Impossible cancellation policy
I was so looking forward to staying at Chapter (Islington) but their cancellation policy is impossible to work with. It's a catch-22 for first time students and you must scrutinise their terms very carefully.
As of the time of this review, Chapter have a cancellation and refund policy that does not allow the student to cancel and obtain a refund if they "remain a student". They require payment of the first installment of the lease by the 31st July, despite examination results coming out on the 17th August. This means that you will have to commit to a long and (very) expensive lease without knowing WHERE you will actually be studying. You can get a refund if you do not go to university at all, but this does not help the huge number of students who do get the option in their 2nd choice or in clearing.
So, if I apply as my first choice to study at a London-based university but I do not obtain the grades, I will have to enter clearing and I may need to study elsewhere, maybe even well away from London in another part of the country. If I do then get accepted elsewhere I do not get a refund from Chapter as I am "still a student", so I might have to commute from London to a university many hours away on a daily basis - impossible because of the time and expense. Chapter say this is because "I choose" to go elsewhere, but I am not! I am not choosing to go elsewhere; it's just how the system works as to where you get accepted based upon grades that I cannot know in advance. Surely they must know this? Choosing and wanting are not the same.
Many private student accomodation will give a "cancellation based on first chosen university" and not a "cancellation based on any university" principle. Chapter do the latter. They essentially trap you with the "still a student anywhere" rule. Make sure you check this out since you could enter in to a lease for the full amount. I wondered why Chapter kept sending emails asking me to pay early. That would of course enter you in to the full contract as well, so again beware.
I struggled to get accomodation because of my age, a recently diagnosed disability and because I am moving overseas to study. None of that mattered whatsoever to Chapter management, who clearly did not have my personal issues in mind. It's just a business decision and not a decision to genuinely help a student. "Let your story begin" say Chapter. Well, my story began with them rejecting my reasonable request for help. Luckily I found alternative accomodation with a proper first university choice cancellation policy. How hard can that be for Chapter to emulate? Very disappointed.
31 July 2023
Unprompted review