CUBO is the home of the UUK/GuildHE Accommodation Code of Practice for university owned/managed accommodation. With 144 member organisations and covering over 262,000 bed spaces throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland, The Code is legislated by Parliament to assure the provision of a high-quality residential experience that is safe, secure, sustainable and supportive for students.
A revised Code of Practice was laid before parliament on 4 November 2010. This was approved and came into force on the 25 November.
The Housing Act 2004 introduced licensing for houses of multiple occupations in England and Wales. Higher education institutions are exempted from licensing providing they sign up to a code of practice that has been approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
Three codes of practice for the higher education sector were approved by parliament in April 2006:
In addition to universities and higher education colleges, the codes are also open to further education colleges with residential accommodation and to private higher education providers, providing these institutions have the necessary mechanisms in place (e.g. on complaints) to fall within the code.
All the codes are designed as statements of good practice which are subject to change and refinement in the light of experience. They should serve to reinforce and, where necessary, encourage better management of accommodation provided by higher education institutions and major private suppliers. Together with licensing requirements for HMOs for privately rented property, they should help to effect a sustained improvement in the management of all forms of student housing.
To ensure Universities meet with Code requirements and to support University teams in sharing good practice to enhance the delivery, efficiency, and sustainability of accommodation services.
