Living in London - University of Roehampton

Transcription

on
Lond
n
i
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Livin
international accommodation
guide
Introduction
Contents
The aim of this booklet is to provide you with information
about accommodation both on the University campus and
off campus in the local area. London is one of the world’s
most exciting and cosmopolitan cities, and as a Roehampton
student you will be well placed to enjoy everything the city
has to offer. You will be joining a community of eight million
people where over 300 languages are spoken. We hope that
by the end of your studies you will feel as much a Londoner
as those who have spent all their lives here!
On-campus accommodation....................................... 5
2 www.roehampton.ac.uk/accommodation
2
Applying for on-campus accommodation............... 15
Campus map............................................................... 20
Off-campus accommodation.................................... 23.
www.roehampton.ac.uk/international 3
On-campus
accommodation
Contact information
On-campus Accommodation Office
Tel: +44(0)20 8392 3166 | Email: [email protected]
International Office
Email: [email protected]
On-campus Accommodation
nMake
nLive
n
Feel part of a collegiate community
nLive
n
new friends easily
in a safe and secure environment
near classes and facilities
Know your accommodation costs in advance,
and therefore budget effectively
The University of Roehampton comprises of four Colleges – Digby
Stuart, Froebel, Southlands and Whitelands – on which our accommodation is centred. Roehampton has Student Welfare Officers, Residential
Wardens and student-appointed College Deputy Presidents on-hand.
Studying at a collegiate university gives students a sense of community
– you are not only part of the University, but will also have an instant
identity within the smaller world of the College.
Most students can choose the College in which they want to live. Most
students opt to live on the part of the campus where their course is based.
Living on campus is a sociable experience – you’ll have the opportunity
to meet and mix with students from all over the world. You should be
prepared to be tolerant of other people and cultures, and understand
that you’re living in a community environment. Most students who live
on campus are aged 18–22 and the atmosphere is often lively. However,
accommodation in a quieter environment is available for postgraduate
and mature students.
Eating and shopping
Room and location options
n
You have a wide choice of room types and locations
(subject to availability).
nAll
rooms are single occupation and the average room size is
10–12 square metres.
See our on-campus accommodation options on our website:
www.roehampton.ac.uk/accommodation
Unfortunately there is no on-campus accommodation available
for families but our Accommodation Office can help families find
off-campus accommodation.
We will consider all requests (such as single-sex accommodation or
ground floor location) subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
Students with disabilities
30 rooms across campus have adapted facilities for disabled students
and those with long-term medical conditions. If you have any requirements relating to a disability or long-term medical condition, please
contact the Accommodation Office as soon as possible to ensure that
these are fully in place before arrival.
During the day there are numerous cafes and restaurants on campus
where you can buy sandwiches, salads and hot lunches. In the evening, most students cook for themselves using their shared kitchen
facilities. There is a small shop on campus that sells basic provisions,
but most students buy their weekly provisions at one of the local
shops in Roehampton, at the nearby Asda supermarket or on the High
Street in Putney, which is just 10 minutes away by bus.
Length of contract
Generally on-campus accommodation is leased for the entire
academic year, however, it is possible to apply to live on campus if
you are only studying for one semester or one term (please see How
to Apply). If you have accommodation for the full academic year then
your contract will include the Christmas and Easter vacations.
Security
The Roehampton campus is a safe place to live, but you should take
all the usual precautions to safeguard your belongings and person.
Make sure you lock your door when away from your room, do not
leave personal possessions unsecured and remember to keep your
room key unlabelled and in a safe place. Security staff are present
on campus 24 hours a day and have a special emergency extension
(3333) should you need to reach them urgently.
Kitchen area
Cost of living on campus
Depending on your choice of accommodation the costs vary between
£100–130 per week.
Included in the accommodation fee:
nheating
nlighting
nwater
n internet connection
n electrical testing for your appliances
n contents insurance.
You will receive a bedding bundle for £20, which will be added to
your accommodation cost. The bundle includes duvet and cover,
sheet, pillow and slip, mattress cover and University-approved fused
electrical adaptor.
All student accommodation at Roehampton is self-catered. A kitchen
will be available for you to use in your flat or hall. You can also purchase
meals from the dining halls and cafes located across the four Colleges.
Your kitchen area is shared and the equipment includes:
ncooker/stove
nmicrowave
nfridge
nfreezer
nkettle
ntoaster
n
food storage space
Cooking utensils, cutlery, and crockery are not provided but can
be purchased before you arrive and delivered to the university by
All-Unied (www.all-unied.com) or you can buy these locally.
