Non UK Residents should note that it may take up to three or four weeks after your arrival in the UK to open a bank account.

Transcription

1 A is For: ACCOMMODATION MANAGER Accommodation Managers manage your student accommodation Accommodation Managers are responsible for the smooth and orderly running of the Accommodation. If you have any problems, or need advice on any aspect of your accommodation, please contact your Accommodation Manager. A is For: APPLIANCES The kitchens are equipped with refrigerators/ freezers, cookers and microwave ovens. Tidiness in the kitchen and security of food are responsibilities shared by the residents. Additional cooking appliances are not permitted in bedrooms. Any such appliances found will be instructed to be removed. Failure to do so will result in Accommodation Services removing the items to store. Additional heaters are not required and are also not permitted. B is For: BANK ACCOUNTS Fundamental to organising your finances Non UK Residents should note that it may take up to three or four weeks after your arrival in the UK to open a bank account. What you will need: Confirmation of your UK address. You will be able to print an approved letter for the bank from your MyEd record once you have checked into your accommodation. Passport, or driving licence if you are a UK Resident. Visa (If applicable) Unconditional letter of acceptance. You can use your bank account to set up a Direct Debit mandate so that the money due for your rent will be collected automatically. For more information: B is For: BEDDING Bedding is not provided for you

2 You must provide your own bedding.. B is For: BUS Edinburgh has a good bus service The University is served by a comprehensive network of buses which are largely provided by Lothian buses: See the Transport and Parking office website for more information on bus travel including the University shuttle bus service and the Traveline Scotland journey planner: C is For: CANDLES Candles are a fire risk and not permitted in University Accommodation Any student contravening this regulation will be fined up to a maximum of 250 under the code of student discipline. C is For: CAR PARKING CAR PARKING is limited Parking enquiries (where it is available) should be made directly with Reception at Beaverbank. Street parking permits in certain areas can be applied for through the City of Edinburgh Council. For more information about car parking see the Transport and Parking office website: C is For: CHAPLAINCY The Chaplaincy offers support to students and staff. The main Chaplaincy Centre in Bristo Square is well used for drop in, meetings and is where the Chaplaincy staff are based.

3 C is For: CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL Information on the services provided by the city council ranging from schools to re-cycling centres. Essential reading if you are new to the city: C is For: COMMUNICATION Check your sms account regularly Please note we will communicate with you via a number of different ways, , telephone voice or text, notice boards and the wiki. You will receive information on the wiki link for your flat on arrival. In line with University policy, s will be sent to your University SMS account; you must check this on a regular basis. C is For: COMPLAINTS We are here to help if you have a complaint If we cannot resolve the problem please follow the procedure outlined in: C is For: CONTACTS A list of useful contact numbers and locations can be found at the end of this document, please refer to this for quick access to essential information, student support and local amenities/services. C is For: COUNSELLING The Student Counselling Service offers counselling to assist students in working through their difficulty, understand themselves better and find ways of managing their situation.

4 C is For: CYCLING Where there are secure BICYCLE SHEDS (or railings) please use them Cycling is a cheap and healthy way to get around. There is a network of on and off road cycle routes in Edinburgh. You can plan your route around Edinburgh using the cycle streets journey planner: Cycle maintenance the University provides a number of facilities for cycle maintenance for more information including free bike doctor sessions see the Transport and Parking office website: Bikes are not permitted to be kept in the flat, stairwell or landing. Any damage caused to the flat, stairwell or landing by taking a bike into or out of the building will be charged to you. Any bike left in the stairwell or landing will be removed, as this constitutes a fire hazard. Neither Accommodation Services nor Fresh Student Living are liable for any damage caused to bikes kept in the bike shed. Please ensure you have sufficient insurance cover for your bike. For further information on your insurance cover, please contact your accommodation manager. (Note: separate cover is required for bikes). D is For: DAMAGES BE WARNED: You will be charged for DAMAGES! Please respect your accommodation, including the furniture and fittings, and do not damage or vandalise them. Any damage caused by you or your guests will be charged to you. Unattributable damage in shared areas (this includes the stairwells and laundry where provided) will be split between ALL the tenants in the flat or block, whichever is appropriate. D is For: DEPARTURE Read this BEFORE making arrangements to leave your accommodation If you wish to move out of your flat or transfer at any time before the end of your tenancy agreement, you must first discuss the matter with your University Accommodation Manager, who will assess the situation and advise you as appropriate. If you wish to transfer to a Hall of Residence or to a University Flat and there is a suitable vacancy available you can transfer on payment of a 50 administration fee. This charge covers the time and resources necessary to

