Complaints about your housing

Practical problems

When you get the keys to your accommodation, ask who you should speak to if you have a problem. If there are practical problems (e.g. a blocked drain or a jammed lock), the first person to go to would usually be the porter or the landlord. If you’ve been allocated a room by your university, the accommodation coordinator will also be able to help you.
 

Accommodation office

Many universities have their own accommodation offices. In some cases, they may be managed independently of the university. If you encounter problems, the best course of action is to contact the accommodation office directly rather than the international student office. The international office would help you out if, for example, you were having problems with the accommodation officer.
 

Check your rental contract

Make sure you read your rental agreement before signing it. At the end of the rental period, some charges, such as the final energy bill or cleaning costs, may be deducted from your deposit. Make sure you know what you are allowed to do with your room. For example, you may not be allowed to paint the walls or bang nails into the wall. If you break the rules, the repair costs may be deducted from your deposit.