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COVID-19 is a new illness that affects the lungs and airways. The most common symptoms include a continuous dry cough, shortness of breath and fever, however some patients may also experience a runny nose, sore throat and aches and pains. For the latest information on Coronavirus please visit the NHS Website
In line with advice from Public Health England, you should be doing the following:
-Wash your hands regularly using soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds. This means you should wash your hands every time you enter or re-enter a flat or house.
-Think also about when you cough or sneeze. This should be into a tissue which you should bin immediately. if you don’t have a tissue cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve. Don’t cough or sneeze into your hands.
-Use hand sanitizer gel if you can find any but washing hands regularly is just as effective.
-Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
-Try to avoid contact with anyone that may be ill.
-Do not share items that come into contact with your mouth.
-Avoid social gatherings. Lots of your normal places to go have now been closed. There is a reason for this which is to slow down any potential spread of the virus. Please use that same logic when going to the shops or if you are out and about.
-Think about distancing yourself from others. Try to stay at least 2 metres away from anyone else
For the most up-to-date advice, visit the NHS Website
The DIGS/South Street team are working continuously with our students to support them during this extremely difficult time. Where possible, we are advising and guiding them towards appropriate Government websites and student support funds that may be available whilst Covid-19 restrictions are affecting university courses across the country.
These are unprecedented times, but we will always act in the long-term interests of students and on-site staff, and we are committed to supporting all our customers, employees and partners.
Our accommodation still remains open as normal and we do have students currently residing with us. At the moment, there has been no advice from the Government that people should leave student accommodation and we are doing our best, onsite and remotely, to support and keep them safe.
Whilst we are extremely sympathetic to students’ personal situations, it is important to note that the final instalment of student finance is being paid as normal this month and so many students should have sufficient funds to pay their final rent instalment.
Regardless, we are urgently reviewing our position on a weekly basis to see what financial options, if any, could be made available to students whose accommodation fees are due this term, but as an independent accommodation business we also have obligations to our suppliers and staff to try and ensure future employment for them and their families. Very difficult decisions are having to be made as a result.
Since the start of the outbreak we have closely followed Government advice and have increased our cleaning in high traffic areas across all properties. We are also encouraging all students to practise social distancing and to only leave their flat when absolutely necessary. Additionally, we have cancelled all gatherings and closed social spaces. Technicians and cleaners are also only entering flats for emergency repairs.
Due to Government guidelines around social distancing, we are no longer running physical events. However, we are offering an online community and virtual events through our private Facebook groups exclusive for residents. These range from virtual film nights to online quizzes to Tik Tok challenges and more. Our student community is as active as ever and our staff and students are in this together.
At Storthes Hall Park in Huddersfield we are also offering a takeaway and delivery service through The Venue, our on-site bar and restaurant. We are also based in beautiful woodland so students can go for a walk and get some fresh air.
We would also strongly recommend that you stay in touch with family and friends through social media, text message and Facetime to help you stay connected.
Please note that at the time of writing this update there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at any DIGS property.
NHS advice says that if you have either a high temperature or a new, continuous cough, you should self-isolate for seven days. Anyone you live with should also self-isolate, but for 14 days. You do not need to contact NHS 111 and should not visit a GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy.
If you are self-isolating, please follow the advice below which are guidelines provided by Public Health England:
-Stay in your flat unless told otherwise by health authorities.
-If your symptoms get worse, you can’t cope with them at home, or they don’t get better in seven days, use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service. If you can’t get help online, call 111 or, in an emergency, call 999.
-Do not go into work, university, lectures or public areas, and don’t use public transport or taxis until you’re told it’s safe to do so.
-If you have someone bringing supplies or have ordered shopping online, make sure the items are left at reception or outside of your room.
-Stay away from friends or flatmates.
-Make sure all your rubbish is disposed of properly by tying it up in two plastic bin bags.
We would also advise the following:
-Keep in regular contact with friends and family by phone.
-Avoid using common areas in your accommodation (apart from your shared kitchen).
-In the event of a fire alarm, please evacuate the building as you would normally, but where possible, keep at least 2 metres away from other people.
-Please be aware that we’ll only carry out maintenance in your flat if it’s a safety risk to you or others.
