Students with special needs

This section is designed to give those students with more specialised needs additional help and support.

Students with a disability

The University of Bradford and Bradford College have a selection of wheelchair accessible accommodation as do some private landlords.

Private Sector

Wheelchair accessible properties available in the private sector can be found by doing an ‘advanced search’ on our website and the ‘facilities’ section has a tick-box option for wheelchair accessible accommodation.

You can discuss the extent of your disability to determine if the accommodation is suitable for you.

University of Bradford

The University welcomes applications from students with disabilities. Please indicate on the application form if you have a disability. The University will make every effort to meet your requirements, and a small number of rooms have already been adapted. Should you indicate that you have additional requirements, you will be sent an Access form. Please complete this and return it to the Accommodation Services Office as quickly as possible. This form will be passed to the University’s Head of Disability Services who will contact you separately. If you wish to discuss your requirements or visit the University’s accommodation, please feel free to contact the Disability Office at the University using the contact information below.

The University’s disability services provide support and advice for students with disabilities, and they will ensure you are allocated appropriate accommodation and provided with all the practical help you may need on a day-to-day basis.

Accommodation Services Office
University of Bradford
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD7 1DP

For general accommodation enquiries:
Tel: 01274 234883 or 01274 236124 or 01274 235501
Fax: 01274 234882
Email: halls-of-residence@bradford.ac.uk
Website: http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/recruitment/accom

NB: from mid-August to mid-September there will be a Hotline number for accommodation queries.
Tel: 01274 234890

The Disability Office
Ground Floor
Bradford Halls
University of Bradford
Bradford
BD7 1DP

Telephone: 01274 233739
Text Phone: 01274 235094
Fax: 01274 235340
E-mail: disabilities@bradford.ac.uk

Bradford College

Bradford College offers accommodation to students with disabilities. The Accommodation Office will deal with each student on a one-to-one basis to ensure that all their needs are met. If you have a disability and wish to discuss your accommodation needs please contact the Accommodation Office:

The Accommodation Office
McMillan Halls of Residence
Bradford College
Easby Road
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD7 1QZ

Telephone:01274 436400
Fax: 01274 741358
E-mail:hallsofres@bradfordcollege.ac.uk

For further information about facilities for students with disabilities:
e-mail: maxinea@bilk.ac.uk
Telephone (0)1274 433133 (voice and minicom),
Fax (0)1274 420441

Short term accommodation

Emergency Accommodation

Bradford University

One night emergency accommodation is available over the intake period. These rooms, strictly limited, are designed for students who arrive in Bradford and have a problem with their application. There is no charge for this service.

In addition, emergency one night accommodation is available throughout the year for students who are ‘in difficulty’. This will depend on availability. Please contact the Accommodation Services office for more details:

Accommodation up to 2 weeks

If you are looking for accommodation for a very short period then it may be more appropriate to find bed and breakfast accommodation through Gateway Yorkshire who offer an accommodation booking service with details of room availability in hotels, guest houses or bed and breakfasts.

Gateway Yorkshire
Telephone: 0800 80 8050.

Accommodation up to 6 months

Bradford University

Depending on availability Bradford University can sometimes offer short term accommodation within their portfolio. This will depend largely on where voids exist. The University will not place short term accommodation students in blocks and flats which house students on longer term contracts, this is to avoid disruption to those students. However if a whole unit is available short term contracts will be offered.

Private accommodation

It is unlikely that many of our owners will let out their properties for such a short period, which is why sub-letting a room from a student is likely to be more successful. The best thing that you can do is to use the Student to student Notice Board on our website. Make sure that the student concerned is allowed to sublet their room in terms of their contract before you agree anything so as to avoid any potential problems later.

You may wish to browse through 'Accommodation Available' but place your own advert in ‘Accommodation Available’. You may leave contact details on your advert or ask people to reply to you at the site. You should know that there is a delay of a few hours before your message will appear as we have to check all messages before they appear on the site.

Some landlords will offer shorter lets, especially from January through to the end of June. Try doing an 'Advanced Search', where you put in all the amenities you wish to have from your accommodation, including location, maximum rent etc. At the bottom of this page there is a key word search box where you could type ‘short term lets’. When you press 'search', a list of properties which meet your criteria will appear. On each advert will be displayed the owner's contact details so that you may contact him/her directly to make appointments to view. Ask them when you ring whether they are prepared to consider a short let.

You could also try searching in the section 'Rooms in a Private Home'. Owners of these properties are sometimes prepared to be a little more flexible about the length of contract they offer.

Summer lets

Often students wish to remain in Leeds over the summer but do not wish to commit to a full 52 week let, for example Postgraduates students completing their studies. The student to student noticeboard is again very useful in securing this type of accommodation. Many students who have signed 52 week contracts will be away from Leeds over the summer and may wish to let their rooms out over this period, often using the student to student noticeboard to do this.

