YOUR COMMUNITY - Studentstudenthomes.brighton.ac.uk/DocumentStorage/Community... · 2018. 8. 17. · blockbuster movies; Harry Potter, James Bond – The Living Daylights, Brighton

YOUR COMMUNITYa guide for students

CONTENTS

did you know 02

moving in 03

being a

good neighbour 04

your new home 06

advice and support 07

safety at home 09

contact details 10

WELCOMEOur mission is to deliver good quality

affordable accommodation to our students

and lead by example in the private sector.

The towns and cities you are moving into have very mixed communities and as students of the university you are our greatest ambassadors. Local residents welcome students and appreciate the positive influence you bring to the communities.

We are keen to maintain this positive relationship, but are aware that on occasion, the lifestyles of students and residents can conflict. We have put together this guide to help ensure the experience is positive for you and your neighbours.

The Accommodation Service is part of the wider Accommodation and Hospitality Services department. We have three offices in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings where you can access support throughout your stay at the university. If you have any questions or queries, please contact the team at your local accommodation office – contact details can be found on page 10.

01 www.brighton.ac.uk/accommodation

QUESTIONS? We are happy to discuss any questions you may have. Our contact details are on page 10.

DID YOU KNOW...?

www.brighton.ac.uk/accommodation 02

Hastings• Hastings has the largest beach

based fishing fleet in Europe• Hastings holds the Guinness world

record for the largest gathering of ‘pirates’ – a massive 14,231 on 22 July 2012. Pirate Day is held every year in July.

• many scenes from the TV programme Foyles War were filmed in Hastings Old Town

• largest underground skate park in the world

• steepest funicular railway in Europe

Eastbourne• Eastbourne has appeared in these

blockbuster movies; Harry Potter, James Bond – The Living Daylights, Brighton Rock, Made in Dagenham, Pearl Harbour, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Diana, to name but a few!

• world class Sussex sparkling wines are produced from the South Downs – many beat Champagne in taste tests!

DID YOU KNOW...?UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON

• originally established as Brighton College of Art in 1858 with 110 students

• the university now has 21,000 students and 2,700 staff in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings

• Norman Cook, Julien Macdonald and Jo Whiley are just some of our famous Alumn

Brighton• Brighton is the most popular

seaside destination in the UK for overseas tourists

• only green MP in the UK• the city boasts the sea, the South

Downs, a lively city centre with plenty of shops, restaurants and cafés

• a pub for every day of the year and more


MOVING IN

MOVING IN

MOVING IN CHECKLIST

You’ve picked up your keys so now what?

Before moving anything in and unpacking, it’s a good idea to check you agree with the comments on the inventory. Make a note of anything that has been missed and if possible take photographs. You are responsible for checking your own bedroom and jointly responsible for communal areas so please do not miss these or assume someone else has done it for you.

Are you paying your own utilities? If so you need to take meter readings and register with your suppliers so that they know you have moved in.

Don’t forget to get yourself a TV Licence, even if you are using your laptop to watch TV. You can check if you need one and buy online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk. If you get caught without a licence you may incur a fine of up to £1,000.

Are you all full time students? All full time students are exempt from paying council tax. As long as the property is occupied wholly by full time university or college students the whole property is exempt from council tax. The property is not exempt if it is occupied by both students and non-students, in which case those who are liable to pay may get a discount. Contact your local council for advice (page 10).

For peace of mind you should consider insuring your belongings. The owner will have insurance on the building however you will need separate contents insurance to cover the items inside your room. Visit Endsleigh for student contents insurance www.endsleigh.co.uk/personal/student-insurance.

While your friends and family are still around familiarise yourself with the appliances in your property as they may differ from what you are used to at home. Pay particular attention to the boiler to make sure your first shower isn’t a cold one!

It is also a nice idea to introduce yourself to your neighbours. Listen out carefully for what their particular priorities are, as this will provide valuable clues to an amicable relationship with them.

Sign up with your local doctor (GP). The university has two onsite surgeries, one in Eastbourne and one in Moulsecoomb, however you may want to register closer to where you will be living. Find your local service here www.nhs.uk/service-search.

It is likely that there will be post for previous occupants, mark them ‘return to sender’ and pop them back in the postbox.

