STUDENT LIVINGHALLS HANDBOOK

www.hull.ac.uk/accomm

Commercial Services

University of Hull

Hull, HU6 7RX

United Kingdom

For accommodation enquiries

T +44 (0)1482 305292 (The Lawns)

T +44 (0)1482 462080 (The Courtyard)

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YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO STUDENT LIFE IN HULL Designed to help you have the best possible time at uni, Hull Campus Life is packed full of the latest news, special offers, guides to campus, upcoming events and tips on student life.

@HullCampusLife

campuslife.hull.ac.ukUseful contact information 2

The Lawns Centre & Courtyard Reception 4

Security and safety 6

Living in your community 12

Service standards 14

Domestic information 16

Maintenance and repairs 19

Common problems 20

Using your microwave 22

Using your cooker 23

Using your vacuum cleaner 24

Doing your laundry 25

Energy management and water conservation 27

Household rubbish collection and recycling 28

Contractual information 29

Additional information 34

Visitors’ accommodation 36

The local area 37

Student discipline in student houses and Taylor Court 38

Cleaning advisory notice procedure 40

Moving out checklist 42

Univeristy Accommodation Rules 44

Contents

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Useful Contact Information

ENQUIRY INTERNAL EXTERNAL/EMAIL

Emergency 5555 (01482) 465555

Security Office 6868 (01482) 466868

University reception 5318 (01482) 465318

Lawns Centre

The Courtyard

15292

2080

(01482) 305292

(01482) 462080

Advice Centre 6263 (01482) 466263

huu-advice-centre@hull.ac.uk

IT Service Desk 2010 (01482) 462010

help@hull.ac.uk

Student Wellbeing, Disability, Learning

and Welfare Support

2020 (01482) 462020 studentsupport@hull.

ac.uk

Disability Services 6833 (01482) 466833

disability-services@hull.ac.uk

Counselling 5166 (01482) 465166

counselling-service@hull.ac.uk

HUU (Students’ Union) 4000 (01482) 464000

hullstudent@hull.ac.uk

AskHU desk (careers) 2222 (01482) 462222

askhu@hull.ac.uk

Student Finance 6362 (01482) 466362

studentfinance@hull.ac.uk

Internal calls are calls made from within the University.

If you are using your mobile, you will need to dial the area code (01482), but if you are in Hull and using a

landline, you can just ring the external number without the code.

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The Lawns Centre and Courtyard ReceptionTHE LAWNS CENTRE

The Lawns Centre is located at the head of the

lawns halls of residence just off the main car park.

The reception desk is manned 24 hours per day,

365 days of the year. Staff on reception are there

to help with any queries and signpost you to the

appropriate place for advice. The lawns centre is

a central student hub for all of the halls it provides

the following facilities:

Post Room – all post is delivered to the lawns

centre reception and is available to collect on a

daily basis between 5pm and 10pm. You will need

to bring your student card or an alternative ID to

collect your post

Gym and fitness classes – you must be a member

of the university’s sports and fitness centre to use

this facility

The Hive – a recreational space for the use of the

residents, soft seating area, pool table, air hockey

and fitness classes

Laundry – central laundry for lawns residents.

There are no separate laundry facilities at your hall

Coffee Bar – Serving costa coffee and snacks

open on a daily basis Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat and

Sun 12-11pm

Terrace Bar – serving alcoholic and soft drinks

11am-11pm

Dining Room – serving meals Mon-Fri 5-8pm,

Sat-Sun 5-7pm.

Students who are on a semi catered fee will be

issued with a meal card when they collect their

key this entitles them to one meal per day in the

lawns centre. Please note you may only use your

meal card once a day and days do not roll over

If you don’t use your card at the lawns it can be

used in any of the campus outlets except student

central.

East Yorkshire Motor Services run a regular service

from the lawns car park to the campus seven days

per week. Residents at the lawns are eligible for a

free travel pass as part of their residence fee this

allows unlimited travel within zone 1 with EYMS.

It is your responsibility to apply for this pass a

link for the application is sent with your offer of

accommodation.

THE COURTYARD

The Courtyard is located on the main campus

just behind student central. The reception desk

is located in J block accessed through the main

entrance doors and is manned 24 hours per day,

365 days per year. Staff on reception are there

to help with any queries and signpost you to the

appropriate place for advice. Facilities available in

Reception Block:

Post Room – all post is delivered to the lawns

centre reception and is available to collect on a

daily basis between 5pm and 10pm. You will need

to bring your student card or alternative ID to

collect your post

Laundry – central laundry for all courtyard

residents. There are no separate laundry facilities

in your block

Multi-Function Room – large meeting/dining

room that can accommodate up to 30 people.

Masterchef style kitchen adjacent the meeting

room that can be booked out for entertaining

and cookery classes/practise. Please enquire at

reception about booking this space

Lounge – large soft seating area with vending

machines and a water fountain. A quiet library

area is located off the soft seating for people

to enjoy a different space to study

Games Room – located in the ground floor of

G Block this room is available to all residents in

the courtyard from 8am-11pm on a daily basis

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GENERAL SECURITY AND SAFETY

While we at the University of Hull do all we can

to ensure your safety during your time here, we

also need your help to make this possible. Halls

of Residence receptions are open 24 hours a day,

seven days a week. Security staff frequently patrol

the campus and surrounding residences. If you

notice anything suspicious, please do not hesitate

to contact the Reception Desk at your Halls of

Residence. Please be mindful of the following.

In your accommodation

Security• Keep all doors and windows firmly shut and

locked when you are out of your room, or

going to bed. If you have problems with any

locks, report it at the relevant Reception Desk.

• Do not leave valuable possessions, such as

laptops or keys, in a place that is visible to

potential thieves.

• Do not leave keys in locks – ensure that they

are put away, even if you are at home.

• If you have one, use a security marker pen

to mark your postcode on your property –

enabling police to return any stolen property

to you. Make an inventory and keep your list in

a safe place. Advice on keeping your property

safe is available at www.humberside.police.uk/

issues/protecting-your-property.

• When leaving your hall at night, leave a light on.

Although we generally advise you to turn lights

off for environmental reasons, leaving a light on

when no one is home creates an impression

that people are in and may therefore deter

potential intruders.

• Do not leave curtains closed during the day

when you are away as this is a sign to intruders

that your room is empty.

Safety• All rooms are fitted with smoke alarms, and a

heat sensor in the kitchen, which are tested by

the facilities department in line with statutory

legislation.

• Keep the hallway, stairs, landing and exits of

your hall clear of rubbish, storage, bikes, etc.

This is to enable residents to escape quickly and

safely in the event of a fire.

• Never use candles, oil burners or joss sticks. If

you are caught with these items in your room,

you will be fined.

• Remember only one plug per socket and do

not attach multiple extension leads.

• When cooking, do not leave pans unattended.

Always double-check that cookers have been

turned off properly when you have finished

cooking.

• If the fire extinguisher in your hall appears faulty

or damaged, or there is no ‘fire action’ notice

above it, please contact the Hall Reception desk

immediately.

• Do not sit, lay or climb on your balcony.

Out of your accommodation

• Stick to well-lit and busy areas, particularly

when out alone.

• If you must carry a laptop computer out

with you, carry it in a rucksack rather than a

computer case.

This conceals the fact that you

are carrying a valuable item.

• Try not to draw attention to other valuable

items you may be carrying, such as mobile

phones and jewellery.

Security and safety

• Let a friend know where you are

going and what time you can be

expected to arrive or return home.

• Ensure that your car is secured and

does not attract potential thieves. Do

not leave valuables such as your purse,

CDs or mobile phone on view in the

car. If you have one, always apply your

steering wheel lock.

For emergencies please contact either:

Courtyard Reception: 01482 462080

Lawns Reception: 01482 305292

University Security: 01482 465555

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Electricity is not dangerous when used properly.

Keep safe by following these common-sense tips:

• Make sure that any appliances are Portable

Appliance Tested (PAT) if they are more than 12

months old.

• Never touch plugs, switches or electrical

appliances with wet hands.

• Check plugs and flexes regularly, looking out

for damaged, loose connections and scorch

marks around plugs, and report any defects

immediately to the Hall Reception. Do not use

anything that appears damaged.

