Hello Holyrooder's,

Maria Malouel, Guy Paikowsky and myself (Zoe Few) have decided that us Holyrood South residents 2014-2015 have put up with too much in regard to construction disruptions, problems within our accommodation such as the heating and the piecemeal service provided by accommodation services.

Therefore we have started a petition to protest our grievances and express the high levels of discontent within the Holyrood South Community. We also want to use the petition in a formal complaint to the University and Accommodation Services with the support of EUSA. Our desired outcome would be to obtain compensation for the conditions we have endured over the academic year.

We believe we can achieve compensation because a similar situation effected students at University of Essex and they won compensation. Please see:

For the complaint to be as successful as possible, if would be great is as many residents could fill out the University of Edinburgh complaint form as possible. Please submit the petition with it and any other documents that could help our cause.

Complaints procedure:

For advice on your complaint from advice place and EUSA:

Copy of Scottish Law on Noise disruption- should you want to reference it in your complaint.

Please sign the petition for compensation!

It is our understanding that our main grievances are the following (however if you have identified any other problems please tell Zoe Few and she will add it to the list:

Construction:

- banging and drilling

- loud beeping from construction equipment

- shouting from construction staff

- weekdays and weekends- 6:30am-9pm (From November to present)

- Prospective tenants were not informed of the construction situation of Holyrood North before the signing of the tenancy agreement

- Metal lid on road - very loud when cars speed past

- Our move in date to Holyrood South was changed multiple times- a lot of residents had to move twice before finally moving into Holyrood- which was very distressing and inconvenient when trying to become accustom to a new city and degree program. For example, when the move in date arrived this was in the middle of many students semester one deadlines.

- Construction workers smoking outside ground floor windows and onsite.

Domestic:

- Heating cannot be controlled by dial

- Heating is either at a tropical level in some rooms or non existent

- Windows which do not close

- Broken door which led to an intruder (man in cleaning closet) and generally questionable security

- unannounced entry from construction workers/staff

- Television signal is very tempermental

- Wifi is very slow and drop out on a regular basis- which is not helpful when students rely heavily on the internet for research and communication with their supervisors/departments

- Incomplete window cleaning- outside cleaned- inside not- However some flats have received no window cleaning and were informed by Lewis that they would take place after they vacated the premise.

- Fridge cleaning incomplete. For example in Flat 40, only one fridge has been cleaned

- Same price for small flats and large flats. Small flats are cramped and have less furniture

- Damaged furniture and fittings on arrival due to hasty construction i.e. paint on lamp shades and dents in chairs and incorrect tubing on shower cubicle (caused flooding)

- Bedroom door mechanism malfunction

- Incorrect door fitting (bang shut)

- Some students experience power outed in their room on a regular basis

- compost is not always removed weekly- accommodation told us to buy fly spray (not our responsibility, we pay for weekly removal)

- Bed packs purchased from Accommodation Services were the wrong size for the bed

Actions of Accommodation Services:

- Accommodation Services are aware of the construction noise issue and have moved numerous residents from the front of the building to the back of the building where the construction noise is slightly muted. This action is piecemeal.

- Our complaints are not dealt with any seriousness and our Facebook page is subject to censorship (even though, it has been claimed it has not

- Before the move to Holyrood South, Accommodation services refused to compensate bus travel for those which were living 40 mins away. Also inconsistentcy with food vouchers, some people got them, some did not.

- Different levels of food vouchers/money were given to students during the temporary accommodation period.

Thank you for taking your time to read the petition. Please sign and express our right for compensation!

Kind Regards,

Zoe Few, Maria Malouel & Guy Paikowsky

Justice for Holyrood Residents 2015 Team