5 make the arrangements, adjust our systems and produce the required paperwork for any agreed transfer to take place. However, transfers will not normally be considered before week 6 of the first semester. If you wish to be released from your tenancy agreement, in the first instance contact your Accommodation Manager, stating clearly your reasons for wishing to leave the property. Please note that your lease is legally binding, and release from the agreement is only granted rarely, and in exceptional circumstances. When leaving your flat, you should remember to: Leave your room in a clean and tidy condition and lock the door. Remove all your rubbish and personal belongings, including Blu-tac, drawing pins, etc. from notice boards/walls. Any belongings left in the room after the lease end date will be disposed of. Arrange to get your mail forwarded. Return your key to the Reception on site rent is payable until the keys are returned. Failure to return keys will result in a further charge. D is For: DISABILITY OFFICE The Disability office offer guidance and support for disabled students. D is For: DISCIPLINE All students are subject to the UNIVERSITY CODE OF DISCIPLINE Students are subject to the University Code of Discipline. Serious breaches of discipline, whether caused by misuse of the fire equipment or use of illegal drugs will be dealt with under this code. For further information, visit: D is For: DRIVING Drive down costs SHARE CARS To plan your route, you can use Transport Direct s journey planner:

6 Tripshare is the University s car sharing scheme for more information see: For information on the Edinburgh city car club see: E is For: ELECTRICITY ELECTRICITY is charged for in your rent The cost of electricity is included in your rent. While you are not paying the electricity bill directly, you are paying for the electricity consumed as part of your rent; please take measures to keep consumption low. This is not only environmentally friendly, but will help to limit increases in rents to meet increased utility costs. E is For: EMERGENCIES Ensure you know who to contact in an emergency MEDICAL Contact the University Health Centre, or your GP (General Practitioner) if registered elsewhere. For the Health Centre, phone: Out of hours, i.e., between 6:00pm and 8:00am on weekdays, at weekends and on public holidays, Lothian Health Board is responsible for medical care. To contact this service, phone NHS 24 on For serious cases, call an ambulance by phoning 999. SECURITY If you see an intruder, or anything suspicious, report it immediately to Beaverbank Reception. The emergency number is To report a crime, contact Gayfield Square Police Station (phone ). E is For: EUSA

7 Edinburgh University Student s Association, Find out what your Association can do for you. Providing a wide range of information from What s on to The Advice Place: F is For: FIRE Make sure you know where to get information Heaters should never be covered or Furniture pushed up against them. For further information, please visit: F is For: FIRE ALARMS Always vacate the property if you hear a FIRE ALARM All flats are equipped with a Fire Alarm system. These have been installed for your safety and any misuse is a criminal offence. The break-glass in each flat should only be used in the event of a fire. Each kitchen is equipped with a heat detector and each room with a smoke detector. NEVER COVER SMOKE AND HEAT DETECTORS, WEDGE OPEN FIRE DOORS OR DISCONNECT DOOR CLOSERS. THIS IS STRICTLY AGAINST THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF YOUR TENANCY AND WILL RESULT IN A FINE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF In the event of a fire, you should evacuate the building immediately; you must ALWAYS vacate the building when you hear the fire alarm. Please note that failure to leave the premises is a criminal offence; the Fire Brigade may press charges and you will be subject to a fine up to a maximum of 250 under the code of student discipline. You may not re-enter the building until the Fire Brigade and/or a member of staff has attended the scene and has ascertained that the building is safe and has given their consent for re-occupancy. Please: Find the nearest notice informing you about procedures and assembly points. Do not use your own equipment for heating, cooking or laundry. This is very dangerous. Observe the rules concerning use of the facilities provided. Do not smoke in the building. Dry your clothes in the laundry rooms only.