Under 18

Unipol

When signing for a house you are likely to be asked to sign an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, however if you are under 18 years of age you cannot enter into a legally binding contract and as landlords cannot ask for a guarantor we are not in a position to offer you accommodation within our own portfolio.

You should not panic. There will be plenty of accommodation available throughout the summer. You can still use the Unipol website to search for suitable accommodation and use the student to student noticeboard to meet groups of people before your 18th birthday. When using the student to student noticeboard make your status clear.

If you see a property that you really like it may be worth asking the landlord what is and isn’t possible given your age. It is important to be clear at the beginning as this avoids confusion and misunderstandings later. In this instance a private landlord is likely to ask for someone to act as your guarantor. This person will take on full responsibility for all the terms and conditions of your tenancy if you fail to meet them. Unipol would recommend that you seek advice before entering in to any such agreement.

There is another type of agreement that some institutions use to enable them to offer accommodation to under 18s. This is called a license agreement. In this instance the accommodation provider is likely to request that your parent\ guardian sign the agreement on your behalf. The ‘duty of care’ in housing under 18s is extremely complex, if you are unclear how this could effect you please contact your institution directly.

University of Bradford

Bradford University can offer limited accommodation to under 18s. This is a designated area, close to the on-site warden’s residence. The university is currently undergoing its CRB checks.

Please contact the accommodation office directly for more details.

Accommodation Services Office
University of Bradford
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD7 1DP

For general accommodation enquiries:
Tel: 01274 234883 or 01274 236124 or 01274 235501
Fax: 01274 234882
Email: halls-of-residence@bradford.ac.uk
Web: http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/recruitment/accom/

Bradford College

As a result of the “National Minimum Care Standards Inspection Regulations” rooms in Halls of Residence are only available to students aged eighteen years and over.

For students under eighteen the College operates a service called Home-stay.

Home-Stay

With Home-stay accommodation you live with an English speaking family as part of the family. This type of accommodation is the only accommodation available for students who are under the age of 18 on arrival as well as being ideal for those who want to improve their English language skills.

All families are registered with the College and many have years of experience of welcoming students into their homes. All Home-stay accommodation providers have strict criteria to meet and are inspected on an annual basis.

Please see the website for more information:
http://www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/student_life/accommodation/our-accommodation/homestay-accommodation

International Students

Every year, hundreds of International Students come to study in the UK without having pre-booked accommodation. You will most likely already know about the types of accommodation offered by your University, but may not have booked a place in one. Unipol can help you meet other students in the same position, or other national students, so that you can find a home while you study. We provide access to shared student accommodation, private halls, family accommodation or individual residences such as self-contained flats.

Unipol

Bradford has a great choice of private-sector housing and is popular with international students, because it offers the choice of house/flatmates, and can be much cheaper than University residences. Contracts usually last 52 weeks with the possibility of staying on, unlike university contracts.

Before you sign any contract Unipol would recommend that you seek advice and get your contract checked if you are unclear. Unipol offer a Solicitor’s advice service; please contact us for more details.

Unipol Student Homes
The Sports Centre
Great Horton Road
Bradford
BD1 7DT

Telephone 01274 235 899
E-Mail bradford@unipol.leeds.ac.uk
Daily Recorded Information Line 01274 235822

University of Bradford

Bradford University guarantees you a place in their accommodation for the year if you are:

• A first-year or foundation-year undergraduate who elects to hold an unconditional offer, as their FIRM choice;

• A first-year or foundation-year undergraduate who elects to hold a conditional offer, as their FIRM choice;

• 18 years old or over;

• Postgraduate students in their first year at the University, on completion of the application procedures and acceptance of the University academic offer;

• A Clearing or late entry student whose application reaches us before 5 September 2006

As an international student you have a guaranteed place in University owned or approved accommodation for your first year in Bradford, even if you are entering directly to the second or final year of a course - subject to completion of the application procedures and acceptance of the University's academic offer.

It may also be possible to offer University residential accommodation to first-year international research students enrolling at other times.

For more information on accommodation for International students, including temporary accommodation please visit:

Bradford University Accommodation office website at:
http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/recruitment/accom/

Bradford University International office website at:
http://www.brad.ac.uk/international/living.php

Bradford College

Every year hundreds of students from all over the world choose to study at Bradford College. The International Centre, liaising with all other departments of the college, offers specialist advice and assistance for all international students. Short induction courses are arranged to help new students settle quickly and benefit both academically and socially from their stay in Bradford.

There is no guarantee of accommodation for international students but preference is given to 1st year and final year students. For assistance with your accommodation choices and wider issues effecting International students please see the links below for the International Centre and/ or the Accommodation office.

