Schools

Our competitively benchmarked schools leasing solution is fully compliant with current education finance requirements.

find out more about leasing solutions for Schools below

Since 1st April 2024 Schools have been allowed to enter into leases that would have previously constituted borrowing, so long as the asset(s) being leased are on the approved list set out in the IFRS16
Maintained Schools Finance Lease Class Consent 2024.  Loans & hire purchase arrangements remain non compliant, some of which are commonly offered by suppliers.

Why Lease

Some of the benefits of leasing include:

Spread repayments over working life of the equipment

Flexible payments tailored to your needs

Period of hire to suit you

Competitive source of finance – can be less than 0% interest if the equipment is returned to the leasing company

School devolved formula capital budgets can be directed to other projects

Avoids equipment obsolescence as it is replaced regularly

Transfer of ownership risk on to the leasing company – School staff should not be asset managers

Asset management – disposal to comply with WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) where applicable


What can be leased?

A wide range of equipment can be leased or financed for schools.

Equipment that can be leased includes:
ICT Equipment
Reprographics & printing
Telecoms
Gym Equipment
Catering Equipment
Modular Classrooms
LED Lighting
Solar PV
Synthetic Sports Pitches
Minibuses (Contract Hire)

FAQ’s

When are payments made?

Payments may be tailored to meet cashflow, although monthly, annually or quarterly rentals are available. Leases typically run from 2 to 7 years depending on asset type.

What happens at the end of the lease?

At the end of the lease the school has the option to either return the equipment, extend the lease or buy-out the equipment via a third party such as the PTA or UniLink. We will advise of the costs for these options at the outset of the lease.

Methods of Payment?

Direct Debit or you can pay by invoice, but some lessors may charge.

What if our budgets change?

We will reschedule the payments and do our best to re-arrange the agreement to suit your revised needs.


Arranging a lease

Arranging a lease can be daunting. However, UniLink will guide you through the whole leasing process.

Below is a quick summary of the process:

(1)You source and select the equipment that you require and negotiate the best purchase price from the supplier. We will then either provide you with a straightforward lease quotation or tailor a rental package to your specific requirements.

(2)We will then send you a short Rental Agreement for signing via Docusign.

(3)We will then issue a purchase order to the supplier including invoice instructions. You then arrange with the supplier to deliver the equipment.

(4)Once delivered, and you are happy with the equipment, you then return the acceptance certificate to the leasing company who will in turn pay the supplier.

(5)You do not start making rental payments, until you are satisfied that the equipment has been delivered (and installed).


Minibus

minibus leasing

Via our partner Minibus World (www.minibus-online.co.uk) we have access to significant discounts from minibus manufacturers that are available to education bodies. We are also able to quote on minibus conversions such as adapted buses for wheelchair access and lightweight buses allowing drivers without D1 car licence entitlement to drive 17 seat buses.


“The School approached UniLink to help us finance some projectors. The whole process was very simple, transparent and cost effective, with UniLink managing the entire process. We have since financed our whiteboards and a new telephone system with UniLink and will be looking to use them again when we have new leasing requirements.”

Carol Finning, Business Manager, Stoke Hill Junior School - Dorset

“The school contacted UniLink via the North Essex Schools Partnership as an approved supplier to Essex County Council. We needed a new nursery setting for 26 pupils but had no funds to pay for it. UniLink discussed the options with us and assessed what our needs were including a deferred rental payment profile to allow us time to establish an income from the setting. UniLink then undertook the tender and sourced a lessor for the setting that offered best value to the school. An additional and unexpected benefit was the that the lessor uses funding from Social Investors who intentionally target investments with a positive social impact.”

Julia Hunt – Headteacher – Brightlingsea Infants School - Essex

“I used UniLink whilst I worked at St Matthew’s. We were looking to fund a 3G football pitch build costing £500,000. Andrew Moss visited the school on several occasions to assist in the process. Andrew’s personal attention resulted in St Matthew’s achieving a first class sporting facility. We used UniLink again after asking them to quote for two separate leases relating to ICT equipment. Once again the service was swift and the quotes were competitive.”

Iain Blair, School Business Manager, St Matthew’s RC High School - Manchester

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