Getting set up

On this page you'll find guidance on getting set up in your new off-campus family accommodation in York.

Key collection on arrival

On arrival, your house keys are to be collected from the Information Centre (Campus West Reception). Keys are available from 11am on the date of your contract start date and must be returned on the last day of your contract. If you need to arrive on an earlier date or time, please contact Accommodation Services to see if we can help.

Requests for additional sets of keys for family members should be made to the reception. Any loss of keys should be reported to the reception also. A charge may be payable for the loss or late return of keys.

Accommodation inventory

Within 24 hours of moving in to your accommodation, we’ll send an email to your "@york.ac.uk" address with a link to an online inventory form. You should carefully check your accommodation and use the form to note things like damage and stains. You should submit your completed inventory within 48 hours of receiving the link. Please note that if anything does require repair you should also report this online as we do not monitor the inventory for repairs.

You're a member of Halifax College

As a resident in off-campus family accommodation, you are a member of Halifax College. The friendly team of Halifax staff and students are here to offer advice, support and guidance. It's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the support network available from the College Team, facilities and how you can get involved with events, sports and music, if you wish too.

Insurance

We insure the accommodation against fire and other risks which we reasonably consider necessary. At present, we provide a level of cover for your personal belongings under a block of insurance for all Residences, subject to the limitations and exclusions that apply to that policy. If you do not consider that cover is adequate then you can arrange for "top up" insurance but you will need to do this yourself directly with the insurance company.

If for any reason we cease to provide the block policy (and we will give you notice of this if we do), you are responsible for taking out such insurance cover yourself at your own cost.

Confirm your cover and "top up" your insurance (optional) on the Howden Group App.

Download the app

Utility bills

Tenants are responsible for the payment of gas, electricity, Council Tax, Internet / Telephone, water charges and TV licence (should you need one), for the property. Consider energy saving tips to be more sustainable and save you some money too.

Don't forget to close your energy accounts and pay any outstanding charges before you leave your accommodation.

Gas

Read the gas (and electric) meters on the day you arrive and contact all utility providers as soon as possible. You must make arrangements in the first few days of your arrival for the accounts to be put into your name. If you prefer you can arrange this in advance of your arrival.

To find out who supplies your gas, contact Transco:

+44(0)8706081524

During periods of cold weather, for example when it is icy outside, you must ensure your property does not become too cold to minimise any risk of damage caused by damp and/or frozen pipes. We recommend that you use a timer or thermostat to ensure the temperature in your house does not drop too low - suggested temperature of between 10-15 degrees Celsius, particularly if your house is left vacant.

Having the heating on constantly at a medium level at cold times of year, means the building fabric warms up and is less likely to be cold enough for condensation to form on it. This also helps to dry out any moisture present within the room.

Avoiding mould in your accommodation

Electric

Read the electric (and gas) meters on the day you arrive and contact all utility provider as soon as possible. You must make arrangements in the first few days of your arrival for the accounts to be put into your name. If you prefer you can arrange this in advance of your arrival.

To find out who supplies your electric, contact Northern Electric and Gas:

+44(0)8456013268

Water

When you move into a new property, you need to inform the local water company that you've moved to the area and set up your water bill as soon as possible. If your property has a water meter, take a reading as soon as you move in.

You will need to contact Yorkshire Water to set up paying for your water usage:

+44(0)8451242420
PO Box 52, Bradford BD1 5RQ

Internet / Telephone

There is no internet provision in off-campus houses, however telephone lines are installed. You can arrange for telephone and internet connection with one of the many service providers. Search comparison sites such as Go Compare to find the best service provider for you and your family. Please note that all charges for telephone and internet are payable by the student.

There are also a number of 24-hour access computer rooms on campus. In addition, across both Campus East and West, there is an extensive mobile computing infrastructure of wired and wireless connections located in colleges, recreational areas and the University Library.

TV License

A TV licence is required if you watch any live TV or BBC iPlayer. Note, TV licences are backdated to the beginning of the month.

If you are caught watching live TV on any device without a licence, fines can be up to £1,000.

Find out about Students and the TV licence.

Council Tax

Students living in York can apply for a student council tax discount or exemption online. All full-time students must register as exempt.

If you live with non-students you will usually still be personally exempt from paying council tax, and the non-students in the household will be the ones liable to pay. However, there are some exceptions:

If you live with a partner or adult children and you are the home-owner or only named tenant; or
If you have lodgers and you are the home-owner or only named tenant.

Your exemption will not be confirmed until after the start of term. Until your exemption has been finalised you may still receive a council tax bill showing the full amount of council tax for the property. If you receive a reminder bill or a court summons, contact City of York Council at revenues@york.gov.uk.

Find out more about Council Tax as a student

Fire safety

University accommodation is very well equipped to ensure your safety if there is a fire. To ensure you're living in a way that reduces the risk of a fire we would strongly recommend attending a fire safety talk (login details required to access bookings).

Remember that all cooking must be confined to the kitchen, and the use of joss sticks, incense or candles in accommodation is strictly prohibited.

Smoke free policy

Smoking is not permitted in any of the University of York buildings, including University off-campus housing.

Bicycles

Bicycles should not be kept within the house. If you own your bike, don't forget to insure it. Find out more about using and storing your bike on campus.

Student parking permits

As a resident of Halifax College, you are eligible to apply for a parking permit for on-street parking. There are approximately 80 parking permits available to Halifax residents on a first-come-first-served basis. Find out more about student parking.

Previous tenants' post

If on moving in, you find or receive any previous tenants' post, please forward this to Halifax College Reception:

Halifax College, Garrowby Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DN.

Your post

Your new postal address can be found on your Accommodation contract. Any parcels can also be delivered to Halifax College Reception for you to collect if you'd prefer. You can use the following address:

Halifax College, Garrowby Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DN.