Living in London. international accommodation. guide

Transcription

1 Living in London international accommodation guide

2 Introduction The aim of this booklet is to provide you with information about accommodation both on the University campus and off campus in the local area. London is one of the world s most exciting and cosmopolitan cities, and as a Roehampton student you will be well placed to enjoy everything the city has to offer. You will be joining a community of eight million people where over 300 languages are spoken. We hope that by the end of your studies you will feel as much a Londoner as those who have spent all their lives here! Contents On-campus accommodation... 5 Applying for on-campus accommodation Campus map Off-campus accommodation

3 On-campus accommodation Contact information On-campus Accommodation Office Tel: +44(0) International Office

4 On-campus Accommodation n Make new friends easily n Live in a safe and secure environment n Feel part of a collegiate community n Live near classes and facilities n Know your accommodation costs in advance, and therefore budget effectively The University of Roehampton comprises of four Colleges Digby Stuart, Froebel, Southlands and Whitelands on which our accommodation is centred. Roehampton has Student Welfare Officers, Residential Wardens and student-appointed College Deputy Presidents on-hand. Studying at a collegiate university gives students a sense of community you are not only part of the University, but will also have an instant identity within the smaller world of the College. Most students can choose the College in which they want to live. Most students opt to live on the part of the campus where their course is based. Living on campus is a sociable experience you ll have the opportunity to meet and mix with students from all over the world. You should be prepared to be tolerant of other people and cultures, and understand that you re living in a community environment. Most students who live on campus are aged and the atmosphere is often lively. However, accommodation in a quieter environment is available for postgraduate and mature students

5 Eating and shopping Room and location options n You have a wide choice of room types and locations (subject to availability). n All rooms are single occupation and the average room size is square metres. See our on-campus accommodation options on our website: Unfortunately there is no on-campus accommodation available for families but our Accommodation Office can help families find off-campus accommodation. We will consider all requests (such as single-sex accommodation or ground floor location) subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Students with disabilities 30 rooms across campus have adapted facilities for disabled students and those with long-term medical conditions. If you have any requirements relating to a disability or long-term medical condition, please contact the Accommodation Office as soon as possible to ensure that these are fully in place before arrival. During the day there are numerous cafes and restaurants on campus where you can buy sandwiches, salads and hot lunches. In the evening, most students cook for themselves using their shared kitchen facilities. There is a small shop on campus that sells basic provisions, but most students buy their weekly provisions at one of the local shops in Roehampton, at the nearby Asda supermarket or on the High Street in Putney, which is just 10 minutes away by bus. Length of contract Generally on-campus accommodation is leased for the entire academic year, however, it is possible to apply to live on campus if you are only studying for one semester or one term (please see How to Apply). If you have accommodation for the full academic year then your contract will include the Christmas and Easter vacations. Security The Roehampton campus is a safe place to live, but you should take all the usual precautions to safeguard your belongings and person. Make sure you lock your door when away from your room, do not leave personal possessions unsecured and remember to keep your room key unlabelled and in a safe place. Security staff are present on campus 24 hours a day and have a special emergency extension (3333) should you need to reach them urgently

6 Kitchen area All student accommodation at Roehampton is self-catered. A kitchen will be available for you to use in your flat or hall. You can also purchase Cost of living on campus meals from the dining halls and cafes located across the four Colleges. Your kitchen area is shared and the equipment includes: Depending on your choice of accommodation the costs vary between n per week. cooker/stove n microwave Included in the accommodation fee: n fridge n heating n freezer n lighting n kettle n water n toaster n internet connection n food storage space n electrical testing for your appliances n contents insurance. Cooking utensils, cutlery, and crockery are not provided but can be purchased before you arrive and delivered to the university by You will receive a bedding bundle for 20, which will be added to All-Unied ( or you can buy these locally. your accommodation cost. The bundle includes duvet and cover, sheet, pillow and slip, mattress cover and University-approved fused Common areas of accommodation will be cleaned by domestic staff, electrical adaptor. but you are expected to clean your own room and do your own washing up of kitchen utensils, cutlery and crockery. Your room All rooms include: Other facilities on campus n a single bed n wardrobe n Laundry facilities are located near all the accommodation sites n desk n Cash machine at Santander branch and Froebel Diner n chair n Gym, sports hall, and an outdoor games area for basketball, n shelving football etc n wash hand basin n Flat/Hall Representatives in each area to help you settle in n Medical Centre n Students Union, which stages social events and offers welfare advice n 24-hour security n Cafeterias, diners and coffee bars 10 11

