Vacant room/s in your flat, what does this mean for you?

Not all rooms in your flat may be occupied when you move in, this could be due to the room being unallocated, out for a maintenance reason or potentially has a booking starting at a later date. 

We have arrivals throughout the academic year and so vacant rooms may be used at any point during the year for new applicants, or students who have requested a room transfer. Most new arrivals will be at the beginning of Semester 2 (late January) or for summer accommodation bookings in early July onwards.

Additionally we may sometimes use rooms as part of a temporary move due to maintenance in their current room, or to allow someone access to wash facilities, while works are carried out in their room. 

What this means for you?

• Please be aware that vacant rooms may have bookings or made use of at any time during the academic year. If a room isn't occupied in September it doesn't mean that people won't move in at some point during the year.
• Each flat has enough storage space to allow one fridge and freezer shelf and one cupboard within the kitchen per resident. Often available cupboards or fridge/freezer space within a flat belonging to a vacant room may be used by other residents. Please ensure space is left for potential new residents and/or make space for new residents when they move in.
• If there is a new arrival, and generally throughout the year, please ensure the shared spaces are clean and clear, fridges are clear of old/perishable foods and washing up completed and items put away. Dispose of all kitchen and room rubbish in the nearest external mixed recycling and food waste bins.   
• Moving in during the academic year, particularly to a flat where the residents have been living together for a while, can be quite daunting. Please make any new flatmates feel welcome, introduce yourself to them and make sure to help them settle in where you can.
• If, as a flat, you have certain routines or rituals in place, such as a cleaning rota or an agreement not to make noise before 10:00 on a Sunday morning for example, make sure to introduce any new flatmates to these and also be open to any ideas or requests they may have.
• When vacant, rooms will be accessed for regular flushing (turning on of taps, showers and flushing of toilets) by Residences staff to ensure water is not left stagnant for too long.
• If you are in a designated show flat (you will have been made aware of this when you received your accommodation offer) there will be vacant rooms designated as show rooms within your flat which will be viewed by prospective students on designated event days, such as open days, visit days and campus tours.