Your guide to Cordwainers Court

Contents

Welcome 4Essential contacts 5Your new address 6Transport 7

Meet your halls team 8Residence Managers 9Resident Wardens 10Out of Hours Team 11Halls Reps 12Events 13

Your area 14Interactive map 15Local amenities 16Things to do 17

Important stuff 18Rent 19Finance 20Student Services 22Additional student support 23Safety and security 25

Useful stuff 27Tips for a happy hall life 28Communal living 30Sustainability at UAL 32Useful apps 34Halls Life 36Where to eat 37Hand roasted artisan coffee 39arts shop 40

Coronavirus measures 41

In your hall 47Overview 48Bicycles 50Laundry 51Repairs 53Wi-Fi 54

In your flat 57Rubbish and recycling 58Electrical safety 59Fire safety 60Inventory 61Fridge and freezer 63Heating and hot water 64Damp 65Condensation 66Ventilation 68

What you need to do 70Subletting 71Television licence 71Proof of address 72Windows 72Vermin 72Tenancy agreement 73Noise 74Absences 75Post 76Disabilities and health concerns 78Keys 79Room move requests 80Visitors and overnight guests 82Bed linen and kitchen packs 83Code of Practice 84Complaints procedure 85Conduct 86Culture shock 87Damages and charges 89Cleaning 94Inspections 99Around your hall 100Need help? 102Arts Students’ Union 103Support 104Moving out 107

Welcome home

4

Welcome to Cordwainers Court

All of the Accommodation Services team are really excited to welcome you to your brand-new home. We hope you have an amazing time living here.

Our team is made up of Residence Managers, Halls Reps, and Accommodation Advisors. Some of our partner halls have Accommodation Managers who work for our partner companies. We are all dedicated to making sure your happiness, security and safety in halls are our top priorities.

We’ve put this guide together to help you settle in and get to know your new neighbourhood so we hope you find it useful.

Remember, you can also visit our Halls Life platform at hallslife.arts.ac.uk to read articles from fellow students about all things related to life in UAL halls.

5Essential contacts

accommodation@arts.ac.uk

+44 (0)20 7514 6240

@ual_halls

UALAccommodation

UALAccommodation

6

Your new address

Room and flat number, Cordwainers Court, 10 St. Thomas’s Square, Hackney, London, E9 7PS

7

Transport

Travel zone:

2 Nearest Tube:

Bethnal Green Nearest train station:

London Fields

Nearest bus routes:

48 55 106

277 D6 236

254 N55 N254

Student Oyster Cards:

For more information and how to apply for your discount travel card please visit tfl.gov.uk

8

Meet your halls team

9

Residence Manager Rick Troop

Residence AdministratorTrui Meyns

Residence Managers

All of our halls are staffed 24/7 and have either a Residence Manager or Accommodation Managers who run the team in each hall. This can comprise security, cleaning and maintenance staff to make sure the building is in excellent condition and to keep you safe. You’ll find them in the main office of your hall or in and around the communal areas carrying out their duties.

Your Residence Manager is Rick Troop and your Residence Administrator is Trui Meyns. You can always contact your Residence Manager if you need someone to talk to, whether it’s for advice on cleaning, where to get a nice take away, maintenance enquiries or any welfare issues you may have.

10

Residence Warden Romy

Residence WardenKira

Residence WardenRuby

Resident Wardens

Romy, Kira and Ruby are your Resident Wardens on duty Monday to Friday from 6pm – 8am and 24 hours at weekends and during holidays. They are UAL students living at Cordwainers so they will have very similar experiences to you. They are responsible for safety, security and emergencies when the other staff are away. Please note these phones will only be answered when the wardens are on duty.

Talk to us:

cordwainerscourt@arts.ac.uk

Monday – Friday (8am – 6pm):

+44 (0)20 8985 6685

Monday – Friday (6pm – 8am):

+44 (0)7736 056 739

Weekends and Holidays:

+44 (0)7736 056 739

11Out of Hours Team

Over the weekend, and between 8pm and 8am on weekday evenings, UAL halls are managed by our Out of Hours (OOH) team.

The team is led by Neil Hammond, the OOH Group Residence Manager. The team is based at Gardens House in Peckham, but travel to any hall where needed. The team are also around for a chat if ever you need any advice or help. You can find them on our IM Chat service on the accommodation website.

Group Residence Manager Neil Hammond

OOH Residence Manager Hakeem Lawal

OOH Residence Manager Zoe Seaforth

OOH Residence Manager Derec Craig

12Halls Reps

Halls Reps are students just like you who live and work in halls as part of UAL’s Social Programme. They play an important part in running events and wellbeing activities whilst making sure that all students are looked after at every stage of their journey in halls.

13Events

Your reps will run free weekly events in halls including afternoon tea and film nights in the common room, yoga and fitness classes.

You can also take part in a number of low cost day trips in the UK, theatre visits, art gallery exhibitions and other events across London.*

Tea and Talk Senior Halls Reps host weekly virtual sessions, so if you want to talk with someone one-to-one or join a group session they are there for you to help you connect with others.

Find us on social media:

@UALSocial

UALSocial

@UALSocial

*Term one may look slightly different from October 2020 but you can keep up-to-date with the latest events at bit.ly/ualsocial

Your area

Interactive mapClick here for an interactive map of your local area.

16

Local amenities

Post Office

188a Well Street, E9 6QT

Bethnal Green Police Station,

12 Victoria Park Square, E2 9NZ

Local Medical Centres

Homerton Hospital, Homerton Row, E9 6SR

Latimer Health Centre, 4 Homerton Terrace, E9 6RT

Local Banks

HSBC, 283 Mare St, E8 1PJ

Barclays, 298 Mare St, E8 1HF

Halifax, 402 Mare St, E8 1HN

Supermarkets

Lidl, 27-37 Well Street, E9 7QX

Tesco, 55 Morning Lane, E9 6ND

17

Things to do

Broadway MarketLondon Fields to Regents Canal, E8 4PH

London FieldsE8 3EU

Victoria ParkE3 5TB

Patty and Bun 2 Arthaus Building, 205 Richmond Rd, E8 3NJ

Temple of Seitan 10 Morning Lane, E9 6NA

Franco Manca52 Broadway Market, E8 4QJ

London Fields LidoLondon Fields West Side, E8 3EU

Palm Vaults411 Mare St, E8 1HY

The Dolphin 163-165 Mare Street, E8 3RH

Baxter’s Court282–284 Mare Street, E8 1HE

Important stuff

19

Rent Your rent needs to be paid into our account on the following days:

First term’s rent due:

3October 2020

(contract start date)

Second term’s rent due:

5January 2021

Third term’s rent due:

13April 2021

If there’s a delay with your student loan and this will affect your rent payments, please give us a call on +44 (0)20 7514 6240.

