Student Roost - Hillfort House

Love my time here so far, no faults and lots of fun. They even have social events and other ways socialising events. Regarding reviews I saw, none of these are true, at least they aren’t this year. They are a new establishment and would 100% recommend for your 24/25 stay :)

Lovely accommodation and lots of facilities. Staff are very helpful and friendly. But the accommodation is in quite a noisy area.

Lived here for a year and enjoyed it. The building is new and the amenities made washing (although expensive) and working out convenient. I was lucky with my flat mates as it was a Masters flat and everyone was organised. Cleanliness in common areas could be improved but this is also the result of tenants disrespecting the property. Most of the staff are friendly and they were also very helpful when I was moving out. Pleasant experience overall x

The place itself is nice, the staff are nice but if you have a problem it never gets sorted. I had to use my data in my room for about 3 months which I had to pay for and the staff didn't help fix the WiFi. I also couldn't wash my clothes there as the WiFi was so bad and you have to use an app to pay? So I had to take them home all the time. I moved out early because my flat was really bad and i asked to move rooms which they said they couldn't but my friends in other flats said there were spare rooms on their floor so... and only when they found out i had moved out they offered to switch rooms which was too late by then.if you go here it can be nice if you're lucky get a room with good WiFi and a flat that don't break your things.

Fast-acting staff and hard-working manager. The rooms are cozy and spacious. Paul (the new manager) is very attentive, nothing gets past him! Assistant manager Ronnie is thoughtful and on top of everything. Jess is lovely. Layla is very dedicated and multi-tasked when HH was understaffed. Overall, this is a new place ever since it has been under new management. Things that have improved: clealiness, noise issues, lazy reception staff (have all been let go/left!), etc... Also, the new faces at reception are friendly.

My experience at Hilfort House has not been very pleasant! From the start of the year I had several problems with the cleanliness of my kitchen and was often found cleaning it on my own. The worst of it being this past week where I was unable to use the kitchen due to a fly infestation (literally living off yogurt) - I complained about this issue almost everyday this week and although staff sent a cleaner to wipe down my flat the infestation was not taken care of professionally and I had to spend 4 hours doing a deep clean to get rid of hundreds of flies even though I was away for 3 weeks and it was not my fault but the fault of my dirty flatmate who has had no repercussions except a talking too". The kitchen was in such a hazardous state as this individual has been leaving expired and mouldy food in the fridge for months causing a thick layer of brown water to accumulate in the fridge along with dirty dishes constantly being left in the sink for WEEKS at a time. Takeaways eaten in their room disposed of in the kitchen

Amazing accomodation with calm and quite neighbourhood. The reception team is always ready to hear my queries and help 24/7. Currently living in my second room here as I extended the contract. Till now there has not been any problems from the building nor from the residents. Another reason is that it is close to my university(Brighton uni), close to the bus stops and can make it my 9am lectures even if I wake up late. Making great memories and great friends as time passes by. Consider ringing the reception team to find out about the details rather than just checking the reviews and online photos - this is what I personally did and got to know more about this place.- Nash

Part 2/2.This is a continuation of my review of Hillfort House. Skipping forward to New Year's Eve 2022/23, and things once again took another turn for the worse. A few days prior, we had smelled a strong burning smell in the corridor, and a light smokey haze. We reported this to the night reception staff, who passed it off as due to the window being opened. The next day we discovered the window to have been locked shut by staff - what a great solution. On NYE itself, the burning smell reappeared, this time much stronger and could be smelled in our room. We went into the corridor to see where it was coming from, and we traced it to behind an electrical cupboard door. Naturally, we pressed the fire alarm call-point and attempted to call the emergency property phone whilst making our way to the courtyard to evacuate. There was no response, so we called 999 and the fire brigade sent an urgent response unit out. Security appeared in the courtyard where we had all gathered, and said there was no fire and it was just a false alarm. We reiterated what we had smelled and he refused to come to the floor to investigate. When the fire brigade arrived, they had the cupboard opened, revealing water damage to electrical equipment and the building's internet switch panel. They disabled the cupboard which cut off the Wifi and other services like the in-room intercom systems - to accept visitors and deliveries. On our way back to our room, we saw a note left on the reception desk, seemingly from the day reception to the night reception, detailing knowledge of a water leak, yet despite all of this, building staff continued to deny any knowledge of water in the building. We later discovered the roof had leaked and alongside that, there had been a small fire on the roof of the property the same night.The roof leaking was not resolved for two months, leaving water to drip into electrical cupboards and fire alarm cabling, setting the alarms off even more regularly then they were already going off (alarms would already go off normally due to cooking, showers or spraying deodorant/perfumes anywhere in the room). On two particular nights, the night reception staff left the building, driving off and not returning for the entire evening. This led to attendance of the fire brigade and on one particular night, a total of four times. Nobody from the property or company's head office would answer their calls, leaving the alarms to sound all night. The leaking was eventually resolved, after Wifi being unavailable for two weeks, and some lifts in the building also being out of service.Shortly after this fiasco, the manager announced he too would soon be leaving, and a replacement was surprisingly hired within a few days. Cue the third, and current, manager of the property. We had hoped a management change would evoke a refresh of the property, and make the required changes. Sadly not. Within two weeks of taking post, all staff members besides two quit citing bullying and feeling uncomfortable working at Hillfort. Many good staff were lost. The new manager enjoys shouting, threatening and swearing at residents, with little regard to complaints. Throughout this review I mention problems with staff. Unfortunately staff at Hillfort House fall into two categories: The first group are younger, inexperienced but kind and friendly people, who lack support, training and care from management to do their jobs. They quickly burn-out or quit. The second group are ruder and more abusive individuals, who enjoy taunting residents for their problems, and have assaulted students both verbally and physically. Some quit, never let go, and others remain. Student Roost as a company is systemically corrupt, uncaring and unsympathetic, with a chronic lack of upper management to support the sometimes brilliant staff at a property level.Numerous reviews here share glimmers of the truth. Wifi issues. Bin issues. Fire alarms. Circuit laundry. Rude staff. Piece these together and that is Hillfort House. Whatever you do, don't book here. There's lots of other places.

As of right now it is an enjoyable stay for a university student. The place is fresh & up-to-date with the only expectation of the fire alarms. With that in mind it is not the buildings fault but overall a good/safe place