A-Z of Things to Know

You can buy kitchen, bedding & study pack at competitive prices to suit your budget from various places around Aberdeen City Centre. Check out Tesco, Asda or Argos. Please note that if you are moving into New Carnegie Court you will require double sized bedding. You will be supplied with a matress protector.

Moving Rooms
Please visit the Accommodation Office to complete a transfer request form to enable you to move rooms. It is possible for you to move within University accommodation (as long as the change is 'like for like', in terms of length of lease). An administration charge of £25 is payable upon acceptance of the transfer.

Can I get out of my Accommodation Contract
No, only if you have withdrawn from the University otherwise you will be held liable for the rent until your termination date unless you find a replacement to take over your room, this student must not be living in University accommodation and must be the same gender.

Do I have to leave Halls over Christmas and if so by what date do I have to leave and when can I come back
If you live in Crombie Johnston you cannot stay in halls over Christmas period, however you can keep your belongings locked in your room. Your last night of residence will be 20 December 2012 and your first day that you can return to halls is 4 January 2013. Breakfasts begin again on the 4th January 2012.

If you live in Hillhead, Kings Hall or Elphinstone Flats then you are allowed to stay in halls over the Christmas period.

Where’s the Accommodation office
The Accommodation office is located on the second floor of the Hub.

Where do I pay for my accommodation
Accommodation fees can be paid at InfoHub (they are located on the ground floor of the Hub on Elphinstone Road) or the Cash Office (they are located in the main University Office on Regent Walk, opening hours 10am – 1pm)). 
Alternatively, you can pay via the internet at www.abdn.ac.uk/internetpayments, you will require your Student ID number to make payment.

How can I view what I owe?
You can view what you are due to pay via your Student Portal.  You can view your accommodation schedule page at any time via the eAccommodation Portal, this page will show all dates that you need to pay by. You will have 30 days to make any payments.

Can I pay monthly?
Yes you can - you must set up a payment plan with finance. Contact them at creditctr@abdn.ac.uk

A cycle shed is provided at Crombie Johnston Halls of Residence. There are no bike sheds at Hillhead but can be locked up outside the individual blocks/houses/.

Keys for the bike shed at Crombie Johnston can be obtained from the Hall Reception. Residents pay a non-returnable fee of £10 for this key.  The lock is changed every June to guarantee security during the academic year and any bikes remaining at the end of the summer term are disposed of.

For reasons of fire safety, bicycles must not be stored inside buildings or obstruct access to and from buildings. Bicycles found inside the building will be removed, with a fee of £5 payable for their redemption. Persistent offenders may be subject to disciplinary action.

All bikes must be removed on the last day of the summer term. Bikes will be disposed of after this date. Bicycles should not be ridden on the pathways around campus.

There is no designated resident parking on campus at Crombie Johnston, Elphinstone Road Flats, or King's Hall.

Parking Restrictions apply on Campus. Parking Charge Notices (PCN) of £60 could be issued to vehicles parked in contravention of the parking regulations

The owners of illegally parked vehicles may be subject to Parking Charge Notices and charged a £60 fine.

Keys can be collected from the date that your contract commences.

Crombie Hall, Johnston Hall, Kings Hall and Elphinstone Road: keys should be collected at the reception at Crombie (t:01224 27 3444), open 24 hours

Hillhead Halls: keys should be collected from the reception desk (t: 01224 27 4000) within the Central Building at Hillhead Halls, open 24 hours. 

Breakfast is served in Café Zeste at Crombie, Dinner and Sunday Brunch are served in the Hub.

Meal times

• Breakfast - Served at Cafe Zeste
  Monday - Friday 7.30am - 9.30am
  Saturday 8.00am – 9.30am
  
  
• Dinner*
  Monday - Friday - served at the Hub
  5.30pm - 6.45pm
  
• Saturday 5.30pm - 6.30pm - served in the Hub
  
  
• Brunch - served at the Hub
  Sunday 11.30pm - 1.30pm

* dinner service times may vary during the Easter break.

Early and late meals

If you have University commitments during meal times, early and late meals are available Monday to Friday. Please provide 24 hours' notice should you require this service, remembering to state if you require a vegetarian late meal.

