We are writing to students who hold contracts for accommodation that the University owns/leases and manages, to let them know what we have decided to do about accommodation fees in light of the recent government announcement setting out the roadmap for the easing of national restrictions and updated government guidance. A copy of this communication can be found below:

The government has specified that its aim is to continue to restrict the number of students who return to university and who access university facilities until at least Monday 17 May 2021. As such, unless you:

• are already at the university; or
• have previously been, or are in the next few days, notified by your school or department that you should return to campus for face-to-face teaching

you should, as per the latest government guidance, not return to your term-time accommodation until further notice. Notifications from schools or departments will be for students on practical courses with return dates in April.

In the meantime, we are letting you know that, exceptionally and in recognition of the very specific circumstances that continue to apply into term 3, we have extended our support package for students in university-owned/leased and -managed accommodation. The extended support package continues to align your accommodation charges to the government’s current advice as set out above, where the majority of students are not expected to return to campus until Monday 17 May 2021 at the earliest.

The government has said that it will give a week’s notice of further reopening to students and universities; after we have received this, we will write to you again to let you know next steps, including in relation to your accommodation charges.

Extension to Accommodation Support Package

The following information applies to students with accommodation contracts for university halls, Dagfa, Varsity, and UPP (Broadgate Park, Albion House & Cloister House) who have not returned to their accommodation by Monday 17 May 2021.

We are pleased to confirm that if you are not studying on a programme that requires you to return for in-person teaching AND you are not using your room, you will not have to pay accommodation fees for the period from 19 April 2021 up to and including either the date you start to occupy your room or Monday 17 May 2021 - whichever is earlier.

Where students are studying on a programme that requires them to return for in-person teaching, they will remain liable to pay their full accommodation fees from the date of required return, regardless of whether or not they occupy their room.

If you choose to occupy your accommodation for any reason prior to Monday 17 May 2021, accommodation fees will be due from and including the date on which you commence occupation of your room.

Private accommodation providers

While the university’s accommodation support package can only apply to students in accommodation that the university owns/leases and manages, we are actively liaising with private and third-party accommodation providers to see if they are able to support students in a similar manner.

The university may be able to offer interest-free loans or non-repayable grants to students experiencing financial difficulties resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. For further information, please visit Support Funds or email financialsupport@nottingham.ac.uk.

We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding and assure you that the university will continue to monitor this situation and provide the best possible support for students in accommodation.