7 Budgeting How much you spend on living expenses will, to a large extent, depend on the kind of lifestyle you choose and where you live. You will need to budget for food and drink along with items such as books, travel, telephone, entertainment, clothes, laundry fees and other household expenses. Accommodation contracts You are required to sign a licence agreement for your accommodation. This is a legally binding document that commits you to the room financially for the period stated. You will only be released from your contract if you withdraw from the University or you find another suitable student to fill your room. Rental periods We offer a variety of accommodation contracts: n 38 weeks for undergraduate students n 48 weeks for postgraduate students and mature students. All contract lengths include the Christmas and Easter vacations, so it is possible for you to remain in the room or store your belongings there during these times. If you are studying for a single term/semester, accommodation is subject to availability

8 APPLYING FOR ON-CAMPUS ACCOMMODATION You can apply online from the beginning of April on the Accommodation website

9 Applying for on-campus accommodation When to apply As a new or prospective student, you are able to apply online for on-campus accommodation from the beginning of April to 31 July. You will still be allowed to apply for accommodation after the deadline we will put your application on a waiting list. We are aiming to accommodate all international students that apply before 31 July; anyone who applies after that date cannot be guaranteed a place. In order to apply you must meet the following criteria: n Roehampton must be your firm choice of university. n You must hold an offer to study from Roehampton. If you are under 18 and want to apply for on-campus accommodation, please contact the Accommodation Office on +44 (0) or accommodation@roehampton.ac.uk How to apply You can apply online from the beginning of April on the accommodation website: If you are an international exchange student on a short programme then please make a note, on the online application form, of the length of stay. You can do this under Other information. Payment information When to pay Accommodation fees for the academic year are payable at the start of each term. Deposit When you are sent an offer of accommodation, you will also be required to pay a 250 deposit. This deposit will be refunded to you, in full, at the end of your contract, providing there are no damages or charges incurred during your stay. Fees for students on one semester/ term programmes are payable in full on arrival. How to pay You will be requested to set up a payment plan and to pay your accommodation fees online using a credit or debit card. If you have a difficulty with this, you can contact Accommodation Finance on tel: +44(0) , or accommodation@roehampton.ac.uk. Other costs 20 will be charged for a bedding bundle, which will be added to your accommodation fees. A bedding bundle includes a duvet, sheet, duvet cover and pillow slip. A mattress cover and a pillow will also be provided. International students will also receive a University-approved fused electrical adaptor

10 Erasmus Mundus students on-campus accommodation How to apply You can apply online from the beginning of April on the accommodation website: In order to apply you must meet the following criteria: n Roehampton must be your firm choice of university. n You must hold an offer to study from Roehampton. If you are under 18 and want to apply for on-campus accommodation, please contact the Accommodation Office on +44 (0) or accommodation@roehampton.ac.uk Online booking form instructions As you are on a short programme at Roehampton, you must on the online application form under Other information state the following: n Erasmus Mundus student n Your date of arrival n Your date of departure All other conditions will be the same. Arrival at Roehampton What to do when you arrive You will be asked to arrive on a specified day. On arrival you should check in at the designated International Arrival Room. n You will be given your room key after confirming your identity. n You will be given your bedding bundle pack. n Student ambassadors will then take you to your room. If you are not arriving on the International Arrival Day, please let us know what date you plan to arrive and also your estimated time of arrival on the campus. If you arrive outside office hours your room key will be left at the appropriate Security Gatehouse and Security staff will be able to help you access your room. We will communicate with you via please check your regularly