• Do not overload wall sockets. If you need to use

an adaptor, use a multi-socket trailing adaptor,

not a multi-way adaptor that plugs straight into

the socket. Never plug one adaptor into another

one.

• Extension cables, should not be longer than

necessary. Do not keep extension cables coiled,

as this can cause them to overheat.

• Do not leave wires and cables trailing across the

floor where you might trip over them.

• Convector, fan and electric heaters must be

unobstructed.

• Never use mains-powered electrical equipment

in the bathroom.

• Electric blankets are a common cause of

fires. Always follow instructions carefully. It

is recommended that you get your blanket

serviced every three years.

• Always switch off and unplug hair appliances

after you have used them.

FIRE ACTION PROCEDURES

For the safety and wellbeing of all residents, it

is important that students are familiar with the

procedures they must follow when the fire alarm

sounds. These procedures must always be abided

by – never assume it's a fire drill.

If, after any activation of the fire alarm, a

student is found to be disregarding the fire

procedures, thereby putting their life and the

lives of housemates, staff and fire and rescue

service workers at risk, they may face University

disciplinary proceedings.

This also applies to any individual who activates

the fire alarm or a fire extinguisher unnecessarily.

The fire warning system and firefighting

equipment are there for your protection in an

emergency. Familiarise yourself with them.

If you see a fire or smell smoke

• Evacuate the area immediately and go to your

muster point.

If you hear the fire alarm

• Immediately evacuate the building using the

nearest available exit. Close windows and doors

behind you, and – if it is safe to do so – switch

off any gas or electrical equipment in the

vicinity as you leave.

• If it is safe to do so, ensure as you leave that all

study-bedrooms, bathrooms and communal

areas have been vacated.

Shout ‘FIRE’ to alert other occupants.

• Assemble together with your housemates at

your muster point.

Smoke detectors

In your hall there are two types of device for

detecting fire:

• The one in the kitchen is a ‘rate-of-rise’ heat

detector. It will not go off if you burn your toast

but will be activated by a rise in temperature.

• The smoke alarms in your rooms and in the

hallways will activate if they detect smoke.

So, for example, if the smoke from your burnt

toast rises through the hall to a detector in the

hallway, the alarm will go off.

Voltage

Only electrical items that operate between

voltages of 220-240v and at a frequency of

50Hz are suitable for use in the UK. Equipment

that operates on any other voltage or frequency

may be damaged if connected to the UK mains

electrical supply. To avoid damaging equipment

that has been purchased overseas, please check

the voltage and frequency (which will be marked

on your equipment) before bringing it to the UK.

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General

You are responsible for the safety of guests while

they are on the premises. Each student also has

a responsibility to his or her housemates. In the

event of an evacuation, each group of students

must check that all residents are accounted for

and must be ready to report the names and room

numbers of any absent person(s). Do not re-enter

the hall until the fire and rescue service tell you it is

safe to do so.

It is important that this procedure is carried out

quickly. In the event of a fire, the fire and rescue

service will ask for a list of rooms which may still

be occupied.

Any student deliberately hindering this procedure

will be reprimanded after the incident, as such

behaviour may endanger the lives of guests, other

students and those working in the fire and rescue

service.

Other points to note

• Sometimes the fire alarm may be silenced on

the arrival of the fire and rescue service. This

does not mean that the building is safe to re-

enter.

• At no time may a student re-enter the hall

unless permission has been given by a member

of staff, security or a fire officer.

• If you intend to be absent from your hall

overnight or longer you must let someone

know. In the event of a fire, this will facilitate the

reporting procedure outlined above.

If there is any doubt about the fire action

procedures, please do not hesitate to contact your

Halls Reception Desk.

MORE ABOUT FIRE SAFETY

General fire precautions

• NEVER LEAVE COOKING UNATTENDED. This is

a main cause of fire.

• The use of candles, joss sticks, oil burners etc is

not permitted within bedrooms or communal

areas.

• The use of chip pans is NOT permitted.

• Housekeeping within your room is your

responsibility. Remember, a tidy environment is

a safe one.

• Waste bins must be emptied regularly. They are

not to be left in corridor areas.

• Electrical multi-blocks are not to be used. Use

short extension cables.

• DO NOT WEDGE OPEN FIRE DOORS. They are

designed to prevent the spread of smoke and

fire and could save your life!

Penalties for breaching safety rules

Please be aware you will be charged for

• covering smoke detectors (immediate charge of

£100)

• damaging or misusing fire extinguishers (charge

for replacement – up to £100)

• blocking fire exits or propping open fire doors

(immediate charge of £100)

• using non-permitted items such as chip pans,

candles, joss sticks or oil burners (immediate

charge of £100)

Barbecues

Having a barbecue should be a safe and enjoyable

experience for everyone. Cooking over hot coals

can be hazardous. It is easy to be distracted when

you have family and friends around you while

cooking.

Always…• Make sure that your barbecue is in good

working order.

• Keep a bucket of water, a bucket of sand, an

extinguisher or a garden hose nearby in case of

emergencies.

• Make sure that your barbecue site is flat and

at least five metres from the property, open

windows, sheds, fences, trees and shrubs.

• Use only enough charcoal to cover the base of

the barbecue to a depth of about 50 mm (two

inches).

• Keep any garden games, visiting children or pets

well away from the cooking area.

• When you have finished cooking, make sure

that the barbecue is cool before trying to move

it.

• Empty ashes onto bare garden soil.

Never…• Use gas barbecues at University

accommodation.

• Leave the barbecue unattended.

• Put hot ashes straight into a dustbin or wheelie

bin (they can melt the plastic and cause a fire).

• Light barbecues indoors!

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Some things to do or bear in mind:

Health and safety

Look out for each other and report any concerns to

the University.

Noise

Remember that everyone has the right to the 'quiet

enjoyment' of their home. If you're having a party,

let the Hall Reception Desk know and be reasonable

about the noise levels. Excessive noise after 11pm

will result in a breach of the accommodation

misconduct regulations..

Security

Getting to know your block / flat mates means that

they can keep watch on your property if you go

home for the holidays and vice versa.

Rubbish and recycling

A selection of different bins are supplied for

your rubbish and recycling collections. It is your

responsibility to remove general waste from your

rooms and sort all recycling into the correct bins.

Charges will be levied if recycling is contaminated.

Living in your community

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The University of Hull | 15

Service standards

SERVICE STANDARDS FOR THE COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND THE HALLS OF RESIDENCE

Our aim is…

To provide a service that is professional, courteous, friendly and responsive to customer

needs.

Commercial Services will…

• Act lawfully and ethically to assist you.

• Provide an offer of University-owned, accommodation.

• Ensure that information is readily available for the most common enquiries.

• Provide and operate a published complaints and suggestions procedure.

• Monitor customer satisfaction by conducting regular feedback exercises.

• Reserve the right to withdraw its services to you if you have behaved in a manner found not

to be acceptable.

Halls of Residences

• We will provide a system of pastoral care for your accommodation.

• We will ensure that all requests for repairs received at the reception dates during normal

working hours are reported to the Estates Department within one working day.

• We will comply with all applicable legislation (e.g. health and safety regulations).

Commercial Services expects you…

• To notify us immediately when repairs are needed.

• To treat staff and fellow students with respect and courtesy at all times.

• To observe the University of Hull regulations.

• To not cause deliberate damage to your residence.

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Domestic information

Your kitchen should have …

• Microwave

• Fridge/freezer

• Cooker

• Vacuum cleaner

• Mop and bucket

• Sweeping brush

• Dustpan and brush

• Kettle

If any of these items are missing from

your property, please report them to

lawnsfaults@hull.ac.uk or

courtyardfaults@hull.ac.uk

CLEANING

A cleaner will clean the communal areas of your

Hall daily Mon - Fri. The cleaner is responsible for

the following operations.

Kitchen: Clean cooker tops and ovens; check

filters in cooker hoods and change when

necessary; clean the inside and outside of

microwave ovens; wipe down all surfaces, tiles

and sinks; clean the floor, including behind the

cooker; empty general waste in the kitchens only.

Bathroom and toilets: Clean toilets, water pipes

and tiles; clean sinks and taps; clean baths and

showers; clean mirrors; mop floors.

Communual Areas: Wipe down surfaces; vacuum,

hallways, stairs and landings.

Vacuum bags and mops will be checked and

replaced when necessary.

