Universities UK (UUK) Code of Practice for the Management of Student Housing

The Housing Act 2004 introduced licensing for houses in multiple occupation in England and Wales. The Housing Act stated that licensing would apply to student accommodation which replaced the previous system of registration, from which Higher Education Institutions were exempt.

The University of Birmingham played an active role in the consultation exercise for the draft UUK Code of Practice. We fully support the principles of the Code for the provision and management of our student residences and signed up to the UUK Code in December 2005.

The Code sets out the main elements of good management practice for student housing which set out the standards and undertakings about our management practices and the relationship between the University of Birmingham and yourself throughout your stay with us.

It should assist you to understand both the standards and procedures applying to your accommodation and your obligations as a resident.

Administration arrangements for the Code are set out in detail in the individual accommodation documents available via the village links on the right hand side of this page. These are intended to serve the overall purposes of the Code. The Code helps to maintain and enhance standards and sets out clearly what you may expect of your accommodation and its management and what is expected from you as a responsible resident.

These detailed arrangements also provide mechanisms for identifying, and helping remedy any shortcomings in the management of your accommodation. Where an audit and/or complaints indicate a persistent management failure a University may be deemed to be no longer compliant with the UUK Code of Practice.

The Code outlines best practice and provides benchmarks for the management and quality of student housing in the Higher Education sector. A full version of the UUK Code of Practice is available to download at http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/acop/       

The Code is concerned with the main principles and essential requirements for well managed student accommodation and the key elements covered by the Code include:

• health and safety standards and procedures
• fire safety
• electricity and gas supplies
• water supply and services
• security
• kitchen facilities and related items
• maintenance and repair regimes
• environmental quality
• landlord and tenant relationship
• student support
• antisocial behaviour and disciplinary procedures
• administration of and compliance with the Code

Each of the above elements are detailed under the relevant sections in the Code of Practice documentation, available here. However, some of the information referred to may be held at your Village Reception or in the Estates Office and instructions will be provided under the relevant heading of how you can obtain this information.

If you have any queries or concerns about your accommodation then please contact the reception on your Village where staff will be more than happy to assist you.

Important Note:

It is important that you read the Code of Practice when you move into your accommodation. The Code of Practice documentation for each accommodation is available on the right hand side of this page, please click on the village  you live in, then on your residence and either read the documentation on-line or download and print.

If you are uncertain which village you are in, here is a list of the residences in each one:

The Vale Village

Aitken

Elgar Court

Maple Bank

Mason

Shackleton

Centre Court

Tennis Court

Pritchatts Park Village

Ashcroft

Oakley Court

Pritchatts House

9 and 11 Pritchatts Road House (3 and 7 are being refurbished this year and not in use)

The Spinney

Selly Oak Village

Jarratt Hall

Alongside this page you will note a number of documents available for you to download along with two on-line forms; one to submit any concerns, comments or suggestions you may have and a second one, the complaint form which you can either submit on-line or download, print out, complete and return to the appropriate address as advised.