Accommodation Policy

Terms and Conditions for EC students

ACCOMMODATION POLICIES 

• Students arriving in homestay or residence between 22.00 – 08.00 may be asked to book alternative
• accommodation in a hotel on their first night due to late/early arrival at accommodation. Some accommodation options may charge late arrival surcharges/fees. This information is available at the time of booking.
• A refundable housing deposit may be charged on arrival to students taking residential accommodation. Please note, deposit fees vary by school location and the fee and procedure are listed in the Residence factsheet.
• A partial week between 3 and 6 nights will be charged as 1 week’s accommodation. Stays of 1 or 2 nights are subject to availability and nightly pricing will apply.
• Where possible special dietary requirements will be accommodated. Availability and any applicable fees will be confirmed upon request.
• EC may use carefully selected partners to house students with suitable Homestay providers.
• Should EC receive positive visa application results fewer than 7 working days prior to arrival, EC reserves the right to offer alternative accommodation, which may incur additional charges.
• Should the arrival day be postponed due to delayed visa applications EC cannot guarantee the original accommodation allocation.
• Should EC have incurred any charges in reserving the accommodation for the student due to changes in visa status EC reserves the right to pass these charges on.
• Accommodation extensions after arrival are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Please note that last minute extensions may be subject to a price increase.
• Accommodation requests for the next calendar year will be quoted at next year’s rates. If EC discontinues offering the confirmed accommodation product, schools will offer a comparable alternative.
• accommodation requests for 2+ calendar years in advance can only be confirmed for homestay will be confirmed at the next year’s rates.
• The booking year rate for deferrals can only be guaranteed for up to 12 months from the original booking start date. In the event that EC discontinues offering the confirmed accommodation product, schools will offer a comparable alternative. If the booking is further deferred new rates will apply and students will be asked to pay the difference for any upgrade.
• We do not guarantee single gender shared accommodation. However, students sharing the same bedroom will be single gender. Exceptions can be made for adult couples or siblings traveling to a homestay/residence asking to be accommodated in the same room. Request for mixed gender siblings to share the same homestay where one or both is a minor can be permissible on a case-by-case basis.
• Schools will make every effort to ensure that students are not assigned to share aroom/apartment with speakers of the same language. This is however based on availability and may not be operationally possible. Payment plans available for long-term students.

ACCOMMODATION POLICIES FOR MINORS (UNDER 18) 

• When staying in EC accommodation, the under 18 (U18) must reside in the same room as the parent or guardian.
• Request for mixed gender siblings to share the same homestay where one or both is a minor can be permissible on a case-by-case basis.
• Minors are required to book a half board homestay with EC for the duration of their stay until they turn 18. Twin room if two students travelling together are of the same sex. Exceptions will only be made where minors stay in accommodation with their parents or legal guardians 25 years of age or older (as appointed and confirmed through the parental consent form provided). Students booked on an adult course and not traveling with a parent or guardian and arriving or departing between 20:00 and 8:00 are required to purchase transfers through EC.

EXPULSION 

EC reserves the right to expel students from an EC course and/or EC housing for unacceptable or unlawful behaviour or lack of attendance. No refund will be given, and any unpaid fees become immediately payable (excluding US and Vancouver). Repatriation is at student’s own expense. Students expelled from an EC course are no longer eligible for EC housing. Housing refund policies will apply. EC has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, bullying and harassment in the workplace, the classroom and accommodation. EC expects students to behave in a manner that is considerate of those around them. Inappropriate conduct includes, but is not limited to:

1. disruptions to the learning environment or EC-provided living environment (i.e., use of profanity, harassment, etc.) 

2. deliberate destruction, misuse, or the of EC property, EC accommodation, or the property of fellow classmates, 

homestay hosts, or housemates. 

3. violence or threats of violence towards persons or property of students or school staff. 

4. sexual harassment, including unwanted advances or any other inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature. 

5. improper use of email or Internet access. 

6. failure to comply with copyright laws and 

7. use of drugs (including marijuana where legal) or alcohol on EC premises including EC housing and/or when underage 

DAMAGE TO PROPERTY 

Students must pay the full cost of any damage they cause to property. Damage deposits may apply to certain accommodation options. These are payable upon check in, or on the first day of school.

LIABILITY 

EC and its staff and representatives will not be liable for loss, damage, or injury to persons or property howsoever caused, except where liability is expressly imposed by law. EC will not be liable in the event that any service contracted to be supplied by EC becomes impossible to supply for any reason or any cause outside the control of EC.

ACCOMMODATION CANCELLATION PRIOR TO ARRIVAL 

Students cancelling or postponing 14 days or less prior to their accommodation dates, for reasons other than visa denial, will be charged a two-week accommodation fee at the rate quoted in the price list for the accommodation booked and the accommodation placement fee. Accommodation booked through EC that is not subject to the standard cancellation terms must be cancelled or postponed according to the cancellation terms quoted at the time of booking to avoid a cancellation fee, which may amount to the full stay charge. Please also refer to the Terms & Conditions for each residence, which are available on the relevant factsheets or check with your EC representative.

ACCOMMODATION CANCELLATION, REDUCTION AFTER ARRIVAL, OR “NO SHOWS” 

Students leaving their accommodation must give notice in writing 4 weeks prior to termination. If the 4-week notice period is not provided, a cancellation fee equal to 4 weeks of the accommodation cost will apply. After deducting the price of accommodation used at the rate quoted in the price list, including the required notice period charged at the same rate, students will be refunded the remaining accommodation costs. Please note: Certain accommodation options may be subject to alternative cancellation charges. Should these differ from above, students will be notified at the time of booking. Please also refer to the Terms and Conditions for each residence, which are available on the relevant factsheets found on our Partners’ site or check with your EC representative.

CHANGES TO ACCOMMODATION 

EC reserves the right to charge an administration fee of $150/50GBP/80EUR each time accommodation is changed or postponed after EC has confirmed the requested accommodation.