Tenants’ responsibilities

Tenants are responsible for maintaining a safe

environment for University employees who may

have to enter the premises. Among other things,

this means that

• floor areas must be clear of debris (shoes

removed from hallways, no bikes in hallways,

no trailing wires, etc)

• the sink and kitchen surfaces must be clear

• any food waste must be in the rubbish bins

provided (please do not leave plates of food on

the floor!)

• you must remove and dispose of all rubbish

from within your rooms

Please be aware that…

• Cleaning services will be reduced over the

Christmas and Easter holidays.

• The Cleaning staff have the right to withdraw

their services if the hall is in an unacceptable

condition. You may be fined for continually

leaving your accommodation in such a

condition, and this may affect your eligibility to

continue in the accommodation for the following

year.

• Photographic evidence will be taken in order to

support any disciplinary action.

For further information about cleaning services,

please visit the reception desk of your hall of

residence or email: lawnsfaults@hull.ac.uk or

courtyardfaults@hull.ac.uk

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MICE

Occasionally a hall will suffer from unwanted

visitors such as mice. Here are a few notes on

ways of preventing or dealing with the problem.

How to prevent mouse infestation

• Good hygiene is essential. Food scraps and

rubbish provide the ideal environment for

mice to live and breed and should be removed

regularly.

• Always clear up any spilt food immediately, and

keep food in sealable plastic containers.

• Store all food products at least 24 cm off the

ground to make access harder and to make it

easier to see signs of an infestation.

What to do if you see a mouse

Report it to the hall reception desk immediately!

We will arrange for a pest control expert to be

called.

What the University does

Once a mouse sighting has been reported we

contact the universities pest control to attend.

The contractor will continue to attend until the

problem is resolved. Please note that this does

not immediately remove the unwanted visitors

from your house. It is a process which could take a

number of weeks.

Always remember that the most effective way of

getting rid of mice and preventing them is to keep

your house clean and tidy!

Maintenance and repairs

REPORTING FAULTS

Please report anything requiring repair to the

Courtyard or Lawns reception desk. Faults can be

reported by

• calling the reception desk on (01482) 462080 /

Courtyard 01482 305293

• emailing courtyardfaults@hull.ac.uk or

lawnsfaults@hull.ac.uk

• visiting the reception desk at the Lawns or the

Courtyard

Please remember to give as much detail as

possible, including the location of the problem,

and always state your name, address and room

number when contacting us.

Your problem will be reported to the maintenance

department, who will make every effort to deal

with the request within a reasonable amount

of time. However, if there seems to be an

unreasonable delay, please inform the Hall

Reception Desk and we will enquire about the

progress of your request. We rely on you to tell

us if your problem has not been dealt with in a

reasonable amount of time. Please see the Service

Level Agreement in the Accommodation section

of our website, under The Small Print.

Please note Hall Reception Desks are manned 24

hours per day, 365 days per year.

What is an emergency repair?

• Risk to life or substantial damage to property

• Smell of gas

• Major water leak resulting in flood and

immediate danger to the structure, services, or

fixtures and fittings

• Major loss of power

• Smell of burning (electrical)

• Major structural damage, such as ceiling

collapse

• Main drain blockage

• Total loss of heating in building

• Lighting fault on staircases, landings and areas

likely to be a health and safety issue

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Common problems Condensation andhow to prevent it

Showers

Please ensure that shower curtains are drawn

inside the bath or that doors to standing showers

are properly closed. Leaving the doors open or

the shower curtain outside the bath when you

shower can cause extensive damage to the

floor and to the ceiling of the room below. If

excessive amounts of water are found on the

bathroom floor, please mop it up and check

that all housemates have been following these

instructions.

Any damage resulting from a lack of such care

may result in the household being charged for

repair.

Blocked sinks and drains

If you have a blocked shower (for example), and

you cannot clear the blockage easily yourself,

report it immediately and do not let water build

up in the shower tray so that it overflows onto the

floor. This could cause major damage to the floor

and to the ceiling of the room below, and the

household will be held responsible and charged

accordingly for any repairs.

If you report a blocked sink, shower or drain, we

will send a maintenance engineer to unblock it for

you. If it is blocked with food, grease, hair, soap

scum, etc, this will be classed as damage and the

household will be charged for the repair.

Do not pour foodstuffs and fats down kitchen

sinks and toilets, as this causes blocked drains.

Carefully dispose of fats and foodstuffs by putting

them in the kitchen bin provided.

Light bulbs

If your light bulb needs replacing, please report it

as a ‘repair’ by

• calling the hall reception desk on (01482)

462080 Courtyard, 01482 305293 Lawns

• emailing lawnsfaults@hull.ac.uk or

courtyardfaults@hull.ac.uk

• visiting the hall reception desk

Fridge/freezers

Fridges and freezers need to be defrosted once

every three months. Failure to defrost them

causes leaks and may also cause appliances

to stop working correctly. The cleaners can do

the defrosting for you, but you must liaise with

them first and make sure that the fridge/freezer is

completely empty on the arranged date.

Condensation and dampness occur when warm

air carrying vapour comes into contact with a

cool surface. This can lead to staining and mould

growth, damaging wallpaper, wall surfaces,

window frames, furniture and clothing. It can also

prove very damaging to the internal structures

of the University’s accommodation, making the

living experience difficult for you. The guide below

will help you prevent or deal with the problem of

condensation.

Areas prone to condensation

• Cold surfaces (e.g. windows)

• Kitchens and bathrooms

• Walls of unheated rooms

• Cold corners of rooms and areas where air

cannot circulate

• Wardrobes/cupboards and behind furniture

against an outside wall

How to control condensation

• Check that the walls are not already suffering

from damp or mould. If they are, report this to

your hall reception.

• Make sure you switch on extractor fans in

kitchens and bathrooms.

• Clean off any moisture which collects on your

windows and windowsills with a damp cloth.

• After a bath or shower ventilate the room to the

outside, not to the rest of the house. Opening a

window and closing the door will help.

• Ensure that your heating is on in colder months.

• When drying clothes indoors, remember that

water goes in to the air. Make sure that the

room is ventilated by opening a window.

• When cooking, keep lids on saucepans, close

the kitchen door and open a window.

• Try to open all windows once a day. This can

help to combat condensation in the winter

as the outside temperature drops and the

temperature indoors rises (because of the

heating).

• Make sure that furniture, particularly the bed, is

not situated against an outside wall.

If mould does start to appear, you can prevent this

from getting out of control by wiping down the

area with hot, soapy water.

For more information on condensation, please

visit www.diydata.com and look it up in the index.

Internet access

Each room has free internet access. The internet is

accessed via wifi and the network.

If you have applied for accommodation via UCAS,

you will be able to use your MyAdmin username

and password to get online.

Problems? Please call KeySurf on 0300 103 0000

or email support@keysurf.net.

Television licence

A television licence is needed to watch anything

live online, as well as on television & BBC iPlayer.

Please go to www.tvlicensing.co.uk for more

information.

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Using your microwave

What can you cook?

The microwave oven is surprisingly versatile, and

there are plenty of occasions when it is quicker

and simpler to use than a conventional oven. As

with all kitchen appliances, it is best to start off by

preparing something very simple. Try cooking a

jacket potato, for example. Obviously (re)heating

is one of its main jobs, but casseroles, vegetables,

chicken and other meat can all be cooked in the

microwave, which saves time and effort.

The microwave is a particularly useful gadget for

a student kitchen, since there are often going to

be two or more people in the kitchen cooking

different meals.

When this happens, you don’t necessarily need to

wait for your turn at the oven: just pick something

that can be cooked in the microwave.

A healthy option

Believe it or not, microwaving can be a healthy

way to cook. It is healthier than frying, since you

don’t use any oil and your food will have a lower

fat content. Vegetables steam themselves and

therefore retain more minerals than they do with

other types of cooking. They also cook a lot more

quickly than they would if you were boiling them,

so again fewer nutrients will be lost. It is possible

to use your microwave to create complete,

healthy meals. Whenever conventional cooking

seems like too much hassle, having this gadget

might also mean that you’re less likely to dial for a

takeaway. A couple of potatoes and a tin of beans

are all you need to create a filling, nutritious meal

that takes less than 10 minutes to prepare.

Top tips for microwaving

• Never put metal containers or implements in

the microwave.