20

Finance Bank accountsTo open an account, most banks will ask for your passport and a copy of your tenancy agreement or a reference letter from your halls. Log into your accommodation student portal for a copy of your tenancy agreement, and get a reference letter from the staff at reception. Some banks will also need a letter from your college.

21

Finance MoneyIf money’s a worry while you’re here, you can speak to one of UAL’s Student Advisers. They can offer loads of tips, and help you find sources of funding and manage your money if the financial side of life gets difficult. You will find their contact information on the main Student Services page.

InsuranceWe suggest that you always review the insurance policy that is provided by your hall provider and take out additional coverage through Endsleigh if required. To find out more, visit endsleigh.co.uk or search ‘insurance’ at arts.ac.uk

22

Student Services

Student Services at UAL includes the Student Advice Service, the Counselling, Health Advice and Chaplaincy Service and the Disability Service.

If you ever need to speak to someone, they can offer free and confidential support. You can phone +44 (0)207 514 6250, visit the help desk at High Holborn or fill out an online form. Search ‘Student Services’ on the main UAL website for more details.

23

Additional student support

NHS

• If you are feeling unwell, request an emergency appointment. Doctors surgeries may have reduced opening hours during holiday periods. Read more about registering with a GP in this article

• In the event of an emergency, call 999 or contact the Accident and Emergency department at your local hospital. You can use the NHS website and enter your postcode to find the nearest hospital with A&E

• Call 111 for non-urgent enquiries

Samaritans

Samaritans have a helpline for people experiencing high levels of distress including suicidal feelings. Contact their 24 hour helpline on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.

They also have a drop-in centre, which is open between 9am to 9pm every day of the year and is based at 46 Marshall Street, London, W1F 9BF, near Carnaby Street.

24

Additional student support

Nightline

Nightline is a confidential listening, support and practical information service for students in London.

You can call their support line on +44(0)207 631 0101 or visit their website at nightline.org.uk.

Students Against Depression

Students Against Depression is a website offering advice, information, guidance and resources to those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking.

studentsagainstdepression.org

25

Safety and security

24 hour teamYou’ll get a key, an electronic card or fob when you first arrive at the hall, so you can get in and out of the building. 24 hour CCTV covers the inside and outside of every hall.

Fire safetyCordwainers Court meets all of the relevant fire standards. We have multiple smoke detectors and our fire alarm is tested weekly on Fridays at 10am.

If you hear the fire alarm at any other time, you must evacuate the building immediately.

26

Safety and security

Personal securityLondon is a great place to be, but we do recommend being aware of your personal safety, as we would with any other big city. We advise that you keep your valuables (cameras, phones, money) out of plain sight, so they are not visible to anyone. We also strongly advise against carrying large amounts of cash or keeping it stored in your room. If you are travelling alone, late at night please consider taking a licensed taxi. Please take a look at this article on how to be safe when travelling around London.

Useful stuff

28Tips for a happy hall life

1

Respect your flatmatesEveryone has different habits so respect each other’s living space and be as tidy as you can.

A cleaning rota is sometimes a good plan if you’re sharing a kitchen.

2

Get to know your reception staffSpeak to the team if you have any problems. They’ll be able to deal with things quickly for you.

29

3

Be careful when you’re cookingMake sure you turn the cooker off when you’ve finished and don’t leave any pans unsupervised.

4

Keep yourself and your things safeBe alert and make sure you lock your door when you’re leaving your room (and close the door behind you when you come into the building).

5

Find your nearest fire exitsYou'll be given clear instructions of your building’s fire escape plan, so memorise it and make sure you know your nearest escape route.

Tips for a happy hall life

30Communal living

You may find yourself living with people who have different lifestyles to your own.

While this can be a positive and enlightening experience, it may also prove challenging. With this in mind, we ask that you read and agree to our Communal Living Agreement...

31The Communal Living Agreement

• Be accepting and understanding of each other’s lifestyle

• Talk about your feelings: Your flatmate can’t respond or amend their behaviour if they don’t know that there is a problem

• Let your flatmates know if you are going away overnight

• Agree to contribute an equal share of any joint expenses on a regular basis by rota or other agreements and keep records of all the bills you share

• Try not to make noise that’s likely to disturb others between the hours of 11pm and 7am. This means any noise that can be heard outside your room

• Contribute equally to the cleaning of shared areas and equipment (kitchen, bathroom, toilet and corridor)

• Be considerate of other people’s living space – don’t have overnight guests (who will be using shared kitchen/bathroom facilities) without the consent of other residents in the flat and ensure you follow the guest policy as outlined in your tenancy agreement

• Ask permission before you use or borrow anything. Return anything you borrow and replace anything you break or lose

• Do not take or eat any food that is not yours

If, after trying all these strategies, you still have a problem with another resident please contact a member of your halls team, who can sit down and discuss things with you all and try and help bring about a solution.

32Sustainability at UAL

UAL is the 19th most sustainable university in the UK according to the People & Planet’s University League.

Since 2013, we’ve invested significantly to reduce our environmental impact. We have a range of policies we adhere to, engage with our students and staff, and actively monitor and manage our energy consumption.

You can find out more, including how to get involved at:

arts.ac.uk/about-ual/sustainability

Facts:

Our newest hall, Gardens House, is a finalist in the Green Gown Awards in the Campus of the Future Category.

All of UAL’s academic buildings run on 100% renewable electricity.

UAL reduced its carbon emissions by 46% from 2011 to 2017.

33Sustainability at UAL

The climate emergency is one of the most urgent problems facing society and the planet. UAL aims to use our leadership in human-centred research, teaching and knowledge exchange to influence the creation of a sustainable future for everyone.

