Almost all student private rented accommodation is part of a mixed community of students, graduates, professionals, families and retired people. This means that while it may feel that students are the majority, you are living side by side with other people who have different expectations from their neighbours. As a student tenant you have to learn to be considerate.
In recent years police have begun to crackdown on repeat student offenders, particularly with noise. ASBOs can be issued if the police feel the offence caused is great enough.
Below are some tips to help make your time living side by side with your adopted community more harmonious.
• When you move in, introduce yourself to your neighbours. They will appreciate that you have made the effort. Ask them to pop round if they have any problems. This will help to resolve any minor problems before they get serious and are reported elsewhere. Your neighbours may also be able to keep a look out for any security problems when you are away on holiday.
• Remember that neighbours with children or who get up early to start work may reasonably expect things to be quiet in the evening.
• Tell your neighbours well in advance if you are planning a party and make sure you don’t have too many. Invite them if you can – but always remember to keep the noise down after about 11pm. Avoid impromptu gatherings when you return from a nightclub.
• Keep TV’s and stereo speakers away from neighbours’ walls as noise travels easily. Victorian and Edwardian properties like yours were not designed for multiple occupancy with several sound systems, TV’s etc.
• Be aware that neighbours can often hear people running up and down stairs, doors slamming and raised voices too.
• Most complaints about noise relate to students returning from a night out. Don’t make lots of noise in the street, don’t stand outside talking and come back into your home quietly.
• Avoid parking outside your neighbours’ properties wherever possible – it will cause them inconvenience especially if they are elderly or have a young family. Many residential areas now have resident’s parking schemes, which mostly allow only two permits per property, so it will be difficult for all students in one house to have parking permits. Do you really need a car during term time?
• Keep the outside of your property clean and tidy. Use your wheelie and recycling bins and make sure you put them out and take them back in at the right time. Burglars often use bins that have been left out to get into backyards. Keep your garden tidy, or remind the landlord or agent if it is their responsibility and they haven’t been doing it.
• If you have bulky rubbish to get rid of, then call your City Council, they will normally charge a small fee, but leaving the item outside your property will incur a much larger fine for fly tipping.
