Frequently Asked Questions
The Accommodation Office
Q. Where can I find the Accommodation Office?
A. The Accommodation Office is located in Woodbury Building.
Q. When is the office open?
A. The office is open between 08:30-16:30 Monday to Friday. If you have an accommodation query outside of these hours, please contact main reception.
University Owned / Managed Accommodation Application and Allocation
Q. Am I guaranteed University Accommodation?
A. All first year undergraduate students who accepted an unconditional or conditional offer on a course by the deadline (which is 1st May 2010 this year) are guaranteed a place in Halls of Residence. You can still apply for a place in accommodation beyond this date, no matter where you live.
Q. Can I live with my friend?
A. If you want to live in the same accommodation as your friend, you must return your application forms together. You must also include a note on each form stating that if possible, you would like to be allocated together. We will do our best to honour your request but please be aware that this is not always possible and it does rely on you and your friend both being eligible to apply for accommodation and within the same category during the allocation process, eg both holding unconditional firm choice offers.
Q. Are all rooms single occupancy?
A. Yes, all rooms are single occupancy, even those in University managed accommodation.
Q. Is single sex accommodation available?
A. Most of our accommodation is mixed sex but single sex is available on request.
Q. How long is my licence agreement?
A. The length of your licence agreement is dependent on your course of study. Most lets run for a standard term of 38 weeks, although we will accommodate students for longer if their course demands, e.g. nurses on 45-week courses.
Q. When can I move in?
A. You can move in to your accommodation during registration weekend or earlier if agreed. Registration Weekend for 2010 is Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September.
Q. Do I have to vacate my room at Christmas and Easter?
A. Your licence period covers both the Christmas and Easter break so if you want to stay in your room, you can.
Q. Can I stay over the summer?
A. We do have a limited number of rooms available for students who want to stay over the summer. However, as we use the summer period to carry out any maintenance on our accommodation, quantity and choice may be restricted.
Q. Can I stay in the accommodation after my first year?
A. After your first year you can live in Sansom Hall or the City Campus Halls (an easy walk from the St. John's campus). You may also choose to move into private accommodation. Our new Studentpad website can help you to find properties available for rent. If you need any further help or need the password for studentpad, our accommodation team will be happy to help. Call us on 01905 855300.
Living in Accommodation – The Practicalities
Q. What is provided in my bedroom?
A. All of our rooms are fully furnished with a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, bedside cabinet, desk lamp and waste paper bin. Please do not bring any additional furniture into your room. All electrical items that you bring with you such as TVs, stereos etc must be subjected to a portable appliance test, unless you can show that they are less than 12 months old.
Q. Is bedding provided?
A. Your accommodation fees include a mattress protector and a bedding pack, which includes a fitted sheet, pillow, pillow case, duvet and duvet cover.
Q. Will I be able to access the internet from my room?
A. Internet is available in all on campus rooms, and most off campus properties.
Q. What is provided in the lounge/kitchen?
A. All of our University owned and managed accommodation is fully furnished. Every kitchen is equipped with an oven, hob, fridge, freezer and kettle. All flats have a vacuum cleaner, ironing board and iron.
Q. What about parking?
A. Information about car parking and a parking permit application can be downloaded here.
Q. Do I need to buy a TV licence?
A. An individual licence is needed if you use a TV in your own room and if you put a TV in the communal area you will need a licence for this, which can be purchased as a group. Find out more at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/students.jsp
Q. How many people will I have to share with?
A. The number of people that you will have to share with will depend on the accommodation that you been allocated. You will have your own single study bedroom and share your communal space with between 3 and 11 other students.
Q. Can I have guests stay over?
A. Yes, you can have one overnight guest stay in your room, as long as they stay for no more than two consecutive nights in any one week.
Q. Are cleaners provided?
A. The communal areas of our campus accommodation are cleaned daily, Monday to Friday. You will be responsible for keeping your own room and en-suite facility clean for the duration of your licence. Off campus cleaning arrangements will vary for individual properties and further details on this will be provided at a later date.
Q. Is cycle storage provided?
A. Cycle storage is available on campus.
Q. Is parking available?
A. Although there is limited parking on campus, we actively discourage all students who live on or close to the University from driving their cars to or around the campus. If you do choose to bring your car then you will need to buy a permit which will be charged at a premium rate. Prices for 2010/11 are due to be set shortly.
What if …
Q. I don’t like my accommodation?
A. If you don’t like your accommodation then you should contact the Accommodation Office as soon as possible. You will be put on a waiting list to move rooms, as an alternative becomes available. There will be a charge for moving rooms.