• Pierce film lids, or foods with skin, before

cooking to stop them ‘exploding’.

• If you’re heating a meal or soup, stir it halfway

through cooking to ensure that the food is

warmed evenly.

• Allow your food to stand for a minute or

two before you eat it. Microwaves can be

deceptively powerful.

• Use your microwave to defrost food quickly and

safely before cooking.

• Freeze meal leftovers in individual,

microwaveable containers so that it’s easy to

heat up just one portion.

Make the most of it

Cooking in the microwave is not a cop-out.

As long as it doesn’t become the only cooking

method and you don’t end up standing in front of

it every evening as a ready meal spins around, it’s

fine. Get creative and use your microwave to save

time, washing up and cut down costs!

More information about microwaving is available

at:

www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-

cook-microwave

Using your cooker

There are probably a million more exciting things to be thinking about during your time at university than the pros and cons of your cooker. However, no kitchen would be worth stepping into without a functioning oven, and mealtimes wouldn’t be quite such an event if you had to eat cold dinners every night. As with all kitchen appliances, there are a number of different types of ovens, or oven-and-hob combinations, and it’s a good idea to get fairly well acquainted with yours before you attempt any culinary events for your friends.

Electric cooker

This is the one that you’ll find in most kitchens;

an upright appliance with four plates on the hob,

a grill section and a main oven. The oven is fairly

straightforward to use, but all ovens are different

and each will have its own quirks. Some will cook

things more quickly (especially if fan-assisted,

which means that the air is constantly circulated);

some will cook things more slowly.

Separate hob and oven

This is where the oven is integrated into the

kitchen units and sits off the floor. You then have

a separate hob, either alongside the oven or

elsewhere in the kitchen. The benefit of a higher-

level oven is that you don’t have to bend down to

lift food in and out of it or to make checks during

cooking.

Top tips

If you’re unfamiliar with your oven, you probably

won’t be able to cook confidently. Even the most

experienced chefs have problems when they are

cooking with an oven different from there usual

one. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Begin with something really simple like a jacket

potato, so that you can test the temperature

and timings of your oven.

• Clean the oven before you use it for the first

time and then regularly after that. Leftover food

can soon build up, and unsavoury smells will be

wafting around the house every time the oven

is turned on.

• Try not to open the oven while food is cooking.

This lowers the temperature and will delay your

dinner!

• Don’t leave the kitchen while food is cooking

unless you have set a timer. It’s very easy to get

caught up in something else until the smoke

alarm reminds you that your food is burnt.

With a bit of oven know-how, you can really cook

with confidence. It doesn’t take long to learn

about the peculiarities of your oven and how to

use it, and it’s time well spent.

University of Hull Student Living | 25

Using your vacuum cleaner Doing your laundry

Please remember this advice when using the vacuum cleaner.

1. Inspect the area before you vacuum. Pick up objects that could cause a clog in your vacuum cleaner,

such as paperclips and coins.

2. Check the vacuum bag to make sure that it isn’t already full. If it is, change it. Your cleaner will show

you what to do.

3. Vacuum forwards, not backwards: you’ll get the job done faster.

4. Overlap your strokes to ensure that you get all dirt and residue.

5. Change your vacuuming direction occasionally to reduce matting in your carpet.

6. Use a crevice tool attachment for corners.

7. Get rid of dust particles by vacuuming under your bed.

Do not…• Vacuum up any liquids.

• Drag the cord too far. Always plug the vacuum into a suitable socket so that you don’t stretch the

cable. Stretching the cable could cause electrical accidents.

Washing

There is a central laundry in The Lawns Centre

for Lawns residents and Reception Block in

the Courtyard for Courtyard Residents. These

laundries are owned and managed by Circuit

laundries and operate on a card payment or

mobile app. See Circuit’s website for full details on

how to top up cards and view machine availability

www.circuit.co.uk

How to wash your clothes

1. Do not put any detergent softener or colour

catchers in the machine.

2. Put your clothes in the washing machine. Be

careful not to overload the machine as this can

cause it to break. Leave a bit of space at the top,

so that the clothes have room to move about

(important for the cleaning process).

3. Firmly close the door.

4. Choose your cycle (see below). A ‘pre-wash’ is

an extra wash before the main cycle. The pre-

wash is good for muddy sports kits but is not an

essential part of the washing process.

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Drying

If using a tumble dryer first make sure that your

clothes are suitable for tumble drying. On your

clothes label, if you see a circle within a square

with a cross through it, this means DO NOT

TUMBLE DRY!

Useful symbols found in clothing

Washer dryers and tumble dryers need to have

their filters cleaned after each use to prevent

breakdowns.

Your tumble dryer filter is usually just inside the

door of the dryer. It can be lifted out and the fluff

removed and placed in the bin.

Energy management and water conservationThe University of Hull is committed to reducing its

impact on the environment. In practical terms, it is

particularly committed to

• reducing its carbon emissions by increasing the

efficiency of consumption

• considering the purchase of renewable energy

when procuring electricity

• installing water conservation devices and

technology

• creating a culture of energy and weather

conservation through training, education,

curriculum and awareness campaigns

To conserve fuel and prevent the unnecessary

release of CO2, the heating of offices, student

houses, other residences and academic buildings

has been preset by the University. This is in line

with the statutory instrument – The Control of

Fuel and Electricity – The Fuel and Electricity

(Heating) (Control) (Amendement) Order 1980.

Heating in the properties will come on if the

temperature drops below 21°C between 7:00 am

and 11:30 pm. From

11:30 pm to 7:00am, the heating will come on if

the temperature in the property drops below 15°C.

Top environmental tips

• Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat

escaping through the windows.

• Always turn off lights when you leave a room.

• Don’t leave appliances on standby, and

remember not to leave appliances on charge

unnecessarily.

• Turn computers, monitors and laptops off at the

wall when not using them.

• If you’re not filling up the washing machine, use

the half-load or economy programme.

• Boil only as much water as you need (but

remember to cover the elements if you’re using

an electric kettle).

• A dripping hot-water tap wastes energy and in

one week wastes enough hot water to half-fill a

bath, so make sure that yours are fully turned off

and report any that leak.

• Use energy-saving light bulbs. Just one can

save more than £100 over the lifetime of the

bulb – and they last up to 12 times longer than

ordinary light bulbs. Your house will already be

provided with these.

Interesting facts and figures

• Leaving a 3 kW electric heater on while you’re at

lectures incurs the release of

774 kg of CO2 per year into the atmosphere,

contributing to global warming.

• Replacing a standard 60 W light bulb with an

energy-efficient alternative prevents the release

of 12 kg of CO2 per year.

• Not turning the tap off properly can waste as

much as 90 litres of water a week.

For further information on energy management at

the University, go to www.hull.ac.uk/estates.

Household rubbish collection and recyclingIt is the responsibility of all residents to put

household waste/rubbish in the bins provided.

You are responsible for removing the rubbish from

your rooms and sorting and removing all recycling

from your kitchens. The cleaning staff will dispose

of general waste from your kitchens only. Monday

– Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).

REMEMBER THE ‘THREE RS’

• Reduce waste by making the best purchasing

choices.

• Re-use equipment where possible, and repair in

preference to buying new where economically

possible.

• Recycling is the final process. Any waste left

after recycling is destined for landfill.

If the bins are ‘contaminated’ with non-recyclable

items, the block / flat will be charged to have the

bin sorted & emptied.

Contractual information

Payment of residence fees

All new students arriving at the University of Hull

who have not already set up a payment plan (by

visiting the online payment service) will be asked

to complete an accommodation fee contribution

form. This needs to be returned to the AskHU desk

on the second floor of Student Central.

Residence fees can be paid in one of three ways:

• in full

• in three instalments by direct debit

• in three instalments by credit card

If you are paying in three instalments, the money

will be withdrawn from your account in October

(34%), January (33%) and April (33%).

If you have any financial concerns, please contact

the Finance Office, Second Floor, Student Central,

or the Students' Union Advice Centre, Third Floor,

University House.

Please be aware that if you make a late payment or

even stop a payment to the University, the Finance

Office may

surcharge you.

For further information, please contact the Finance Office on (01482) 466362 or at studentfinance@hull.ac.uk.

Keys

At the start of term each Lawns resident is issued

with a key that will unlock the front door, the

back door and the door to their own individual

room. This key will not open any other room in

the hall. Courtyard residents will be issued with a

key to open their room only. Your student card

will operate all other access points to your flat and

reception block.