Common areas of accommodation will be cleaned by domestic staff,
but you are expected to clean your own room and do your own
washing up of kitchen utensils, cutlery and crockery.
Your room
All rooms include:
a single bed
nwardrobe
ndesk
nchair
nshelving
n wash hand basin
n
Other facilities on campus
nLaundry
nCash
facilities are located near all the accommodation sites
machine at Santander branch and Froebel Diner
n Gym,
sports hall, and an outdoor games area for basketball,
football etc
n Flat/Hall
Representatives in each area to help you settle in
nMedical
Centre
n Students’
n 24-hour
Union, which stages social events and offers welfare advice
security
nCafeterias,
10
diners and coffee bars
11
Budgeting
How much you spend on living expenses will, to a large extent, depend on the kind of lifestyle you choose and where you live. You will
need to budget for food and drink along with items such as books,
travel, telephone, entertainment, clothes, laundry fees and other
household expenses.
Accommodation contracts
You are required to sign a licence agreement for your accommodation. This is a legally binding document that commits you to the room
financially for the period stated. You will only be released from your
contract if you withdraw from the University or you find another suitable student to fill your room.
Rental periods
We offer a variety of accommodation contracts:
n
38 weeks for undergraduate students
n
48 weeks for postgraduate students and mature students.
All contract lengths include the Christmas and Easter vacations, so
it is possible for you to remain in the room or store your belongings
there during these times. If you are studying for a single term/semester, accommodation is subject to availability.
www.roehampton.ac.uk/international
APPLYING FOR ON-CAMPUS
ACCOMMODATION
You can apply online from the beginning of April on
the Accommodation website
www.roehampton.ac.uk/accommodation/apply | Email: [email protected]
Applying for on-campus accommodation
Payment information
When to apply
As a new or prospective student, you are able to apply online for
on-campus accommodation from the beginning of April to 31 July.
You will still be allowed to apply for accommodation after the deadline
– we will put your application on a waiting list.
When to pay
Accommodation fees for the academic year are payable at the start
of each term.
We are aiming to accommodate all international students that
apply before 31 July; anyone who applies after that date cannot
be guaranteed a place.
In order to apply you must meet the following criteria:
n
Roehampton must be your firm choice of university.
n
You must hold an offer to study from Roehampton. If you are under
18 and want to apply for on-campus accommodation, please
contact the Accommodation Office on +44 (0)20 8392 3166 or email
[email protected]
How to apply
You can apply online from the beginning of April on the
accommodation website:
www.roehampton.ac.uk/accommodation/apply/
If you are an international exchange student on a short programme
then please make a note, on the online application form, of the length
of stay. You can do this under ‘Other information’.
Deposit
When you are sent an offer of accommodation, you will also be
required to pay a £250 deposit. This deposit will be refunded to you,
in full, at the end of your contract, providing there are no damages or
charges incurred during your stay. Fees for students on one semester/
term programmes are payable in full on arrival.
How to pay
You will be requested to set up a payment plan and to pay your
accommodation fees online using a credit or debit card. If you have
a difficulty with this, you can contact Accommodation Finance on tel:
+44(0)20 8392 3110, or email [email protected].
Other costs
£20 will be charged for a bedding bundle, which will be added
to your accommodation fees. A bedding bundle includes a
duvet, sheet, duvet cover and pillow slip. A mattress cover and
a pillow will also be provided. International students will also
receive a University-approved fused electrical adaptor.
Erasmus Mundus students –
on-campus accommodation
How to apply
You can apply online from the beginning of April on the
accommodation website:
Arrival
at Roehampton
www.roehampton.ac.uk/accommodation
In order to apply you must meet the following criteria:
n
Roehampton must be your firm choice of university.
n
You must hold an offer to study from Roehampton. If
you are under 18 and want to apply for on-campus
accommodation, please contact the Accommodation
Office on +44 (0)20 8392 3166 or email
[email protected]
Online booking form instructions
As you are on a short programme at Roehampton,
you must on the online application form under ‘Other
information’ state the following:
nErasmus
Mundus student
n
Your date of arrival
n
Your date of departure
All other conditions will be the same.
What to do when you arrive
You will be asked to arrive on a specified day.
On arrival you should check in at the designated
International Arrival Room.
n
You will be given your room key after
confirming your identity.
n
You will be given your bedding bundle pack.
n
Student ambassadors will then take you to
your room.