We’ve responded by putting decarbonisation at the heart of our academic offer through three major commitments:

1 We appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeremy Till to lead the University’s response to the climate emergency. Professor Till is Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, Head of Central Saint Martins and a leading thinker on scarcity, sustainability and creativity in the built environment.

2 All academic operations are accredited on a sustainable basis through our expanded Environmental Management System. This is a first for UK Art & Design institutions and makes us one of a handful of global universities with a comprehensive measure of sustainability across all our operations and our learning, teaching and research.

3 Sustainability is a required part of the student learning experience, through the introduction of relevant learning outcomes across courses. This is accompanied by the roll-out of our carbon literacy training programme launched later this year for all academic and technical staff.

34Useful apps

CitymapperWhen using the Tube, overground rail and bus, this app provides all the best routes for getting around the city.

Download on the Apple App Store

Download on the Google Play Store

OpenTableIf you want to eat out, this app has over 4,000 bookable restaurants across the country to choose from.

Download on the Apple App Store

Download on the Google Play Store

Deliveroo If you want to stay in and enjoy the comfort of your room, Deliveroo has lots of great takeaway options.

Download on the Apple App Store

Download on the Google Play Store

35Useful apps

Time OutThis is a great app to help plan your social life. It gives information on gigs, events, bars, restaurants, club nights, film releases and much more.

Download on the Apple App Store

Download on the Google Play Store

TfL Oyster AppManage your Oyster card on the go, without relying on ticket machines at the Tube station.

Download on the Apple App Store

Download on the Google Play Store

Santander CyclesSantander Cycles are a service that allows you to rent a bike if you want to explore the city. Use this app to help you find the nearest docking stations.

Download on the Apple App Store

Download on the Google Play Store

36Halls Life

Discover Halls Life, a platform exclusively for UAL students in halls!Your one stop shop for everything related to student living including:

• A behind the scenes look at life in halls• Vlogs and blogs by fellow students• Full events schedule• Recipes• Wellbeing advice• London life hacks • Local insider tips

hallslife.arts.ac.uk

Updates are weekly, so don’t forget to save the link!

37Where to eat

UAL is the first university in the UK to receive the Gold Food for Life Catering Mark award by the Soil Association across all canteen outlets at all six of our colleges.

This means we provide fresh and delicious food and use sustainable and local suppliers wherever possible. Most of our suppliers are known in person, all the meat is locally sourced, and all eggs are free range from Staveley Farm.

Our daily offers include vegan soups, salads, meat alternatives and a wide range of baguettes, wraps, paninis and snacks.

We also serve hand-roasted artisan coffee at 12 locations in UAL.

Find us:

1. Camberwell College of Arts, Peckham Road and Wilson Road

2. Central Saint Martins, King’s Cross and Archway

3. Chelsea College of Arts

4. London College of Communication

5. London College of Fashion, JPS, Lime Grove and Mare Street

6. Wimbledon College of Arts

38Where to eat

You can find us on Instagram, where we share competitions, deals and exclusive workshops throughout the year.

@ualcatering

For the first few weeks of your stay in halls, we will be offering delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner deliveries all cooked by the same amazing chefs that work in our canteens at UAL.

To find out more, check out this article.

39Hand roasted artisan coffee

Extract coffee now available in all barista outlets at UAL. • 100% arabica artisan coffee

• Roasted on vintage machines

• Perfectly crafted and ethically sourced

During your first week at UAL, you can purchase our coffees and teas at half price. Simply head down to any café outlets and you will receive a 50% discount on all hot drinks.

This offer is valid from 19 to 25 October 2020.

@extractcoffee

@extractcoffee

40arts shop

If you’re looking for new supplies, we have nine art shops across our colleges, selling a broad range of art, design and fashion materials.

Find us

Camberwell College of Arts, Peckham Road

Central Saint Martins, King’s Cross and Archway

Chelsea College of Arts

London College of Communication

London College of Fashion, Lime Grove, Curtain Road and Mare Street

Wimbledon College of Arts

Coronavirus measuresWatch our video: keeping you safe in halls

42

Due to the current situation, you will see lots of signage around the halls to ensure that we are all following social distancing.

43

These measures include staggering arrivals so that students who need to self-isolate can arrive early wherever possible.

44We have ordered thousands of PPE to keep you safe including:

• 9 touch free hand sanitiser stations, which are placed throughout communal areas

• 5 new pedal bins

• 5000 gloves

• 8600 wipes

• 10 refillable hand sanitiser bottles.

All students and staff will be encouraged to wear face coverings in all our communal areas.

45

Our award winning Social Programme has moved online, you will now be able to take part in a range of activities from the comfort of your room.

46To make life a bit easier when you first arrive, you’ll be able to order essential items and food deliveries to your room. You can also subscribe to a cycling scheme.

In your hall

48

Overview General Each flat has a shared kitchen and bathroom.

Rooms are equipped with a single bed, wardrobe, desk, chair, shelves, chest of drawers, wash basin unit, curtains, desk lamp and rubbish bin.

There are four blocks (A, B, C and D) at Cordwainers Court, 27 flats with a total of 103 single rooms.

FacilitiesThere is a lounge and a laundry room on site, plus secure bicycle storage.

PetsNo pets are allowed in our halls.

49

Overview SecurityThe building has a security system providing key fob access, CCTV and a fire alarm system.

Smoking and vaping policyYou are not allowed to smoke or vape anywhere in the Cordwainers Court.

If you do smoke, students often gather near the laundry room in A Block, where there is a sheltered area.

ParkingVisitors’ cars can temporarily be parked outside A Block. You need to agree any parking with a member of staff before your guest arrives.

StorageThere is no additional storage available at the halls, you cannot store anything during the summer if you are moving out and returning in the next academic year.

Common roomThe common room and office is located next to A Block. You will find lots of sofas, tables and chairs as well as a TV and games console. You can use this space to work as well as to meet up with friends.

50

Bicycles There are free bicycle racks within sheltered lockable storage facilities at Cordwainers Court.

However, UAL accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to any bicycles stored in the designated area.

We advise you to buy and use suitable bike locks and to secure any additional insurance. You are also strongly advised to add lights to your bike and wear a high high visibility.

