Welcome Guide
Preparing to move in
The countdown has begun! Find out more about your new home and how to get ready for moving in this September.
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Our guide provides a useful introduction to your accommodation.
Our 2025 Accommodation Handbook will be available before you start in September. In it you will find practical information about your new home as well as our expectations. We hope it will help you to make the most of your experience living in student accommodation.
You can find a full list of our policies on our accommodation documents page.
To help you prepare for your move in date in September, you can read our series of blog posts. Our First Week blog below includes the essentials you'll need to know when you move in.
Scroll down to check out our further blogs for tips and advice on everything from packing to getting to know your housemates.
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Your first week at University
The first week at university is often a mix of excitement and challenge as you step into a new phase of life. It will be a whirlwind of new experiences, from exploring campus and the city, meeting new people to adjusting to the independence of living away from home.
York St John Accommodation is here to support you when you start in September, and throughout your student journey. From signing up to accommodation contents insurance to information regarding key support teams at the University, let's explore what is to come in your first few weeks of university.
If you are living in a Partner Provider, you are able to get in contact with your specific site to ask questions before you arrive. The information provided below is primarily focused on York St John Halls of Residence and University Managed Housing. The Partner Providers may also email you directly regarding the moving in process. Their emails are:
- The Brickworks: thebrickworks@iqstudentaccommodation.com
- Abode: abode@wearehomesforstudents.com
- The Coal Yard: coalyardone@prestigestudentliving.com
Accommodation essentials
Discover some of the vital facilities you'll use during your time in your accommodation, and key steps you will need to help get you started.
Laundry facilities
Each accommodation site has a laundry room with washing and drying machines managed by Washpoint. You will need to pay by contactless or card payment to use these facilities. Our laundry services include washing powder which is dispensed into the washing machines when you pay. These services are accessible with your key or fob. Instructions on how to operate the washing machines are on display in each laundry room.
If you are living in a university managed house, you will have access to washing and drying facilities on site. The cost to use these will be included in your overall accommodation fees, however you will be required to buy your own washing detergent and conditioner.
WiFi in accommodation
Our WiFi provider for our University accommodation sites is Wifinity. Instructions on how to register to use the WiFi and how to report issues will be available in your accommodation and emailed directly to your York St John student email address.
If you live in a University managed house, information about your WiFi and how to sign up will be found on the router in your specific property.
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Contents insurance with Howden for Students
By partnering with Howden for Students, the number 1 student insurance provider, we have arranged free contents insurance for all students staying in our accommodation. You are able to confirm this when you arrive at your accommodation. You can check what's covered by registering on the Howden for Students website.
You can also check out the Howden for Students app, which provides a variety of services, including quick access to an online claims portal, wellbeing information, and top tips regarding student life. Find out more on the Howdens for Students app website.
Support teams at the University
A range of support teams are here to help you during your time at University. Support includes advice, maintenance and repairs in accommodation, funding guidance, security, welfare and wellbeing, and specialised support.
You can contact our support teams through the Student Hub once you have enrolled. The Hub online portal is a single point of contact and source of information for student support services at York St John. The teams you can contact through the Hub include (but are not limited to):
- Accommodation
- Student Funding Advice
- Finance
- Wellbeing and Welfare
- Disability Support and Inclusion
Explore the drop-down below for more information on services which can be accessed outside of the Student Hub.
As well as our 24 hour Security team, we have Residential Support Assistants (RSAs) based at the following sites:
- St John Central
- City Residence
- The Grange
- Limes Court
An RSA is a second or third year student who visits students in their designated accommodation on a weekly basis during night duty shifts. During these shifts they are available to speak to students and signpost them to available resources at the University to help support them in their student journey.
Repairs and maintenance in University halls
If a non-emergency maintenance issue occurs, please email repairs@yorksj.ac.uk.
In your report, please include:
- Your full name
- Your student ID number
- A contact number
- The accommodation address
- Details of the maintenance issue
Please feel free to include photos in your email if they are relevant to the issue.
If your repairs and maintenance report is deemed an emergency outside of working hours, you are able to contact Security who will be able to attend. Their contact details can be found in the Security section of the drop-down.
Repairs and maintenance in University Managed Houses (UMHs)
Repairs and maintenance processes can vary per property so please check the specific property postcard for your house.
The maintenance works will be actioned as soon as possible. Please note that contractors need to prioritise jobs in accordance with how urgent they are. If your issue is minor, such as a broken lightbulb, it may take a little longer for them to attend if something more pressing needs responding to. If you are experiencing issues that are not getting resolved, please email accommodation@yorksj.ac.uk.
The Security Lodge is based on main campus in the Maclagan Block opposite Holgate.
The team can be contacted to respond to incidents including (but not limited to):
- Suspicious activity of any sort
- Thefts of both university and personal property
- Medical emergencies
- Out of hours maintenance problems
- Noise issues in student accommodation
- Welfare concerns about students
To contact the Security team, call 01904 876 444 or call/text 07885 201 182. Security will attend the disturbance as soon as possible, and report back to the relevant team.
- Emergencies: Please visit the Security Lodge or call 01904 876 444
- Non-emergencies: Email security@yorksj.ac.uk or call 01904 876 444
Your top 5 steps
As you settle into your new accommodation, our team have curated a list of the top 5 things you need to do to help you get started.
Expand the drop-down for detail on each step.
When you first move into your accommodation, you are required to fill out your accommodation inventory. This is a form which allows you to report the condition of your room upon moving in.
You will need your York St John login details to access the form.
York St John has partnered with Howden for Students to provide free contents insurance for all students staying in our accommodation. All you have to do is register on the Howden for Students website to view what is covered.
Registering with a local doctor or General Practitioner (GP) practice will make sure that you are able to access healthcare when you need to. They are usually the first health service you should contact when you are experiencing a problem and can provide support for mental or physical health.
Please do not wait until you are unwell to register with a GP.
If you are based on our York campus and live in York, you can register online for our York Student Health Centre.
If you live in halls of residence, your WiFi provider is Wifinity. Information regarding connecting to your WiFi will be present in your accommodation, and emailed directly to your York St John email address.
Download our help guide on getting online with Wifinity: Wifinity Quick Help Guide for students (PDF, 73.1 kB)
If you live in a University managed house, information about your WiFi and how to sign up will be found on the router in your specific property.
All York St John accommodation sites will have posters based within communal spaces which outline key information and contact details relevant to your life in our accommodation. We recommend that all students take the time to read this information when they are settling.
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Food, finances and budgeting
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Cleanliness and household expectations
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Housemates and making friends
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Arrivals weekend
Social media groups
Join your official York St John 2025 to 2026 accommodation Facebook group to meet your housemates before you arrive:
- The Grange
- City Residence
- St John Central
- Limes Court
- Garden Street
- University Managed Housing
- Abode
- The Coal Yard
- The Brickworks
Please note that you may not find all of your future housemates if they do not join the group. For data protection reasons we can't share the details of who you will be living with.