If at any time during the term you lose your key,

you must go to the hall reception desk to get a

replacement. A charge of £30 will be incurred for

a replacement key.

At the end of your contract

Your key must be returned to the hall reception

desk. When your key is returned, Cleaning Services

will be alerted and they will enter the room to

clean it.

It will be assumed that any items left in the room

after your key is returned are to be disposed of. If

anything of value (such as jewellery) is found, it will

be kept for two weeks and then disposed of.

Please be aware that you must return your key no

later than the end date of your contract. Failure to

do this will result in a £30 charge, which will be

taken from your deposit.

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30 | www.hull.ac.uk/accomm University of Hull Student Living | 31

Inspections

Please be aware that Commercial Services staff

will regularly visit your hall to monitor cleanliness

and general upkeep. They have the right to access

rooms at all times if they feel that it is necessary

but will usually give at least 24 hours’ notice.

A formal inspection is done before occupants

arrive and then at least once again during the

contract. A final inspection will be conducted

once the contract has ended, and breakages or

damages will be charged for. It is vital that you

inform the hall reception desk of any breakages or

damages as soon as they occur; they may not be

your fault, and we do not want to charge people

unnecessarily.

If your hall or room is left in an unreasonable state

of cleanliness, charges will be deducted from

deposits for remedial cleaning – including the

removal of rubbish from any room in the hall.

International and exchange students leaving early

When the time comes to leave how do you get

your deposit back? Normally we should be able

to pay it into your UK bank account. Remember

that part of your contract states: ‘You must open

and maintain an account with a UK bank for the

duration of the licence period and until such time

as the University is able to refund the deposit

or any residues, if appropriate. You must inform

Student Financial Services of the bank account

number.’

In exceptional circumstances (e.g. if you will not

be returning to the UK and cannot leave a UK bank

account open), you may be able to get the deposit

back in cash. To do this you must follow three

simple steps.

• Contact the hall reception desk desk 2–3

weeks before your flight home to arrange for a

member of commercial services staff to inspect

your room one to two days before your leaving

date.

• On the day of inspection, make sure that your

room is clean and that you have packed most of

your things away. If the state of your room does

not indicate that you are leaving, you will not

get your deposit back.

• After the inspection a member of staff will check

your account details and, if everything is in

order, refund the deposit

in cash.

When arranging an appointment for us to check

your room, please give us at least two days notice.

Do not come to us on the day before you are due

to go home and ask us to check your room. This

will not be possible.

If you will be returning to the UK and/or leaving

a UK bank account open, please help us by not

arranging an appointment to check your room. In

these circumstances your deposit will carry over

for the next academic year or will be returned

to your UK bank account after the end of your

contract period.

Continuing next year in University accommodation?

You will receive an email asking whether you

wish to continue in the same room and advising

you about what to do next, so please check your

University emails regularly.

When you are thinking about your

accommodation for next year, do not be hurried

into a decision that you may regret. You should be

aware that Hull has a large supply of private sector

accommodation. Take your time. Once a contract

has been signed, either with the University or with

a private landlord, you cannot simply cancel it.

Sign only if you are sure about the property, the

terms of the contract and the people you will be

living with!

After we contact you about staying on, an

accommodation fair will take place. This will be

advertised throughout the campus.

If you would prefer alternative accommodation,

you could apply for University-leased

accommodation through the Accommodation

Office.

Demand for continuing places in accommodation

owned, managed or directed by the University

is very high. The University has a quota for

continuing students and cannot exceed the

allocated number of places. This is so that first-

year students can be guaranteed accommodation

in University-owned, -managed or -directed

accommodation. Look on the University website

for choices of accommodation and information

about it.

32 | www.hull.ac.uk/accomm

Can I be released from my residence contract?

The residence contract that you have signed with

the University is a legally binding document under

UK contract law. Generally you cannot be released

from your residence contract unless you have found

a replacement student to take over your room. This

must be someone who is not currently residing in

University accommodation (i.e. they must not simply

be making a transfer request).

If you are unhappy with your current living

arrangements, there are various steps that you can

take.

1. If you want to withdraw because of problems with

your housemates, the first port of call should be

your house tutor.

They may be able to ensure that all residents

comply with the conditions – including standards

of conduct – set out in the residence contract.

Your house tutor’s name and contact details

should be displayed on a notice board in your hall

or kitchen.

2. Failing that, you can apply to transfer to another

room within our stock of accommodation – that

is, in any hall, house or flat, where vacancies exist.

To do this, contact the Accommodation Office to

complete a transfer request form.

3. Finally, we can make a note of

your desire to leave your room

so that we are able to offer it

to any prospective occupants

who enquire about vacancies.

While we will do all we can

to help, there is no guarantee

that a suitable replacement will

be found in this way because

we cannot predict how many

students will unexpectedly require

accommodation outside our normal

busy periods

(September and January).

Where there are special circumstances,

we will consider withdrawal requests on

an individual basis, but simply preferring

to live elsewhere would not be a reason

to be released from your residence

contract with the University.

Any withdrawal request must be made in

writing, with a detailed explanation of your

circumstances and your reasons for wishing

to be released from your contract.

The request should be sent to our general

email address (rooms@hull.ac.uk) or to our

postal address (Accommodation Office,

Second Floor, Student Central, University

of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX), for the attention of Mrs

Pam Leach, Customer Liaison Officer.

University of Hull Student Living | 33

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Additional information

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

The Housing Act (2004) introduced licensing

of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Most student accommodation falls within the

HMO definition. However, large-scale student

housing (in halls of residence) entails different

management arrangements from those for a

‘student house’. Moreover, licensing large student

accommodation in the same way as single off-

street properties would be a logistical nightmare

and incredibly expensive. Consequently, when

developing the Housing Act, the Government

agreed to ‘exempt’ educational establishments

from mandatory HMO licensing provided they

signed up to an approved code of management

practice.

The code of management practice is voluntary

and aspirational and seeks to raise standards

above that which is required by law. It aims to

help those managing student accommodation to

identify the key elements of good management

practice. It therefore sets out standards for

everything from health and safety through mail

delivery to the returning of deposits.

The UUK/GuildHE Code was developed specifically

for educational establishments. Members are

required to be independently audited. The audit

process involves talking to student representative

bodies as well as inspecting documentary

evidence of the institution’s compliance with the

code and a physical inspection of a sample of the

accommodation. Any formal complaints made by

students around the code also have to be reported

to Universities UK as part of the audit process.

The following residences at the University are signed

up to the UUK/GuildHE Code for the management

of student housing: Taylor Court, The Lawns, The

Courtyard, and Thwaite and Ferens Halls.

Although the University student houses are not

signed up to the UUK/GuildHE Code, the code

is used as a benchmark to improve standards

and the relationship between the University as a

landlord and the student.

Student houses owned and managed by the

University do adhere to HMO licensing standards

laid down by a separate accreditation scheme

in conjunction with Hull City Council, and are

included as part of the audit process.

Go to www.thesac.org.uk and find out more about the standards you should expect your accommodation to meet.

Accommodation Office – complaints procedure

The University of Hull’s Accommodation Office

aims to provide a quality service to tenants,

applicants and members of the public.

We recognise that genuine complaints provide us

with an opportunity to improve our services.

The Accommodation Office aims to provide a

fair and accessible complaints procedure which

responds speedily to concerns and does not set

up unnecessary procedural barriers.

If you have a problem, report it promptly to the

Accommodation Office. We believe that most

minor issues are best resolved in this way. If the

problem is not resolved to your satisfaction,

however, please ask to see the office manager:

• Pam Leach – Customer Liaison Officer

Complaints are investigated in confidence.

Information is disclosed only on a ‘need-to-know’

basis.

How to make a formal complaint Complete a Complaints Form (obtainable from

the Accommodation Office or by downloading

from www.hull.ac.uk/accomm).

Please ensure that the form is signed and that your

Student ID number is included, as no action will

be taken in response to anonymous complaints.

Please return the form to

rooms@hull.ac.uk or

Accommodation Office

Second Floor

Student Central

University of Hull

Hull, HU6 7RX

We will acknowledge receipt of a written

complaint within three working days.

We may need to discuss your complaint with you.