Please note that you must not leave bicycles in any part of the building other than the bike storage area. Bicycles left in bedrooms or corridors can be a hazard during an emergency evacuation and if found will be removed by the hall’s management team.

UAL students can sign up to a 9-month subscription to Brompton Bikes: bromptonsubscription.com/ual.

51

Wash from

£2.60Dry from

£1.70

Laundry The laundry room is located on the ground floor next to the Management Office and contains 2 washers and 2 dryers. The cost for a wash starts at £2.60 and £1.70 for a dry cycle (as at September 2020). To put money on your account, please download the app from Circuit laundry and follow the instructions on the walls in the laundry room: circuit.co.uk/mobile-app

Please keep the laundry room clean and free from litter and report any damage or misuse to a member of the halls team. Residents must provide their own detergent.

52

Laundry Please be considerate and make sure that you monitor your washing and remove it straight away once the wash/dry is complete so that the machines are left available for others to use.

You can see how many machines are available at any given time by checking LaundryView. Select ‘London’ as your City and ‘Cordwainers Court’ as your Halls to view availability:

circuit.co.uk/circuit-view

Whether you need advice on how to use the laundry app or doing your washing/drying, you can find information on the Circuit website to assist you at the link below:

circuit.co.uk/help-support

53

Repairs 1. To report a fault, please come to the office and fill in one of the maintenance forms.

2. The Residence Assistant will pick these up and fix things for you as soon as possible. It’s important that you log it and not just tell us in passing, as it gives us permission to carry out the repair, with a proper log it will not be forgotten.

3. If you have logged something and wonder why it has not been done yet please come and ask at the office.

4. Repairs are carried out by priority and date logged. The table below shows the response time for completing reported repairs.

Category Timescale of repair Meaning Example

Emergency repairs

Within 24 hours of being reported

A repair that is required to avoid danger to the health and safety of residents

• No power supply• Overflow of sewage

Urgent repairs

Within 5 working days of being reported

A repair that materially affects the comfort or convenience of the resident

• Broken handrail• Faulty electrical fittings

e.g. microwave

General repairs

Within 28 days of being reported

A repair that does not fall into the above two categories

• Single electrical light• Power failure within a room• Sticking doors or windows

54

Wi-Fi Wi-Fi is installed in all the flats with internet access points in each bedroom. This service is provided by Glide. Make sure you register for the home network, as this is Glide’s secure service that gives you a private VPN.

Please see below for contact information and guidance on connecting to the internet.

Step 1: Find the Glide network • Scan for available Wi-Fi networks and

select Glide.

• If you can’t see the Glide network, please select ‘Glide_2.4’. If your device displays both network names ‘Glide’ and ‘Glide_2.4’ then please continue to connect to the Glide network as this is optimised for your device.

Continued...

55

Wi-Fi Step 2: Select your service Free: • For our free broadband product,

click ‘register’.

• You will automatically be redirected to a login page.

Upgraded: • If your residence has upgrade options

available and you would like to purchase an upgrade, click the basket next to the product of your choice.

• Review your order and click continue.

Step 3: Log in or create account • If you’re an existing user, log in using

your username and password. If you’re a new user, click ‘create account’.

• Complete all fields and choose a memorable username and password.

• Accept the terms and conditions by clicking ‘I accept’.

Continued...

56

Wi-Fi Step 4: Set up a payment if you want to use extra services • If the services selected require payment

you will be asked to enter your billing details.

• Click ‘pay now’ to accept terms and conditions.

Step 5: Start browsing • If registration has been successful, a

confirmation screen will be displayed and you will be logged in automatically.

• You will receive an email confirming your username.

For more information click the link below:

my.glidestudent.co.uk/support

In your flat

58

Rubbish and recycling

In your kitchen you will find two bins; one for general waste and one for recyclable items. These need to be emptied by you into the bins outside A block.

Please do not leave full bin bags near the bins, stacked up in the kitchen, in your bedroom or on landings. Full bin bags left out are a food source for vermin.

Items that can be recycled are:• cardboard and paper• household plastic packaging• mixed glass• food and drink cans• aerosols and foil

All recyclable goods can be mixed up together; there is no need to separate them. In your kitchen the mixed recycling bin is green and the general waste bin is blue.

For the large bins outside A block, the mixed recycling bins have orange lids and the general waste bins have black lids.

59

Electrical safety

Please make sure you read our article on electrical safety on Halls Life.

If you do not follow these guidelines, your Residence Manager may confiscate items from you.

This is for the safety of all students at Cordwainers Court.

60

Fire safety Please make sure you read our fire safety article on Halls Life and remember the following:

• Do not tamper with any fire-fighting equipment at any time

• Do not cover up smoke detectors in your flats

• Anyone found doing this will be immediately disciplined under the student code and Tenancy Agreement and could be asked to leave the hall. You could also be reported to the Fire Authority who may take legal action against you

• If you hear a beeping noise in your flat please report it to the office, as it means a battery needs changing

• Fire blankets used to cover a small kitchen fire are available in your shared kitchen. Only use these in case of an emergency. Please let us know immediately if you use the fire blanket so that we can replace it

• Your fire assembly point is opposite the park on Mare Street

61

Inventory Please refer to the inventory list overleaf for what is provided in your accommodation. You will need to complete your inventory within 48 hours of your arrival.

This is extremely important and is your opportunity to let us know the condition of items in your room and flat communal areas when you arrive.

Failure to list damaged or missing items on the inventory may incur charges when the areas are inspected throughout your stay with us.

62

Inventory list

Category Item

Access and security

• Door keys• Fobs• Post box

White goods (in studio flat)

• Iron• Ironing board • Kettle• Toaster• Microwave• Oven• Hob• Fridge• Freezer

Bathroom • Toilet seat

Kitchen • Kitchen bins• Mop and bucket• Flooring• Worktop• Table• Chairs

Fire safety equipment

• Fire extinguisher• Fire blanket• Fire break glass• Fire detectors

Category Item

Bedroom • Mattress• Study chair• Bed base• Wardrobe• Study desk• Desk lamp• Mirror

Communal area • Vacuum cleaner

Other • Signage• Window or door

glass• Replace carpet• Carpet clean room• Carpet clean

corridor• Curtain

replacement• Door lock• Damage to wall• Damage to door• Damage to

sockets

63

Fridge and freezer

• Clean your fridge and defrost your freezer regularly.

