quickly. While socialising looks a bit different this year, we have still been creating fun events for our student communities to (safely) take part in.
In September, we teamed with Liverpool John Moores University’s ‘Cook Together’ project to bring new undergraduate students at Grenville Street and Marybone Village a free meal kit in a box along with some recipe ideas, and we also ran a socially distanced Macmillan Coffee Morning at Dinwiddy House in London. This week, we popped a bunch of pumpkins in Grenville Street reception for students to carve and submit their designs for the chance to win a prize.
Not only that, the way our flats are designed promotes socialising – from our kitchen and dining spaces to our common rooms. As it stands, you are classed as one ‘household’ (or ‘bubble’) with your housemates – so it’s the perfect opportunity to have themed cooking nights or film nights together.
Stick with Sanctuary
Life in student digs is very different from living at home, and the coronavirus pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty – but at Sanctuary Students, we are here for you.
Whether you’re looking for second- or third-year student accommodation, our halls offer the support, cleanliness and financial reassurance needed during the pandemic. Staying in a shared house won’t include the same benefits.
Whatever university year you’re in, private halls such as ours are good preparation for adult life, as you have many of the perks of independence, but without needing to worry about bills or landlords – or fighting over different-sized rooms!
What are you waiting for? Rebook with us today – there’s no deposit, and a booking fee of just £1!