Starred System 

In order to help students differentiate between certain properties, Guild SHAC has introduced a five star rating system. This means that Code properties (with the exception of rooms in an owner's house) will be awarded a rating of between one and five stars, depending on amenity levels within the property.

For example, a one star property will need to have the following amenities:

• Central Heating or a centrally timed system that allows the tenants to control the heat
• Good security i.e. solid external doors and a burglar alarm installed
• Plumbing and power enabling a washing machine or washer dryer to be fitted
• A shower.

However as many properties already meet the requirements for one star, additional stars may be awarded, depending on the nature of the amenities that these properties contain. There is a formula that will automatically attribute a particular star rating to an eligible property, based on information supplied by owenrs. The higher the number of stars the better the property is likely to be.

Starred properties are advertised on the Guild SHAC website with the number of stars awarded clearly shown.

If one or more of the amenities indicated within the advert are not present within the property at the time the tenants take possession, then they should bring this to the attention of the owner immediately.

Properties with more than one star

All eligible properties that exceed the minimum amenity levels required for a one star rating will be assessed and graded as being between two and five stars. The formula that has been devised for calculating the star rating assesses the range of amenities that are contained within a property, with a set number of points given for each.

Because the main intention for introducing the five star standard was to encourage owners to enhance amenity levels within their property as a whole, the categories that points are awarded for are diverse. However, emphasis has been placed upon increased security, the provision of living space and the installation of additional bathroom/sanitary facilities. This means that in order to be awarded a three star rating a property will not only have to accrue a certain score, it will also need to contain a separate living space of more that 10 square meters (if a kitchen/diner this must be in addition to the kitchen areas itself) and have at least one bath/shower/WC ratio that per five tenants. If the property has at least one to three then additional points will be awarded

Other amenities that are awarded extra points include:

• Additional drying facilities (dryer or washer dryer)
• Telephone points (more points if all bedrooms have these)
• A garden (something that you'd actually want to sit in)
• Double or secondary glazing ( more points if whole property is covered)
• A dishwasher
• Double beds(an extra point if available in all rooms)
• A cable/satellite digital TV point within the property
• A microwave
• Off street parking
• En-suite in all rooms 

To see how different facilities effect the stars given to a property use the Starred Properties Ready Reckoner