Your Uni Life: you tell us

Who we are Free and confidential advice on a range of issues that may affect you during your time at UEL. Trained staff will listen to your situation; explore your options with you and talk about the steps to be taken in order to deal with the issue you are facing.

What we advise on Academic Appeals Attendance appeals Academic Misconduct Complaints Disciplinary Procedures Extenuating Circumstances

This session Insight into the experiences of students at UEL. What kind of new services or support we can provide for students?

Housing 658 respondents to a quantitative survey, with space for comments on most questions. Tons of data and comments to analyse! 5

6 Q24: On a scale of 1 to 10, how difficult was it to find your current accommodation? (1 is very easy and 10 is very difficult). Base: 225

7 Q43: What were the reasons you did not sign for a property? (Private rented house/flat) Base: 573 To note: 49% of respondents said that expense was the biggest reason for rejecting a property. This is followed by 44% stating the poor condition of the property was the reason, and 37% that it was not suitable.

Problems with landlords 8 To note: 32% of students said that they either frequently or sometimes have problems with their landlord (Base: 225) Valuable information for the advice service on what kind of issues may arise when housing advice is rolled out. Q29: What kind of problems do you experience with your landlord? Base: 68 written comments

Guarantors 9 Private sector Base: 221 University Base: 132 To note: A guarantor is an identified party who will cover the balance of your rent if you become unable to pay it (also known as defaulting). Most students reported not having a guarantor. We know that those in Halls do not require a guarantor, though it is unclear why some still report having one if this is the case. We found it surprising that even in the private sector 62% of students did not have guarantors. Were uncertain how rent arrears would be dealt with in these cases. Q51: Do you have a guarantor? A guarantor is somebody who has agreed to pay your rent if you fail to do so? Base: 353

Deposits Protection Schemes 10 To note: DPS has been in place since 2004 and are a form of protection for both landlords and tenants, as well as providing a layer of mediation when disputes occur. There is an exception in law in the law for University Halls. Just under half of those in private sector report their deposit being in a DPS. All should be by law. A fifth dont know.

11 Q:36 Have you ever wanted to leave Halls? Base: 148 Desire to leave Halls of Residence To note: Questions may seem very similar, but 21% of these respondents said that they often think about leaving Halls and that is concerning. Most respondents have at some time thought about leaving Halls, though it is unclear if this is natural or something more

12 Q37: What has made you feel as if you want to leave halls? Base: 96 To note: Antisocial behaviour was the biggest cited problem at 57%, followed by concerns about finances and the quality of accommodation. Reasons for wanting to leave

Advice Do you see people coming to you needing advice? How do you feel about the different policies in place at UEL such as the extenuation procedure or attendance policies?