Introduction

BOSHA is a charitable housing association providing accommodation for postgraduate students and their spouse/partner and/or children from overseas and the UK while they study in the United Kingdom. The tenancy is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, as the tenant is pursuing a fixed term course of study.

Equality and Diversity

BOSHA is committed to ensuring equality of treatment for all applicants, in compliance with the Equality Act 2010. No one will be treated less favourably due to ethnic origin, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, age, family circumstances, or any other protected characteristic. We also aim to maintain a diverse and inclusive community. To support this, we limit the number of tenants from any one nationality to no more than five households at any given time, promoting a balanced and multicultural environment.

Religious and Political Neutrality

BOSHA is a secular and politically neutral organisation. Acts of religious worship and the promotion of political views are not allowed in any communal areas of the village.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Postgraduate Status: Tenants must be full-time postgraduate students registered at a recognised British higher education institution.
2. Family Requirements: Tenants must have a spouse/partner and/or children living with them. Single students are not eligible for accommodation at Nansen Village.
3. Visa Compliance: Applicants must satisfy BOSHA that their visa status and that of all household members comply with UK immigration laws throughout their stay.

Accommodation Preferences

1. Priority is given to students new to the UK and/or those at the beginning of their degree course.
2. Families with children under the age of five are given preference. Applications from families with older children may be considered depending on the age of the child(ren) at the point that studies are due to come to an end.
3. Nansen Village cannot accommodate families with more than two children due to the limitations in available housing.

Accommodation Types

1. Studio Flats: For couples or single parent families with one child under 2 years old.
2. One-Bedroom Flats: For couples or single parent families with a baby under two years old.
3. Two-Bedroom Flats and Bungalows: For couples or families with two children or a child over 3 years old.

Tenancy Terms and Conditions

1. Tenancy Duration: We typically offer one-year tenancies, with the option for up to three annual renewals, subject to satisfactory academic progress. In certain cases, shorter tenancies may be offered based on accommodation availability. Tenancies are generally limited to four years, though extensions beyond this period may be considered in exceptional circumstances. Extensions will only be granted if agreed upon and supported by evidence from the university, and will be at the discretion of the trustees, not exceeding an additional six months.
2. The Tenancy Agreement is between the person studying in the UK and the Association. We do not issue joint tenancy agreements.
3. End of Tenancy: Tenants must vacate the property upon termination of their studies or if their visa status changes. PhD students must vacate within one month after their viva unless written permission is granted to extend the stay.
4. Holiday Period: The maximum allowed holiday period is six weeks. Tenants on fieldwork for over six weeks must vacate and reapply upon return.

Income and Financial Sustainability

BOSHA assesses the income and financial stability of all applicants to ensure they can meet their rent and other living costs throughout the tenancy. This includes considering sources and amounts of income to verify that tenants can afford essential living expenses such as food, travel to and from their place of study, and any other personal costs. We also require tenants to demonstrate how they are funding their studies, as this helps ensure that they have adequate financial resources to sustain their tenancy and complete their academic commitments.

Succession and Transfer of Tenancy

BOSHA does not permit succession or transfer of tenancy. If a tenant’s spouse or partner wishes to reside at Nansen Village as the main tenant, they must submit a new application. The length of the tenancy granted will consider the couple’s total stay, with a maximum tenancy duration of four years.

Resident Engagement

BOSHA values resident involvement and consultation. We have up to three resident representatives who attend trustee meetings and the Annual General Meeting, providing valuable insights and feedback. Where appropriate, we also consult all tenants and residents in the development of policies and procedures to ensure our approach reflects the needs of the community.

Housing Ombudsman

BOSHA is a member of the Housing Ombudsman Service, an independent UK Government-sponsored body. The Ombudsman sets standards for dealing with tenant complaints and provides a dispute resolution service when complaints cannot be resolved through the landlord’s own complaints procedure.

Appeals Process

Nansen Village does not operate a formal appeals process for unsuccessful applicants, as there is no practical means of redress in the context of our allocation system. We recognise that the decisions we make about tenancy allocations can be difficult due to the limited availability of housing and the complex nature of matching applicants to suitable accommodation. Our priority is to ensure that the allocation process is fair and consistent.

To ensure continuous improvement, BOSHA conducts an annual audit of a random sample of applications, reviewing both successful and unsuccessful outcomes. This helps us learn from the allocation process and refine our approach. Any complaints we receive regarding the allocation process will be brought to the attention of the trustees, who will review them in conjunction with the audit findings.

In addition, Resident Representatives are actively involved in the review of policies and procedures, providing valuable input to ensure that our allocations process remains transparent, effective, and responsive to the needs of our community.

Data Protection

BOSHA complies with GDPR guidelines. All personal data is handled securely, and residents are informed of their rights concerning their personal information.