Unipol runs a number of Codes. These are accreditation schemes which:
- set professional standards for student accommodation buildings and their management. Code members voluntarily commit to meeting these standards
- check compliance with those standards
- give students assurance and confidence about the quality of what they are signing up for when they opt for a Code property
- give students a robust complaints process if things go wrong.
All the Codes have been developed in partnership with their local universities and students’ unions.
The Different Codes
How the Codes operate
Code Complaints and the Tribunal
The Different Codes
National Code for large developments
This scheme is for large student housing developments (over 15 students in one building) that covers the whole UK. There is a separate website for this scheme here
The Unipol Code (for shared student houses)
This scheme is for shared student housing in regular properties in certain locations:
The Unipol Code for 100% accredited managing agents
This scheme is for managing agents whose managed properties are all accredited in Leeds and Nottingham. Please be aware, it does not cover 'let-only' properties. You can check who is a member here.
The Unipol Code Supporter scheme
This scheme is for managing agents that are working towards accreditation but where all of their properties are not yet at Code standard. Supporter members sign a bilateral arrangement with Unipol, reviewed quarterly, that means that an increasing number of their properties meet the standards over an agreed period of time. You can check who is a member here
Owner Occupiers
This scheme is for landlords who offer rooms in their own home. View the Owner Occupier Code here.
Homestay scheme
Unipol runs special schemes in Leeds and Bradford for covering landlords offering accommodation and meals in their own homes. View the Codes here:
How the Codes Operate
Checking
The checking of properties (or ‘verification’) consists of a number of pro-active inspections on landlords’ properties, within the three year span of each of the Codes.
Checks are also made following the return of questionnaires sent out to tenants at addresses where responses would indicate an issue.
Checks are also made, if necessary, following complaints from students.
The Unipol inspection policy can be viewed online here.
Inspection Reports and the Audit Panels
Each time a property is inspected a Report is written. Inspections are carried out by specialised consultants or by trained Unipol staff. The Report goes for consideration to an Audit Panel. The Audit Panels meet not less than three times a year and oversee the verification process.
Each Audit Panel is independently chaired and the Chair has the power to immediately suspend members from the Code (a process which can be reviewed by the Tribunal). The membership of the Audit Panels can be found here: Leeds and Bradford, Nottingham
Details of how the ANUK/Unipol National Code is administered can be found here.
Codes Complaints and Tribunal
Each Code contains an independent complaints process. If you are experiencing issues with your landlord you can find more information about this here.
If Unipol is not able to resolve an issue through the complaints process, it may be referred to the Tribunal.
This is an independent body that will consider the evidence presented by both parties and decide whether any standards of the Code have been breached. Where a landlord is found to have breached Code standards, possible outcomes range from recommendations of a change in management practices to suspension from the Code.
Details of membership of the Tribunal as well as upcoming Tribunal dates can be found here. All outcomes of all upheld Tribunal decisions are published here.