Joining us for the 2025-2026 academic year and looking for accommodation? We are partnering with Stay Club North Acton this academic year to offer you safe, comfortable, convenient student housing in the heart of West London! You can find lots more information about our housing offer on your main website HERE.

We know you may have questions related to accommodation at Stay Club and their services. Our FAQs aim to answer the most common queries; however, if you have further questions please reach out us at [email protected] or have a look at the Stay Club North Acton Website.

Frequently Asked Questions about Student Accommodation

How can I book my place at Stay Club for the 2025-2026 academic year?

Once you have accepted your offer to attend Richmond American University London, we will email you a link to book your place at Stay Club North Acton. Please note: the application process is entirely through the University, NOT Stay Club. You will be asked to register your interest and tell us a bit about you. We will then review your application and email you a housing offer. To finalise your place in accommodation, accept your offer and pay your £250 housing deposit.

What is the cost of a room?

The cost of a room depends on the length of tenancy, number of tenants, and course of study. Please see the breakdown below:  Please note, all costs quoted include utilities.

Room Type	Student Type	Contract length	Cost Single Occupancy (per week)
Studio	1 term visitors	16	£432*
Studio	2 term visitors	35	£407*
Studio	Degree student	35	£385

*includes council tax

Do I have to pay council tax?

Full-time students in the UK do not need to pay council tax, but you must obtain a council tax exemption letter from RAUL Student Affairs and sent it to Ealing Council to prove your enrolment status. See here: Council tax discounts and exemptions | Ealing Council

If you are a part-time student, you will need to pay council tax.

If you are a visiting student, such as an exchange or study abroad student, you are required to pay council tax, but the cost is included in your rent payments (see * above).

Are the rooms all the same?

Yes, all rooms are single studios with the same facilities (see below). The rooms are not shared dorm rooms.

What is included in the room?

Each studio has its own private bathroom and kitchenette (microwave, toaster, small stove, kettle, basic kitchenware) and is equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay including a set of towels and bed linens. Energy, water, and high-speed wireless internet are also included in the rent.

You can view a virtual tour of an example studio here.

What are the measurements of the room?

The measurements of the rooms are 16 square meters or 9m (L) x 2.5m (w).

Is it possible to live with someone else (2 to a room)?

Yes, people who wish to live together, may do so at an increased cost: + £70 per week (see FAQ #2). The rooms are suitable for co-habitation but are not designed as two-person dorm rooms, so we recommend this option only for students with a strong relationship who do not mind sharing amenities in close quarters. If you would like to live with another student, email us at [email protected] so we can advise you appropriately. Please note: We will not pair you with a roommate. This option is only available to students who mutually request to live together.

Are their common spaces that I’ll have access to?

Yes! The building has a large common space per floor with a kitchen, study space, lounge space and a TV. In the building you’ll also find a cinema room, a gym, bike storage, a café, dining facilities, laundry facilities, a place to collect post and packages, a DJ Bar, a roof top terrace and loads of study and meeting places. There’s also a staffed security desk 24/7 and an attentive maintenance team.

Is there a meal plan?

Yes, there the possibility of a paid catering option available to you, but in order to move forward with this option, we’ll need a significant proportion of the Richmond cohort to sign up. We will finalise this option in late summer before the 1 September move in. Below is an example menu that has been provided by Stay Club:

• Breakfast: Continental buffet including hot food items
  • Dinner: Choice of salad, main dish with sides, dessert, and soft drinks

Can I invite friends over?

Yes, guests are allowed on site. Be aware that you are responsible for your guests and that poor behaviour can lead to you losing the privilege of having a guests on the site. Guests must not be left in the building unaccompanied.

All guests, including overnight guests, must sign in and out at the reception desk.

Daytime Guests : You can host up to four guests at a time between 08:00 and 22:00.

Overnight Guests : You can host one overnight guest between 22:00 and 08:00 on up to four occasions per calendar month. Additional guests may be permitted at the discretion of the Community Manager at Stay Club North Acton.

Note: There is no official curfew, but Stay Club imposes quiet hours between 22:00 and 8:00 where noise should not be heard beyond your studio. Students are requested to comply with these hours for the benefit of the residential community and to make use alternative communal living spaces – lounge, cinema, etc. – especially when hosting larger gatherings.

When can I move in?

The move in date for Fall is 1^st September 2025.

When is move out?

Depending on the length of your stay the move it will be either:

16 Week contract: 22^nd December 2025

35-week contract: 4^th May 2026.

How many Richmond students will live at Stay Club this year?

We expect to house around 80 students per term at Stay Club this year. This number may increase or decrease depending on uptake.

How long is the commute? Which zone is Stay Club in?

The commute from Stay Club to Campus is 35 minutes either using public transportation. We recommend taking either the Overground Midway line from Acton Central Station to Gunnersbury Station or taking the 440 bus from Acton Mainline Station (Stop J) to Gunnersbury Station (Stop B). North Acton is in Zone 3. You can read more about student travel within London the Transport for London website HERE.

Will there be staff on site?

Yes, the building is staffed 24 hours a day. With front of house staff, management, cleaning and maintenance during the day and security available in the evening and night. You will also have the support and guidance of our Residence Life team who live onsite.

What if I want to cancel my contract?

The tenancy agreement you sign at the time of booking your room is binding. Any withdrawal will incur the full cost of the contract (16-weeks or 35-weeks). Please speak to us in the Student Hub if you are considering leaving student accommodation. We may be able to help facilitate the transfer of your contract to another Richmond student, but this is not guaranteed. Transferring your contract without the approval of Student Affairs or subleasing your room is strictly prohibited.

Can I have pets?

Pets are generally not allowed, but if you have a licensed assistive animal, Stay Club may be able to accommodate you. Please contact them directly at [email protected].

Are facilities accessible?

Yes! There are lifts to all floors and accessible studios are available for mobility-impaired residents.

What are the terms of the tenancy agreement?

You can find our tenancy agreement for 2025-2026 here. Please read through it carefully before you accept your housing offer.

Are there supermarkets close by?

There are a variety of local shops around Stay Club. See the map below. You can read more about experiences in the neighbourhood recommended by Stay Club HERE.

Who can I contact if I have more questions?

Contact us at Richmond at [email protected]

Keep in mind, we’ll be hosting pre-arrival webinars in Summer 2025 and before the January term in December 2025, we aim to answer your questions at these events and over email or video call.