Accommodation Information

Accommodation Information

You have just moved into your new home where lots of different students with different backgrounds, lifestyles and expectations are also now living. It can be a bit of a culture shock! So a few tips to settle in with your new flatmates.

Behaviour

It's a good idea to get a few ground rules set with your flatmates early on in Welcome Week to agree on allocating space in the fridge, recycling, washing up, cleaning/cooking rotas, guests staying over, parties and what's acceptable in terms of noise levels. We ask that noise is kept to a minimum after 10pm during the week, midnight at weekends. It is worth noting that persistent noise complaints will lead to disciplinary action.

The Student Resident Assistants can help you complete a Community Living Agreement which helps flatmates agree basic guidelines.

If problems do arise speak to your Student Resident Assistants with all the flatmates and resolve any difficulties early on.

Cleaning

We completely respect your privacy, which means your room is your responsibility.

It also means that it's up to you to keep the place clean and tidy.

If you live in Adam Smith, Wavell and Fyfe - generally, the cleaners will:

  • Clean communal wash areas
  • Clean public areas
  • Clean kitchens

We clean communal stairwells of North Court, South House, Keith House, Grant Court, New Carnegie Court, Hector Boece Court, Elphinstone Road and King's Hall but do not clean the flats.

Creating a cleaning rota with your flat mates is a good idea to make sure your home is kept spick and span! Flats are inspected 3 times a year. The Student Resident Assistants (SRAs) can help you draw up a cleaning rota.

Keep the flat tidy and take any recycling out to the bins.

It is your responsibility to take all bottles to the bottle banks provided.

Disciplinary Action

Under the University's Code of Practice on Student Discipline (non-academic) residents whose behaviour is held to be unacceptable may be referred for investigation as stipulated in the code above.  Where the actions are considered a breach of the students living agreement, the accommodation manager may choose to offer the option of a fixed financial penalty, for a first offence, ranging from £25 to £200, depending on severity.

Details regarding breach of accommodation contract penalties can found in the digital "living in University accommodation booklet" which is in the eAccommodation Portal.

Damage

It's not hard to show a bit of respect and that's all we ask really. It's up to you to look after your room or flat, all the communal areas and to take responsibility for the behaviour of your guests. Be careful not to damage any walls or woodwork with Blu Tack, drawing pins and sellotape. charges will apply, so it's really not worth it. For a list of charges please view the Your Home Booklet on your eAccommodation portal.

Insurance

University accommodation is very safe, and you’ll be pleased to hear that all University of Aberdeen student accommodation has a basic personal contents insurance cover from Endsleigh Insurance.

Your personal insurance certificate is available from the Endsleigh website and the level of cover is detailed on the certificate.

Confirm your FREE contents insurance

Your contents. Covered.

By partnering with Endsleigh, the No.1 student insurance provider, we’ve arranged free contents insurance for all our students staying with us.

It is important all students confirm their cover to ensure you understand what is and isn’t covered. Plus you’ll also be entered into a prize draw specifically for University of Aberdeen students, courtesy of Endsleigh!

Visit confirm your cover to see:

  • What is and what isn’t covered
  • Key exclusions - where cover isn’t provided
  • Policy excess – the amount you pay when you make a claim
  • How to make claim
  • Personalise cover

We understand students have a limited budget so Endsleigh have launched brand new, unique student insurance options. They have been designed to cover the risks that you may encounter whilst living in student accommodation and away from home.

Laundry

There's only so long you can get away with not washing your clothes and fortunately we have launderettes on site!

The Hillhead and Elphinstone Road launderettes are open 24 hours a day.

The machines are operated using the Circut Plus smartphone app. Our laundries are all cashless.  You can find out how to use the app and the machines on the Circuit website.  Please note that laundry facility charges will increase on an annual basis.

You will also be able to view the availability of the washing and drying machines online.

Maintenance

We'll do our best to let you know in advance if any maintenance is going to be carried out, but from time to time we might need to access your room without prior warning. In addition, we carry out additional room inspections but will give you prior warning for these.

If you require to report a maintenance fault/damage or faulty equipment, this can be done via the eAccommodation Portal.

Security around the site

Make use of the bike racks and sheds located on the accommodation sites, and always secure your bicycle with a good strong lock to a fence, tree or railing when unattended, even if it’s only for a few minutes.

Never leave property visible in your car. A coat or bag in the back seat could tempt a thief to break in. Try to park in busy well lit areas.

If you are a resident on the ground floor, ensure that your windows and doors are locked on every occasion the room is unoccupied.Remember to lock your doors when you leave  your room. You never know when a thief is going to strike.

If you go out in the evening or home for  the weekend, you can leave your key or key  card at reception if you want to. If you lose key or key-card,  let reception know straight away so they can  sort out a replacement. Try not to let it happen though because we will have to charge you.

Smoking

Smoking (this includes electronic cigarettes and vaping) is not allowed in accommodation blocks, public areas and University buildings.  Please be considerate to your neighbours and don't smoke near windows or at the entrances to your block. Smoking within your room or flat will result in disciplinary action, an automatic fine of £50 and charges for additional cleaning and redecorating. For a list of charges please view the Your Home Booklet on your eAccommodation portal.