To be able to vote in local and general elections you need to be registered on the electoral roll. Register with your local council, contact details can be found on the back cover of this guide.

Now put your feet up, take a look at the rest of our guide and enjoy your new home!

BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOUR


BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOURBEING A GOOD NEIGHBOUR

As part of the community you now live in you have a responsibility to respect your neighbours and ensure that your lifestyle does not negatively affect others. Your neighbours may consist of families, elderly people, working individuals or other students with differing lifestyles.

Remember; when you sign a tenancy agreement you are signing a legally binding document. You are responsible for the behaviour of your guests as they enter and leave your property, as well as while they are with you in your home.

Get involved in your local community, visit www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/volunteer to find out more. Volunteering opportunities in the community can also be found through the university’s Careers Service, http://about.brighton.ac.uk/careers

PARTY RESPONSIBLY

We want you to enjoy your time at university and to leave with some great memories, but before hosting a party, think about whether your home is the best place and consider how it will affect your neighbours.

If you want to host regular parties, it’s best to find a venue other than your home to do so.

If you plan to hold a one off party, here are some things to consider:• if your neighbours are not coming

let them know about the party in good time

• give them rough times that the party will start and finish, this way they are able to prepare and plan their evening so they may go out themselves

• provide them with a contact number should the noise be too loud

• keep windows and doors shut to reduce the level of noise heard outside the property

• if people are smoking outside, ask them to consider your neighbours and keep the noise down

• avoid noisy goodbyes – say goodbye while still inside rather than outside.

NOISE NUISANCE

However much you like a particular artist or track it may not be so popular with your neighbours. Playing loud music will cause a noise nuisance.

Causing a noise nuisance means you are affecting somebody else in a way which stops or hinders them from doing what they want to do. For example, watching TV, listening to their

music or sleeping. By following these simple steps this can easily be avoided:• use headphones or earpieces• avoid excessive levels of bass• keep the volume down, especially

when people are sleeping• position speakers away from

partition walls and on resilient material such as a foam rubber mat

• do not turn the volume up to hear it in another room

If you experience noise nuisance from other households you should contact your local council’s environmental health team (see contact details on page 10) who will be able to advise on the best course of action. You will be required to keep a record of dates and times of incidents.

If a noise complaint is made about you and advice is not followed to reduce the noise, the council have considerable enforcement powers which may result in a fine of up to £5,000 and a criminal conviction. They can also seize any noise making equipment from the property with a warrant.

If complaints are received about students in the community the university’s community liaison team may become involved.

The community liaison team works with students and the community to offer advice and can support you whether a complaint has been made against you or you are experiencing a noise nuisance. Their contact details can be found on page 7.

BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOUR


PARKING

Cars take up a lot of space and inconsiderate parking will upset your neighbours. In some areas parking permits are required and you may not be able to get a permit for each car in your household. In most areas payment is required before a permit is issued. Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings are relatively small towns and cities so most places are accessible by foot or public transport, so think carefully about whether you need a car.

CRIME, ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND HARASSMENT

Whilst it is not common, if you find yourself the victim of crime, harassment or anti-social behaviour in the community, the community liaison team at the university, or any of the external agencies listed on page 10, are here to help you.

Avoid any unnecessary confrontations with the council or the police leading to fines, confiscations and breaches of your tenancy agreement. Antisocial behaviour in the community may also result in disciplinary action being taken by the university if you are seen to have brought the university into disrepute.

However, we cannot help unless you get in touch, so if you do have a problem please let us know. Everything reported remains confidential.

RUBBISH

Putting your rubbish out on the wrong day can create a nuisance. Seagulls and other animals can tear rubbish bags open and spread the contents around. Not only is this a risk to health, but it will make you very unpopular with the neighbours. You could also face an on-the-spot fine.

When you move in, make sure that you find out when the rubbish and recycling collection days are for your street. You can find out by checking your local authority website:

• Brighton & Hove www.brighton-hove.gov.uk (Quick

Links - Refuse and recycling) 01273 292929• Eastbourne www.eastbourne.gov.uk

(Environment and Planning - Rubbish, Waste and Recycling) 01323 415229

• Hastings www.hastings.gov.uk/recycle

01424 451077

If all your rubbish won’t fit in the bins provided you will need to dispose of it yourselves at the local refuse tip. If you are overfilling your bin on a regular basis, you probably need to recycle more of your rubbish. For information on recycling schemes for your area, please contact your local council. If you don’t have a wheelie bin make sure you only put your rubbish out on the morning of the collection day. Remember, you could be fined if you put it out on the wrong day.

