Below are some of our most frequently asked questions. If you have a query that is not addressed in this list, or if you require more information, please contact us.
You must primarily work on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus site, or be a student on a placement on the site.
Addenbrooke's is a rapidly-growing campus. Due to high demand, rooms are offered on an individual basis, and therefore we cannot guarantee you will share a flat with colleagues or people you know. All of our flats are mixed sex accommodation.
To apply for accommodation, you must register and complete the required application form and provide proof that you are eligible to stay with us. You will need to upload a relevant document when completing the application form. Proof of eligibility can be:
- A recent payslip
- Current contract of employment
- Offer of employment letter
- Email confirming appointment, placement or eligibility
- Proof of your right to rent
Sanctuary does not have any allocated parking for our accommodation. You can apply for staff parking (at a charge) through the Hospital Access Centre on 01233 596060. Disabled parking spaces for blue badge holders are also available on application.
Initial payment of the first month’s advance rent will be by credit/debit card or BACs. All subsequent rental payments will be by direct debit, which our staff at the Sanctuary office in Grantchester House can help you set up. Rent is due on the first day of each month on advance.
Some short term bookings will require full payment in advance.
We have a dedicated on-site team to assist you. To request a repair, please complete our online report a repair form, or you can report it in person at the Sanctuary Addenbrooke's office in Grantchester House. If the repair is urgent, please call the office (during working hours) on 01223 404800 or the emergency number (out of hours) on 0800 916 1525.
Please note: if it is an emergency a contractor is sent out of hours to fix the problem, you must be available to allow them access. If the contractor cannot gain access, you will be charged £50+VAT for the call-out.
Our properties are only intended for short term use and we only offer contracts for fixed terms. Please be aware of the date your contract ends and make alternative plans for your accommodation from the date your tenancy end.
Students, placements and apprentices can stay with us for one academic year for the first year of study only.
If you fall behind on your rent, we will begin what we call our ‘arrears process’. This means we will contact you to arrange for you to pay your rent. The best way to avoid this is to set up a direct debit. If you wish to discuss any payment issues, please contact the Sanctuary Addenbrooke's Grantchester office to speak to our Income Officer.
In all circumstances to terminate your agreement with us, you must give one months’ notice in writing. This can be a written request, or just an email to the Sanctuary Addenbrooke’s office: enquiries-addenbrookes@sanctuary.co.uk. Please remember to tell us:
- Your name
- Your current address (building, flat number and room number as applicable)
- The date of your last night
- Forwarding address and contact details
- Reason for Leaving
If you fail to give one months notice – one months rent will be charge in lieu of notice.
A proof or Right to Rent is a legal requirement that landlords must have from their tenant which shows they are eligible to stay in our accommodation. This can be a copy of a passport, showing the holder is a British Citizen, a current immigration status document issued by the home office, a birth or adoption certificate issued in the UK, Biometric Residence Permits/Resident Cards.
For full details please refer to Gov.uk's right to rent user guide.
On 25 October 2022, the Government introduced a range of schemes to provide support for energy bills. During this period, Sanctuary provided all-inclusive rents, and your rent did not reflect the increased energy costs incurred by Sanctuary due to the energy crisis.
Our rents are calculated several months in advance. Due to the volatility of the energy market, this means that our rents from May 2022 were set based on a much lower rate for electricity than we have in practice paid, with this under-recovery outweighing any benefit we expect to receive from Government via the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS). Therefore, there is no entitlement to an additional discount on your rent under the EBRS.
On March 15th, the Spring Budget announced extending the energy price cap. However, it was not extended to commercial tariffs for businesses. We will be closely monitoring the situation, and if any savings are realised, we will ensure to pass on the benefits to our customers.