11 Southlands College accommodation Campus map The University of Roehampton comprises of four Colleges. Digby Stuart, Froebel and Southlands are on the Main Site, while Whitelands is a 15-minute walk away. Mount Clare accommodation Main site (Digby, Froebel and Southlands) Froebel College accommodation Mount Clare Site Whitelands College accommodation Digby Stuart College accommodation 20 All Roehampton facilities are within Whitelands Site a 15-minute walk of each other. 21

12 Off-campus accommodation Contact information Off-campus Accommodation Office Tel: +44(0) International Office

13 Off-campus Accommodation Living off campus gives you greater flexibility. The University of Roehampton is in south-west London, which is considered to be a good area to live in the city. Some students prefer to be nearer to the city centre and they use the extensive public transport network to travel to the University for their lectures. The University has an online service Studentpad dedicated to helping you find off-campus accommodation. This can be found at All properties advertised on the Studentpad site are in the Roehampton and surrounding areas and meet a minimum standard. The information and advice on this website can be accessed in six languages (English, Chinese, French, Italian, German and Spanish). Through the site, you are able to contact landlords before arriving in the UK, to set up viewings and interviews, which will cut down the time you spend searching for somewhere to live when you get here. Our Accommodation Office also holds details of letting agencies advertising available properties. You will be expected to view the properties yourself, so this is something you are advised to organise once you have settled in London and know your way around the local areas. Please note, the Accommodation Office cannot arrange off-campus accommodation for you in advance they provide information via the Studentpad website but you need to contact the landlords yourself. Remember that looking for off-campus accommodation is timeconsuming, and we recommend that you allow yourself time before the start of your programme to find the right accommodation for you. Do not turn up in London without having first arranged your accommodation. We also recommend that you book with a host family for one-two weeks. Our Off-campus Accommodation Officer can help you arrange this. Prices On average rents are around per person per calendar month. This will not include your household bills such as gas, electricity, water rates and television licence, and you should allow around per person per month for these additional bills. As a student, you do not have to pay council tax, unless you live in a house with one or more non-students

14 OFF-CAMPUS: LONG-TERM Flat-shares and house-shares An average-sized property in south-west London accommodates three or five people. Renting in the private sector is often the preferred choice for students who are in their second or third year of study. By this time, you ll be used to living in London and will have friends to share accommodation with. Our Studentpad website ( features a message board where advertisements are placed by students with vacant rooms or looking to flat-share. One-/two-bedroom flats Some students like the idea of having their own privacy by occupying a one- or two-bedroom flat; however, this is expensive. To rent a one-bedroom flat is likely to cost from around 900 a month upwards; a two-bedroom flat will cost from around 1,100 a month upwards. This will not include bills! Consider sharing a three- or four-bedroom property (as above), which is normally a cheaper option. Lodgings Lodgings are rented rooms in private houses where the householder (landlord) also lives in the property. It could be with a family, a couple or someone living on their own. Bills are typically included in the rent, although often not the telephone bill. Most lodgings will be self-catering, but some may include meals at extra cost. Householders often advertise their rooms online via Studentpad ( roehampton). This option is often popular for students who want a quieter type of accommodation. Prices are around 95 per person per week, including bills but not food. Expect to pay anything from 130+ to include food. OFF-CAMPUS: SHORT-TERM Hostels Hostels are a good choice if you are looking for temporary accommodation. They provide an opportunity to familiarise yourself with London and you will meet other students from all over the world. If you want to move to private accommodation at a later date, hostel accommodation is a good starting point. Some hostels are run by charities or religious organisations, but this does not normally mean that you need to be practising that particular religion. Bed and breakfast accommodation/ hotels/guest houses These are useful options for short-term accommodation while you are looking for more permanent living arrangements. You should allow a minimum of 30 per person per night expect to pay more in central London. The cost covers linen, towels and cleaning services and may include breakfast. You can book this type of accommodation from your home country and our Accommodation Office ( accommodation@ roehampton.ac.uk) can provide a list of options close to the University

