From the moment you move in to your flat, the most important thing to do is to get to know your flatmates and start making friends.
When you are living in residences, you will be part of a community of individuals with a variety of interests, from a range of backgrounds and cultures. Part of the challenge of living in residences is learning to live with others outside of a family structure. In addition, you have certain responsibilities as a Licensee in residences.
Student Accommodation Survival Guide
Download the Accommodation Survival Guide
Senior Residents
Your Senior Resident (SR) will visit your flat to introduce themselves in the first few days of term. Your SR - will normally be an experienced student living close by, who can help with any kind of problem you may be having at any time of day or night. They also help us to ensure good order in the residences, so that everyone has a safe and pleasant environment in which to live.
Top tips for an enjoyable student experience:
The kitchen is your most important communal area, and everyone in your flat should feel comfortable using it. Wash up and wipe up after yourself to keep the cooking area, sink and dining area, clear for your flatmates to use after you. Remember that the kitchen is intended for the use of you and your flatmates only, so guests should be occasional. Smoking is strictly not allowed.
Your cleaner provides a back-up service only and they are not there to clear up after you or do your washing up. Your cleaner should feel welcome in your flat, and able to do their job. They are also the member of Residences Staff you will see the most, so try to foster a good relationship from the beginning. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to keep both your room and the kitchen in a clean and tidy condition, and we expect you to keep a minimum standard of cleanliness at all times.
Close your windows and lock your doors when you go out. Make sure that the door to the building and the door to your flat are kept locked at all times – even when you’re in. Don’t whatever you do tamper with, cover or move any fire safety equipment: you will put yourself and others at risk, and if caught will face eviction. Don’t stand by and let others do things that put you at risk. Make sure you know what to do in case of fire, and that you comply with any other health and safety regulations.
Not everyone shares your taste in music, and even if your whole flat loves your new CD, the poor person in the flat downstairs trying to study will not appreciate a thumping ceiling. Try to keep noise to a minimum – if you can hear your music outside your room, then chances are everyone else can too. Try to be quiet coming in and out of your flat, especially at night. Remember that doors can be closed perfectly well without slamming them!
Defects in your flat can be reported directly to our Estates department, or if it’s more convenient, pop in to the Accommodation Office and we will report it for you. Jobs are allocated by Estates in order of priority, so if it’s something non-urgent, it may take a few days to be sorted out. If the defect is in your room and you are not there when Estates come to fix it, they will let themselves in and leave a card.
