Every Monday, firstpoint publishes five points about a topic related to life at university. This week, information about accommodation, whether in halls or private housing…
POINT ONE: UNIVERSITY MANAGED ACCOMMODATION…
The Accommodation Team can give advice and information on all practical matters with regards to living on or off campus. The team aims to help you enjoy your time at University by providing you with help on any queries you might have about your accommodation, right from moving in day to handing keys back at the end of the year.
During term time, you can visit them at their “hub” on the St John’s Campus, located in the middle of the halls of residence village. The Hub is open Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 8:00pm (with Accommodation staff available until 4:30pm and the Residential Life Team available until 8:00pm) and Saturday-Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm (staffed by the Residential Life Team).
You can also contact the Accommodation team by phoning 01905 855300 or emailing Accommodationteam@worc.ac.uk during normal office hours.
POINT TWO: PRIVATE HOUSING…
The University works closely with private landlords and Worcester City Council to ensure all student shared private residences are accredited and meet with current legislation. Sometimes you may have issues with your landlord or might have concerns about your accommodation. Our Academic and Welfare Advisers at the Students’ Union can offer you appropriate help and advice.
Please use the Students’ Union online enquiry form to arrange a meeting with their Academic and Welfare Adviser if you would like to access any help or advice regarding private accommodation issues.
The Students’ Union also has lots of advice on the SU webpage with useful information about private rented housing.
POINT THREE: REPORT BREAKAGES AND FAULTS…
If something is not working in your University managed accommodation, we have a handy team of maintenance staff who will come and fix it for you. You’ll need to log a Maintenance Request to inform them.
Go to your MyDay page, select the ‘Facilities Helpdesk’ icon and then select from the options available to describe the issue. The system should know where you live, all you need to do is tell us what type of problem you have. You can also use this system to report damage or breakages. Log a Maintenance Request on the portal and they will be able to organise a replacement for you.
We’ve all accidentally broken something in our time, so try not to worry, but please do make sure to report it as soon as possible!
The same goes for privately rented accommodation. Make sure you report any damages to your landlord or agent as soon as it happens! It can also be very helpful to keep a photographic record of what has happened, especially if it may get worse over time, such as damp or water damage.
POINT FOUR: COMMUNAL LIVING…
For many students, moving away to University may be the first time you have had to live with new people and share your space. Communal living requires a certain standard of reasonable and responsible behaviour. If you need help navigating any issues that might arise, from sharing out the cleaning duties fairly to dealing with late night noise complaints, have a look at the Student Support and Wellbeing’s Living Well with Flatmates webpage, or contact us here at firstpoint.
It’s also important to remember that, during your time in student accommodation, you are also part of the Worcester Community and our Living Well in the Worcester community page can help you with extra considerations to be a good neighbour!
Don’t forget that our Security team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can help with any late-night issues or worries. You can contact them on 01905 855000 or email security@worc.ac.uk and they will help resolve the situation.
POINT FIVE: DON’T RENT YET…
If you’re thinking about next year, don’t feel pressured to choose and commit to a house (or your housemates). There is plenty of time to look around and a lot may change in the next few months! Make sure you take your time and consider all your options first. also take time to really check your contract and find out more about your letting agent if applicable.
On the Students’ Union housing webpage, you can find a link and password for StudentPad, which will give you access to a whole range of accredited properties and landlords. Their advice service can help you with issues you may have with your housing and provide guidance about contracts, and they have also created an informative housing guide.
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