If you are not arriving on the International Arrival
Day, please let us know what date you plan to
arrive and also your estimated time of arrival on
the campus. If you arrive outside office hours
your room key will be left at the appropriate
Security Gatehouse and Security staff will be
able to help you access your room.
We will communicate with you via email
– please check your email regularly.
Southlands College accommodation
Campus map
Mount Clare accommodation
The University of Roehampton comprises of four
Colleges. Digby Stuart, Froebel and Southlands –
are on the Main Site, while Whitelands is a
15-minute walk away.
Froebel College accommodation
Main site
(Digby, Froebel and
Southlands)
Mount Clare
Site
Whitelands College accommodation
Digby Stuart College accommodation
All Roehampton
facilities are within
a 15-minute walk of
each other.
Whitelands Site
Off-campus
accommodation
Contact information
Off-campus Accommodation Office
Tel: +44(0)20 8392 4451 | Email: [email protected]
International Office
Email: [email protected]
Off-campus Accommodation
Living off campus gives you greater flexibility. The University of
Roehampton is in south-west London, which is considered to be a
good area to live in the city. Some students prefer to be nearer to the
city centre and they use the extensive public transport network to
travel to the University for their lectures.
The University has an online service – Studentpad – dedicated to
helping you find off-campus accommodation. This can be found at
www.studentpad.co.uk/roehampton
All properties advertised on the Studentpad site are in the Roehampton and surrounding areas and meet a minimum standard. The information and advice on this website can be accessed in six languages
(English, Chinese, French, Italian, German and Spanish).
Through the site, you are able to contact landlords before arriving in
the UK, to set up viewings and interviews, which will cut down the
time you spend searching for somewhere to live when you get here.
Our Accommodation Office also holds details of letting agencies
advertising available properties. You will be expected to view the
properties yourself, so this is something you are advised to organise
once you have settled in London and know your way around the local
areas. Please note, the Accommodation Office cannot arrange
off-campus accommodation for you in advance – they provide
information via the Studentpad website but you need to contact
the landlords yourself.
Remember that looking for off-campus accommodation is timeconsuming, and we recommend that you allow yourself time before the start of your programme to find the right accommodation
for you. Do not turn up in London without having first arranged
your accommodation.
We also recommend that you book with a host family for one-two
weeks. Our Off-campus Accommodation Officer can help you
arrange this.
Prices
On average rents are around £350-450+ per person per calendar
month. This will not include your household bills such as gas,
electricity, water rates and television licence, and you should allow
around £40-50 per person per month for these additional bills.
As a student, you do not have to pay council tax, unless you live
in a house with one or more non-students.
OFF-CAMPUS: LONG-TERM
Flat-shares and house-shares
An average-sized property in south-west London accommodates
three or five people.
Renting in the private sector is often the preferred choice for students
who are in their second or third year of study. By this time, you’ll be
used to living in London and will have friends to share accommodation
with. Our Studentpad website (www.studentpad.co.uk/roehampton)
features a message board where advertisements are placed by
students with vacant rooms or looking to flat-share.
One-/two-bedroom flats
Some students like the idea of having their own privacy by occupying a one- or two-bedroom flat; however, this is expensive. To rent a
one-bedroom flat is likely to cost from around £900 a month upwards;
a two-bedroom flat will cost from around £1,100 a month upwards.
This will not include bills! Consider sharing a three- or four-bedroom
property (as above), which is normally a cheaper option.
Lodgings
Lodgings are rented rooms in private houses where the householder
(landlord) also lives in the property. It could be with a family, a couple
or someone living on their own. Bills are typically included in the rent,
although often not the telephone bill. Most lodgings will be self-catering,
but some may include meals at extra cost. Householders often
advertise their rooms online via Studentpad (www.studentpad.co.uk/
roehampton). This option is often popular for students who want a
quieter type of accommodation.
OFF-CAMPUS: SHORT-TERM
Hostels
Hostels are a good choice if you are looking for temporary accommodation. They provide an opportunity to familiarise yourself with
London and you will meet other students from all over the world. If
you want to move to private accommodation at a later date, hostel
accommodation is a good starting point.
Some hostels are run by charities or religious organisations, but this does
not normally mean that you need to be practising that particular religion.
Bed and breakfast accommodation/
hotels/guest houses
These are useful options for short-term accommodation while you are
looking for more permanent living arrangements. You should allow a
minimum of £30 per person per night – expect to pay more in central
London. The cost covers linen, towels and cleaning services and may
include breakfast. You can book this type of accommodation from your
home country and our Accommodation Office (email: accommodation@
roehampton.ac.uk) can provide a list of options close to the University.