Q. I don’t get on with my flatmates?
A. If you are finding it difficult to get on with your flatmates, you may want to try and discuss this with them. If you don’t feel comfortable in doing this, one of our Student Experience Team can support you, either by attending a house meeting or just lending an ear! Alternatively, if there are issues which you don’t think can be resolved then you should contact the Accommodation Office for help in finding alternative accommodation.
Q. I lose my key or swipe card?
A. If you lose your key or swipe card then you should report it to either Security or the Accommodation Office immediately. A charge will be made for a replacement. If you have some ID with you then Security will be able to let you into your accommodation until your new key is issued.
Q. Something in my room/flat doesn’t work?
A. If you need a new light bulb or your chair legs are beginning to wobble then you will need the assistance of our maintenance team. To report a maintenance issue, use the customer portal which is accessible through your SOLE page. For off campus Private Landlord properties, report any faults to your landlord or their agent.
Q. Something in my flat has been broken and no one will own up to being responsible?
A. It is better to own up sooner rather than later if you have broken something in your flat. If something gets broken within the communal space and we are unable to identify who is responsible, then all students who have access to the area will be charged. Each student will be charged an administration fee, plus their share of the cost of remedying the damage. Off campus you may lose some of your deposit if damage occurs and you should discuss this with your landlord at the earliest opportunity.
Q. I leave the University of Worcester?
A. If you decide not to continue with your studies at the University, you will no longer be eligible to live in our accommodation. You will need to pay for your accommodation up until the time that you vacate your room, this you will need to do within a couple of days of officially withdrawing from the University. Students living off campus will need to check the terms within their tenancy agreement.
Finance
Q. What does my rent include?
A. For University and University Managed accommodation, your rent includes water, lighting, heating and internet access. A bedding pack is also included. Off campus arrangements will vary and will be agreed with individual landlords.
Q. How much is the damage deposit and what is this for?
A. The damage deposit is £300 and will be fully refunded at the end of the license agreement if there has been no damage to the property.
Q. Do I have to pay Council Tax?
A. At the start of your studies you will be issued with a Council Tax Exemption Certificate which means that provided you remain a full time student, you will not be eligible to pay Council Tax for the duration of your studies. You should provide a copy of this to your landlord as he/she will need to forward this to the local authority. If you lose your certificate, a copy can be obtained from the Student Enquiry Desk at a cost of £5.
Privately Rented Accommodation Off Campus
Q. Can I get help to find private rented accommodation?
A. Our Studentpad site will give you a comprehensive list of properties available to rent. You will need to ask for the password at the Accommodation Office. The site has some fantastic new features to help take the stress out of house hunting. If you are having trouble accessing Studentpad, or you would like to speak to someone in person, you can contact the Accommodation Office or the Students’ Union for assistance.
Q Am I able to look for accommodation on my own or do I have to be part of a group?
A. It is always easier to look for accommodation as part of a group, especially at the start of the letting season. If you are not part of a group, it may be worth using the message boards within Studentpad to see if there are any groups looking for an additional member. If you prefer to look alone, you may have to wait until closer to the end of the letting season.
Q. What is an accredited property?
A. All properties that are advertised on our Studentpad website are accredited or in the process of being accredited by Worcester City Council. An accredited property will have self closing fire doors, a sophisticated smoke detection system and clear exit routes through the property. The property will offer a good standard of accommodation.
Q. How do I know if a property should be licensed?
A. A property should have a licence to operate, or be licensed, if it has three or more habitable stories and it accommodates three or more unrelated parties.
Q. Can I get someone to look through my contract before I sign it?
A. If you would like someone to look through your contract for you, a member of the Accommodation Office or Students' Union will happily do this for you. Please remember, do not sign anything that you do not understand.
Q. Am I responsible for the bills in the property?
A. It is important to establish with your landlord who is responsible for paying the utility bills as this varies from property to property. If the landlord is not responsible, then you and your flatmates should budget approximately £10 to £15 each per week to cover the bills. The Student Welfare and Financial Advisers will offer advice on budgeting if you need some help.
Q. What is provided in the accommodation?
A. The University issues guidelines to all landlords which includes a code of management and a recommended inventory. You should ask your landlord what will be provided before signing any agreement to avoid any disputes at a later date.
Q. Will I be able to stay during the holidays?
A. The length of time you can stay in the property will be determined by your tenancy agreement but you may be able to negotiate with your landlord to stay during the summer vacation. Alternatively a retainer fee may be charged for the summer period if you wish to continue living in the property the following year.
Q. What if I have problems?
A. If your problem is concerning your accommodation itself, then you should contact the Accommodation team at the University for help if you have been unable to resolve your problem with your landlord. If your problem is more general then you can speak to one of our Student Experience team who are on hand to help you with other issues.
Q. What about parking?
A. Information about car parking and a parking permit application can be downloaded here.