EARLY MEALS - available from 5.15pm until 5.30pm (please note menu choice may be limited)

LATE MEALS - - late meal available from Crombie Reception from 7.00pm-9.00pm.

Dietary requirements

If you require a special diet for medical reasons, please contact the Operations Manager.
If you have severe food allergies you may wish to consider a self catered option rather than catered.

Identity

Once you have received your matriculation card, you will be asked to show it at all dinner and Sunday brunch services along with your Meal Pass. Meal Passes will be allocated on Fresher's week. Please note that without these cards, you may be required to pay individually for meals. If you lose your ID card you should request a temporary meal pass from the Hall Reception. If you lose your ID card, you can order a new one from the University Online Store. It costs £10 and will be available for collection from the Infohub within 24 hours. You can also visit the Infohub to order a replacement card which can usually be prepared on the spot.

Residents will be charged for any damage (which is not recorded on the inventory at the start of the Accommodation Agreement period) in their bedroom and a share of non-attributable damages in communal areas of the flat or house. It is therefore important that residents check the inventory on arrival and note any damage not previously recorded.

Details of damages and costs are given in the Your Home Booklet which is available on the eAccommodation Portal.

We have a range of adapted flats available for disabled students. If you require adjustments while at the University of Aberdeen, you should also contact the Student Advice and Support Office for further discussion, if you haven’t already done so.

Under the University’s Code of Practice on Student Discipline, residents who break the rules can be called in for a disciplinary hearing. There are different classes of hearing depending on the severity of the offence. Class One can incur a fine of up to £100, Class Two a fine of up to £250 and Class Three the possibility of removal from Halls of Residence.
Disciplinary panels are made up of two members of Campus Services management staff and one student rep.

A copy of the University's Code of Practice on Student Discipline can be downloaded here.

It is vital that you register with a local doctor as soon as possible after your arrival in Aberdeen. The Student Advice & Support Office located on the ground floor of The Hub is able to provide leaflets detailing local GP surgeries - please feel free to call in and pick one up.

All University owned electrical equipment is checked for safety and will display a sticker indicating when it was last tested.

Students are not permitted to bring into University accommodation any electrical equipment which is electrically unsafe or for which safety cannot be proved. Any portable electrical equipment brought into the residences must have a sealed and factory fitted plug top.

Routine testing of the fire alarm system is carried out each Tuesday morning. You are not required to leave the building during this test, which will be a series of short rings; however if the alarm sounds constantly, you should treat this as an active alarm and evacuate the building.

Fire arms or other weapons (or their replicas) must neither be brought onto, nor stored on site. Any firearm or weapon (or their replica) found on site will be removed and may be reported to the Police and the breach of this regulation will be treated as a serious disciplinary matter.

If you discover a fire or the fire alarm has been activated, you must leave the building as quickly as possible, closing doors and windows, and make your way to the muster point. You must familiarise yourself with the escape routes, exits and muster points displayed in your room and in communal areas.

The preservation of an unobstructed escape route is essential in the event of a fire.

• Fire doors must not be kept wedged open
• Corridors must be kept free of obstruction
• Bulky equipment such as surfboards, which (like bicycles) might impede evacuation of the building in an emergency, is not permitted in the building

What to do if you discover a fire

DAYTIME 8am - 6pm

• Raise the alarm at the nearest break glass point
• Leave the building, closing doors and windows and go to the daytime muster point
• Find the person in charge and give details of the location of the fire
• Remain outside the building until you are told it is safe to re-enter

NIGHTTIME 6pm - 8am

• Follow the separate instructions provided

What to do if you hear a fire alarm

DAYTIME 8am - 6pm

• Leave the building, closing doors and windows as you go
• Check that your nearest neighbours have heard the alarm and can reach the outside unaided
• Go to the daytime muster point
• Remain outside the building until you are told it is safe to re-enter

NIGHT-TIME 6pm - 8am

• Follow the separate instructions provided

Fire Safety DVD

• Make sure that you have watched the fire safety DVD. You can view this online by clicking here or you can view it through the eAccommodation portal.