15 OFF-CAMPUS: short-term Homestay Homestay accommodation means that you live in a private house within a family setting. This type of accommodation is booked through an agent who will match your requirements to a host family. This is a good option if you want to improve your English language skills and would like the support of living in the home of a British family. Many students choose this type of accommodation to start off their time in London. International students with families If you wish to bring your family, you may have difficulty finding affordable accommodation in London and we would advise you to make plans for accommodation as soon as you have secured a place at the University. The University does not manage any accommodation on campus that is suitable for couples or families, so flats and houses in the private rented sector are the main options. If you are going to bring your family, we suggest that you arrive before them in order to arrange accommodation. Under 18s There are legal restrictions in the UK for students who are under 18 in terms of signing contracts. If you are starting at the University before your 18th birthday, you should contact the Accommodation Office and they will advise you

16 Where to find off-campus accommodation Most of the accommodation advertised through the Accommodation Office is reasonably close to the University generally within a fourmile radius. Our students often live in ex-local authority housing around Roehampton, Putney Heath or Southfields. Sometimes vacancies will appear in converted flats in Victorian houses, although this option is likely to be more expensive. Studentpad ( provide a comprehensive and constantly updated database of private property close to the University. This gives you the opportunity to search for properties online even before you leave your home country. The useful Help and Advice section on Studentpad is translated into Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish. The Roehampton Studentpad zone can also be accessed via the University s accommodation webpages: Tips for finding suitable properties If you have never rented property in London, the following information should be useful when you start looking for somewhere to live. Area n Is the property in a convenient location for the University, shops and leisure activities? n Are there good public transport links? n Can you get home safely? n Is the area near to the property well lit by street lighting? Glossary of abbreviations and terms you might see in property adverts D/G Ex-local authority property GCH Landlord/Homeowner Lodgers Maisonette OSP PCM PP PRS Tenancy agreement double-glazed windows former social housing that has been bought and then let to tenants gas central heating person that owns the property you live in a property and share the facilities with the landlord an extended flat (apartment) that usually has a second floor upstairs off-street parking per calendar month per person private rented sector a legally binding contract you sign when you rent a whole property. Most contracts are for a fixed-term period, often 12 months, and do not offer the chance for you to cancel if you wish to move out

17 Viewing properties Once you have found some properties that you want to view, you need to contact the landlords yourself. From a personal safety point of view, we advise that you take a friend with you when you visit properties. This also means that you have someone to compare notes with afterwards, which is always useful. There is good house-hunting advice on the National Union of Students (NUS) website: The property itself n Are there enough facilities for the number of people sharing? You should be looking for one toilet and one kitchen per five residents. n Does the property have central heating? There is no requirement that all homes should have central heating, and electric heating can be just as efficient (although not always as cost effective). n Is the property well maintained? n Are there enough plug sockets in each room? n Are the rooms well decorated, with reasonable wall coverings? n Is the carpet or flooring in good condition? Safety n Do all gas appliances have an up-to-date Gas Safety Certificate? This is a legal requirement. Check with the Students Union or Accommodation Office for further information. n Are there smoke detectors in the house? n Are the windows lockable? YOUR CONTRACT: QUESTIONS TO ASK How much is the rent? n What does this include? n How and when do you have to pay? Do you have to pay a deposit? n Deposits are normally equivalent to four-six weeks rent. However, if you don t have a UK guarantor, you may have to put down eight weeks deposit and pay your rent three-six months or by each term in advance. n Deposits are kept as security against any damages to the property or any unpaid bills; as long as you leave the property in the same good condition it was in when you began your contract then your deposit should be refunded to you in full. n UK law states that any deposit given to a private landlord must be kept in a deposit protection scheme, so if there are any issues relating to the amount returned to you at the end of your contract you can negotiate with your landlord via the scheme. Are there any repairs that need doing before you move in? Get these agreed in writing with the landlord. Who is responsible for the bills? If you share a flat or house with other students, your bills are not likely to be included. Bills will include gas, electricity, telephone and possibly water rates. Is there an inventory of furniture and other items in the property? This details the contents and condition of the furniture within a property when you move in and is useful if there are questions about your deposit when you are due to leave

