Claredale House FAQs
General FAQs
- Can I get Internet access?
- What is the area like?
- How do the buses and tube fares work?
- Are there any particular rules I need to follow whilst living at Claredale?
- What do I need to bring with me?
- Do you have washing machines?
- Where’s the nearest supermarket?
- Is there a curfew?
- Can friends come and stay?
- Why can’t I smoke in my room/flat?
- Do you have parking?
- Is there a phone in my room?
- Can I bring a music system?
- Can I have a pet in my room?
- How does heating work in my room ?
Term-time FAQs
- Why do I have to pay a deposit?
- What happens if I pay a deposit and then decide I do not want the room before the start of the contract?
- When do I have to pay my rent?
- When will I get my deposit back?
- What happens if I want to leave?
- Do I have to insure my possessions?
- How many people use the kitchen?
- Who cleans my flat/bedroom?
- I won’t know my flatmates. What if I don’t like them?
- What should I do if I have a problem?
Summer Vacation FAQs
- How much is a room?
- What is the latest check-in time?
- Are rooms ensuite?
- Is breakfast provided?
- Why do I have to pay a deposit?
- When will I get my deposit back?
- When do I have to pay my rent?
- What happens if I want to leave?
- Do I have to insure my possessions?
- What do I need to bring with me?
- What should I do if I have a problem?
General FAQs
Can I get Internet access?
Yes, we have a broadband internet system. You will need to buy an Ethernet lead for your computer.
What is the area like?
Like a lot of London it’s a real mixture. Large housing estates nestle next to trendy pubs, and what was once a predominantly working class area has become gentrified in many parts. There are lots of new buildings being built and many more being refurbished.
Everything you need is on your doorstep; whether you want to go shopping, eat out or see a film – it’s all there.
Like any inner-city area, there is some crime in the area but Claredale House is a very safe place to live and it is very safe to walk around the area. It is important that people show some common sense when travelling around this or any other part of London or indeed any European city. London is fun – it’s a great place to live, work and play.
How do the buses and tube fares work?
For public transport information, visit the Transport for London website – www.tfl.gov.uk. This will tell you everything you need to know. The best thing to do is get yourself an Oyster card which will cover you for transport on the tube, buses, and most local trains. You can travel around London more cheaply with an Oyster card. If you are a student ask your students' union about further travel reductions.
Are there any particular rules I need to follow whilst living at Claredale?
The most important thing is that all residents show respect for each other and local residents. That means keeping the noise down in and around the building and making sure that everybody plays their part in the flat by doing their fair share of the cleaning. We want everybody to enjoy themselves but with enjoyment comes responsibility.
Obviously we expect everybody to pay their rent on time and make sure the building is kept in good condition.
Claredale House is in the middle of a densely populated area. Just 10m from the flats are the homes of local residents who have the right to enjoy te peaceful residency of their homes. Therefore it is really important that our residents do not annoy our neighbours by hanging around in the courtyard, landings and staircases in groups. To avoid any possible noise issues we ask that all residents who drink alcohol do so only in their flats and not anywhere else on the premises.
What do I need to bring with me?
You need to bring your own bedding, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans. Also we don’t provide kettles and toasters, which you may want to get together with your flatmates to buy. We do have vacuum cleaners, irons and ironing boards you can borrow.
Do you have washing machines?
Yes, we’ve got 4 coin-operated washing machines and 4 tumble dryers. You need to use your own washing powder/liquid. The washing machine costs £2.00 and the tumble dryer costs £1 for every 30 minutes worth of drying – £2 should do the trick depending on the size of the load!
Where’s the nearest supermarket?
Tesco Express is just 2 minutes’ walk away from the building on Hackney Road.
Is there a curfew?
No, you can come and go as you please at any time of the day or night. You’re given a code for the pedestrian gate in the archway. Just make sure that you do not pass the code on to anybody else or let anybody in that you do not recognise.
Can friends come and stay?
Yes, for a few days but it’s best to let your flatmates know if you’ve got people visiting. We don’t, however, allow residents’ boyfriends or girlfriends to stay for long periods of time. The odd weekend is OK, but we draw the line when it comes to visitors taking the flat over and using it as their own. Please remember, you are responsible for your guests and their behaviour.
Why can’t I smoke in my room/flat?
Claredale House is a non-smoking building. All flats are non-smoking. Furthermore, you cannot smoke in any staircase or balcony landing.
Do you have parking?
We’ve got 20 spaces inside the locked gates, which we allocate on a first-come first-served basis and there’s a £100 deposit for the gate key. No other parking is available.
To park outside the halls and around the borough, you’ll need to buy an annual permit from the council (020 7364 3788). There are also meters for short-term parking. Word of advice, make sure you read the street-parking instructions carefully and if you’re on a meter, keep an eye on the time, because they’re pretty hot on clamping just about everywhere in London.
Is there a phone in my room?
No, but there is one in the hallway of every flat. Friends and family can ring you, but you can only ring out if you have a charge card or are using a freephone number.
Can I bring a music system?
You can bring some kind of music system with you, but it’s really important that you don’t blast it out. Loud music causes more problems than anything else, please think about your fellow residents and the local community.
Mixing decks, specifically, are banned. Loud music, especially late at night and in the early hours of the morning, will not be tolerated.
Can I have a pet in my room?
Sorry, no pets.
