FAQs
Q: When should I apply for
accommodation?
A: If you have made York St John your first choice you
will automatically receive an application form in May/June.
See also Applications Page.
Q: What happens if York St John is my insurance choice
or I come through clearing?
A: Students holding insurance offers or students obtaining
a place during the clearing process will be sent instructions
on how to apply for accommodation at the point when their offer is
made firm by the University.
Q: Will my accommodation preferences be
guaranteed?
A: While we will try to match your specific preferences it is
not always possible as certain types of accommodation will be
oversubscribed e.g. self catered en-suite. It may therefore
be necessary to offer you accommodation that is lower down your
list of preferences.
Q: When will I find out what type of accommodation I
have been offered?
A: You will receive your accommodation details by post
normally by the end of the first week in August. In unusual
circumstances, for example if we have had a high number of
applications, this process may take a little longer but we aim to
have all allocations out to students by the third week of
August.
Q: What do I do if I am unhappy with my offer of
accommodation?
A: It is not usually possible to change the offer of
accommodation at the offer stage. We advise that you accept
the offer and once you arrive you can apply for a room
change. Please bear in mind that this process may take some
time.
Q: I am a care leaver. What can you do to support
me?
A: York St John University is proud to have achieved the Frank
Buttle Trust Quality Mark Holder and is committed to supporting
students who have been in care at any time before starting their
course. We can arrange accommodation for 52 weeks of the
year. Please contact us and we can explore how we can support
you, or click here for more
information
Q: I have additional needs because of disability
or medical issues. What extra help do you offer?
A: We offer a wide range of adaptations and modifications
to our rooms in order to meet the additional needs of our resident
students. See Additional Accommodation
Needs for further info.
Q: Do you have any accommodation for families or
couples?
A: We have self contained studio apartments at Percy's
Lane, Grays Wharf and St John Central that are suitable for couples
but unfortunately we do not at the moment have any accommodation
suitable for families with children.
Q: When can I move in to YSJ accommodation?
A: Arrival weekend 2013/14 is the 14 & 15
September. You will receive specific details of when you can
move into your room with your Residence Agreement.
Q: Will I need a television licence?
A: If you have a television set or TV enabled computer in
your rented room then you will need a television licence. The
only exception to this is if you are in a joint tenancy of a
private house with others, when you will only need one licence to
cover the whole household.
Read further advice from the TV licensing authority.
Q: What do I need to bring with me?
A: You will need to bring a full set of bedding including
a duvet and pillows. You will also need to bring some cooking
utensils, pots, crockery and cutlery. We do not provide
kettles or irons but we do provide ironing boards.
Q: Will my belongings be insured?
A: All our accommodation comes with a mandatory personal
possessions insurance policy.
The student room insurance provided for you
focuses on covering some of the items in your room for
theft, fire and flood risk. To check what is
covered, just
download your insurance certificate
Laptops, tablets and phones are not
covered outside of your room so you may
wish to consider taking out additional cover to protect these
essentials.
Full details including limitation, exclusions and options for
purchasing additional cover can be found on the Endsleigh
Insurance website. Details of the insurance will be sent
to you with your Residence Agreement.
Q: Can I bring my car with me?
A: Please note that car parking at York St John is very limited
as we are a city centre campus. Car parking for students in
accommodation is normally only available on health grounds.
Please read the Parking Policy for
further information.
Q: Can I come and look at my room before I move
in?
A: This is difficult as other students are living in the
halls and we have to respect their privacy. However you can
see the accommodation on our open and visit days where we arrange
tours around a selection of accommodation.
Q: How do I pay my rent?
A: Please refer to your Residence
Agreement this details all the charges and
advises how and when you need to pay.
Q: What is an Accommodation Bond?
You will be required to pay a bond of £150 when you accept your
accommodation and this amount will be deducted from your first
installment. It covers any damage or extra cleaning you
might incur whilst staying in our residences, but if the condition
of your room is satisfactory you are likely to receive a full
repayment of this sum.
Q: Will I have to pay Council Tax?
A: All full-time registered students are currently exempt
from paying council tax; however, if you are living with a
non-student partner you may be liable in part for the council tax
charge on the property. To apply for an exemption if you are
in a shared house contact the
local authority.
Q: What do I do if I can't get along with my
flatmates?
A: Sharing a home with others for the first time sometimes
isn't easy, and requires a lot of give and take. Don't let
problems in the house get out of hand, but tackle them early.
See the Student Advice Team's Living with
Housemates Factsheet in the Student Services
'Flat Pack' for more information.
Q: Can I smoke in my bedroom?
A: The University Smoking Policy does not allow smoking in
any of its premises including student accommodation. You will
be liable to a fixed penalty fine of £100 if caught smoking and may
face disciplinary action. All residences except Lord Mayor's
Walk have areas outside where ashtrays are provided, but please
note there is no smoking permitted around the residences on Lord
Mayor's Walk AT ALL.
Q: Can I have overnight guests?
A: Overnight visitors (aged 18 and over only) are
permitted for a period of not more than two nights in any one
week. Please see the current
Parking Policy for details of what provision is made for guest
parking. Please remember that you are responsible for the
behaviour of guests when they stay with you in residences, so
please make sure they treat your home and housemates with
respect.
Q: Are utility bills included in the rent?
A: The Grange, City, Percy's Lane, Gray's Wharf, Limes Court and
Lord Mayor's Walk residences are inclusive of fuel and water rates
from Autumn 2012. However, utility costs for other residences
such as the University Managed Houses will be collected via a
deposit at the beginning of the year, with any under- or
over-payment calculated at the end of your tenancy.
Q: What is my Residence Agreement?
A: The Residence
Agreement is an extremely important document which we
require all students to read and sign before they are given the
keys to their university accommodation. We strongly recommend
that you familiarise yourself with the contents of the agreement
before signing as this lays out all your rights and
responsibilities as one of our resident students.
Q: Who can I ask for advice about
signing a private tenancy agreement?
A: It's vital you fully understand any contract before you
sign. If you need some more advice contact the
Student Advice Team, the Students' Union
or the Citizens Advice
Bureau.
Q: What can I do if one of my housemates, or
someone they have invited into our home, is harassing me or making
comments I find abusive?
A: Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected in
their own home. If something is making you uncomfortable
please come and talk to the
Student Advice Team, or
alternatively you may like to speak to your RSA or the Halls
manager. Click here for
details of the Halls Manager's daily drop-in
sessions. The University takes incidents of
abuse and intolerance extremely seriously, and those who subject
others to such behaviour, for whatever reason, may be putting their
degree in jeopardy, leaving aside the fact that they may also have
committed a criminal offence.