• Wrap raw or uncooked food before refrigerating it.

• Do not overload fridges and freezers, and make sure the doors are closed properly.

How to defrost your freezer 1. Turn the appliance off at the wall.

2. Where possible move food over to the other appliance to keep it cold.

3. Wait for the ice to melt and use the mop to remove water to prevent a flood in the kitchen and flats below! Use old towels and newspapers to help soak up the water.

4. Once it has defrosted fully, wipe the surface with water, dry off and then switch back on.

5. Once cold again the food can be placed back inside.

64

Heating and hot water

Your accommodation is fitted with radiators in the kitchen and bedrooms. The temperature is controlled by a thermostat. If you are too hot, just close the radiator valve to turn the heating off. If you are too cold, come to the office and fill in a maintenance form stating when you were cold (day of the week plus time of the day) and when you would like the temperature in your flat to be higher.

The heating is set to switch on and off at certain times. It is lower during the day during the week when most students are not around and at night when you are in bed sleeping.

The hot water is also provided by a boiler per flat except in D block where there is a central system dedicated to D block. Heating too is set for the whole of D block.

65

Damp As the weather turns colder, condensation and mould can form more easily. If you have noticed that areas of your flat and/or room are being affected by condensation or mould, this is not as a result of problems with the building. You will need to take steps to prevent and remove condensation build up. This will in turn prevent the growth of mould.

We do not want students to be charged for damage caused by mould growth and damp, which is why we are including this advice and guidance in your welcome guide.

66

Condensation There is always some moisture in the air, even if you cannot see it. If air gets cold, it cannot hold all the moisture produced by everyday activities and some of this moisture appears as tiny droplets of water, most noticeable on windows on a cold morning. This is condensation. It can also be seen on mirrors when you have a bath or shower, and on cold surfaces such as tiles or cold walls and ceilings.

Top tip: We advise that you remove any condensation build up by opening the blinds and wiping dry your windows and windowsills every morning, as well as surfaces in the kitchen or bathroom that have become wet. Wring out the cloth in a sink rather than drying it in the room, otherwise the water vapour will go straight back into the air in the building.

67

Condensation The main factors that cause condensation in a property are:

• Too much moisture being produced

• Not enough ventilation

• Cold surfaces

• Temperature

• You need to look at all of these factors to cure a condensation problem

How to lower condensation: Wash and dry your clothing and any other items using the washers and dryers provided at Cordwainers Court. Do not hang wet items and/or dry clothes in your rooms. These are small confined spaces and the washing and drying facilities are there for a reason. It is also a fire hazard to cover the radiators in your flat.

Always cook with pan lids on and turn the heat down once the water has boiled. Only use the minimum amount of water for cooking vegetables.

68

Ventilation • Ventilation dramatically helps to reduce condensation by removing moist air from your flat and room by replacing it with drier air from outside

• You should be opening your window in your room for a minimum of 30 minutes each day. This time may need to be increased depending on how you use your room

• Open your window in your kitchen when cooking or washing up

• Please use your cooker extractor fans provided. Immediately report if your extractor fan within your bathroom or kitchen stops working and we will come and repair it as soon as possible

• In addition to the extractors, your bathrooms will also need ventilating for 20 minutes a day. We would recommend that you do this at the same time as you ventilate the rest of the room so that any steam within the room will leave via the window

• Open windows during the day when you are in to allow air into the room. There is a risk of black mould otherwise

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Ventilation • To reduce the risk of mildew on clothes and other stored items, do not overfill wardrobes, cupboards and underbed storage, as it restricts air circulation in these areas

• Keep a small gap between large pieces of furniture and the walls if you have added additional items of furniture that are not fixed into place

Temperature inside the property: Warm air can hold more moisture than cooler air, which is more likely to deposit droplets of condensation around your living space. Heating one room to a high level and leaving other rooms cold makes condensation worse in the unheated rooms.

Remember: the only lasting cure for mould is to reduce the amount of condensation you are creating by using the heating more and ventilating the flat areas effectively. It’s that simple.

If you do discover mould growth, please report this to the office immediately. Please do not attempt to treat it yourselves.

What you need to do

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Subletting You are not permitted to sublet your room to someone else. If you would like us to swap the contract over to another student then please see the section: moving out. Strangers found in the building will be questioned and if someone who is not a resident is found with a fob, they will be asked to leave and the fob will be retained or disabled.

Television licence

Students who are living in halls of residence and who watch live TV and BBC iPlayer must have their own TV licence. For further info visit tvlicensing.co.uk.

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Proof of address

The Accommodation Services team can provide you with a proof of address when you move into your accommodation. Please contact your halls team at cordwainerscourt@arts.ac.uk to request a reference.

Windows To find out more information on how to use the windows within your room and flat, please take a look at this article.

Vermin To find out more information on vermin please take a look at this article.

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Tenancy agreement

It’s really important that you check your tenancy agreement, which is hosted on your UAL accommodation portal.

You have signed this so it is good to know what rules you should be following.

To view a copy or access your tenancy agreement, log in to your UAL accommodation portal. Once you have done this, check the academic year is correct, click on the ‘When you Arrive’ tab and then the ‘Review Tenancy Agreement’ icon.

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Noise All residents and our neighbours should be able to enjoy their accommodation without harassment from others, or disturbance from noise or nuisance.

Please try to be aware of all the people around you and be extra considerate when playing music, TV or video games, especially when others may be trying to study or sleep. You are also responsible for the behaviour of your guests.

If you need any assistance with a noisy neighbour please contact the office Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm or the warden on +44(0)773 605 6739 outside office hours.

PartiesWe want you to have fun whilst staying with us, but parties can quickly get out of control and can result in you annoying or upsetting staff and/or your neighbours. If you want to have a party you should first speak to a member of the site team about your party plans. You will be requested to complete a Party Application Form; please allow 5 working days ahead of your planned event.

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Absences This is your home for the next year and you are free to come and go as you please. If you plan on going away, please advise your halls team when you are leaving and when you plan to return to the building.

If you are going away for a week or longer, please be aware that the team will need to enter into your room once a week to carry out weekly flushing of outlets (this means that they will run your taps, shower and flush your toilet to reduce the risk of Legionella).