 

• Fire fighting equipment must not be used except in the case of fire
• If you are concerned about a piece of fire fighting equipment, report it at the Porter's Desk or Reception
• Never tamper with fire detection, fire alerting or fire fighting equipment

Fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, smoke detectors, break glass alarm call points, fire exit signs, etc. are all provided to protect life and property. It is a criminal act to interfere with, misuse or remove any such equipment. It is always the correct action to set off the fire alarm system if you believe there is a fire, however the setting off of the fire alarm system in any other circumstances is viewed extremely seriously by the University, by the Fire Brigade and by the Police and may lead to those responsible facing prosecution.

To minimise the risk of fire, some items are banned from Hall and some must only be used and stored in the kitchen area.

It is your responsibility to have all electrical items PAT tested to minimise risk of fire.

The University reserves the right to inspect any electrical appliance or connection which it has reason to believe could be unsafe.

Any banned item found, or any restricted item found being stored in a study bedroom, will be removed and may be collected at any time for removal from the site. The use of barbeques and the letting off of fireworks on site are not permitted.

Banned items

• Electric Heater of any type (including radiant, convector, fan assisted, oil filled)
• Gas Heater / Burner
• Stove
• Electric Deep Fat Fryer
• Gas Lamps
• Candles, of any type
• Pizza ovens
• Egyptian water pipes (Shisha)
• Lebanese Nargiles pipes
• Hookah pipes
• Candles
• Tealights
• Fairy lights

Please also ensure that any electrical appliances with continental plugs are replaced with approved UK plugs or used with an approved UK adaptor to minimise the risk of power overload, high voltage and fire.

Restricted items for use within kitchen area only

• Slow Cooker / Rice Boiler
• Sandwich Maker
• Hotplates & Grills
• Toasters

Fire Safety DVD

• Make sure that you have watched the fire safety DVD. You can view this online by clicking here or you can view it through the eAccommodation portal.

All University accommodation furniture complies with the stringent fire safety regulations.

Skateboarding, ball games, use of water pistols, water bombs, laser guns, laser pens, and other equipment which the Resident Student Assistant deems potentially detrimental to the welfare of residents or others is not permitted. Such items may be confiscated, particularly if continually used on site.

All University of Aberdeen student accommodation has a current HMO Licence which is issued by Aberdeen City Council.

All students who live in University owned or managed accommodation for which they pay residence fees are covered by Endsleigh Insurance.

Endsleigh Insurance offer excellent deals for additional items and for when you move out of halls but continue with them for Insurance. check out the Endsleigh website for more info.

Each bedroom within University of Aberdeen student accommodation has wireless internet access. Further information is available at www.abdn.ac.uk/wireless.

It is vital that damage forms are completed within 7 days as failure to do so could result in residents being charged for damage not caused by them.  You will be sent an email once you have moved into the accommodation reminding you to do so, this is completed via the eAccommodation Portal.  A room inspection can be arranged prior to departure. Keys must be handed in immediately after inspection.

Room keys are issued to all residents and must be returned when we break for Christmas and at the end of the academic year.

A charge of £15.00 will be made for any key not returned on or before the last "in residence" day of each term.

You are responsible for the safekeeping of your keys.

If you are going out and are worried about the safety of your keys, you can leave them with the Porter or Receptionist for safekeeping.

Should you lose your keys, replacements can be obtained from the Hall Reception and a charge will be made for this replacement.

If you have a catered contract, the lease consists of 37 weeks of full residency and one period for the Christmas break where you will be required to vacate your room but you will be able to leave your belongings in situ. At the end of each full residency period you must vacate your room by 10am, and return your key to the Porters desk. If you are unable to vacate on the day your full residency lease concludes, it may be possible to arrange an additional night's stay. You should contact the Hall Reception to make enquiries.

At the conclusion of your lease you must vacate your room by 10am and take all of your belongings with you. Anything left in the rooms beyond the day of departure will be disposed of.

A mattress protector is provided for hygienic purposes and must NOT be removed. Duvets and pillows and towels are not provided.

There are several launderettes on all of our accommodation sites, open from 8am to 10pm daily (last wash 9pm). The machines are cash operated and are run and maintained by Circuit Laundry. A help-line is in operation for any machine failure or other queries. Please see the launderette notice-boards for details.

