14 February 2019 
Martin Higgs, Communications Officer
AUDE Representation – UUK Accommodation Code of Practice, Governance Board/Sector Advisory Group
The UUK / Guild HE Code of Practice for the Management of Student Housing was developed following the publication of The Housing Act (2004), which gave Higher Education Establishments in England and Wales exempt status from HMO licensing on condition that they were members of a government approved code of practice
The UUK / Guild HE Code of Practice is overseen by a Governance Board who meet twice a year with representation from AUDE, CUBO, ASRA, USHA, AMOSSHE, NUS, CHEIA, UUK, ANUK and DCLG, and an independently appointed Chair.
The day to day operation of the code is via a Sector Advisory Group with similar representation from HE sector professional groups. The advisory group makes recommendations to the Governance Board on enhancements to the code, as well as a remit to administer and review submissions from members with regards to audit outcomes, responses to student complaints concerning a member's adherence to the code, and making recommendations to the Governance Board on applications for membership. The Sector Advisory Groups meets 3 times a year (usually in London).
The Governance Board will oversee the operation of the Code and issue guidance as necessary on day to day management issues. It will conduct an annual review of the Code taking account of HHEs' experience, audit findings, complaints raising issues with regards to compliance with the Code and reports from other bodies. The Board will receive recommendations from the Sector Advisory Group with regards to the development and promotion of the Code, membership requests and compliance related matters. To ensure the Code remains relevant and effective, ensure the delivery of the annual report and the statutory instrument to the DCLG and make proposals to the DCLG on proposed Code developments. The Governance Board meets twice a year (in London).
AUDE was a leading participant in the development of The Code, and has continued to play an active role in its development, promotion and administration. A vacancy has become available on the Sector Advisory Group for an AUDE member and vacancies on the Governance Board. If you are interested in representing AUDE, please email your expression of interest to Mark Hughes (Director of Estates, University of Worcester).
For further information about what the role entails please see the Terms of Reference for the Groups and read the information on the Universities UK website: http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/policy-and-analysis/Pages/accommodation-code-of-practice-governance.aspx
