Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from our residents. More general guidance can be obtained here from SAAS
To help you prepare your move please ensure you have considered the following.
- You should only have one other person assist you with your move and no more than one vehicle.
- Please maintain social distancing and any one ways systems in the buildings and follow general government Covid-19 guidance
- Be prepared with boxes and anything else that will help you move your possessions.
- Please remember that you will need to bring cleaning materials with you or buy them on arrival so that you can return your accommodation to the original standard.
- Please remember to bring a face covering as you must wear this at all times when you are moving around the building.
- Follow any instructions regarding your end of tenancy, cleaning, mail redirection etc. (see below)
- When planning your journey, be aware of the limited toilet and refreshment facilities currently available.
- Please ensure you return your keys before departing.
It is your responsibility to ensure the following cleaning is carried out:
- Clean your bedroom and en-suite (if you have one) thoroughly, including vacuuming flooring: remove all your rubbish & personal items.
- Clean your communal kitchen/ pantry thoroughly, including oven, hob, microwave & fridge /freezer (where applicable) note, please do not switch off your fridge/freezer, staff will defrost this for you: remove all of your rubbish & personal items, including items in food lockers.
- Clean any shared bathroom/shower room (where applicable) thoroughly.
- Take down posters or any other items: please do so carefully, as any damage to walls or paintwork WILL result in a charge. Clear all personal items and rubbish from communal areas including pantries, kitchens, drying rooms, laundry and any other storage or communal areas.
- Please ensure all the furniture is in the correct rooms and location
- When you are cleaning and packing, please ensure that you open your window.
You should remove all rubbish and recycling and place into the appropriate bins, which are usually located at the front of the building or in the bin store area.
For any rubbish left you may be charges £10 per bag for us to remove it.
Yes, it is very important that you have packed everything and take it with you as any items left in your room or communal areas will be disposed of.
If you do leave items in your room, we will charge £10 per bag to clear your room. Please be aware that charges will also apply to cover any costs associated with returning the flat/ room to the condition it was in when you arrived. This could include cleaning fees and repairing any damage.
We ask that you remove any rubbish and food left in the cupboards/ fridges/ freezers to ensure that nothing remains after the last resident departs.
No, we will not be applying these charges – however, we ask that you remove all of your own personal rubbish and ensure your flat is as clean as possible.
All duvets and pillows should be left bagged in the common room or recycling area and we will arrange disposal of these items.
Yes, please place your keys in an envelope, indicating your name and room number. It is very expensive for you to forget to return your keys or to return them to the wrong place. Any key not returned means that we must change the lock and order new keys at your expense.
All keys must be returned to your site office or designated key deposit box, on your day of departure. If the office is closed, please place your keys in an envelope and post through the office mailbox. Please do not leave your keys anywhere else including Pollock Halls main reception or with a friend.
You must remove your belongings by your lease end date
If you are currently still living in your accommodation and are not able to leave your accommodation and travel home by your lease end date then please do let us know using the Accommodation Support Form and we will get in touch to advise you can stay or if there is alternative accommodation we can offer
Please be aware that, should you require accommodation beyond your lease end date, you may be required to move to one of our other accommodation locations.
Collecting My Belongings
You must book a slot to return to collect your belongings or nominate a friend or packing company to do this on your behalf by your original lease end date.
Please follow the links below to the booking system for your accommodation:
Campus - Belongings Collection - Arrival Slot Booking (Pollock Halls and O'Shea)
If you have already ended your lease, you must book a slot to return to collect your belongings or nominate a friend or packing company to do this on your behalf by your original lease end date. It is essential to use the booking system so that we can notify you if the household is in isolation as this would result in you needing to rearrange the visit.
Please follow the links below to the booking system for your accommodation:
Campus - Belongings Collection - Arrival Slot Booking (Pollock Halls and O'Shea)
You cannot stay overnight in your previous accommodation: please email the Allocations team who will assist you with alternative accommodation. Please email them on accom.allocations@ed.ac.uk. Please remember to book an arrival slot. It is essential to use the booking system so that we can notify you if the household is in isolation as this would result in you needing to rearrange the visit.
We can support you with accommodation options if you need to self-isolate due to Travel, please contact The Allocations team who will provide details of your accommodation options accom.allocations@ed.ac.uk. Please remember, you should only travel in line with Scottish Government guidelines: a packing service may be a better option for you.