YOUR NEW HOME


YOUR NEW HOME

LOOKING AFTER YOUR NEW HOME

We find the little-and-often approach to cleaning and looking after your home is the best way to save you time and money at the end of your tenancy. Here are our tips for a happy home:

To avoid damaging the washing machine empty pockets before washing your clothes and take care not to overload the machine. It’s also important to clean the seal around the drum of the machine, the filter and the soap drawer regularly.

Before using the vacuum cleaner be sure to pick larger items such as tissues or odd socks up off the floor. You will also need to clean the brush roll and change the bag or empty the chamber of the cleaner regularly. It’s always worth checking the manual or search online for the cleaner model and specific cleaning guidance.

Greasy ovens will set off smoke detectors, so a thorough clean regularly will avoid this and end of tenancy charges.

With several people sharing a fridge it is easy to forget about what’s inside. Regularly go through the fridge and throw away old food.

Allowing rubbish to build up inside the house is unhygienic, can attract vermin such as rats and mice and constitute a fire risk. Make sure it is properly contained in the bins provided.

Drains can easily become blocked, and if they do you are likely to be held responsible. Scraping leftovers into the bin before washing up and removing hair from plugholes regularly will help

to avoid blockages. Slow draining plugholes mean there is a slight blockage. There are several drain unblocking products on the market, and should get things flowing freely again – leaving this to build up can cause leaks and blocked drains which may end up causing more damage which you may be charged for.

Take care not to burn the carpets. Putting hot hair straighteners and ironing on the floor will result in damage to the carpet or floor covering.

Using blu tac, white tac, pink tac or any colour tac or sellotape to put posters up on walls will damage the walls. Any damage will be charged back at the end of the tenancy. Use noticeboards instead.

Keeping bicycles in hallways will cause damage to walls and can leave dirty marks on carpets. This also obstructs fire escape routes so avoid storing bikes in this way.

Your tenancy agreement will state whether you are responsible for keeping gardens and open spaces tidy. An overgrown and messy garden that resembles a jungle is likely to offend neighbours if their gardens are kept in good order. If you look after your garden you will have somewhere nice to be outside in spring and summer.

Extractor fans are essential in helping to prevent condensation. You may have one in your bathroom and kitchen. Condensation that does not dry out causes mould, mildew and rot. There is always moisture in the air, but cooking, taking baths and drying clothes indoors can create more in your home. If it can’t escape, moisture

can build up in the air in your house. When it gets colder, the air cannot hold all the moisture and this is when condensation appears. Allowing moisture to escape will reduce the build-up of condensation, so it’s very important you heat and ventilate the property.

Here are some extra tips to help prevent condensation: • use the extractor fans. Do not

switch them off or tamper with them.

• if you must dry your washing inside open a window, and wherever possible use the outside washing line if one is available to you.

• after showering or bathing, open the window for at least half an hour.

• leave non-fire doors open – this allows air to move freely around the house.

• leaving a gap between the walls and your bed or other furniture also allows the air to circulate.

• open the window or switch on the kitchen fan if you are cooking or washing up.

• during the cold winter months, heating your house is essential to prevent a build-up of condensation.

If you notice black mould forming, you have a problem with condensation and you should follow the above advice closely. If you allow the problem to get worse then it is likely that you’ll be charged for the cost of redecoration.

Reporting maintenance issues to your agent or landlord promptly will help them get resolved efficiently. Any emergencies that present an immediate risk to your safety, security or health must be reported to the correct emergency service.

ADVICE AND SUPPORT


ADVICE AND SUPPORT

HOUSING ADVICE

If you require housing advice and/or support you can contact our Housing Advice Officer.

This can include:• tenant and landlord responsibilities• tenant and landlord disputes• rent deposit enquiries• general housing related issues You can contact Andrew Keeffe via the Accommodation Office on01273 644100 or [email protected]@brighton.ac.uk

COMMUNITY LIAISON

The community liaison team works with students and the community to offer advice and support for issues such as if a complaint has been made against you or you are experiencing a noise nuisance.