8 You should also note that you are not permitted to use candles, incense, additional fridges, chip pans, or joss sticks on the premises. Please do not use hairdryers or straighteners directly under the detector head in your room, as this may activate the alarm. Please ensure that you read the fire notice posted in your room. F is For: FIRE ALARM TESTS The FIRE ALARM is tested weekly The fire alarm is tested weekly, or once per semester. This test is carried out by Beaverbank Staff. For more information please contact Reception or check noticeboards. F is For: FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT Never tamper with FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT NEVER TAMPER WITH FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT. It is irresponsible. Damaged or expended equipment can cost lives. NOTE: ANY tampering with fire safety equipment is viewed seriously by the University and the Fire Brigade. It will result in DISCIPLINARY ACTION (See section D for disciplinary) being taken against YOU, including a fine of up to On occasion, such activity has resulted in CRIMINAL CHARGES being pressed against students. However, if you use a fire blanket or extinguisher on a genuine fire, please inform your Accommodation Manager immediately and they will arrange to get it replaced. For more information on fire safety visit: F is For: FLYERS Distribution of FLYERS is not permitted

9 G is For: GUESTS You are responsible for your GUESTS Please note that guests are permitted to stay for a maximum of two nights only this is a condition of your tenancy. You are responsible for the good behaviour of your guests. H is For: HARASSMENT Contact your Accommodation Manager if you are suffering HARASSMENT The University prohibits harassment of any type. This includes any threatening or offensive behaviour or language expressed orally or in writing, including electronically. We recommend that you take particular care when using social media web sites You are strongly encouraged to review the University guidelines on Harassment at the following website: If you are experiencing any type of harassment, please speak to your Accommodation Manager. H is For: HEALTH Register with a local GP, or at the University HEALTH Centre Upon arrival you should register with a local GP (General Practitioner). The University has its own Health Centre, located in the Student Centre at Bristo Square; you may wish to register there. After registering, you should complete the medical notice in your room; this will help in the event of a medical emergency. If you have any special requirements linked to your health, which have not already been addressed, please contact your Accommodation Manager to discuss these. H is For: HEALTH AND SAFETY Read the HEALTH AND SAFETY Guidelines Maintaining Health and Safety is everyone s responsibility, staff and students. To help you play your part please read our Health and Safety Guidelines for Students which can be found at:

10 I is For: INSURANCE Check to see if you need additional cover Your accommodation includes contents insurance by Endsleigh, for further information on what is covered please see: once you have entered the site click on 'check now' where you can enter your personal details and choose the residence you are staying in from a drop-down list. Please ensure that you check the level of cover is adequate for your belongings. Please note that additional cover is required for bikes and mobile phones. If you have expensive items which exceed the stated limits, you are advised to take out further insurance to cover these. If your room is broken into the following information will be required for insurance claim purposes: The time the break in was discovered The name of the person who discovered it The police officer and police station informed A list of missing items The method by which thieves gained entry For further information please visit: I is For: INTERNATIONAL OFFICE Providing essential information for international students. I is For: INTERNET INTERNET and TELEPHONE services provided This property has internet provided by Ask4. This service provides high quality broadband internet. For more information about the internet and telephone services provided at this property please see Beaverbank Reception.

11 I is For: INVENTORY Check with care You will be provided with a copy of the inventory of contents for your room at the start of your tenancy. You should check this thoroughly, noting down any items that are damaged or missing. The inventory should then be signed and returned to the Accommodation Manager within 48 hours of collecting keys to the room. You should include comments on the condition of the carpet, vinyl, furnishings, curtains and decoration, where they are marked or damaged. Please remember that this is YOUR record of the condition of the room when you arrived and it is in your interest to return it. You will be charged for any damage that we believe to have been caused by you or your group. If you would like any assistance in completing this task, please contact your Accommodation Manager who will be happy to help. The room should be clean when you move in. If it is not, please contact Site Reception K is For: KEYS Report the loss of KEYS immediately Always report any loss of keys immediately to the Reception on site. If you lose your key you will be liable for the cost of replacement. K is For: KITCHEN The KITCHENS are fully equipped The kitchens are equipped with a refrigerator/freezer and microwave oven. Tidiness in the kitchen and security of food are responsibilities shared by the residents. Please note we do not allow the use of cooking equipment in the bedrooms. L is For: LAUNDRIES Laundry facilities are provided on site. Residents have access to a card operated laundry.