You should also let us know if you are concerned that a friend or flatmate has not been seen for some time.

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Post Whenever you receive mail or a parcel that requires a signature we are happy to take this for you.

We will take mail and parcels on your behalf during the office opening hours (Mon–Fri 8am to 6pm) depending on availability of staff. The items will be stored safely while awaiting collection. You will be notified of this delivery via a notice in your mailbox. Please check if there is any post for you on a regular basis as space is limited.

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Post Terms and conditionsWe will not accept anything we think may contain offensive, dangerous, illegal or illicit material, or a parcel too large for us to store, or perishable goods.

We will do our best to look after parcels, but in the unlikely event of something going wrong, we will not be liable for any damage or loss of a parcel. We will not take liability for the condition the parcel arrives in or any mishandling from third parties.

You will indemnify us for any liability we may suffer or incur as a result of taking delivery of any parcel addressed to you.

We may stop accepting parcels for you if you are in breach of the terms and conditions set out in your tenancy agreement with us.

In this guide when we say “we” and/or “us”, we mean UAL employees, including student wardens.

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Disabilities or other health concerns

The Cordwainers Court Building has a number of disabled adaptable rooms. The Management Team can design PEEPs (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans) for disabled residents, and if approached, General Emergency Evacuation Plans for residents’ disabled visitors.

If you have any health concerns at the start or during your stay with us, please come and speak with a member of the team so that we can assist you, make any necessary adjustments and where required put a PEEP in place.

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Keys All residents are provided with an electronic key fob used to enter their block and the communal areas, and a flat door key (which is also the room key) and a post box key.

If you lose your keys or lock yourself out please contact the office between 8am and 6pm or call the warden between 6pm and 8am on +44(0)773 6056739. If you lose your key, a member of staff will issue you with a replacement key for which a charge will be added to your UAL account.

You should never give or loan your key to another person. Anyone found in possession of a key that is not the contract holder will be asked to leave the building and the key will be retained and the fob will be disabled. Should this happen, the contract holder will be subject to disciplinary action as per the terms and conditions of their tenancy with us.

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Room move requests

If you have any special requirements regarding your room allocation, please come and speak with your site team.

No guarantee can be given that all requests will be met, however, requests on medical grounds will be given priority.

If you wish to be considered for a room move please complete a ‘Room Move’ form by logging into your accommodation portal. Check at the top of the screen that you are looking at the correct academic year if you have stayed in halls for longer than one year.

You will then need to click on the ‘When you arrive’ tab and the ‘Room Move’ icon, complete and submit the form.

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Room move requests

Please note that an internal transfer or ‘room swap’ request cannot be considered before 31 October, and there is an administration charge of £50 for any room move to cover additional cleaning and administration costs.

We will consider a hall transfer request providing there are demonstrable strong and compelling reasons. However, it should be noted that an inter-hall transfer cannot be guaranteed because the halls are often full. There will also be a £50 administration charge with this room move request. Please speak to a member of the hall’s management team for more information and guidance.

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Visitors and overnight guests

During Term 1, no visitors and overnight guests will be allowed in halls. This is to ensure we are following the latest government guidance regarding Coronavirus and social distancing.

We will be keeping students updated throughout their stay should this guidance change. You should never give someone else your key and you should reside there at the time your guests are staying. If you’re not, then this is classed as subletting and not allowed under the terms of your contract.

Anyone found in possession of a key that is not under contract with us will be asked to leave, the key will be confiscated and the contracted resident will be contacted.

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Bed linen and kitchen packs

If you want to take the hassle out of travelling with all of your stuff, you can order all of your essential items with our partner’s UniKitOut and have them delivered straight to your hall’s bedroom for when you arrive.

Find out more in this article on Halls Life.

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Code of Practice

The Housing Act 2004 introduced licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in England and Wales. Student accommodation is exempt from licensing as long as the hall is signed up to one of the Codes of Practice approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

The criteria in the Code have been chosen to reflect a balance of common-sense obligations and responsibilities between the managers of larger student accommodation buildings and tenants and to set benchmark standards which are achievable by managers. Compliance with the Code ensures that both managers and tenants enjoy the benefit of good standards of housing management and practice, misunderstandings and disputes are reduced and where problems do occur they are promptly resolved.

The Cordwainers Court Building is signed up to the ANUK Code of Practice. Further information about the Code can be found at anuk.org.uk

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Complaints procedure

If you have a complaint related to the service you receive from us then we would like to know about it so we can try to resolve it for you.

If you do want to tell us about something then please, in the first instance, come and speak to a member of the site team in person and we will do all we can to help.

Check out this article for handy info on how to make a complaint.

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Conduct Whether in halls of residence or elsewhere, you must not behave in a way which will, or would be likely to, bring the name of the University into disrepute. In the interests of safety and security and the wellbeing of other residents, we request that you understand and comply with your contractual obligations. Behaviour that represents a serious or persistent breach of the tenancy agreement could result in your tenancy agreement being terminated.

Breach of any of the regulations will make you liable to disciplinary action. Breach of some of these regulations may also constitute a criminal offence and it is our policy to report such matters to the police. For further information as to what constitutes a breach please refer to your Tenancy Agreement in the student portal.

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Culture shock

Leaving home, whether it be from this country or overseas, can be very stressful, but do not worry as this is quite normal. Many of you will be experiencing various degrees of culture shock.

Culture shock is the impact of moving away from the familiar to the unfamiliar. You can be affected by climate, food, language, dress, social roles, rules of behaviour and values. Some of the symptoms you may experience are headaches, stomach aches, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping etc. The time it takes to settle into your new environment may vary.

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Culture shock

The following advice may help:

• It’s normal to experience this; chat with others to see how they feel

• Keep in touch with home

• Have familiar things around you such as photographs

• Eat properly. If you do not like the new culture’s food, find a supplier of familiar food

• Exercise regularly

• Find out about the many different services and societies the University has to offer e.g. Student Services, Student Union, Chaplaincy, etc

• Do not isolate yourself; there is plenty of help available. Start by contacting a member of staff at the hall.

