Accommodation FAQs

• When can I move into halls? Do contracts start at the beginning of tenancy, or are there set periods?
  If you are applying for a place for a main intake period (September or January) then your contract will begin on the main intake arrival date. If you are applying at any other time of year then your contract start date will your individual move in date which will be arranged for you.
• Is there anything I need to bring with me?
  You will need to bring towels, cutlery, crockery and anything else you feel that you may need during your stay. Bedding and one set of be linen is provided.
• How do I collect my keys?
  You can collect your keys from your local accommodation office. You will need to have a copy of your contract, photo ID (e.g. passport) and a completed residence form with a photograph before signing for your keys.
• Can I move in early?
  You can only move in early if this has been arranged and agreed with the MDX Accommodation Team. If not, then unfortunately accommodation services cannot permit an early move in date. Students are however normally permitted to move in to halls from the Monday before the contract actually start (this is chargeable at the daily rate).

• How/where do I pay my rent?
  Rent should be paid in two or three instalments as detailed in your Acceptance Form and must be paid on or before those dates (whether demanded or not). You can pay by any of the methods below and remember to quote your student number when making any payments:

1. On-line via myUniHub.
2. Over the phone if you have a credit/debit card (we do not accept American Express Cards) by calling: +44 (0)20 8411 6400
3. At your local Campus Finance Office by card (we do not accept American Express Cards), cash, cheque, bankers draft, travellers cheques (all in £ sterling). Cheques and bankers draft must be drawn on a UK bank account.
4. By sending bankers drafts or cheques (£ sterling only) to the following address: Receivables Team, Financial Services, Middlesex University, Hendon Campus, The  Burroughs, London NW4 4BT.
5. Through the Regional Office if the students has applied through this source.

• Can I pay my rent by cash/cheque? 
  Rent can be paid in cash or a personal cheque at any Campus Finance Office. Payments can also be made using a Bankers Draft (Cheques and Bankers Drafts must be drawn on a UK bank account). Remember to quote your student number when making any payments.
• Can I pay monthly?
  We do not offer monthly payment plans and students are advised to pay termly on the dates stated on their Acceptance Form (contract).
• Can I pay my rent at my local accommodation office directly?
  Unfortunately, rent cannot be paid at your local accommodation office.
• Can I pay at the campus?
  Rent can be paid at a Campus Finance Office by card (we do not accept American Express Cards), cash, cheque, bankers draft, travellers cheques (all in £ sterling). Cheques and bankers draft must be drawn on a UK bank account. Remember to quote your student number when making any payments.  
• Can the rent deadline be extended?
  Rent is payable on or before arrival for your first term and on or before the deadline dates as shown on your Acceptance Form (contract). We are unable to extend deadlines and payment must be made in a timely manner.
• What can I do if I am having problems paying my rent?
  It is very important that you make your payments by the agreed due dates. Failure to do so will result in loss of access to the University facilities. If you are having problems you should contact the Credit Control Team by phone on 0208 411 6400 and select option 3, or by email to stufin_credcon@mdx.ac.uk.
• Can I use my deposit towards my final instalment?
  We do not advise students to use their deposit towards their final instalment of rent as if there are any charges made against your deposit (due to losses/breakages etc.) You may end up still owing money even after departure. This could adversely affect your ability to re-enrol for your next year or receive your exam results.
  

• If I don't like living in halls after I have moved in, can I move out?
  Once you have accepted a contract and moved into halls you are legally bound to its Terms and Conditions, one of which states that we do not accept notice to leave at any time unless you withdraw from the University. Students are advised to seek independent clarification on their contractual obligations before signing the contract and moving into halls if they are unsure of their legal obligations.
• Can I move out at any time?
  Notice to leave is not accepted at any time unless you withdraw from the University as stated in our Terms and Conditions of Residence document.
• If I finish my course/exams before my contract end date can I move out early and receive a rent refund?
  If you wish to move out early you may do so, but please be advised that you will be charged for the rent of your room until your scheduled contract departure dates as per the Terms and Conditions of Residence that you agreed to when you accepted your contract and moved into halls. You will not receive a rent refund. If you are unsure about what contract you are on, you are advised to contact the MDX Accommodation Team for clarification on +44 (0)20 8411 6121.
• What happens to my room if I withdraw from the university?
  If you withdraw or interrupt your academic programme and leave the University or associated college, you must also leave your room in halls by giving one month's notice of your intention to leave. You must advise the MDX Accommodation Team in writing of your decision and enclose a copy of the withdrawal/interruption of studies form issued to you by your student office. The month's notice will begin on the day that your notification is received at the MDX Accommodation Team. Your notification should include the date by which you will be leaving halls and returning your keys. If you move out before the end date of the month's notice period, the MDX Accommodation Team will make every effort to find a replacement for the room, but it is possible that you will be liable for the rent for the full month.
• Why can't I move out by just giving a month’s notice?
  You have signed a legally binding contract stating that you will stay until a specified day,  we do not accept Notice to leave at any time.
• Why can't contracts be terminated at the end of each payment period?
  All contracts are set for a specified period of time. All students should seriously consider whether they wish to stay for the full term of the contract before signing.
• Can I change halls?
  Hall moves will only be considered three weeks after your move in date and can only be carried out if there are rooms available in your chosen hall that are not under contract and your rent payments are up to date. There is also currently an administration charge of £30 unless specifically advised otherwise by the local hall manager.  The necessary forms are available from your local accommodation office.  Unauthorised room swaps will result in a disciplinary.
• Can I change my room?
  Room moves will only be considered three weeks after your move in date and can only be carried out if there are rooms available that are not under contract and your rent payments are up to date. There is also currently an administration charge of £30 unless specifically advised otherwise by the local hall manager. Room/Hall Move Request Forms are available from your local accommodation office. Unauthorised room swaps will result in a disciplinary.
• When does my contract finish?
  You can check your copy of the Acceptance Form (contract), enquire at your local accommodation office or alternatively you can call the MDX Accommodation Team on +44 (0)20 8411 6121 to find out the exact date.
• Can I extend my contract?
  It may be possible to extend your contract at certain times of the year. If you wish to extend your contract please contact the MDX Accommodation Team on +44 (0)20 8411 6121, who can advise you if this is possible.