Crombie – Block B ground floor
Johnston – blocks C & F ground floor
Elphionstone Flats – behind block 9
Hillhead – North Laundry at the side of the central building
Hillhead– South laundry opposite south house

The Porter will hold lost property found on the premises for up to one month. Lost property can be reclaimed from the Porter or Hall reception. Items of value are passed to the lost property division of Grampian Police within one week of being found.

Motorcycles must not be ridden on the pedestrian paths leading between buildings on campus as it is dangerous and the paths are not designed to take this traffic. Motorcycle owners should refrain from making excessive engine noise, and from carrying out any repairs on campus.

Residents are required to advise a Resident Student Assistant of their intention to hold a party with more than 10 guests, giving 48 hours' notice. For fire safety purposes, the maximum number of people in a room at any given time must not exceed 12. Residents holding parties are particularly advised to take precautions against gatecrashers, as they will be held responsible for any damage caused by them as well as by bona-fide guests. The general noise regulations of the Hall still apply; thus parties must stop by midnight, and particularly noisy parties are liable to be terminated early.

It is important for residents to be vigilant at all times. If you see anything suspicious, contact the Porter or University Security tel (27) 3327. This will help us maintain a safe environment. Except in an emergency situation it is an offence to enter or leave any room via the window. The Hall does not permit representatives from external companies or bodies to enter the accommodation blocks with the purpose of soliciting for business. If you are aware of anyone who is leaflet dropping or knocking on doors please inform the Porter immediately.

Residents are not permitted to keep pets or animals within or near the residences or any of the grounds belonging to the University.

Incoming mail for residents in Crombie, Johnston and Kings can be collected from Crombie Reception. You will be notified of deliveries requiring signature.

Residents in Hillhead self catering properties will have their mail delivered direct to their flats by Royal Mail with the exception of Adam Smith, Fyfe and Wavell, incoming mail can be collected from the Hillhead Central Building foyer.

For security reasons the mail is available at the following times:-

• Hillhead: pick up from Central Building between 11am - 12pm and 6pm - 8pm
• Crombie, Johnston & Kings: pick up from Crombie reception

Outgoing mail can be posted at Crombie Reception or Hillhead Central Building. The nearest Royal Mail post box is located on High Street.

Used stamps are collected at Crombie Reception and given to charity.

Mail can be redirected during vacation (with the exception of Christmas) to a nominated address within the UK. This can be arranged, via the Porter, for a small charge. If you do not opt for this service, mail arriving over the Easter vacation will be held in Hall for your return. Mail arriving in the summer will be returned to sender.

• If you are leaving Hall permanently at Christmas, forwarding facilities are available. Returning students' mail will be held in Hall.

The porters numbers can be found in the Your Home booklet.
Hillhead porters can be contacted at the porters desk 24/7 or call 4002
Crombie, Johnston, Elphinstone Flats or King’s can be called on 2218

If you would like a poster to be displayed in Hall you should take it to the Hall Reception who will authorise it and arrange for its display. All unauthorised posters will be removed and destroyed.

Leaflets and flyers are not permitted to be handed out or left withour prior permission. Anyone found handing out or leaving leaflets for nightclubs, promoters, societies etc could face disciplinary action. If you are unsure if you are allowed to leave flyers, please ask at reception or the porters desk for clarification.

The University does not keep a registered list of private accommodation. No private properties have been inspected by University staff therefore the University is unable to give any recommendation, endorsement or guarantee in regard to any private property, property owner or agent.

To assist you in finding suitable private property, self-catering accommodation can be arranged for you during the months of June, July and August (one-week minimum charge). We regret that the University is unable to extend temporary accommodation beyond early September.

The University does not offer family accommodation but the Student Accommodation Office can help by providing a list of local solicitors and estate agents who may be able to assist in locating appropriate accommodation. Information regarding alternative accommodation can also be obtained from the Students' Association, they can be e-mailed at infoadvice@abdn.ac.uk

There are glass, textile, books and paper recycling bins located both on the Hillhead and Old Aberdeen sites. Please use these recycling bins, as all other waste goes into landfill.

Special textile collections are made throughout the year for any unwanted clothing you no longer need. Whatever state its in, we collect it as part of our Bages to Future initiative so look out for the blue bag!