Prices are around £95 per person per week, including bills but not
food. Expect to pay anything from £130+ to include food.
OFF-CAMPUS: short-TERM
Homestay
Homestay accommodation means that you live in a private house within
a family setting. This type of accommodation is booked through an agent
who will match your requirements to a host family. This is a good option if
you want to improve your English language skills and would like the
support of living in the home of a British family. Many students choose
this type of accommodation to start off their time in London.
International students with families
If you wish to bring your family, you may have difficulty finding affordable accommodation in London and we would advise you to make
plans for accommodation as soon as you have secured a place at the
University. The University does not manage any accommodation on
campus that is suitable for couples or families, so flats and houses
in the private rented sector are the main options. If you are going to
bring your family, we suggest that you arrive before them in order to
arrange accommodation.
Under 18s
There are legal restrictions in the UK for students who are under 18 in
terms of signing contracts. If you are starting at the University before
your 18th birthday, you should contact the Accommodation Office
and they will advise you.
Where to find off-campus accommodation
Most of the accommodation advertised through the Accommodation
Office is reasonably close to the University – generally within a fourmile radius. Our students often live in ex-local authority housing
around Roehampton, Putney Heath or Southfields. Sometimes
vacancies will appear in converted flats in Victorian houses, although
this option is likely to be more expensive.
Studentpad (www.studentpad.co.uk/roehampton) provide a comprehensive and constantly updated database of private property close to
the University. This gives you the opportunity to search for properties
online even before you leave your home country.
The useful Help and Advice section on Studentpad is translated into
Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish. The Roehampton
Studentpad zone can also be accessed via the University’s accommodation webpages: www.roehampton.ac.uk/accommodation
Tips for finding suitable properties
If you have never rented property in London, the following
information should be useful when you start looking for
somewhere to live.
Area
nIs the property in a convenient location for the University,
shops and leisure activities?
nAre
30
D/G
double-glazed windows
Ex-local authority property
former social housing that has been bought and then
let to tenants
GCH
gas central heating
Landlord/Homeowner
person that owns the property
Lodgers
you live in a property and share the facilities with the
landlord
Maisonette
an extended flat (apartment) that usually has a second
floor upstairs
OSP
off-street parking
PCM
per calendar month
PP
per person
PRS
private rented sector
Tenancy agreement
a legally binding contract you sign when you rent a
whole property. Most contracts are for a fixed-term
period, often 12 months, and do not offer the chance
for you to cancel if you wish to move out.
there good public transport links?
nCan
nIs
Glossary of abbreviations and terms you might see in property adverts
you get home safely?
the area near to the property well lit by street lighting?
31
Viewing properties
Once you have found some properties that you want to view, you
need to contact the landlords yourself. From a personal safety point
of view, we advise that you take a friend with you when you visit
properties. This also means that you have someone to compare notes
with afterwards, which is always useful. There is good house-hunting
advice on the National Union of Students (NUS) website:
www.nus.org.uk/en/student-life/housing-advice
YOUR CONTRACT: QUESTIONS TO ASK
How much is the rent?
n
What does this include?
n
How and when do you have to pay?
Do you have to pay a deposit?
n
Deposits are normally equivalent to four-six weeks’ rent. However,
if you don’t have a UK guarantor, you may have to put down eight
weeks deposit and pay your rent three-six months or by each term
in advance.
n
Deposits are kept as security against any damages to the property
or any unpaid bills; as long as you leave the property in the same
good condition it was in when you began your contract then your
deposit should be refunded to you in full.
n
UK law states that any deposit given to a private landlord must
be kept in a deposit protection scheme, so if there are any issues
relating to the amount returned to you at the end of your contract
you can negotiate with your landlord via the scheme.
The property itself
n
Are there enough facilities for the number of people sharing? You
should be looking for one toilet and one kitchen per five residents.
n
Does the property have central heating? There is no requirement
that all homes should have central heating, and electric heating
can be just as efficient (although not always as cost effective).
n
Is the property well maintained?
n
Are there enough plug sockets in each room?
n
Are the rooms well decorated, with reasonable wall coverings?
n
Is the carpet or flooring in good condition?
Safety
n
Do all gas appliances have an up-to-date Gas Safety Certificate?
This is a legal requirement. Check with the Students’ Union or
Accommodation Office for further information.
n
Are there smoke detectors in the house?
n
Are the windows lockable?