18 How long will the contract be for? If you share a property with other students and do not live with the landlord, it is likely that you will have a fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. Most agreements are for 12 months. Once you sign, you are committed for this period, so if you have any doubts or concerns about the document itself, contact the Off-campus Accommodation Officer for further advice. Your Tenancy Agreement is a legal document, so it s important you understand your commitment, both to your housemates and your landlord before you sign it. Council Tax If you are a full-time student, it is unlikely that you will need to pay this extra bill unless you are living off campus with non-students. Council Tax is based on the value of a property. In order to ensure that you don t have to pay this bill, you must obtain a Council Tax Exemption Certificate from the University s Registry Department once you have registered with the University. Please ask advice from our Off-campus Accommodation Officer. Location, location, location Most vacancies are usually advertised using postcodes to indicate the location. This can be confusing for British people as well as international students as the codes do not appear in a logical order; Roehampton, Roehampton Vale (postcode: SW15) Most of the properties available in Roehampton are ex-social housing flats. Living in Roehampton is handy because: n it is within walking distance of the University and its facilities n there are good bus links to Barnes and Putney overground train services, with trains reaching Waterloo station in central London in under 30 minutes n buses connect with Hammersmith and Putney Bridge underground stations, with trains reaching London s West End in under 45 minutes n there are a few local shops in Roehampton, while buses go to Kingston for bigger shopping trips n a number of pubs and takeaway restaurants are within walking distance. Insurance If you are living on campus, your possessions will be insured and the cost of this insurance is included in your room charge. Details are available on the extent of this insurance cover and you can add further cover if you wish. If you are living off campus, then we strongly recommend that you insure your personal possessions. Student properties can be easy targets for thieves. The University s nominated insurer is Endsleigh Insurance. Information can be found on the National Union of Students website ( or from Roehampton Students Union ( Putney, Putney Heath, Putney Vale (SW15) Putney is only 10 minutes by bus from the University. It has: n great shopping facilities, a cinema, leisure centre, and numerous bars and restaurants n branches of most major banks n excellent links to central London via overground and underground trains (Putney has two tube stations) n theatre productions at the Putney Arts Theatre

19 East Sheen (SW14) With a good selection of shops and access to beautiful Richmond Park for walks, East Sheen (and neighbouring Mortlake) can be reached by bus from the University in only 15 minutes. It also offers: n additional buses to Richmond (for plenty of bars, pubs, restaurants and sports centres) n banks, building societies and coffee bars n a train link (from Mortlake) that will take you to Waterloo station in central London in around 30 minutes. Barnes (SW13) Located by the River Thames, Barnes is minutes walk from Roehampton. It has: n a small selection of local shops, traditional pubs and some expensive places to eat n good transport links with buses going to Hammersmith and an overground train station that links with Waterloo station in central London. Wimbledon (SW19) Wimbledon is roughly three miles from Roehampton. It offers: n plenty of shops, entertainment and the beautiful parkland of Wimbledon Common n excellent transport links, including a District Line underground station, overground train station, a bus that goes directly to the University of Roehampton, and trams. Southfields (SW18, SW19) Southfields is another popular residential area and, like nearby Wimbledon, it has a District Line underground station and a bus that goes directly to the University n property is generally a mixture of ex-social housing flats and houses. Rents may be slightly cheaper than in areas such as Putney. 37

20

21 Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this guide is accurate but no responsibility can be accepted for any errors or omissions. All prices correct at time of print, March 2012, and are 40 subject small inflationary rises. +44 (0)