• How do I register with the doctor? And what about medical services?
  A list of doctors, dentists and opticians can be found at Finding a Doctor/Dentist/Optician. All residents are required to register with a local doctor prepared to visit their hall of residence. Accommodation staff will not make the decision whether or not to call out the doctor, this is up to the resident concerned. In a real emergency an ambulance should be called by dialling 999.
• What happens if I need assistance outside of office hours?
  Security officers are on duty every day Monday to Friday from 5pm until 9am the following morning and from 5pm on a Friday night until 9am on the following Monday morning. The security officers are there for such things as excessive noise or real emergencies.
  If you come home late and have forgotten your keys etc and it is after 12 midnight we do not class this as an emergency. Please sleep on a friend's floor and contact your local accommodation office or security officer the next day.
• Can a student get letter to prove residency?
  Yes. This letter can be obtained from their local accommodation office after they have arrived at halls. Unfortunately it is not possible to obtain a residency letter before arrival.
• What banks are in the area and what details/documents do I need to open an account?
  At least one of the major high street banks can be found near each hall of residence, however which one varies from location to location. You will need proof of your current address (a letter can be provided by your local accommodation office) and your home address as well as another form of identification e.g. a passport. The requirements can differ from bank to bank and branch to branch so it best to go in and see what they require.
• I need a reference letter for bank, estate agent or embassy. Will the MDX Accommodation Team provide one?
  The MDX Accommodation Team are able to provide reference letters for estate agents. Your local accommodation office are able to provide other residency letters.
• Are the local accommodation offices able to receive parcels on behalf of students?
  Parcels will be received on behalf of students during accommodation office opening hours, providing appropriate notofication is given.
• Do I have to pay for the internet facility in my room?
  Use of the internet in all halls of residence is included in the rent.
• Can I have a telephone line in my room?
  Unfortunately you cannot have a landline in your room; the points provided are for network access only.  
• Does the heating stay on all night?
  In most halls that have radiators as opposed to individual electric heaters, the heating will go off late at night. All boilers will be switched off at some point during the summer months.
• Can I park in halls?
  Parking is available at a small cost at Writtle House, Platt Hall, Usher hall and free of charge at Ivy Hall.  Please note that parking enforcements are in place at Writtle House, Platt hall and Usher hall.
• Can my family/friends stay in a/my room when they come and visit me?
  Your family and friends can't have a room allocated to them to stay with you in halls. However, you are allowed to have a guest stay one night in the week and one night on the weekend. If you would like a guest to stay longer you must go to the local Hall Office to fill out an extended stay form. Please remember you are responsible for your guests and must be with them at all times.
• What can I do about students being noisy at night in halls?
  You can call security and tell them the noise is disturbing you, and tell them where it is coming from. They will then ask the residents to lower or turn the music down. The local Hall Office will then follow the complaint up in the morning. 

If you live in halls of residence and use a device to watch/record TV in your own room, you need your own separate TV Licence. A licence is needed if you are watching or recording television programmes at the same time as they are being shown on TV. This is true no matter what device you’re watching on (including TV sets, laptops, mobile phones) and no matter how you’re receiving the programmes (including terrestrial, satellite, cable or digital television channels).

For further information simply head to the TV Licensing for Students  website or call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6090.

Anyone without a valid TV Licence who watches or records television programmes as described above risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

How much do I have to pay for a TV licence?

A colour TV Licence currently costs £145.50, and a black and white licence is £49. They will remain at these rates for the next few years as the TV Licence fee has been frozen until 2017.

Can I get a refund for when I move back home for summer? 

If you are moving back home for the summer from university and no longer need a TV Licence over the holidays, and there are three full calendar months before your licence expires, you are entitled to a refund for the unused, quarter of your licence.

You will need to ensure you buy a licence early on, by the end of September/ early October, in order to allow enough time at the end of the academic year to qualify for a refund. The refund on a TV Licence bought after April 2010 will be around £37.

If you wish to arrange a refund, please visit TV Licensing for Students or call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6090.

If you'd like more information, head to the FAQs on the TV licensing for students website.