International Centre
E-mail address: international@bradfordcollege.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 1274 433348
Fax: +44 1274 736175

International Student guide: http://www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/International%20Students/international-documents/04696%20Bradford_Int%20%20Guide%20Final%20version.pdf

Accommodation Office
McMillan Halls of Residence
Bradford College
Easby Road
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD7 1QZ

Telephone:01274 436400
Fax: 01274 741358
E-mail:hallsofres@bradfordcollege.ac.uk

Families and Couples

Accommodation for families is in very high demand, there is a shortage and demand often exceeds supply. Unipol can offer assistance to students with dependants in how to search for suitable accommodation.

Unipol and the Private Sector

You may have to look for your own privately rented accommodation, which will mean coming to Bradford before term starts. Unipol can help you to try and find suitable accommodation, and accommodation services will also provide help and support.

Accommodation that may be suitable for families is advertised on the website. However you would need to contact the landlord of the property you were interested in to discuss its suitability for your family. If you use the advanced search facility you can fine tune your search to give you only the properties that are suitable to you. Here you can more specifically select the type and location of property and also choose which amenities you would like the property to have. This allows you complete flexibility over the features you want in the accommodation. At the bottom of the advanced search page you can use the Keyword search facility. If you tick any of the categories i.e. Families or Couples this will bring up any properties where owners have specifically stated that they feel their properties are suitable for such students.

The Yellow pages can be looked at for other letting agents. Decide which areas you feel are suitable and contact letting agencies in those areas. Letting agents outside the traditional student areas may be more used to letting to families or couples and therefore have accommodation suitable for you. In addition areas where demand is lower, often a little further away from the city centre, may be able to offer suitable accommodation at more competitive rents.

Important points to remember:

• Do not simply "turn up" hoping that a house will become available because you may end up needing temporary accommodation, which can be very expensive;

• It can take several weeks to find family accommodation in the private-sector;

• It is advisable to travel to the UK alone and take temporary single person accommodation while you seek the right accommodation for your family. You are strongly advised NOT to bring your spouse and/or children with you until accommodation has been secured;

• Never sign a long-term contract for a single room if you intend to bring your family to join you later. Landlords are legally entitled to make you pay the rent for the full contract;

University of Bradford

The University of Bradford has only a couple of flats available on campus to students or members of staff with children. This is strictly allocated on a first come first served basis and is available very infrequently.

As there is no official provision for families within their portfolio you will be directed to use the Unipol service.

Bradford College

Currently offer no provision for families within their portfolio. The accommodation services will direct their students with dependants to use the Unipol service.

Members of Staff

The university may be able to offer accommodation to members of staff directly please see the information below.

University of Bradford

For more information please contact the accommodation services office.

Accommodation Services Office
University of Bradford
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD7 1DP

For general accommodation enquiries:
Tel: 01274 234883 or 01274 236124 or 01274 235501
Fax: 01274 234882
Email: halls-of-residence@bradford.ac.uk
Web: http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/recruitment/accom/

Bradford College

Bradford College can offer members of staff accommodation if vacancies arise. Please contact the accommodation office for more details:

The Accommodation Office
McMillan Halls of Residence
Bradford College
Easby Road
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD7 1QZ

Telephone:01274 436400
Fax: 01274 741358
E-mail:hallsofres@bradfordcollege.ac.uk

Young Professionals

Any properties owned or managed by Unipol are let only to students.

Although Unipol primarily is a provider of accommodation for students the website is in the public domain and as such the information on it is available to you. Some, but not all, of the private landlords who advertise with us will be happy to let to professionals so you will need to contact them on an individual basis and check. We cannot offer advice on other private landlords and agents who advertise for professionals, so it may be good to look generally over the internet to get some more ideas about the private sector for professionals.

Often young professionals look in areas out of the traditional student ones for more choice. Areas in rural locations are still within easy reach of the University and College by public transport. These areas include Saltaire, Baildon, Bingley, Queensbury, Cleckheaton, Pudsey and Rawdon. These areas tend to have nice properties, in established communities, although the rent may be fractionally higher. They are nice locations with great surroundings. Saltaire is a world heritage site and has a number of great bars and restaurants. All these are areas that have become increasingly popular with postgraduates and young professionals.

Some young professionals find it useful to use the student to student noticeboard to find other people in the same position or students to share a house. You are welcome to use this facility but are encouraged to make your status clear on your message as there will be council tax issues for students sharing with professionals.

To find out more about Council Tax please contact Bradford Council.

Bradford Council
Department 11
Britannia House
Hall Ings
Bradford
BD1 1HX

Telephone: (01274) 437792
Website: http://www.bradford.gov.uk/economics_and_finance/tax/council_tax/