If a visit or meeting is required, we will arrange an

appointment within five working days of receipt of

the complaint. We may, if appropriate, negotiate

mutually acceptable approaches and outcomes.

We will issue a full written reply to your complaint

as soon as possible and within 20 working days

of receipt of the complaint. Where there is a delay

(e.g. if we are waiting for information from a third

party), we will email you and explain the reason for

the delay. At that point we will agree with you

• a reasonable timescale for action

• how we should keep you informed

• how frequently we should update you on

progress

Final replies to complaints will give out findings

and any actions proposed.

For monitoring purposes only, all formal

complaints will be logged and a record of actions

taken will be recorded.

If, after exhausting the Accommodation Office’s

complaints procedure, you wish to take your

complaint further, please seek assistance from

the Students’ Union Advice Centre and refer to

the University’s student complaints procedure

(www.hull.ac.uk/Choose-Hull/Student-life/

Student-support). If you remain unsatisfied having

been through the University’s internal complaints

process, you have the right to contact the OIA (the

Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher

Education). For further information, visit www.

oiahe.org.uk.

36 | www.hull.ac.uk/accomm University of Hull Student Living | 37

Visitors’ accommodation The local area

The University has two guest houses which

visitors, potential students and parents are

welcome to use.

THE SALMON GROVE GUEST HOUSE

This spacious eight-bedroomed property provides

high-standard en-suite accommodation, featuring

• six single en-suite rooms

• one twin en-suite room

• one double en-suite room

• towels in each shower room

• fully equipped kitchen/diner

• sitting room with dining table, TV

and music centre

• on-site parking

Each bedroom is furnished with a television, a

fridge, a hairdryer, facilities for making tea/coffee,

internet access and an internal telephone.

THE FERENS AVENUE GUEST HOUSE

This pleasant property provides the same standard

of accommodation as the Salmon Grove Guest

House except that bathroom facilities are shared.

It features;

• three single rooms

• one twin room

• one double room

• towels for guests

• fully equipped kitchen

• sitting room

• on-site parking

Each bedroom is furnished with a television, a

fridge, a hairdryer, facilities for making tea/coffee,

internet access and an internal telephone.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The University of Hull guest houses are available

throughout the year. Please contact the

Accommodation Office for further details.

T (01482) 466042

E visitorsaccomm@hull.ac.uk

NEWLAND AVENUE

Newland Avenue, off Cottingham Road, is

located a few hundred yards from the University.

Its situation is excellent for students living in the

properties on Cranbrook Avenue, Auckland Avenue

and on campus, as it is a short stroll away. Students

and locals enjoy the lively, energetic environment

and the useful selection of shops, cafés and bars.

There is a Tesco Express store located at the end

of the road, near the Cottingham Road junction.

There is also a similar-sized Sainsbury’s store

located halfway down Newland Avenue. Both

stores are open from early in the morning until late

in the evening and are popular places for students

to buy their food and drink.

The other shops on Newland Avenue include

grocery stores, butchers, fishmongers, fruit and

vegetable shops and bakeries. You can buy fresh

food at competitive prices. Shops selling specialist

ingredients (for Indian or Chinese food, for

example) can also be found here.

There is a post office, and a launderette for

students who have washing or drying difficulties,

and many takeaway food outlets are located all

along the street.

For students, Newland Avenue is a great place

to go for a night out. The cafés, restaurants and

bars offer all kinds of different environments in a

relaxed atmosphere from eating and drinking to

live music and dancing.

Bus stops are situated all the way down Newland

Avenue, providing regular transport into the city

centre.

BEVERLEY ROAD

Beverley Road is a right turn at the end of

Cottingham Road, just a few yards further on than

Newland Avenue. Only a 10-minute walk from the

campus, Beverley Road is a student-oriented area

with many pubs and takeaways. At the junction of

Cottingham Road and Beverley Road, you will find

a Lidl and a Sainsbury’s supermarket.

PRINCES AVENUE

Princes Avenue is approximately a 20-minute

walk from the University and offers a more

sophisticated ambience than Newland Avenue

and Beverley Road.

There is a lively atmosphere during the day, and

at night the avenue has something for everyone.

There are various boutiques and places to eat, plus

plenty of cafés and bars.

COTTINGHAM VILLAGE

The Lawns is located in Cottingham just 3 miles

from the campus which is served by the 105 EYMS

bus service. All lawns residents are eligible for an

EYMS travel pass however they have to apply for

this themselves, a link is provided for this with your

offer of accommodation. Cottingham Village

Centre is just a 10 minute walk from the lawns or

a 2 minute bus ride. The village has an array of

coffee shops, pubs, restaurants, supermarkets,

banks and a post office as well as a number of

local shops.

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Student discipline

OFFENCES AND PENALTY TARIFFS

Depending on the seriousness of the offence, most disciplinary measures will be preceded by a verbal

warning. This decision is at the discretion of a Commercial Services staff member. At second offence

stage, a notice to quit will be served which will be held over the University-owned property for its full

term and perpetrators will not be allowed to continue for the next year in University-owned or -managed

accommodation.

Description of Offence First offence Second offence

Third offence

Covering smoke alarms (immediate charge) £50 £100 £200

Damage/misuse of fire extinguishers £30 £50 £100

Blocking fire exits/propping fire doors open £50 £100 £200

Smoking (in a no smoking area) £100 £150 £200

Noise after 11pm £30 £50 £200

Excessive noise at other times £30 £50 £100

Burning candles, oil burners or joss sticks

Use of cooking equipment in bedrooms* £50 £100 £200

Unauthorised guests £50 £100 £200

Removal and disposal of abandoned pots £20 £50 £75

Pets in accommodation £100 £150 £200

Additional heating (electric heaters etc)

Blocking fire exits (with bikes or other belongings)

£50 £100 £150

Abuse to staff Disciplinary hearing, fine and possble eviction

Use of illegal drugs Disciplinary hearing. Report to police. Possible termination of University course

Acting so as to cause distress to other students

Disciplinary Hearing, fine and possible eviction

Acting in a manner likely to cause harm to yourself and others

Disciplinary Hearing

CHARGES

All damages to property will be chargeable. There will be no preceding warning. Where a replacement is

needed, that cost will be charged. Disciplinary measures may also be put in place.

Damage to chairs Cost of replacement

Damage to furniture Cost of replacement

Extra cleaning to house £25 per room

Graffiti/stickers on door £50 plus cost of any damage caused

Key not returned £30

Room carpet has burns Cost of replacement plus fitting

Room carpet to be cleaned £25 per room

Room carpet to be replaced Cost of replacement plus fitting

Smoking in rooms Cost of redecorating & replacing furniture

Rubbish removal from exterior £25 (split between household)

Rubbish removal from kitchen £25 (split between household)

Rubbish removal from room £25

Walls damaged – holes, marks, from blu-tak etc

Cost of filling & redecoration

Blocked toilet (en suite) – for 4th callout onwards

£10

Blocked drains (en suite)(showers, sinks) – for 4th callout onwards

£10

Description of Offence First offence

* This includes kettles, coffee machines, toasters, rice cookers, fridges, freezers, slow cookers, microwaves, mini ovens, sandwich toasters, fryers and grills.

Confiscated and referred to Accommodation Misconduct

Confiscated and referred to Accommodation Misconduct

40 | www.hull.ac.uk/accomm

Cleaning advisory notice procedureYour room will be inspected every four weeks by a member of commercial services

staff. Prior notice will be given of this inspection with at least 48hrs notice. Staff must

be permitted access in to your room in order to check the cleanliness and ensure

everything is working correctly.

After this insmpection is anything is found to be unsatisfactory an advisory notice will

be issued and a time will be given for a re-inspection the follwing week. if after re-

inspection the room is still found to be unsatisfactory a cleaning charge will be levied

and a member of staff will be granted overtime and will clean your room.

University of Hull Student Living | 41

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Disclaimer

The information contained in this booklet is for general information only. The information is provided by the University of Hull and although we do our best to keep it up-to-date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability of the information, products or services contained in the booklet for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

We reserve the right to introduce changes to the information in the booklet, including the addition, withdrawal, re-location or restructuring of services.

Moving out checklist

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO WHEN YOU ARE LEAVING YOUR ROOM FOR THE LAST TIME:

1. Remove all of your belongings. Check your

room – don't forget the back of the door and

under the bed, as well as common areas,

kitchens, cupboards, fridge/freezers and

bathrooms.

