Scheduled works
Mackinder Hall, Stenton Hall and Childs Hall will undergo planned building enhancement works during the academic year 2025/26 (from September 2025 until the summer of 2026).
These enhancements are required to improve the external building fabric in terms of appearance, resilience and continued performance. They will help extend the life of the buildings and support our ongoing commitment to providing safe, compliant and well-maintained accommodation for our residents.
The halls will remain safe to occupy throughout the works, with access routes and fire exits kept open and a dedicated management presence on site to minimise disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the building enhancements take?
The current programme runs from September 2025 through to the end of summer 2026. Work is expected to be undertaken simultaneously across all blocks to allow completion as efficiently as possible.
Will it be safe to live in Mackinder Hall, Childs Hall and Stenton Hall during the works?
Yes. The halls will remain entirely safe to occupy. The project team will:
- ensure all general access routes and fire exits remain open and fully accessible at all times
- carefully manage the works to minimise disruption
- maintain a dedicated management presence on site during the works.
What compensation will be provided?
Compensation will be offered to students in affected rooms for the duration of time works are actively taking place on their building. The level of compensation will be based on the degree of disruption.
- Directly impacted rooms – 10% rent discount for the duration of impact.
- Partially or indirectly impacted rooms – 5% rent discount for the duration of impact.
- Unimpacted rooms – no compensation will be offered.
Compensation will be payable retrospectively once work to your block has been completed and the duration of impact confirmed. Credits will be applied to student accounts within 28 days of completion.
What does “impact” mean?
For the purposes of compensation, “impact” refers to periods when building enhancement activities directly affect your residential building. This includes:
- construction impact, such as audible noise and disruption from physical works (drilling, cutting, removal or replacement of materials using tools and machinery)
- access equipment, such as the erection or removal of scaffolding, and the use of mobile elevating working platforms around the building during active works.
The presence of scaffolding alone does not count as an impact for compensation purposes, although it may obstruct views from some windows.
When will compensation not be paid?
Compensation is only applied when there is active disruption. No compensation will be offered during:
- Christmas break – 19 December 2025 to 5 January 2026
- Assessment Period 1 – 19 January to 6 February 2026
- Assessment Period 2 – 25 May to 12 June 2026
- periods when works are paused due to adverse weather or unavoidable delays (even if scaffolding remains in place)
- times outside agreed contractor working hours.
What are the working hours?
Normal working hours will be:
- Monday to Friday, 08:30–17:00 (contractors may arrive from 08:00 to set up, but no noisy works will begin before 08:30)
- Saturday (if required), 09:30–16:00, with a minimum of 7 calendar days’ advance notice and no noisy works before 10:00.
No works are planned on Sundays or public holidays. Any changes to this schedule will be communicated directly to residents.
What level of disruption should I expect?
A tolerable level of noise is anticipated, but disruption will be kept to a minimum and monitored regularly. Scaffolding may obstruct views when work is taking place on your block.
Will my privacy be at risk?
Where scaffolding is erected, translucent reflective privacy film will be applied to windows. This allows residents to see out while preventing others from looking in.
Will the works affect my room temperature?
On rare occasions, room temperatures may be lower than expected as a result of the works. If this occurs, it should be reported to the Helpdesk so the operational team can investigate and respond. The compensation scheme also covers inconvenience caused by lower-than-expected temperatures linked to the works.
Will work stop during the exam period?
Yes. Works will be paused during key quiet periods to avoid disruption:
- Assessment Period 1 – 19 January to 6 February 2026
- Assessment Period 2 – 25 May to 12 June 2026.
Will arrangements be made for residents with specific needs?
Yes. Additional engagement will take place with residents who have specific requirements to ensure their needs are met.
How will I be kept informed?
You will receive advance notification of works beginning on your building and any changes to the programme, working hours or expected impacts will be communicated promptly. If Saturday working is required, notice will be given at least 7 calendar days in advance.
Specific information about impacts to rooms and the level of compensation will be shared closer to programme commencement.
Who can I contact if I have questions or issues during the works?
Please contact the Reading Helpdesk at reading.helpdesk@upp-ltd.com with the subject line “Planned Building Enhancement Works” if you have any feedback, questions or concerns. A complaint handling process will also be in place.