Unfortunately, you cannot self-isolate in your original accommodate if this takes you past your original lease end date. We may be able to offer other suitable accommodation for you to complete your self-isolation period please email the Allocations team who will assist. Please email them on accom.allocations@ed.ac.uk. Please remember, you should only travel in line with Scottish Government guidelines: a packing service may be a better option for you.
In this situation we recommend you nominate a friend or company to clear your belonging on or before your lease end date. It is essential to use the booking system so that we can notify you if the household is in isolation as this would result in you needing to rearrange the visit..
Please follow the links below to the booking system for your accommodation:
Campus - Belongings Collection - Arrival Slot Booking (Pollock Halls and O'Shea)
If you have left possessions in your room and do not plan to return to collect them or use a packing and removal service please let us know. We can then dispose of the unwanted items for you and there will be a charge of £10 per bag removed.
If you are not able to leave your accommodation and travel home by your lease end date then please do let us know by filling in the form, via the link below, and we will get in touch to advise if we can offer alternative accommodation for you. Please be aware that, should you require accommodation beyond your lease end date you may be required to move to one of our other accommodation locations.
Please contact the Allocations team who will assist you: they may be able to offer you your previous room, or it may be similar accommodation elsewhere. Please email accom.allocations@ed.ac.uk
We recommend you nominate a friend or company to clear your belonging on or before your lease end date
Please follow the links below to the booking system for your accommodation:
Campus - Belongings Collection - Arrival Slot Booking (Pollock Halls and O'Shea)
We cannot store belongings, as our teams need to prepare the rooms for new arrivals
You must return or nominate a friend or company to clear your belonging on or before your lease end date
Please follow the links below to the booking system for your accommodation:
Campus - Belongings Collection - Arrival Slot Booking (Pollock Halls and O'Shea)
Please ensure you are logged into you MyEd when you complete the form, parents, friends or packing companies cannot complete the form on your behalf
If you are having difficulties booking please contact us using the using the Accommodation Support Form
Our onsite community support team can override the lock and open safes, please go to the Pollock reception to arrange this with them.
Accommodation, Catering and Events are unable to redirect your mail. All post received after you leave will be returned to the sender. You can collect and complete a post redirection form from any Post Office (this is a chargeable service) to make sure any post is redirected accordingly.
https://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/redirection
Remember to contact your doctor's surgery/ the University Health Centre and University Registry to inform them of your change of address.
Charges Sheet 20/21
Prices are correct as of September 2020 - PLEASE NOTE THEY MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Please find below some representative costs of household replacements, cleaning and maintenance charges. The minimum cost for any item is £5.00, and all costs include an administrative charge of 25%. REMOVAL COSTS FOR DAMAGED ITEMS OF FURNITURE MAY ALSO BE CHARGEABLE. The age of the item will be taken into consideration when charging, and the full replacement charge may not always be payable. This list is not exhaustive, for items, not listed quotes will be obtained.
“Moving Out” – Notes of Guidance for Tenants
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Repairs reporting: Contact your Accommodation Manager to advise of any outstanding repairs. Check the vacuum in your flat is working properly – this will assist you with your cleaning.
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Any damage caused by tenants may be charged to them at the end of the lease. This may include carpet and curtain cleaning. |
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Post: Collect and complete a post redirection form from any Post Office. There is a nominal cost. |
The University is unable to redirect your mail and it will be returned to sender. We never hold onto your mail.
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For rubbish removal of larger items, call Edinburgh City Council for Special Uplift on 529 3030 (please note there will be a charge for this service), or Beeline Removals on 557 8802.
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DO NOT LEAVE ITEMS IN BINSTORES, STAIRWELLS OR IN THE FLAT. Charges will be made for these. |
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Cleaning rota: work this out, agreeing who will be responsible for particular areas in the flat. Remember - most flats have early leavers, and you are responsible for cleaning your own room. Leave enough time for cleaning.
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You could be liable for cleaning charges if your room/the flat is found in an unsatisfactory condition. |
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Inform the University Health Centre/your doctor and University Registry of your change of address |
This will assist you next year when making doctor’s appointments or communicating with University administrative departments
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Rubbish/bottles/boxes/street signs removal,furniture removal/uplift of hired items |
Remember - costs for removal of unclaimed items/excessive rubbish left in flats will be split amongst all tenants of the property.
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Bicycle removal |
Bikes need to go home too. Any unclaimed bikes are removed and recycled annually in the second week of June. |
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Remove ALL foodstuffs from fridges & cupboards
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Remember - costs for removal of unclaimed items/excessive rubbish left in flats will be split amongst all tenants of the property. As above
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