Fair-bax

Fairfax House will be used by the University once again next year, after its brief stint as accommodation for York St John Students.

The York student accommodation was rented out to York St John students in 2012 for this academic year, but next year it will be inhabited by University of York students once again.
There was controversy, however, over the accommodation in 2011, with students paying what they thought was far too much money per week for the standard of housing, and prices going up every year. Compensation was paid to the disgruntled students.

Fairfax was said to have “Inadequate provision of kitchens, bathroom/toilet facilities, all not to current standard.” However, Campus Services have confirmed that work will be done on the house to remedy these issues.

Jon Meacock, Director of Estates and Campus Services, said: “One of the University’s priorities is to progressively improve the quality of our student residential accommodation.
“We will be spending some money to improve the off-campus accommodation at Constantine House and Fairfax.

“This will mainly be a refresh but we are looking to replace some of the kitchen units in Fairfax.

“We rented out Fairfax to York St John this year because we had a significant number of voids in our accommodation which resulted in a significant loss of income.”

The house will be ready for use by York students by next term, students will hope the House will be refreshed and revamped.

YUSU President Kallum Taylor was Vanbrugh Chair whilst Fairfax was part of the college, and told Vision: “It’s important that the University give Fairfax House some much needed attention.

“It’s up there with a lot of the other infamous halls of residences crying out for renovation. Obviously too, it’d be in the University’s longer term interests too in avoiding another compensation push from students living there.

“A lick of paint and a movement of the furniture just won’t do.”