Accommodation News

Check this page for all the latest news from the Accommodation Office.

Returning Student Applications for Campus and Ex-RAF Session 2010/11

Application forms for returning students for session 2010/11 are available online at www.brunel.ac.uk/life/accommodation/apply.

Studio flat applications for session 2010/11

Application forms for campus studio flats for session 2010/11 are available online at www.brunel.ac.uk/life/accommodation/application/studio.

Residences Student Mentors 2009/10

Your Student Mentors and Senior Mentors are employed by the University to support and advise new resident students and to promote and encourage a sense of community within the University.

Some new students may find settling in hard and can be anxious and nervous about joining a large and diverse University community. A friendly face often helps to ease them into their new surroundings. Our Residences Student Mentor Programme aims to provide the encouragement needed to prevent new students from giving up on University.

Throughout your stay you may need some further help or support from time to time, and your mentors can help you with that. They are enthusiastic and interested in working with people and helping others, as well as acting as guides and role models.

Normally working in teams of two, they are available for you to contact from Monday to Thursday evenings inclusive, during term time, between the hours of 5pm and 9pm.

Residences Mentors will normally be available near your Residences Office if you would like to pop down to see them, or you can telephone, text or email them on the contact information below to arrange for one of them to visit you.

They will also be letting you know about your kitchen meetings which will start during Freshers Week and continue during the year.

CONTACT INFORMATION (Mon to Thurs, 5pm to 9pm, term time only)

Bishop and Lancaster Complexes:
Email Bishop Mentors
Telephone +44 (0)7546 365167 or +44 (0)7546 364812

Mill, Fleming and Galbraith Halls:
Email Mill Mentors
Telephone +44 (0)7799 282619 or +44 (0)7774 833261

Isambard Complex:
Email Isambard Mentors
Telephone +44(0)7546 373640 or (0)7546 373756

Faraday, Saltash, Clifton and Chepstow Halls:
Email Faraday Mentors
Telephone +44 (0)7796 354967 or +44 (0)7884 036740

Important information regarding Swine Flu and other health matters

Investor in People - IIP

Studio flats at the new Isambard Complex

Survey results

Accommodation Office survey results 2008/09

Residence Office survey results 2008/09

Accommodation Office survey results 2007/08

Residence Office survey results 2007/08

TV licensing

TV License Information

When do I need a TV Licence?

You need a TV License to watch or record TV programmes, irrespective of what channel you're watching, what device you are using (TV, computer, laptop, mobile phone or any other), and how you receive them (terrestrial, satellite, cable, via the Internet or any other way). If you don't have a licence you risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

This means that if you are watching or recording live broadcasts via the BBC iPlayer you need to be covered by a TV Licence. If you are only watching or downloading programmes that have already been broadcast using the iPlayer or other internet services, a licence is not required.

In some cases you and your flatmates will each require your own separate licence for the TVs in your rooms, and in others one licence may be sufficient between all your flatmates, regardless of the number of devices in the property. The tenancy agreement on your property is often a good indication of this. For example:

• You need your own separate TV Licence if you live in halls of residence and use a TV in your own room, or if you share a house with other students and use a TV in your room, and your room is a separately occupied place (a separate tenancy agreement would normally indicate that this is the case).
• If you have a separate tenancy agreement but a television is only being used in a communal area, then only one licence is required.
• If you are sharing a house with other students and you use a TV in your own room, but the house can be treated as one place shared by all, then only one TV Licence is required (a joint tenancy agreement would usually be evidence that the house is a single licensable place for this purpose).

Aren't I covered by my parents' TV Licence?

Your parents' TV Licence will only cover you in your student accommodation in the following limited circumstances:

• You only use TV receiving equipment which is powered by its own internal batteries
• You haven't installed the TV receiving equipment, for example you haven't connected the TV receiving equipment to an aerial or plugged it into the mains supply
• Your permanent place of residence is your parents' house
• Your parents have a valid TV Licence for their house.

What if I am moving out of my student accommodation?

If you are moving out of halls or other student accommodation, remember that your TV Licence does not move with you and you will need to notify TV Licensing of your new address. You can update your details by visiting www.tvlicensing.co.uk/students2009 and following the instructions. It only takes a minute or two. You'll be asked for your TV Licence number and new address.

At the same time you can choose to receive your TV Licence by email instead of receiving a paper licence in the post.

I don't need my TV Licence over the summer, can I get a refund?

If you are not staying at university over the summer and do not need your TV Licence again before it expires, you are entitled to a refund of any unused quarters (three full calendar months). So long as you purchased your TV Licence in October and don't need it for July, August and September, you could be eligible for a refund.

Most students would need to buy a TV Licence at the beginning of term in October in order to allow enough time at the end of the year to qualify for a refund. Assuming that a TV Licence is purchased in the month it is needed, it will expire 12 months from the first of that month.

To check if you are eligible for a refund, visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk/students2009 or call 0844 800 6734.

How will anyone know if I don't have a TV Licence?

TV Licensing's database lists addresses that don't have a TV Licence, including university accommodation and enquiry officers do visit unlicensed properties.

If you use television-receiving equipment without a valid TV Licence, you risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000, plus court costs, and you will need to buy a TV Licence if you still need one. A colour licence costs £142.50.

Students requiring further information should contact TV Licensing on 0844 800 6734. To find out about the many ways you can pay for your TV Licence, including Direct Debit, visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk/students2009.