Zebra Postgraduate Student Accommodation
WHO ARE ZEBRA?
Zebra Housing Association is a specialist “not for profit” housing association providing accommodation and support services to post graduate international and UK students and their families in London.
Zebra has over fifty years of experience in providing housing for international students, and offers students the chance to live like a real Londoner in beautiful, character, value for money accommodation. Zebra has accommodation in five Central London locations, all of which are within easy walking distance of public transport facilities and local amenities. Our aim is to provide a quiet and safe environment for residents and their families, as well as responsive support to our tenants.
The Association has 134 student flats, employs eleven staff, and provides accommodation to 250 people. The Association’s work is governed by a wide range of legislation, and we are regulated by the Homes England Government Agency.
All applicants apply on line through our website.
There are a number of things that are unusual about Zebra:
- We specialise in providing affordable housing for post-graduate students in London
- We re-invest all our profits in our student housing.
- We house many international students, most of who are studying at doctorate & Masters level, on student housing tenancies.
- We allow students to stay in their student accommodation until they have completed their studies and this can be between 1 and 5 years.
- Many Postgraduate students don’t have a fixed term time, and so we have tenancies starting, and ending, throughout the year and residents can give one month’s notice to terminate their tenancy of their student housingat any time.
- Many of our residents are mature students, and so bring their partners or spouses, and children, with them to London. Every year a number of children are born to our residents while they are in London. We have had children of former residents become tenants themselves.
- We are very conscious that studying in London can be isolating and stressful. Students come to London both to study, and to understand and enjoy its culture. We run a number of programmes to support students, and to help them enjoy, appreciate and participate in London cultural and intellectual life.
- We do not provide social housing.
OUR RESIDENTS
90% of our residents are studying at PhD or Masters level, and we serve students from all of the major London educational institutions, including the University of London (Imperial College, King’s College, Queen Mary College, Royal Holloway College, the London School of Economics, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Royal Academy of Music, SOAS, University College), City University, the Courtauld Institute, Eastman Dental Hospital, London Business School, London Metropolitan University, Middlesex University, the Royal College of Art, the Royal College of Music, Royal Veterinary College, Westminster University and the University of the Arts.
OUR VISION
Zebra Housing Association will be recognised for the quality and value for money of its accommodation and services, contributing significantly to the development of the overseas student resident’s potential, in the context of a safe, secure, supportive and sustainable environment.
The fact that people of different nationalities, beliefs and races live together in our residences, sharing facilities and services, will promote tolerance and better international understanding. Our central London locations (zones 1 and 2) and social programme will enhance resident’s stay in the UK leaving them with an appreciation of our society’s values and institutions encouraging further cultural and business/trade links.
OUR VALUES
Safety – maintain an attractive environment that allows tenants and their dependants to feel both physically and emotionally safe
Respect – foster a community, where integrity and respect for the individual and other cultures are valued
Education – develop a community supportive of higher learning, academic achievement and new ideas, promoting personal development
Community – promote individuality while encouraging positive attitudes to equality and cultural diversity, promoting a sense of connection with the UK and international collegiality
Service – provide excellent customer service tailored to the individual wherever possible
Value for money – ensure excellent value for money continually challenging how we deliver
ZEBRA’S BOARD & STAFF
The strategic management of the Association is the remit of a small voluntary board, which brings an array of talents to the organisation. Our Board members bring skills in academia, housing, finance, business management, law, architecture, finance, information technology, sustainability and international development. Three of our Board members are former student residents of the Association. Our staff are highly motivated, and offer a wealth of experience gained with the Association and other organisations, including universities, charities, housing providers and public bodies.
Zebra employs its own maintenance team, who provide a friendly and efficient reactive maintenance service.