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:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/.../Students-paid-500-for...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:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/university-secretary-group/com...http://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/adviceplace/academic/complaints/For advice on your complaint from advice place and EUSA:
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2009/01/23142152/5Copy 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
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
July 29, 2015
July 26, 2015
The numbers are blowing up way faster than I thought they would and honestly it feels like the university is actually going to have to look at us once we hit that next big milestone. Just get this in front of anyone else you know who dealt with the heating disasters because if we show up with a huge list of names they can't just ignore the mess they made of our living space.
July 9, 2015
Seeing this kind of movement is honestly wild because honestly I was worried nobody would care about the construction noise and the freezing rooms but turns out everyone is just as tired of the excuses as I am. It feels like the university really has no choice but to listen now that we are all actually speaking up together which is honestly such a huge relief.
Reached 100 supporters
July 4, 2015
July 2, 2015
I just looked at the count and we are almost at one hundred signatures which is honestly more than I thought would happen when we started this whole rant in my kitchen. If you know anyone else living here who is shivering in their room or sick of the construction noise please just get them to click the link right now because I think the university is actually starting to pay attention to our numbers spiking.
66 Comments
The noise of construction work was unbearable during the exams revision time last year, I was waken up by it quite early in the morning everyday and can never work in my room unless the workers had finished their work. It has been a very difficult time for us, and thank you for understanding.
I'm studying for an MSc in Sound Design. The noise pollution from the work-site across the road can effectively make it impossible for me to do practical work during normal working hours. If I had been aware of this before moving in, I would have planned my working arrangements differently.
Luckily was able to move out of this place in January - couldn't handle it anymore. It was an unnecessary struggle to get out of the tight contract accommodation services had written up. They should let people leave freely if they want to under these awful living conditions.
Due to construction works it is impossible to have windows open; too much noise and dust comes in the room, which is unbearable! Accommodation managers are always polite and express understanding of the situation, but unfortunately nothing has been done to help and resolve this issue. They just suggested waiting until the workers finish fixing everything in their own timing.
The kitchen appliances such as the toaster and the kettle have poor quality because they were out of order within one year use! Also, the water heater doesn't work in the middle of night, which bothers me very much when I take a shower at that time.
I'm starting my postgrad this year! This is unacceptable of the university! It is going to make an impact on all students!
I am to move in to holyrood north in 2 weeks. I am terribly concerned with these conditions.
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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:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/.../Students-paid-500-for...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:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/university-secretary-group/com...http://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/adviceplace/academic/complaints/For advice on your complaint from advice place and EUSA:
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2009/01/23142152/5Copy 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
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
July 29, 2015
July 26, 2015
The numbers are blowing up way faster than I thought they would and honestly it feels like the university is actually going to have to look at us once we hit that next big milestone. Just get this in front of anyone else you know who dealt with the heating disasters because if we show up with a huge list of names they can't just ignore the mess they made of our living space.
July 9, 2015
Seeing this kind of movement is honestly wild because honestly I was worried nobody would care about the construction noise and the freezing rooms but turns out everyone is just as tired of the excuses as I am. It feels like the university really has no choice but to listen now that we are all actually speaking up together which is honestly such a huge relief.
Reached 100 supporters
July 4, 2015
July 2, 2015
I just looked at the count and we are almost at one hundred signatures which is honestly more than I thought would happen when we started this whole rant in my kitchen. If you know anyone else living here who is shivering in their room or sick of the construction noise please just get them to click the link right now because I think the university is actually starting to pay attention to our numbers spiking.
66 Comments
There is a crack on my wall, and it is growing. The floor of one bathroom has a hole, for more than three months we can only use one bathroom, and it is not fixed yet.
The noise of construction work was unbearable during the exams revision time last year, I was waken up by it quite early in the morning everyday and can never work in my room unless the workers had finished their work. It has been a very difficult time for us, and thank you for understanding.
I'm studying for an MSc in Sound Design. The noise pollution from the work-site across the road can effectively make it impossible for me to do practical work during normal working hours. If I had been aware of this before moving in, I would have planned my working arrangements differently.
Luckily was able to move out of this place in January - couldn't handle it anymore. It was an unnecessary struggle to get out of the tight contract accommodation services had written up. They should let people leave freely if they want to under these awful living conditions.
Due to construction works it is impossible to have windows open; too much noise and dust comes in the room, which is unbearable! Accommodation managers are always polite and express understanding of the situation, but unfortunately nothing has been done to help and resolve this issue. They just suggested waiting until the workers finish fixing everything in their own timing.
The kitchen appliances such as the toaster and the kettle have poor quality because they were out of order within one year use! Also, the water heater doesn't work in the middle of night, which bothers me very much when I take a shower at that time.
I'm starting my postgrad this year! This is unacceptable of the university! It is going to make an impact on all students!
I am to move in to holyrood north in 2 weeks. I am terribly concerned with these conditions.
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There is a crack on my wall, and it is growing. The floor of one bathroom has a hole, for more than three months we can only use one bathroom, and it is not fixed yet.