Student’s accommodation at ‘Montrose’ Student residence situated next to University College Dublin (UCD) has been suspended immediately ahead of the upcoming trimester due to an ‘unforeseeable’ issue encountered during current refurbishment works.
The move has been met with anger from students hoping to live in the complex during the fast-approaching academic year.
In an email to all current and incoming residents, the ‘Aparto’ Student accommodation management company providing accommodation at Montrose, informed students that, due to circumstances ‘not within [our] control’, they will not be able to move into the residence on their expected tenancy date. It is understood not to be covid-related.
Speaking to The College Tribune a spokesperson for Aparto said “This proactive decision taken by Aparto management, follows its own commissioned inspection and follow up assessment of the building which was conducted in conjunction with ongoing renovation works.
They added: “Aparto apologises unreservedly to all those impacted by this decision – however the safety of residents and staff is a top priority. Further information as to the expected duration of the suspended operations will be forthcoming in the coming days.”
The operation of residential accommodation at Montrose, which is popular among many UCD-based students due to its location, has been suspected immediately to prioritise the ‘safety of [our] residents and staff’. The College Tribune understands that Aparto’s Montrose accommodation, which was purchased as a refurbished student residence in 2017, could be closed for the entirety of next academic year at least.
Aparto has offered all affected students a full refund of any money already paid. They have also offered students ‘alternative accommodation’ at the company’s three other student accommodation buildings in Dublin; Binary Hub, Beckett House and Dorset Point. These residence buildings located near Dublin’s inner city were built directly by Aparto. In acknowledgement of these residencies’ distance from UCD compared to Montrose, Aparto have offered to pay for an annual leap bus pass or provide a voucher towards a bike or scooter up to the value of €1,000.
Students have also been offered Amazon vouchers of between €500 and €750 if they transfer their license agreement to one of the other residencies, depending on the length of their tenancy. However, this voucher offer is already open to anyone who currently books a contract in the city-based residencies.
It is understood that the issue with the Montrose building, which has passed all current statutory checks, is not related to the external works but was discovered as a result of these works being undertaken. The extent of the problem will likely be established in the coming days.
Gemma Farrell – Assistant News Editor