2. Ensure that you lock your bedroom door

and the block / flat door when you leave —

remember to think of the security of others who

may still be living there.

3. RETURN YOUR KEY! Collect an envelope from

the hall reception desk.

Complete the front with your details and then

return it, with your key inside, and leave it at

your halls reception desk remember they are

open 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year.

WHAT WE WILL DO IF YOUR ROOM KEY IS RETURNED BEFORE YOUR CONTRACT END DATE:

We will clean the room and put any items that

have been left in black bags, which will be left in

the room.

The bags will be removed and disposed of at the

end of your contract at a cost to you.

WE WILL NOT REMOVE ANY ITEMS FROM YOUR ROOM UNTIL THE CONTRACT ENDS

WHAT WE WILL DO AFTER THE CONTRACT ENDS.

If your room is to be used for vacation business,

any items left in your room will be bagged up and

stored.

We will contact you at your University email

address, to tell you that you have left things and

we will give you a deadline for you to respond

by, after which your items will be removed and

disposed of at a cost to you.

44 | www.hull.ac.uk/accomm University of Hull Student Living | 45

University accomodation rulesThe University Accommodation Rules set out

the types of behaviour that would constitute

misconduct in university accommodation.

The definition of misconduct and further details

and definitions of the types of penalties are

contained within the University Accommodation

Misconduct Procedure. Students should

make themselves familiar with the University

Accommodation Misconduct Procedure, which

governs the process for dealing with a breach of

these University Accommodation Rules.

The University Accommodation Rules apply to all

registered students living in, visiting, or using the

facilities of university residential accommodation,

owned or managed by the University of Hull

and properties which are part of a Nomination

Agreement and/or Head Lease portfolio. This

includes students who have suspended their

studies at the University of Hull and those who

have completed their studies but are yet to

graduate from the University of Hull. Students will

be held responsible for the behavior of any person

they permit to enter a residence. In addition this

includes residents who are not a Student of the

University but resident under the auspices of a

commercial agreement between the University

and a partner.

The list below is indicative (but not exhaustive)

of the type of behaviour that would constitute

misconduct in university accommodation, and the

likely penalties associated with such behaviours.

One or more sanctions may be issued for any

given offence.

The categories of offence outlined below are to be

used by Student Misconduct Officer/Case Officers

as guidance for directing proceedings under the

aforementioned procedure.

The University Accommodation Misconduct

Procedure contains processes for dealing with

cases of category A, B and C misconduct.

Although the University will determine the level

of misconduct alleged to have been committed,

the table below indicates the likely classification of

misconduct; with examples of misconduct likely

to be regarded as more minor, being classified as a

Category A offence, ranging up to the most serious

acts of accommodation misconduct falling within

the Category C classification.

It should be noted that there will be instances

when certain behaviours which would usually be

considered to be minor are in fact very serious

and will require a more serious penalty. There will

also be instances when certain behaviours which

would usually be considered to be serious are

in fact more minor and will require a less serious

penalty. The Student Misconduct Officer/Case

Officer, and other University staff, as outlined

within the University Accommodation Misconduct

Procedure, will determine the category of the

offence and the level of investigation required, in

accordance with the procedure.

Multiple or repeated incidents of misconduct may

be more serious than a single act of misconduct

and previous findings may be taken into account

when determining what penalty should be

imposed.

Category of Offence University Accommodation Rules Penalties

Category A:

This type of

misconduct would

normally be

resolved via the

process of:

Informal

resolution, unless

the misconduct

is coupled with

other Category B &

C offences and/or

three Strikes have

been issued.

Failure to abide by the following rules would

normally be investigated / resolved as a Category

A offence under the University Accommodation

Misconduct Procedure:

1. Keep the room and its contents clean and tidy,

or leaving them in such condition at the end of the

licence period*;

2. Keep the communal areas/kitchen and

equipment provided by the university clean and

tidy at all times*;

3. Do not bring in more equipment or luggage

than can be reasonably stored within the room;

4. Do not affix pictures, posters or anything

else which may cause offence anywhere in the

residence and/or in a manner which causes

damage to wallpaper, plasterwork, woodwork or

furniture*;

5. Do not affix/place flags in a position so that they

are visible from outside the residence

6. Do not affix additional aerials, computer

connection points, or satellite signal receiving

dishes;

7. Do not remove university property from the

residence;

8. Do not undertake any act which would damage

or litter the grounds, gardens and pathways around

the residence*;

9. Take out litter on a regular basis and place in the

bins provided*;

Front line staff

may undertake the

following by way of

informal resolution:

• Words of advice

to one or more

parties

• Issuing a reminder

of the university

accommodation

rules

• Voluntary Flatmate/

House Agreement

• Requirement to

pay cost incurred

as a result of

misconduct (upto

the value of £250)

• Creation of a

no-alcohol or no

music zone in

communal areas

for a defined period

as deemed fair

and proportionate,

for example; in

cases of parties

in communal

kitchens

Accommodation rules

46 | www.hull.ac.uk/accomm University of Hull Student Living | 47

Category A:

This type of

misconduct would

normally be

resolved via the

process of:

Informal

resolution, unless

the misconduct

is coupled with

other Category B &

C offences and/or

three Strikes have

been issued.

10. Do not impede university staff or any other

staff performing services at the accommodation

in the performance of their duties; Comply with all

instructions or reasonable requests issued by staff

(e.g. failing to produce ID card);

11. Behave in a respectful, considerate way toward

fellow residents, neighbours, staff and guests;

12. Ensure that noise is kept at a level which does

not reasonably cause a disturbance to others

at any time, in particular do not make excessive

noise outside the room or allow excessive noise

to emanate from the room between 11.00 pm

and 7.00 am (especially around any examination/

dissertation write-up periods);

13. Do not undertake any behaviour which may

cause or is capable of causing , annoyance or

nuisance to any other person in the locality of the

university owned accommodation; this includes

members of the public for example local school

students;

14. Do not wilfully or negligently deface or

damage the property of the university*.

15. Observe designated no-smoking areas on the

grounds outside university accommodation and

where provided use designated smoking areas;

16. Declare all guests staying one or more nights

in the residence

17. Where a visitors record book is in operation

ensure all visitors to the residence are signed in

and out

18. Do not sleep in communal areas where this

may cause or is capable of causing nuisance and

annoyance to other house/flatmates

• Restorative

Practice, Mediation

or Conciliation

reaching a

written outcome

agreement, where

the staff member

has received

relevant/sufficient

training and feels

able to carry this

out effectively

• Irrespective of

the method

of Informal

Resolution chosen

the member of

Front Line staff

should also issue

a strike and notify

the Student

Misconduct

Officer of this in

order that they

may send written

confirmation of the

strike and keep a

central record.

• If a student is

issued three strikes

in the course of

their contract,

then they will

be referred for

investigation as

a ‘Category B’

offence.

Accommodation rules

Category A:

This type of

misconduct would

normally be

resolved via the

process of:

Informal

resolution, unless

the misconduct

is coupled with

other Category B &

C offences and/or

three Strikes have

been issued.

19. Where parking is provided at university

accommodation ensure that car registration details

are provided to the site manager or where a permit

system is in operation ensure this is displayed and

that you and your visitors park within the marked

bays only and/or do not park in disabled bays

unless they are a blue badge holder and this is

clearly displayed.

20. Do not carry out any maintenance or

repair work on any motor vehicle without prior

permission

21. Attend fire safety training and be familiar with

the fire evacuation plan for the residence;

22. Be familiar with the fire escapes and fire

regulations which are posted in the room and

communal areas and co-operate with the

university in observing such regulations, in

particular by informing the Accommodation

Office, Site Management Team, of any defects in

fire equipment which pose a risk to health and

safety;

23. Do not use any unauthorised form of

additional room heating or interfere with any

electrical installation;

24. Do not use cooking equipment in your room;

including alcohol brewing kits;

25. Do not use more than one four-gang trailing

socket from which no more than four appliances

may be operated within the safe loading limit of

the circuit;

26. Do not bring into the residence additional

heavy or bulky furniture, bicycles or anything

which in the university's opinion is or may become

a hazard;

48 | www.hull.ac.uk/accomm University of Hull Student Living | 49

Category A:

This type of

misconduct would

normally be

resolved via the

process of:

Informal

resolution, unless

the misconduct

is coupled with

other Category B &

C offences and/or

three Strikes have

been issued.

