LIVING TOGETHER – OUR COMMUNITY

The University of Exeter is an inclusive community where everyone has the right to be treated with respect. We encourage people to report any form of harassment and bullying and contribute to a culture of inclusivity and acceptance where we can all thrive.

Learning to live together with others is part of the student experience. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure this is a welcoming and safe community, so please be aware of how your actions can affect others.

Should issues arise:

• You are encouraged to take the initiative as an individual and as a group living together

Be considerate and courteous towards others

Act responsibly and be honest

• Respect your neighbours. Keep quiet when walking around the Residences; nobody likes being kept up, especially local residents.

• Remember to keep the kitchen and living space clean and tidy.

• Keep on top of the washing up; mould causes arguments. Fact!

• Remember it’s your collective responsibility to empty the bins before they overflow; nobody likes bin juice and flies!

• Think of the environment: use the recycling facilities and food waste bins provided.

• Ensure flatmates are in agreement before sharing kitchen equipment.

• Remember to leave space in your cupboards and fridges for your flatmates.

• If you break or damage something, whether deliberately or accidentally – own up and tell us so we can organise a repair or replacement.

• If nobody owns up to causing the damage in an area you have access to, you will have to pay a share of the cost.

• Make sure you lock bedroom and flat doors; don’t make yourself an easy target.

• Look behind you when entering University accommodation blocks; don’t let strangers in.

• If you’re having a party, respect your flatmates and others who may not be joining in. Remember that you are responsible for your guests’ behaviour.

• Tell your flatmates if you have an overnight guest.

For further information, the Exeter Speaks Out website contains information on ways to report any incidents of bullying, harassment, intimidation or discrimination, and a link to information about the complaints process: exeter.ac.uk/speakout

• Communicate with those you live with in a respectful way

• Work together to find the solutions. If you are finding this difficult, contact the Residence Life Team who can help with:

• Peer-to-peer dispute resolution

• Providing a supportive space where you will be listened to

• Planning a way forward

exeter.ac.uk/accommodation/students/currentstudents/residencelifeteam

This process can also work alongside the University’s complaints process, as it counts as an informal stage which can be requested at any time.

What you can expect from us What we can expect from you

WE WILL:Catered and Self-Catered Accommodation • Provide a safe and clean environment for you to live in.

• �Check all corridors and stairwells regularly to ensure they are kept clear of furniture and student belongings as they are a means of escape in the event of a fire.

• �Provide and maintain cleaning equipment, vacuum cleaners, mops, buckets, dustpans, brushes, rubbish bags and vacuum bags and ensure they are in the nominated storage space.

• Clean shower/toilet facilities, in residences where they are shared, up to four times a week, except in Birks Grange Village Townhouses where they will be cleaned twice a week and Lafrowda Cottage, where communal areas will be cleaned once per week.

• Provide recycling and bin stores in a convenient location on site.

• Clean windows periodically externally and internally. Notification will be given. This is normally carried out in vacation.

• Check your accommodation from time to time, by a Manager or Supervisor, after it has been cleaned to ensure standards are maintained.

Catered Accommodation Only• Clean your bedroom/en-suite monthly, wiping down surfaces, vacuuming

floors, cleaning toilets, basins, showers and mopping floors. Please see notice boards for your cleaning day.

• �Clean utility/kitchen areas up to four times a week, wiping down surfaces, microwaves, sinks, and sweeping and mopping floor.

• �Clean communal area, stairs and corridors up to four times a week, cleaning furniture, fittings and vision glass and vacuuming and mopping floors.

Self-Catered Accommodation Only• �Clean your kitchen and lounge area at least once a week. We will clean all work

surfaces that we are able to access and clean the draining boards, sink and taps. We will clean the oven, hob and microwave, inside and out. We will clean the outside of the fridges and freezers and wipe down the kitchen table and chairs. We will sweep and mop the kitchen floor, vacuum the lounge, and wash out the kitchen bin and lid.

• �Clean communal area, stairs and corridors once a week, cleaning furniture, fittings, vision glass and vacuuming and mopping floors.

ON YOUR CLEANING DAY PLEASE WILL YOU:Catered and Self-Catered Accommodation • �Note when your cleaning day is.

• Ensure ALL communal areas are clear of your personal belongings so that a thorough clean can be undertaken by the cleaning staff.

• �Wash and put away all of your crockery and cooking utensils, ensure the sink, table and draining boards are clear to allow the cleaning staff to access these areas on your cleaning day.

• �Take out from your kitchen/utility/communal areas waste and recycling.

Catered Accommodation Only • �Ensure that your room is tidy and that you have picked up all your

belongings from the floor, and that your desk and other surfaces are clear, so that a thorough clean can be carried out by the cleaning staff.

GENERAL LIVING

Catered and Self-Catered Accommodation • Please ensure that your bedrooms, communal areas and kitchens

are kept in a clean, tidy and safe condition. Bottles and cans should not be collected in the kitchen/utility area. Kindly place broken crockery in the separate bin provided in the kitchen.

• Rubbish and recycling should be taken out on a daily basis to the bin stores provided on site. Please separate your recycling.

• �In communal toilets, showers and bathrooms, kindly remove personal belongings after use, wipe surfaces of showers and remove hair etc. from plug holes.

• �Please wipe the inside of the microwave after use. Kindly clean up any spillages immediately after use to allow others to use these facilities.

• �If your kitchen and communal areas are in an unacceptable condition on your cleaning day you may incur additional cleaning costs.

• Please keep corridors and stairwells clear, these are your FIRE EXITS. DO NOT tamper with fire equipment.

• Please note that cleaning equipment, supplied by the University, must be used solely for the use for which it is intended. Kindly return the equipment to the storage area after use to allow other residents access to it. DO NOT use the vacuum cleaner to pick up liquids.

• Please report any faults or damage to the residence reception as soon as possible.

Self-Catered Accommodation Only• Please wipe the microwave, hob and grill pan after use. When cooking

in the oven always use a baking tray – try using tin foil where possible to make cleaning up easier for you. Kindly clean up any spillages immediately after use to allow others to use these facilities.

• Keep fridge-freezers clean and tidy. Wipe out once a week of food and debris and excess water. Ensure the drainage is clear. Defrost as required. Please ask at the residences receptions for a defrost kit.

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More information about cleaning arrangements, including a Kitchen Equipment and Cleaning Guide can be found at exeter.ac.uk/accommodation/ students/currentstudents/cleaning