Please note that all personal electrical items must be removed from your room prior to final departure. Some items are collected and gifted to local charities so look out for the information on this. If these have not been removed, disposal charges will apply. Disposal charges can be downloaded here.

Many landlords will require references before you move into a privately rented property. On condition that while living in University accommodation, you have paid your rent on time, have not been guilty of antisocial behaviour and have treated the property with respect, the Student Accommodation Office will be able to provide one. Please enquire at the Student Accommodation Office, giving as much notice as possible.

If your waste-paper bin is full, it should be emptied into the large bin in the pantry. Neither litter nor any other items should be thrown out of windows. Residents caught throwing anything out of a window may face disciplinary proceedings.

Broken glass or other sharp objects should not be placed in any bin within the Hall. It should be placed into a recycling bin, or placed in a box or well wrapped in newspaper, and put into an external refuse bin. Other sharp objects should be either placed in a box or well wrapped in newspaper, and put directly into an external refuse bin.

All kitchens are equipped with fridge freezers.

A non-refundable reservation fee of £100 is required to be paid. This is included in the annual rent but is required to be paid in advance when the accommodation is accepted. (i.e. the contract is accepted online).

You are strongly advised to lock your door whenever you leave your room, even if you only expect to be gone for a few minutes. Leaving your room door open is giving the opportunist the few minutes needed to steal from you. All windows should be kept closed when the room is unoccupied. The University will accept no liability for loss of, or damage to, the property of residents and you are strongly advised to take out appropriate insurance cover University staff reserve the right to check the identity of any person on site.

Failure to provide identification when asked to do so will be regarded as a serious disciplinary offence.

The University operates a non-smoking policy, you are therefore not allowed to smoke in University owned or managed accommodation. You MUST go outside to smoke.

All rooms are equipped with smoke detectors and there is detection equipment in stairwells, corridors and pantries. These detectors activate the fire alarm, which will in turn cause the Fire Brigade to attend. The detectors may be activated by smoking materials e.g. cigarettes, and burning food. The Fire Brigade will not tolerate being called out to a false alarm, as it may delay their attendance at a real emergency. To minimise the risk of false alarm you must:

• Never leave cooking food or cooking equipment which is switched on unattended
• Ensure that Pantry door is closed and the fan is on, or the window is open whilst cooking

Please see section on Smoking.

• Accommodation Office (27)3502
• Student Support Services (27)3935
• Students' Association (27)2965
• Student Support Officer/Disability Adviser (27)3935
• International Student Adviser (27)3935
• Student Association Information & Advice Centre (27)4200
• Chaplaincy Centre (27)2137
• Careers & Appointments (27)3601
• Old Aberdeen Medical Practice 486702
• Counselling Service (Old Aberdeen) (27)2139
• Job Link (27)2828

Residents who have televisions in their rooms are required by law to obtain a television licence. It is not possible for the University to obtain one television licence to cover all televisions in the residential buildings.

For more information about television licencing is available here.

• Accommodation Office (27)3502
• Student Support Services (27)3935
• Students' Association (27)2965
• Student Support Officer/Disability Adviser (27)3935
• International Student Adviser (27)3935
• Student Association Information & Advice Centre (27)2965
• Chaplaincy Centre (27)2137
• Careers & Appointments (27)3601
• Old Aberdeen Medical Practice 486702
• Counselling Service (Old Aberdeen) (27)2139
• Job Link (27)2828

A guide to living in University Halls can be viewed via the eAccommodation Portal. Make sure you read this as it covers the DO's and DON'Ts of living in University Accommodation.

Bedding is not provided - You can buy kitchen, bedding & study pack at competitive prices to suit your budget from various places around Aberdeen City Centre like Asda, Argos or Tesco.
Please note that if you are moving into New Carnegie Court you will require double sized bedding. You will be supplied with a matress protector.

Towels are not provided.

All kitchens are equiped with fridge freezers.

In the kitched there is a cooker, microwave, fridge freezer, toaster and kettle. A hoover, iron and ironing board are supplied as well.

Crombie has a small kitchen area with microwave.

UK approved plugs and adaptors must be used in conjunction with all electrical equipment. This applies specifically to international students where plugs will differ in voltage/amps.

These can be purchased from the hub shop.

Failure to do so increases the risk of fire and is in breach of Health & Safety policies.