University Of Arts - Sketch House

Communication and accountability are poor. Problems get reported but often aren't resolved, and responsibility is passed around. The accommodation itself also falls short for the price: flats have pest issues, leaking pipes that flood rooms, and essential appliances like ovens and fridges can stay unusable for long periods. The general condition of the flats is below standard too. Inspections are another serious problem. They're extremely strict, and the whole flat can be charged for cleaning in shared areas, even when there's proof of who was responsible. A small kitchen can mean a £260 fine split among six people. It's disproportionate and creates unnecessary tension. Don't expect much, if anything, back from your deposit, since ordinary wear and tear gets treated as damage. If you do live here, be thorough with the inventory, check everything, and take photos. The contract is the biggest drawback. You're tied into a long agreement that's hard to leave. Rental changes coming in May will include rolling contracts, so elsewhere you may be able to leave with two months' notice if things go badly. Halls are excluded, though, and UAL still thinks 52-week contracts are appropriate despite the law changing. I'd look at private rentals for better value, living conditions, and flexibility. I used a different email to protect my identity because I'm worried about repercussions from staff.

I wouldn't recommend Sketch House. There were silverfish in my room, and I'd advise looking for accommodation with better hygiene standards. Finsbury Park also didn't feel safe to me, and I wouldn't suggest staying there. A couple of weeks after I moved out, the management team treated me very unprofessionally and charged me over £900 for damage I didn't cause. I sent them photos, but they still haven't replied to those. They accused me of leaving marks on the wall, even though the property was already like that when I arrived. It feels like they're greedy for money and will do anything to get it, including making false accusations.

My girlfriend was taking a five-day course at Central Saint Martins University, so we stayed for a week in August in the two-person studio at Sketch house. We'd seen the other reviews and were skeptical at first, but it worked perfectly for us. It was very clean and there was no loud noise at all. There's a laundry room, though you'll need to buy detergent at the convenience store just around the corner. The main building door key sometimes didn't work, so we had to press the lobby button to alert staff. The outdoor patio door also wouldn't open from the outside. Apart from those issues, it was a nice stay with easy bus and train connections.

Sam at reception is a really kind guy. He keeps the peace but appreciates a social gathering too, a legend ❤️❤️❤️❤️