12 M is For: MAIL Make sure your flat s full postal address is used. Please make sure that anyone sending you mail has the full correct address for your flat. You must arrange with the Royal Mail to have your mail redirected when you leave the accommodation - staff will not forward mail for previous tenants. N is For: NOISE NOISE is one of the most common complaints we receive Noise is probably the most common complaint we receive. Noise should be kept at a minimum after 10:00 pm, and special consideration should also be given during exam time. If you are experiencing a problem with noise, please contact your Accommodation Manager or site staff. For further information, please visit: P is For: POSTERS AND PICTURES Damage caused by POSTERS and PICTURES must be paid for Please do NOT use BLUE TAC, GLUE, SELLOTAPE or NAILS to attach pictures and posters to the bedroom walls or the woodwork. This causes damage to the décor and you will be charged for this. Please use the notice boards (where provided). R is For: RECEPTION RECEPTION STAFF are there to help you The Reception Staff on site will be happy to help you with any queries you may have regarding the building in which you live, such as repair requests. They will also be pleased to hear any comments you may wish to make regarding the cleaning service. In return, you are expected to behave in a polite and respectful manner and comply with any requests they make. R is For: RECYCLING

13 RECYCLING do your bit for the environment The University of Edinburgh takes the issue of recycling seriously. You will find recycling initiatives in and around the larger blocks of accommodation. Please familiarise yourself with the recycling arrangements where you live and do your bit to protect the environment. Please ensure that items that may create a fire hazard are not allowed to accumulate in kitchens. For more information on recycling in your area, please visit: R is For: RENT If you have paid a RENT PREPAYMENT of 250 Your 250 RENT PREPAYMENT will be credited to you rent account and the first instalment of your rent will be reduced accordingly. Each tenant is responsible All tenancies are on a sole and several basis, which means that each tenant is responsible for his or her own rent payments. Rent can either be paid in full by credit card on acceptance of your offer of accommodation or either monthly or termly by either a Direct Debit drawn on a UK bank account or via a Recurring Card Payment plan against a Visa or Mastercard. Setting up a payment plan is part of the conditions of acceptance of your accommodation offer. Exact details of the instalment amounts and the dates when these instalments will be taken will be sent to you within 2 months of the date of you accepting your offer of accommodation or at least 14 days before the first payment date. You will also be able to view these details through your MyEd account. If you wish to request a postponement of an instalment you must inform Student Credit Control in AS Finance at least 10 working days prior to the next payment. Generally the payment date is the 10 th of the month or the nearest working day after this date. If you wish to alter either your Bank or Card details a new mandate needs to be set-up at least 14 calendar days prior to the next payment date. Further details and important information regarding rent payments can be found at: If you are experiencing financial difficulties, you should arrange to speak to someone from the Finance Section as soon as you can. You can contact the Finance Section:

14 By phone on By at In person at the Pollock Halls Reception Centre; Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (during term-time the Finance Section will remain open until 7 pm every Wednesday). If you do not respond to any arrears letter sent to you, an outside agency will be instructed to contact you regarding arrears. Their initial contact will incur costs of a minimum of 12% of the balance due and will be charged to you. This could also result in court action if a satisfactory conclusion is not reached. Students in arrears will also be barred from matriculation and graduation until the debt is cleared. R is For: REPAIRS It is your responsibility to report when REPAIRS are needed Please report all repairs to site staff at reception. If you report repairs after 15:00 on a Friday, the repair is likely to be left over the weekend unless it is an emergency. There is a call-out fee of over for a tradesman to attend a repair outside their normal work hours. Please try to avoid delaying the reporting of repairs as this may cause you inconvenience through having to wait for the repair to be carried out or potentially have the cost of a call out billed back to you. If you have not received an acknowledgment of your repair within 24 hours (Monday to Friday) of reporting it, please contact your Accommodation Manager/Site Staff again. For further information, please visit: S is For: SECURITY Lock Doors Ask For ID Report Incidents Ensure that your room door is closed and locked at ALL times, even when you are in. It is also essential that you close your windows when you go out. Thefts can occur when students leave their rooms unattended and unlocked, however briefly. Do not allow strangers to enter the building, and ensure the main door to the building is locked whenever you leave or enter the building. You will become familiar with the staff working in the building, but all University personnel should have identification. Please do not hesitate to ask for identification from anyone who requires access your room.