27. Do not keep any large/bulky equipment in the

communal areas without the express permission of

university accommodation staff

28. Ensure that keys/swipe cards and/or electronic

door lock codes issued for entrance/room doors

of the residence are kept secure and used only by

you;

29. Take appropriate steps to ensure the security

of the residence and the room at all times e.g. do

not leave any ground floor windows open when a

room (including the kitchen) is unoccupied;

30. Report any unauthorised persons to

appropriate university staff;

31. Do not misuse or make unauthorised use of

university accommodation premises or items of

property, including IT or safety equipment;

32. Do not take property belonging to another

student without permission

33. Do not enter another students residence

without permission

* Students living in, visiting or using the facilities

will also be expected to pay for any damages,

repairs or additional cleaning needed that occur

as a result of a breach of any relevant rules. Any

conduct resulting in £250 or less in charges will

be handled as a Category A offence and any

conduct resulting in more than £250 will be

handled as a Category B offence

Accommodation rulesCategory of Offence University Accommodation Rules Penalties

Category B:

This type of

misconduct

would normally be

resolved via

Misconduct

Investigation.

A Case Officer

must first consider

whether informal

resolution might

be appropriate

and, if so, explore

this with the

parties concerned.

Failure to abide by the following rules would

normally be investigated / resolved as a Category

B offence under the University Accommodation

Misconduct Procedure:

34. Failure to comply with immediate

precautionary action taken by Front Line Staff

35. Failure to engage in, or comply with Informal

Resolution Action deemed appropriate by Front

Line Staff

36. Do not commit fraud, deceit, falsification of

documents, deception or dishonesty in relation to

university accommodation, or staff, students in the

context of university accommodation;

37. Do not make false, frivolous, malicious or

vexatious complaints or comments regarding

university students or tenants/staff within university

accommodation;

38. Do not behave in a way likely to cause injury to

any person or to impair safety;

39. Take reasonable care for your own health and

safety and that of others who may be affected by

any act or omission.

40. Do not throw items from balconies and/or

windows

41. Do not interfere with fire notices, doors or

equipment provided to detect or fight fire, or

interfere with or obstruct fire exits in the residence;

42. Do not smoke, including vaping within

university accommodation;

Following a

Misconduct

Investigation, the

following penalties

may be imposed by

Student Misconduct

Officer/ Case

Officers in the event

that the allegation

of misconduct is

proven:

• Accommodation

Behaviour

Agreement;

• Absolute

discharge;

• Attendance

on course or

programme at cost

to student;

• Requirement to

pay cost incurred

as a result of

misconduct

• Deferred penalty;

• Fine;

• Final warning;

• Flat / house mate

agreement;

50 | www.hull.ac.uk/accomm University of Hull Student Living | 51

Category B:

This type of

misconduct

would normally

be resolved via

Misconduct

Investigation.

A Case Officer

must first consider

whether informal

resolution might

be appropriate

and, if so, explore

this with the

parties concerned.

43. Do not use candles, oil burners or joss sticks in

the residence/room/communal areas.

44. Do not keep animals of any description

(seeing/hearing assistance dogs are permitted

with prior notice);

45. Do not engage in riotous, violent, indecent,

disorderly, threatening or offensive behaviour or

language (whether expressed orally, in writing or

electronically) including harassment, intimidation

and/or bullying of any person both within

university accommodation and the surrounding

grounds*;

46. Do not photograph or record any other

person without their permission including audio

and visual recordings, and/or do not use any such

photographs and/or recordings for the purpose of

harassment

47. Do not conduct yourself in a manner which

unjustifiably infringes freedom of thought or

expression within university accommodation;

48. Do not use university accommodation for

commercial purposes

49. Do not engage in alcohol related nuisance,

for example; shouting, using foul and abusive

language or displaying threatening behaviour

whilst under the influence of alcohol

50. Do not keep in the residence any items

deemed consistent with the use of controlled

substances, including but not limited to; bongs,

rollers, grinders and pipes

51. Do not be under the influence of controlled

substances including legal highs and non-

prescribed drugs

• Letter of apology/

restorative

communication

• A written caution.

This may also

require the student

to have no or

restricted contact

with a specified

person and/or

to cease specific

actions/activities

(for example

playing of loud

music)

Accommodation rules

Category B:

This type of

misconduct

would normally be

resolved via

Misconduct

Investigation.

A Case Officer

must first consider

whether informal

resolution might

be appropriate

and, if so, explore

this with the

parties concerned.

52. Do not bring, or use another person to bring,

into the residence any controlled substance

including legal highs or non-prescribed drugs, or

hazardous substance (including nitrous oxide) of

any kind;

*Students living in, visiting or using the facilities

will also be expected to pay for any damages,

repairs or additional cleaning needed that occur

as a result of a breach of any relevant rules. Any

conduct resulting in more than £250 in charges

will be handled as a Category B offence.

52 | www.hull.ac.uk/accomm University of Hull Student Living | 53

Accommodation rulesCategory of Offence University Accommodation Rules Penalties

Category C:

This type of

misconduct

would normally

be referred to

the University’s

Student

Disciplinary

Regulations

or Regulations

governing

Professional

Unsuitability

and Professional

Misconduct.

An

Accommodation

Misconduct Panel

may be convened

upon completion

of proceedings of

any investigation

under the

associated

university

procedures

to determine

whether a

penalty should

be issued under

the University

Accommodation

Misconduct

Procedure.

Failure to abide by the following rules would

normally be investigated / resolved as a Category

C offence under the University Accommodation

Misconduct Procedure:

53. Failure to comply with Precautionary Action

taken by Student Misconduct Officer/Case Officer,

including breach of an accommodation behaviour

agreement

54. Failure to comply with a penalty issued under

this procedure by a Student Misconduct Officer/

Case Officer/Panel, including breach of an

accommodation behaviour agreement

55. Do not bring into the residence, any firearm

(including imitation/model/BB guns), illegal

knife, blades, club, sword, slingshots or any other

weapon which may be hazardous to the health

and safety of university staff and students. Where

students are a member of an ‘Airsoft’ group/club

(or similar) and students wish to keep an ‘Airsoft’

gun/rifle (or similar) in university accommodation,

the student should apply for a permit before

bringing said gun/rifle into accommodation. The

decision to issue the permit will be at the sole

discretion of accommodation staff as will the

decision to revoke any such permit.

56. Do not be in possession of a quantity of

controlled substance including legal highs or non-

prescribed drugs and/or paraphernalia which is

deemed consistent with intent to supply;

57. Do not undertake any activity related to the

supply and or cultivation of controlled substances,

including legal highs and non-prescribed drugs;

58. Do not engage in physical violence towards

any other person

Penalties available to

an Accommodation

Misconduct Panel

include all penalties

available for B

offences, in addition

to:

• Temporary or

permanent

exclusion from all

or part of university

accommodation;

• Termination of

Accommodation

Contract.

Category C:

This type of

misconduct

would normally

be referred to

the University’s

Student

Disciplinary

Regulations

or Regulations

governing

Professional

Unsuitability

and Professional

Misconduct.

An

Accommodation

Misconduct Panel

may be convened

upon completion

of proceedings of

any investigation

under the

associated

university

procedures

to determine

whether a

penalty should

be issued under

the University

Accommodation

Misconduct

Procedure.

59. Do not perpetrate domestic abuse including

physical, emotional, financial or otherwise

60. Do not engage in sexual misconduct including

but not limited to engaging or attempting to

engage in sexual intercourse or act without

consent, taking or sharing private sexual

materials of another person without consent,

inappropriately showing sexual organs

61. Do not engage in any conduct with/or

towards minors in the locality of university

owned accommodation that may be deemed

inappropriate and/or harmful in any way

62. Do not harass, victimise or discriminate against

any person on any grounds, in particular; age;

disability; gender reassignment; marriage and

civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race,

religion and belief, sex; or sexual orientation.

Other instances which might constitute Category C misconduct:

A Category C investigation may also be imposed

should a further allegation of misconduct in

university accommodation be made, if that

student has already been issued with a ‘Final

Warning ’under the University Accommodation

Misconduct Procedure in relation to previous

misconduct.