You can contact the Community Liaison Team on 01273 641894.

UNIVERSITY POLICE LIAISON OFFICERS

PC Lee Cook and PC Gaynor Martin are the university police liaison officers who work directly with the University of Brighton. The University of Brighton employs Police Liaison Officers who work full time within the university to further the university’s mission of providing a safe place where students, faculty and staff can excel academically and professionally. As liaison officers, Lee and Gaynor can help with all the traditional police services, but unlike traditional police departments services offered are uniquely tailored to meet the needs of the university community and are designed to improve and maintain a healthy and quality of campus life.

All police officers work not only to stop crime, but also work in an educational capacity to empower individuals to take care of themselves and others.This is particularly important on the university campus, where students may be away from home for the first time and experiencing a new environment.

Liaison Officers work directly with new and international students to introduce them to the campus and keep them safe in the community which they are now part off. The University of Brighton police liaison officers offer initiatives like self-defence, alcohol safety advice, sexual assault awareness and crime prevention.

Property marking kits, bike marking and crime prevention products including safety alarms and drink spike free tops free of charge. PC Lee Cook [email protected]@sussex.pnn.police.uk PC Gaynor Martin [email protected]@sussex.pnn.police.uk

ADVICE AND SUPPORT


STUDENT SERVICES

Opportunities and support to help you get the most out of your time at university.

Student Services is a central department that provide a range of services to support you through university and to help you get the most from the student experience.

Our experienced and supportive staff offer advice on a range of issues, including:

• advice about money worries and how to live on a budget.

• support in finding jobs and volunteering opportunities.

• help accessing academic support if you have a disability, learning difficulty or long-term medical condition.

• one to one support for students with worries or concerns in a safe, confidential space.

Below is an outline of some of the ways in which we can help you during your time here.

Career development Build your employability skills and boost your graduate potential, with careers guidance, enterprise skills, and employment and volunteering opportunities.

Chaplaincy There’s more to the Chaplaincy than you think with social events, retreats, worship, discussion, support and listening.

Childcare With two Ofsted rated nurseries open to children of staff, students and the local community, the University of Brighton is an excellent choice for high quality, affordable and flexible childcare.

Counselling Whatever the reason, if you are finding academic life is causing you concern, or for personal reasons you need someone to talk things over with, you don’t need to feel that you are all alone with your worries. You can access a counsellor in a safe and confidential space for an assessment appointment and they can then offer guidance and support or referral to appropriate agencies.

Disability and dyslexia support If you’ve got a disability, specific learning difficulty or long term-health condition and choose to disclose it in confidence to the Disability and Dyslexia team, you’ll discover the wide range of academic and personal support available.

Health and wellbeing Looking after yourself whist at university helps you to get the most of your experience. Our links to local surgeries give you access to a doctor, while our health and wellbeing workshops and information help you to keep everything in balance – so look after your mind and body whilst you are here.

If you have experienced or are experiencing a difficult situation (such as bullying/harassment, bereavement, sexual violence etc.), would like to talk to someone or read some self-help materials or guidance documents, please see www.brighton.ac.uk/current-students/advice-and-support or contact Student Services.

Student Advice Service When it comes to your finances at university it pays to be money wise; so for expert advice on financial issues, including fees, grants, bursaries, loans, and money management, contact the Student Advice Service. They can also help if you are an international student needing immigration advice, or support if you’re experiencing culture shock and home sickness.

Get in touch You can find further information about our services and answers to your student life queries at www.brighton.ac.uk/current-students/index.aspx, ask your Student Support and Guidance Tutor (www.brighton.ac.uk/ssgt) see also the ‘help and advice’ tab on student central for access to FAQs, ask a question or book appointments.

We can help answer your questions in confidence via email, at [email protected] or you can access our services at each campus by visiting our student centres, or call us to find out more or book an appointment.

Eastbourne 01273 643845Falmer 01273 643584Grand Parade 01273 643187Moulsecoomb 01273 642895


SAFETY AT HOME


SAFETY AT HOME

It is important that your accommodation is safe and secure.

Your property should have a fire blanket, smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector.