-Don’t forget – You should also continue to follow the advice under the subheading ‘What action should I be taking’.
We understand that this is a difficult and challenging time for everyone but please be assured that we are doing everything we can at this time to ensure that our customers are safe and secure. Our current policy states that students must pay their final rent instalment, however we are constantly reviewing the situation within the University and Private Accommodation sector, and in line with Government advice.
Absolutely! We are still taking bookings for each of our student accommodations. More information on rooms, prices and availability can be found on our website but if you need any additional information you can call 01484 270145 or email support@digstudent.co.uk.
Booking with us is super easy and is all done online – all you will need to do is click apply now and register with us.
The first step is an application; we just need to know what room type you would like to book and some information about you.
Once we have received your application a member of our team will find you the perfect room and send you a room offer. You will be emailed once this happens, and all you will need to do is to log on to the online portal to view your offer.
You don’t need to pay anything to complete your booking with us; you just need to pay a £150 deposit in August prior to moving in to the accommodation.
You will be able to read the contract when you accept your room offer – make sure you read this carefully as this is the legally binding agreement between us and you.
Once you have completed your bit, it’s over to your guarantor. They will have a portal like you and will need to accept the contract and provide two forms of ID.
Once we have received this we will email you to confirm that your room has been reserved – congratulations and we look forward to seeing you soon!
You don’t need to pay anything at the time of booking. You will need to pay a £150 deposit in August prior to moving in to your accommodation (please give us a call for the exact date this is due, or visit your portal if you already have a booking with us).
The £150 deposit is fully refundable at the end of the tenancy subject to contractual obligations.
We know that getting everything organised and ready for university is very stressful and we therefore advise that you book accommodation as soon as you are sure of your first and insurance choice through UCAS.
If you have a conditional offer we know that it is really daunting to begin booking your accommodation before you’ve received your final grades. However, we have a No Place No Pay policy so that you can book safe with us before you receive your grades.
If the University is your first or insurance choice on UCAS, you can book with us as soon as you are ready. If for whatever reason you do not receive the required grades for your course, or if you attain a place in your UCAS first choice institution, we will release and refund you your £150 deposit payment if you have already paid this, we will just need a screenshot of your UCAS tracker as proof.
For applications received after the 1st of June 2019 you will not need to pay a deposit until after you have received your A level results as this is due in mid August, so you will not need to put a payment down until you know you need the accommodation.
More information on this can be found in your contract which you will be able to read when you make your booking.
The No Place No Pay policy does not cover you if you change your mind – see the cancellation section for more information on this.
During your application you will be able to select whether you would like to be in a mixed gender flat or a single gender flat, as well as any other preferences.
We try wherever possible to allocate you in a flat with at least one other student doing a similar university course to you so you have something in common!
If you would like to live with friends that is absolutely fine, just pop their names in the notes section of your application.
Please note that we will do our best to take into account all your preferences however this is subject to availability in that particular room type, we will let you know at the stage of sending you a room offer if we are not able to fulfil a particular requirement.
You will be able to get to know your flat mates before moving in to the accommodation by joining our private Facebook page, we will send you a link once this is up and running for your year and you have a completed booking with us, and you will be able to meet and chat with your new flat mates!
A guarantor is a person over the age of 21 (such as a parent or guardian) who is happy to be financially responsible for you if you are not able to make a payment.
We do not do any credit checks on a guarantor, we just need them to be able to provide two forms of ID and be able to provide an email address.
If you do not have anyone who would be able to be a guarantor for you, we work with a company who is able to act as guarantor for you for a fee. You can find more information about this on their website https://www.housinghand.co.uk
If you would like more information on what being a guarantor entails feel free to call us on 01484 270 145
This is your home and we think that you should be able to leave when you are ready. We hope that you will love your time with us and we’d encourage you and your friends to stay with us throughout your time at university.
We have lots of happy residents who choose to rebook with us each year, and we offer lots of incentives for doing so, from laundry credit to a free bus pass to a free block hoody depending on where you live!
If you’d like to stay with us again, just ask us once you’re moved in and we’d be more than happy to help.
Where are you studying? We have properties in Huddersfield, Sheffield and Wolverhampton.
DIGS SHP Venue
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