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Damages and charges

We want you to receive your full £250 deposit back at the end of your contract, so here are some tips on how to achieve this:

• Keep the place clean and tidy and if you spill something clean it up straight away. Set up a flat cleaning rota with your flatmates and stick to it

• Do not overload the fridge door shelves or freezer compartments as these will crack

• Defrost freezers regularly

• Use a bottle opener, not table edges, to open bottles

• Do not put hot pans down on the work surfaces; use a pot stand or heat resistant mat

• Use a chopping board for chopping food

• Do not force windows past their natural opening capacity or remove any restrictors

• Be careful with hair dye as this will stain your bathroom floor, etc

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Damages and charges

• Do not smoke inside the building or use candles or other items with a naked flame. Smoking includes normal cigarettes, e-cigarettes, shisha pipes or other devices designed or intended to be used for creating or inhaling smoke or vapour

• Use the mattress protector provided to help protect your mattress

• Use the cutting mat to protect your desk top

• Use the workshop for your college work

• Do not stick anything on your walls; use the notice boards only. Blue and white tack, tape, including masking tape, and even tapes that state ‘no-marking’ will cause marks

• If something is damaged or missing when you move in please make sure you cover yourself by noting it on your inventory

• Take dated photos

• If you missed something off your inventory when you first completed it, ask for it to be amended. Don’t leave it too much longer as it might not be considered

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Damages and charges

• Report maintenance needs as you see them; don’t leave it for someone else to report or for it to get worse. You log maintenance by filling in a Maintenance form and putting it in the mailbox at the office

• Pay any charges you do incur straight away

If something gets damagedIt is important for you to notify us of any damage or items that go missing as soon as you notice it or are the one directly responsible.

There is usually a cost implication involved to repair or replace things, so it is good to get the matter investigated as soon as possible. If it can be attributed to the person/s concerned it leads to less upset and bad feelings between flatmates. If it cannot be attributed to the person/s involved then the cost is shared amongst you all.

Please do not attempt to repair or replace any items yourself or arrange for a third party to repair on your behalf, as additional costs could be incurred as a result.

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Damages and charges

Unfortunately, things can and do get broken, and although we won’t charge you if it really was an accident, sometimes we may have to pass on a cost. In order that you are fully aware of any possible future charges you could incur whilst living here we have put together a list of damage, replacement and cleaning costs that relate to this site. This can be viewed online at Halls Life.

The reason we are giving this to you now is that we believe that honesty is the best policy and we like to be as up front as we can about these costs from the start so that there are no nasty surprises further down the line. As per your Tenancy Agreement, when you sign and accept your offer of accommodation you also accept these cost implications.

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Damages and charges

We hope this is a complete list but we reserve the right to add any items we have not included. We will provide the resident with an invoice for these items.

Please note these prices are a guide and correct as of August 2020 and relate to 20/21 tenancy agreements. Should replacement, repair or cleaning costs differ from the above, the Cordwainers Management Team will invoice the tenant accordingly.

How to pay If you wish to view your accommodation finance account or pay charges, please log into your UAL accommodation portal. Make sure the academic year is correct, click ‘When you arrive’ and then ‘View/Pay Statement’. This will bring up your statement and should show outstanding charges to be paid. Tick the box next to the charge you wish to pay and then click ‘Pay’ and follow links through.

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Cleaning Residents are expected to clean their own rooms and everyone in the flat has a shared responsibility for cleaning the kitchen, bathroom and all communal areas of the flat.

In your kitchens, you will find a dustpan and brush, a mop and bucket, a vacuum cleaner and an iron and ironing board.

We suggest that you create a kitchen cleaning rota at your earliest opportunity to avoid cleaning charges which will be incurred if the Management Team is obliged to arrange professional cleaning.

If you want help with setting up a cleaning rota or would like a compulsory one put in place please ask your Residence Manager. An example of a compulsory rota can be found online at Halls Life.

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Cleaning It is the responsibility of all in the flat to share the flat cleaning. The cleaning standards we look for during inspections are:

• Table and chairs – clean and tidy and free from rubbish and clutter

• Carpet – vacuumed and free from rubbish, clutter and dust. Skirting boards dust free

• Kitchen floor – clean, free from debris and spillages

• Pots, pans, plates and cutlery – washed up and stacked neatly or put away

• Sinks (includes draining boards) – clear of food debris and washing up and clean; not stained or with limescale buildup

• Worktops – (includes cupboard door and drawer fronts) tidy and free from food debris, spillages and marks

• Ovens – clean and free from food debris and burnt on food; this includes the oven shelves and trays

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Cleaning • Hobs – clean; free from grease, food debris and burnt on food around and on the rings. The splashback wall behind should be clean and free from grease and food splashes. The extractor hood above should also be free from grease and dust

• Microwave – clean inside and out; don’t forget the ceiling of the microwave inside; there should be no food debris or spillages

• Fridges – clean inside and out; no rotting food, free from dirty marks and spillages, especially water puddling under the salad drawers; smell free

• Freezers clean inside and out and frost free; free from food spillages and dirty marks; no food debris in the door handle recess

• Bins clean on the inside and outside; lid on and not overflowing with rubbish; recently emptied

• Rubbish & Recycling – Empty, no rubbish lying around; get rid of empty bottles, pizza boxes, etc

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Cleaning • Walls – clean; free from marks and spillages

• Bathroom – shower – clean and free from scum, drain free from hair and scum, walls clean, taps clean and free from limescale, shower head clean

• Bathroom – sinks including taps – clean and free from limescale build up, inside and out

• Bathroom – floors – clean, dry and free from marks

• Bathroom – bins – clean inside and out, empty

• Toilets – clean and free from odours, limescale build up and any other marks, inside and out

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Cleaning DamageAlthough the above process is for keeping the flats to an acceptable level of tidiness and cleanliness, we will also note any maintenance, damage or missing items on the same form, and then email all in the flat for information, with a cost price to repair or replace the item if necessary.

If something is damaged or missing when you move in please make sure you cover yourself by noting it on your inventory.

Any maintenance jobs required should be notified by filling in a maintenance request at the office.

It is important for you to notify us of any damage or items that go missing as soon as you notice it or are the one directly responsible. There is usually a cost implication involved to repair or replace things, so it is good to get the matter investigated as soon as possible.

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Inspections Every month staff from Cordwainers Court will inspect your flat. This is primarily to check that the kitchens, bathrooms and all communal areas are being kept clean and tidy.

