RENT AND ADDITIONAL COMPARABLE LIVING COSTS 2008/09

The table below sets out the overall prices, on a strict like for like basis, of other student accommodation.

LPN Basic Rent

Academic Year 2004/05                                           59.50

Academic Year 2005/06                                           59.50

Academic Year 2006/07                                           59.50

Academic Year 2007/08                                           63.50

Academic Year 2008/09                                          69.50

                                     Cable St                         Bowland                       Cityblock

Lease Duration          50 weeks                        40 weeks                        50 weeks

Basic Rent (1)                    69.50                              88.00                              84.00

Reservation Fee (2)              0.00                                0.00                                1.00

Utilities (3)                            4.00                                0.00                                0.00

Internet (4)                           0.00                                1.75                                0.00

Printing & Photocopy (5)      0.00                                5.00                                5.00  

TV Licence (6)                     0.50                                2.60                                2.60

Laundry (7)                          0.00                                6.00                                6.00

Cleaning & Repairs (8)         0.00                                1.45                                1.20  

Purple Card (9)                    0.00                                0.20                                0.20

                                       ______                           ______                           ______

Total per Week              £74.00                          £105.00                          £100.00

                                       ______                           ______                           ______

Total for Lease               £3700                             £4200                             £5000

Equivalent 50 weeks       £3700                             £5250                             £5000

On a like for like basis the total Cable Street cost is £500 cheaper than Campus and each student gets and extra 10 weeks accommodation for no extra charge. Cable Street is £1300 cheaper than Cityblock.

The above comparisons recognise that the Cable Street accommodation has a wash basin in each bedroom and a communal lounge in each self contained flat compared to Campus which is en-suite and no communal lounges and Cityblock which is en-suite and has a communal lounge in each self contained flat.

Notes;

1.      As advertised on Lancaster University and Cityblock websites as at 1 November 2007. There are no advertised prices for on Campus and Cityblock accommodation for 2008/09. For comparative purposes it has been assumed that their 2007/08 rent (Inc service charge where appropriate) will be increased by 5% to arrive at the 2008/09 rent.

2.      Cityblock charge a £200 reservation fee of which £150 becomes a refundable deposit when a lease is signed. The balance of £50 is therefore effectively a reservation fee of a £1.00 per week over 50 weeks.

3.      The Cable Street utility charge is the average per flat for 2006/07. The University and Cityblock utility charges are included in the rent.

4.      The University Internet charge is based on £75.00 per year. Internet charges for Cable Street and Cityblock are included in the rent.

5.      Cable Street offers totally free computer printing and photocopying facilities which at an estimated £20 per month per student equates to approximately £5 per week per person on Campus and at Cityblock.

6.      One TV Licence is required per flat at Cable Street which equates to £0.55 per week per person based on a 5 bedroomed flat. Students are required to buy an individual Licence on Campus and at Cityblock if a TV is used in the bedrooms.

7.      Average weekly costs incurred by students in launderettes. Cable Street has washer/dryers in every flat.

8.      The University charges for cleaning, repairs, missing items and damages as set out in pages 43 – 47 of the Appendix of the Residents Handbook 2007/08. It has been assumed that the average additional charge per student is £60 or £1.45 per week for the University and £1.20 per week for Cityblock. There are no charges at Cable Street.

9.      Lancaster University Student Discount Purple Card is included in the Cable Street rent. Cityblock operate a ‘Cityblock Privilege Card’ which according to their website can be worth up to £1000 per annum if fully utilised.

It must be noted that the University and Cityblock may well change their overall accommodation packages for 2008/09 which could have an effect on the comparative like for like prices shown in the table above.

This table only compares the basic rent levels and does not take into account other advantages or disadvantages of each particular type, style, size or location of accommodation so illustrated.