Are there any repairs that need doing before you move in?
Get these agreed in writing with the landlord.
Who is responsible for the bills?
If you share a flat or house with other students, your bills are not
likely to be included. Bills will include gas, electricity, telephone and
possibly water rates.
Is there an inventory of furniture and other items in the property?
This details the contents and condition of the furniture within a
property when you move in and is useful if there are questions about
your deposit when you are due to leave.
How long will the contract be for?
If you share a property with other students and do not live with the
landlord, it is likely that you will have a fixed-term Assured Shorthold
Tenancy Agreement. Most agreements are for 12 months.
Once you sign, you are committed for this period, so if you have
any doubts or concerns about the document itself, contact the
Off-campus Accommodation Officer for further advice. Your
Tenancy Agreement is a legal document, so it’s important you
understand your commitment, both to your housemates and
your landlord before you sign it.
Council Tax
If you are a full-time student, it is unlikely that you will need to pay
this extra bill – unless you are living off campus with non-students.
Council Tax is based on the value of a property. In order to ensure that
you don’t have to pay this bill, you must obtain a Council Tax Exemption Certificate from the University’s Registry Department once you
have registered with the University.
Location, location, location…
Most vacancies are usually advertised using postcodes to indicate
the location. This can be confusing for British people as well as
international students as the codes do not appear in a logical order;
Roehampton, Roehampton Vale (postcode: SW15)
Most of the properties available in Roehampton are ex-social housing
flats. Living in Roehampton is handy because:
n
it is within walking distance of the University and its facilities
n
there are good bus links to Barnes and Putney overground train
services, with trains reaching Waterloo station in central London in
under 30 minutes
n
buses connect with Hammersmith and Putney Bridge underground
stations, with trains reaching London’s West End in under 45 minutes
n
there are a few local shops in Roehampton, while buses go to
Kingston for bigger shopping trips
n
a number of pubs and takeaway restaurants are within walking
distance.
Please ask advice from our Off-campus Accommodation Officer.
Insurance
If you are living on campus, your possessions will be insured and
the cost of this insurance is included in your room charge. Details
are available on the extent of this insurance cover and you can add
further cover if you wish.
If you are living off campus, then we strongly recommend that you
insure your personal possessions. Student properties can be easy
targets for thieves.
34
The University’s nominated insurer is Endsleigh Insurance.
Information can be found on the National Union of Students’
website (www.nus.org.uk) or from Roehampton Students’ Union
(www.roehamptonstudent.com).
Putney, Putney Heath, Putney Vale (SW15)
Putney is only 10 minutes by bus from the University. It has:
great shopping facilities, a cinema, leisure centre, and numerous
bars and restaurants
n
n
branches of most major banks
n
excellent links to central London via overground and underground
trains (Putney has two tube stations)
n
theatre productions at the Putney Arts Theatre.
35
East Sheen (SW14)
With a good selection of shops and access to beautiful Richmond
Park for walks, East Sheen (and neighbouring Mortlake) can be
reached by bus from the University in only 15 minutes. It also offers:
n additional buses to Richmond (for plenty of bars, pubs, restaurants
and sports centres)
n
banks, building societies and coffee bars
n
a train link (from Mortlake) that will take you to Waterloo station in
central London in around 30 minutes.
Barnes (SW13)
Located by the River Thames, Barnes is 10-15 minutes’ walk from
Roehampton. It has:
n
a small selection of local shops, traditional pubs and some
expensive places to eat
n
good transport links with buses going to Hammersmith and an overground train station that links with Waterloo station in central London.
Wimbledon (SW19)
Wimbledon is roughly three miles from Roehampton. It offers:
n
plenty of shops, entertainment and the beautiful parkland of
Wimbledon Common
n
excellent transport links, including a District Line underground
station, overground train station, a bus that goes directly to
the University of Roehampton, and trams.
Southfields (SW18, SW19)
Southfields is another popular residential area and, like nearby
Wimbledon, it has a District Line underground station and a bus that
goes directly to the University
n
property is generally a mixture of ex-social housing flats and houses.
Rents may be slightly cheaper than in areas such as Putney.
37
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to
ensure that the information in this guide is
accurate but no responsibility can be
accepted for any errors or omissions. All prices
correct at time of print, March 2012, and are
subject to small inflationary rises.
+44 (0)20 8392 3232
www.roehampton.ac.uk
[email protected]

Living in London - University of Roehampton

Transcription

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