How does the heating work in my room?
The hot water and heating supply is controlled from the central heating boiler room in the building
It is important to note that the radiators will only heat up in your room depending on the temperature outside the building. For example, if the external temperature is above 20 degrees centigrade then the radiators will not be warm, if the external temperature is 15 degrees then the radiators will be warm. Then as the temperature drops further the heating increases.
If the radiators are too warm for you then you can control the level by using the control on the side of the radiator
This can sometimes be an issue for some residents because some people feel the cold more than others. However the system is run this way to ensure that we do not waste energy by continually having the heating on 24 hours a days, 365 days of the year.
Term-time FAQs
Why do I have to pay a deposit?
Two reasons: one to show us that you really do intend to take the room and the second to cover the cost of any damage or money that you might owe us at the end of your stay. We bank the deposit and post it back to you 28 days after you leave. Your deposit is separate from your rent.
What happens if I pay a deposit and then decide I do not want the room before the start of the contract?
This all might sound a bit complicated but bear with us on this one! If you accept the offer of a room, pay a deposit and then decide with more than 28 days before the contract starts you no longer want the room, you will forfeit £100 of the deposit you paid.
If you do the same with less than 14 days to go, you lose £200 of your deposit.
When do I have to pay my rent?
It depends when you move in. If you live with us for the full academic year you will have to pay rent on 3 separate occasions; once in September, once in January and the final payment in April. In your licence agreement, these are inspiringly known as payment periods so check the dates on the last page.
When will I get my deposit back?
The deposit is returned to you in full, if you don’t owe us any money, within 28 days of the end of the contract.
What happens if I want to leave?
When you agree to take a room and have paid a deposit, it’s for the whole academic year. This means, if you want to leave early we can only refund your rent if we get someone else to take your room. If you want to terminate your contract, you must let us know in writing.
Do I have to insure my possessions?
Yes, you need to arrange your own personal possessions insurance. It’s worth checking whether you’re covered under your parents’ home insurance – sometimes you can do this for a small extra premium. If you want, we can give you the numbers of a few insurance companies.
How many people use the kitchen?
That depends on how many rooms there are in your flat.
Who cleans my flat/bedroom?
You do! During term-time, you are responsible for keeping your flat clean. We provide refuse bags in the main office and, during office hours, this is where you can borrow a vacuum cleaner.
We carry out monthly maintenance flat inspections and once a term, we carry out cleaning inspections. The cleanest flats get presented with champagne and chocolates each term.
I won’t know my flatmates. What if I don’t like them?
The most common problems revolve around situations, which might seem quite mundane such as washing up, cleaning, slamming of doors, drunken behaviour, front doors being left open, leaving the shower in a mess.
However, if these things are not dealt with, flatmates can end up getting fed up and angry. Being a flatmate brings with it responsibilities.
The best way to deal with these problems, or avoid them from happening is to realise that you have to show respect for your flatmates. Help keep the flat clean, buy the odd roll of toilet paper now and again, don't leave plates to fester in the kitchen, take the rubbish to the bins in the courtyard, keep the noise down, keep your visitors under control.
Some residents set up cleaning rotas at the beginning of the year. This can help, as long as people stick to the tasks.
Sometimes, you have to swallow your pride and admit that you are sometimes wrong. By and large, everything works well and sharing a flat is great fun. Above all, talk to each other!
What should I do if I have a problem?
Just pop into the on-site office, by the main gate. It’s open Monday – Friday 8.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 4.30 . Outside office hours, we have subwardens on duty until midnight and we will give you information about them when you come to stay.
Summer Vacation FAQs
How much is a room?
Not decided yet
What is the latest check-in time?
We are very flexible. You can check in anytime between 9.00am – 1.00pm and 2.00pm and midnight but please let us know if you are planning to arrive outside of office hours (Monday – Friday 9.00am and 1.00pm and 2.00pm and 5.00pm).
Are rooms ensuite?
There are no ensuite facilities. Each flat has its own toilet and shower.
Is breakfast provided?
Claredale is self-catered. Our other building, Sir John Cass Hall provides breakfast for its residents..
Why do I have to pay a deposit?
Two reasons: one to show us that you really do intend to take the room and the second to cover the cost of any damage or money that you might owe us at the end of your stay. Your deposit is separate from your rent and is returned at the end of your stay.
It is really important that when you arrive, you must have your deposit with you along with the first weeks rent.
When will I get my deposit back?
The deposit is returned to you in full, if you don’t owe us any money, within 28 days of the end of the contract.
When do I have to pay my rent?
Rent is always paid at least one week in advance. It can be paid by credit/debit card, cheque or cash. You can pay your rent over the phone or by giving us your card details which we keep securely and we can withdraw the payments on the same day each week.
What happens if I want to leave?
We’re quite generous really. If you want to leave, you only have to give us one weeks notice, in writing. This means you will only be liable for rent for 7 days from the date of your letter.
Do I have to insure my possessions?
Yes, you need to arrange your own personal possessions insurance. If you want, we can give you the numbers of a few insurance companies.
What do I need to bring with me?
You need to bring your own bedding, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans. We provide a microwave, kettle and toaster in each flat.
What should I do if I have a problem?
Just pop into the on-site office, by the main gate. It’s open Monday – Friday 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm. Outside office hours, we have subwardens on duty until midnight and we will give you information about them when you come to stay.