1. Flat inspections will be carried out every month

2. There are 20 areas inspected and if you fail 5 you fail the inspection. See standards and areas on page 95

3. If you fail the inspection, then the flat is re-inspected a few days later. All areas are re-inspected, not just the previous failures

4. If you fail again contract cleaners will be hired and failed flats cleaned

5. There is a charge of £25.00 per person for cleaning the communal areas of a flat, the cost will be advised via an email, and this is split between all residents in the flat, unless you all agree to a different split. Charges are raised on your accommodation account at the end of the month for payment.

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Around your hall

DoctorsIt is extremely important for you to register with a local doctor (GP) as soon as you arrive. Don’t wait until you are unwell as it may not be possible to be seen immediately if you are not registered. Please find out more information about registering with a GP here.

Sports and leisure facilities There is a Lido (open air swimming pool) in London Fields, for more information click here.

The nearest leisure centres are: King’s Hall Leisure Centre, Queensbridge Sports and Community Centre and York Hall Leisure Centre at Bethnal Green, for more information visit better.org.uk.

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Around your hall

DentistsYou can register with a dentist on arrival at the hall. Please talk to a member of staff to find out where the local dentists are located or visit nhs.uk.

Opening a bank account Please read this handy article to find out how and why you need to open a bank account.

Being safePlease take a look at this article on how to be safe when travelling around London.

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Need help? Accidents and emergencies For information on what to do in an emergency, please take a look at this useful article.

First aid We recommend you bring your own first aid kit with you. In an emergency we do have a staff first aid box at the office and can give you plasters/bandages, however it is our policy that we do not administer first aid on site and as such, we will not provide assistance with putting plasters and bandages on.

Please report any accidents and injuries to the office and we will assist and guide you to the appropriate medical or emergency services.

Please let your halls’ team know about any accident or injury in the residence.

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Arts Students’ Union

The University of the Arts London Students’ Union is an independent student orientated organisation. The Union is there to represent your rights as a student as well as to organise many student societies and leisure activities. They have bars and representatives at each college site but their main office is also based on the first floor:

Arts Students’ Union272 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7EY

arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/students-union

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Support If you have any concerns about your own welfare or the welfare of another resident and require support, please contact your Residence Manager. Their contact details can be found at the beginning of this handbook. You can book a face-to-face, physically distanced or a virtual video 1-1 meeting with your Residence Manager to discuss any worries you might have and the support available to you.

Important note: If you have any urgent concerns about your own welfare or that of another student whilst at the hall and this is an emergency that requires immediate attention, please contact the 24 hour Cordwainers Court staff number on +44(0)773 056739.

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Support Wider support at UALWe have a fully trained team of Counsellors, Health Advisers and Chaplains available to support you. Information about how you can self-refer to book an appointment with one of our professionals, external support, wellbeing workshops and events, can be found here.

Our UAL Chaplaincy service also runs free 20 minute meditation sessions.

SU Companion SchemeOur Arts SU Companion Scheme offers you the opportunity to be matched and meet with like-minded students. Further details can be found here.

Money and immigrationIf you are experiencing any money worries or have any immigration queries or concerns, please contact our Student Advice team for more information about financial assistance, bursaries, funding, immigration and visas.

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Support Disabilities, impairments and learning disordersIf you would like to discuss any queries, concerns or support with disabilities, impairments and learning disorders, please contact our Disability and Dyslexia Team.

UAL Arts SU Advice teamOur UAL Arts SU Advice team offer support with all sorts of queries and provide advice on academic processes, financial and legal issues, UAL sports clubs and societies.

University Mediation serviceThe University Mediation service can help resolve concerns relating to alleged discrimination, bullying or harassment that arise between students or between students and staff. To find out more about mediation or to explore other ways to resolve conflict, contact: resolutions@arts.ac.uk or telephone +44(0)20 7514 9866.

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Moving out Your tenancy is for a fixed period. You need to know your departure date. If you do not know your departure date then please refer to your tenancy agreement where it will be stated.

If you are still unsure then you can speak to a member of the site team who will be happy to assist. It may not be possible to extend your stay but where possible the site team will do their best to assist you. Please take a look at our handy checkout guide, ahead of your departure.

Moving out before the end of your contract You will remain liable for the rental fee until a replacement resident is found. You are responsible for finding a suitable replacement tenant. This tenant must be a UAL student in full time education not already living in halls. UAL will provide reasonable assistance in finding a replacement tenant dependent on available people looking for accommodation at the time your early release is submitted.

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Continued...

Moving out If you wish to move out early you must submit an Early Release Request to inform us of your intention by logging into your UAL online portal.

Check at the top of the screen that you are looking at the correct academic year if you have stayed in halls for longer than one year. You will then need to click on the ‘When you arrive’ tab and the ‘Early Releases’ icon, complete and submit the form. If you find a suitable replacement tenant please email your student ID and theirs through to accommodation@arts.ac.uk and ask for the contract to be signed over from a specific date.

You will need to leave at least three working days (Monday to Friday) between you moving out and them arriving to give the hall staff time to get the room ready again. Once the new tenant moves in your contract will be finalised. Any refunds are issued to the cards that made the initial payments within 28 days of the end of the contract.

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Moving out Landlord references When you move out of halls and into private accommodation, you may be asked for a landlord reference. Most agencies are happy to email your Residence Manager for one, so please give them your Residence Manager’s email address. If it is a private landlord then you can request a letter directly from your Residence Manager. Please expect at least a 48 hours turnaround time.

It will not be possible for us to issue a comprehensive reference stating that your account is up to date and there are no rental or cleaning/damage charge arrears unless you have paid all monies due to the University. Please bear in mind that most reference agencies require this assurance so it is in your interest to clear your account promptly.

If you need help with finding private accommodation or checking contracts please visit the private accommodation section on the UAL website. You can also speak with or email our Private Accommodation Advisor on +44(0)207 514 6240 or private.accom@arts.ac.uk.

Produced by Accommodation Services. Published by University of the Arts London. All information correct at the time of publication. University of the Arts London is not responsible for the content of external websites. © University of the Arts London 2020. For a digital plain text version of the guide please email us at accommodation@arts.ac.uk