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Student accommodation

Becky73

Hello, 

I'm having some difficulty at uni with my accommodation. Since moving back after the summer, the floor I'm on has gotten so much louder than last year. I cannot sleep in earplugs due to sensory issues and this last week I haven't slept for more than 3 hours a night. I am utterly exhausted to the point of feeling drunk and cannot focus in lessons. I had to miss lessons today due to being so tired so this is starting to seriously affect my health and education. I have asked the accommodation office if I could move rooms and been told that because my contract has started I can't change now. How was I meant to know it would be louder this year before my contract started when I moved after the start date? Does anyone know if this is a reasonable accommodation to ask due to my autism as I know that there are rooms available in quieter areas. 

For context my room is in the middle of a corridor, right next to the lift and opposite the entrance gate. Its also near the bins which get taken out at 5am every day and wake me up every time. Also I rebooked the same room as last year because it wasn't this loud last year and they have a misleading policy saying if you rebook the same room, you get summer free, even though I still had to pay rent in July. 

Parents

  • Good afternoon from America, Becky73!

    Judging by you saying “bins,” I assume you are in the UK, so my advice may or may not be helpful.

    However! I just did a quick Google search and affirmed that yes, going to the accommodation office was the right call. Now, since they were completely unhelpful, my advice is to take it up a step in the chain of command. Give a call to either the Director of Estates or the Director of Student Services.

    Here in the US (or at least at the university I went to / taught at) we had a Residential Assistant for every floor and a Residential Director for every dorm building. It looks like those titles might be wardens over there? Regardless, talk to whoever is in charge of your floor and/or building. It sounds like the best goal is to relocate you, not silence the floor (you’re next to the elevator, it can’t get quieter), so make that clear to them. If you can get those leaders on your side, they could assist you in making a case to the directors. The directors are more likely to take your concern seriously if there are staff members backing you up.

    I hope that helps!

  • in reply to profdanger

    Thank you so much, that's so kind to look into how it works here for a random anonymous person on the internet. I've got in touch with the customer service team and asked for the contact details for the accommodation manager so hopefully this can be resolved Fingers crossed

    Again thank you for your help, have a good day Heart

  • in reply to Becky73

    I think the accomodation team are being unreasonable, you're not asking to move on a whim, but because lack of sleep is affecting your health and learning. Could you ask student support services or the student union for some help and support, that is part of what they're there for.

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  • in reply to TheCatWoman
    TheCatWoman said:
    I think the accomodation team are being unreasonable

    Agreed. If your health is a legitimate concern (which it sounds like it is), then I would think they can’t just say you’re contractually obliged to stay there. I still think pushing this up to the director level would be a good idea, since this could be a case of discrimination, but TheCatWoman is right: Talk with student support services or the student union first. They may be able to back you up or advocate for you when you bring this to a director’s desk.