Relevant convictions

When you apply for accommodation you must declare any unspent criminal convictions to us. You must also notify us of any new convictions at any point before or during your contract with us.

For the purpose of applying for accommodation at Lancaster University, a ‘relevant’ unspent or pending conviction includes any offence committed under the following Acts (or comparable offences that resulted in a conviction from a legal system overseas):

• Sexual Offences Act 2003
• Terrorism Act 2006
• Firearms Act 1968
• Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
• Theft Act 1968
• Criminal Damage Act 1971
• Modern Slavery Act 2015
• Bribery Act 2010

In addition to the Acts listed above you must inform the University if you have any unspent conviction that:

• involves any kind of violence
• concerns the intention to harm, or having resulted in actual bodily harm
• involves the unlawful supply of controlled drugs or substances where the conviction concerns commercial drug dealing or trafficking
• arson

Declaring a relevant unspent conviction will not result in automatic refusal of accommodation but it will trigger a review process.

When is a conviction spent?

All convictions eventually become spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, with the exception of convictions which result in a custodial sentence over 2 ½ years. Please refer to page 3 of the Ministry of Justice guidance for detailed information on applicable rehabilitation periods. If you are unsure whether your conviction is spent you may wish to contact Nacro (the crime reduction charity) advice service by calling 020 7840 1212, or emailing helpline@nacro.org.uk.