15 In the event of your room being broken in to, please contact St Leonard s Police on to report the crime. Please also inform your Accommodation Manager (or the Reception on site) and they will arrange for any repairs required to doors or windows. S is For: SMOKING No SMOKING All rooms are designated as completely non-smoking. If you are found to be smoking in the House you will be liable for a fine of up to Please note: you are responsible for the behaviour of your guests and you will incur a fine if your guest(s) smoke in your room. S is For: SUSTAINABILITY Help reduce our environmental impact One of Accommodation Services major business objectives is to operate in a sustainable and environmentally effective and beneficial way. With the introduction in 2009 of a Sustainability Policy, we re actively working to reduce our environmental impact, and making our students and staff more aware of environmental issues. For more information on Energy and Sustainability in your accommodation please visit: T is For: TELEPHONES There are payphones in the ground floor entrance of each block. This property has internet provided by Ask4. This service provides high quality broadband internet For more information about the availability of the internet and telephone services provided please visit site Reception You may also wish to download the University of Edinburgh App which can be found at : T is For: TELEVISIONS

16 There are heavy penalties for failing to have a licence Every TV set in an individual room requires a TV licence this means that if you bring your own TV (including a TV card in your PC) in your bedroom, you are required to have a TV licence. Please note that it is YOUR responsibility to pay for the licence, and the fines for non-compliance with the law are extremely heavy. Licences and information on methods of payment are available from Post Offices. For further information visit: V is For: VOTING Use your VOTE It is important that you register to vote. To check your eligibility to vote and for advice on how to register to vote phone: , or enquires@lothian-vjjb.gov.uk or visit: W is For: WIKI This is the system that we will use to communicate information to tenants in our blocks of flats on repairs, maintenance and visits to the flats. To find out what is happening on your site, please go to: W is For: WIRELESS WIRELESS access in communal areas CONTACT INFORMATION Essential Information

17 Emergency Services (Fire, Police, Ambulance) Police (Non-Emergency) - St Leonard s Police Station Security 24/7 based at Pollock Halls but available for all University accommodation sites, to assist with lockouts, noise, emergencies, repairs or 0 from room phone or Security24-7@ed.ac.uk or 0 from room phone Reception Centre Pollock Halls, 24/7 Security, general enquiries, allocations, finance. Doctors & Pharmacy University of Edinburgh Health Service, Bristo Square: Out of Hours Medical Advice: NHS 24 provides health advice, available when GP Practices are closed Keycom Help Line (telephone/internet provision in your room). Student Support Residence Life Department (Accommodation Services) - For assistance with welfare/academic concerns - Come to the Reception Centre, Pollock Halls or phone or . The Advice Place - Free impartial advice and information on anything and everything Student Centre, Potterow Bristo Square KB House, Kings Buildings or 1590 from room phone accom.reslife@ed.ac.uk or 0 from room phone advice@eusa.ed.ac.uk or University Chaplaincy Centre, Bristo Square Student Counselling Service, Library - George Square & also at Moray House School of Education Disability Office Library - George Square Nightline Confidential Support for Students (8pm 8 am) Local Amenities/Services Banks Barclay s Bank 1 St. Andrew Square Lloyds TSB Clerk St Clydesdale Bank 30 North Bridge Halifax Bank of Scotland - 4 Bristo Square Santander Bank Bristo Square Environmental Health (Noise Pollution) Contact Centre during normal business hours After Hours Response (Thurs Fri 5:15 4 am, Sat Sun 18:00 4 am) Post offices 41 South Clerk Street 33 Forrest Road (Near top of Chambers Street) 46 St Mary s Street (Off Cowgate) Supermarkets Tesco Metro 94 Nicolson Street Sainsbury s St Giles Street (Corner of Clerk Street) Sainsbury s Cameron Toll Lidl Nicolson Street

18 If you have any queries about your accommodation or your tenancy, please contact your Accommodation Manager or a member of staff Alternatively, you can accom.reslife@ed.ac.uk