A fire blanket is a fire-resistant sheet which can be placed over a small kitchen fire, such as a frying pan, or can be wrapped around a person whose clothes are on fire. This should be wall mounted within easy reach of the cooker. Although we hope you never need to use the blanket, please read the instructions on the outside so you know what to do if it is needed.

Your property should be fitted with a mains interlinked smoke alarm system and a heat sensor in the kitchen. These also have a back-up battery system, in case the main electricity supply fails.

Under no circumstances must you tamper with, or cover, the smoke alarm. Doing so could put you and your housemates at risk. If the alarm is making a ‘chirping’ sound, the battery may need changing. It is good practice to test the alarms at least once a month.

Did you know candles and cooking food after a night out are the main causes of house fires?

If a fire occurs, it is important to leave the property immediately, stay out and call 999. Unless it is safe to do so, you should never attempt to tackle a fire yourself. Emergency equipment can be helpful, but it is important to know how and when to use it.

A carbon monoxide detector will detect carbon monoxide leaks from faulty gas appliances. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a tasteless, colourless and odourless gas, so it is only possible to detect with the correct equipment.

The CO detector should be sited close to gas boilers and gas hobs, and will sound an alarm if there is CO. If the detector goes off you must:

• switch off all gas appliances• switch off the gas supply• call the National Grid on 0800 111

999

Again it is good practice to regularly check the operation of your carbon monoxide detector by pushing the ‘test’ button.

Student houses are attractive to burglars because you will all have your own gadgets, laptops and TVs. You may want to mark your property with one of the property marking kits available on the market. If the worst does happen, at least you may have your items returned to you if they are recovered by the police.

As tenants, you and your housemates are ultimately responsible for the security of the building you occupy. This means that you must make sure windows and doors are locked before you leave the property.

CONTACT DETAILS


July 2017: The University of Brighton makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of this handbook and will take all reasonable steps to provide the services described within it and in supplementary

documentation. It cannot, however, guarantee their provision in the event of circumstances beyond its control (such as lack of demand, changes in government policy or industrial action) but in such an

event, will make reasonable effort to provide a suitable alternative. It is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that they are aware of and comply with any changes in current legislation.

UNIVERSITYBrighton Accommodation ServiceAccommodation and Hospitality ServicesUniversity of BrightonThe Manor HouseMoulsecoomb PlaceLewes RoadBrightonBN2 4GA

01273 [email protected]

Eastbourne Accommodation ServiceAccommodation and Hospitality ServicesUniversity of BrightonRoom G3Trevin TowersGaudick RoadEastbourneBN20 7SP


Hastings Accommodation ServiceAccommodation and Hospitality Services University of Brighton in HastingsPriory SquarePriory StreetHastingsTN34 1EA


CONTACTS

NON-UNIVERSITYSussex Police (non-emergency)101

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

Brighton & Hove City Council Main Switchboard 01273 290000 Environmental Health 01273 293541www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Eastbourne Borough CouncilMain Switchboard 01323 410000Environmental Health 01323 415957www.eastbourne.gov.uk

Hastings Borough Council Main Switchboard 01424 451066Environmental Health 01424 451079www.hastings.gov.uk

Royal Sussex County Hospital (Brighton)01273 696955

District General Hospital (Eastbourne) 01323 417400

Conquest Hospital (Hastings)01424 755255

Citizens Advice Bureau 0870 120 2450

Victim Support 0845 3030 900

Talk to Frank (Drugs and alcohol advice) 0800 77 66 00

Samaritans 08457 90 90 90

Brighton & Hove Buses 01273 886200www.buses.co.uk

The Big Lemon Bus Company 01273 681681www.thebiglemon.com

Stagecoach Buses (Eastbourne and Hastings)03456 00 22 99www.stagecoachbus.com

National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50www.nationalrail.co.uk

Southern Water0845 272 0845www.southernwater.co.uk

South East Water0333 000 0001www.southeastwater.co.uk

This publication is available in alternative formats on request

Return addressUniversity of BrightonAccommodation and Hospitality ServicesExion 27Crowhurst RoadHollingburyBrightonBN1 8AF

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YOUR COMMUNITY - Studentstudenthomes.brighton.ac.uk/DocumentStorage/Community... · 2018. 8. 17. · blockbuster movies; Harry Potter, James Bond – The Living Daylights, Brighton