First year students allotted to Danesgate House ended up in hotels during Freshers’ Week, after new owners Mansion Property Management failed to have all the required rooms ready for the start of the semester.
The accommodation company, which owns several student properties across the country, bought Danesgate House for approximately £17 million last spring, and attempted a wide-ranging refurbishment over the summer months.
However, some students were instead moved into local hotels at the start of Freshers’ Week while finishing touches to the refurbishment were added.
Mansion Property Management declined a full interview, but a spokeswoman for the company stated: “Mansion Property Management are fully committed to supporting the Lincoln student experience. Over the summer we have made a significant investment in a full refurbishment of Danesgate House.
“We delayed the check in date for a number of students to ensure that their accommodation met with our very high standards. All students were accommodated within the City, and all students are now in situ at Danesgate House.”
As associates of the University of Lincoln, Mansion received help from the university to minimise the disruption caused to students by providing support staff and funding basic needs including food and transport.
“A number of students were advised by the Mansion Group that their Danesgate House accommodation would not be available from the Sunday of Welcome Week,” a university spokesperson told The Linc. “Students were able to move in on the Thursday and, in the interim, Mansion Group was provided hotel accommodation, breakfast and evening meal and Wi-Fi internet access.
“The University of Lincoln provided food vouchers for lunch on campus and transport where required. Staff met students at their hotel accommodation when they arrived to answer any questions or concerns.”
The university declined to give details about the cost of the assistance provided, but assured us that “it will not have impacted on any other student enquiries”.
Mansion’s spokeswoman added: “Mansion would like to thank all the students who were affected for their understanding and patience. We would also like to thank the University of Lincoln for their help and support in ensuring that the students were able to enjoy Welcome Week with the minimum of disruption.”