Moving Out! Important Information

When do I have to move out?

The Undergraduate accommodation contract is valid until 8th June 2024. You are expected to vacate your accommodation by 10am on this day.

The Postgraduate accommodation contract is valid until the 17th August 2024. You are expected to vacate your accommodation by 10am on this day.

How will I receive notice of my tenancy ending?

The Halls team will send you reminder emails when your contract is approaching its end date.

The campus closes from 17th August until the 31st August for deep cleaning and maintenance.

What if I can’t move out by 10am on my lease end date?

We are unable to accommodate any extensions past the end date of your contract. Please see our webpages for short term accommodation options.

Before leaving, what should I do?

• Plan ahead – Sort through your belongings; if you will be disposing of items in waste/recycle bins do this as soon as possible and don’t leave this to your move out date. Donate items to charity in advance of your moving out date. Use up food or donate to food banks via ResLife.

• 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.

Am I responsible for cleaning my flat at the end of my tenancy?

You must leave the flat in a clean and tidy condition and in a good state of repair. Any cleaning required or repairs required will be charged to you. For communal areas, we will split any cleaning and damages equally among all residents so it's best to agree what everyone is doing and make sure you do your bit.

While we don't expect a professional clean from you, we do expect that the flat is fully cleaned to a high standard so make sure you clean everything and double check before you leave.

Please remember to:

• Clean your bedroom and en-suite (if you have one) thoroughly, including vacuuming floor. Remove all your rubbish & personal items.

• Check and clean inside of drawers, behind furniture and under bed. Clean all surfaces.

• Clean your communal kitchen/ pantry thoroughly, including oven, hob, fridge /freezer. Please do not switch off your fridge/freezer, staff will defrost this for you.

• Clean any shared bathroom/shower room thoroughly.

• Remove all of your rubbish & personal items, including items in fridge and freezer. Use up food from fridge/freezer and cupboards before moving out. Clean inside of kitchen units and fridge/freezer

Will I receive any charges at the end of my tenancy?

We will inspect the flat on the day of your departure and check for cleaning, repairs, or missing items. Any damages, cleaning required, replacement of missing or broken inventory will be invoiced to you.

All charges must be paid by the stated date. Unpaid charges may affect your registration or graduation and in certain cases may be passed to a debt recovery agency which will affect your credit rating.

Will I get my deposit back?

We don't have a deposit! You first payment is an advance rent instalment.

Where should I leave my key?

Please return your key or card to the University main reception. If you're doing this out of hours, place your key/card into an envelope with your building and room number and place it in the drop box to the left of the main entrance. 

What if I want to leave before the end of my lease date?

If your classes have finished and you leave the flat before your official lease end date, you will remain liable for all rents due and for any damages or cleaning required after your departure. If you are leaving early, make sure you speak to your flatmates to agree lease end arrangements as you may be charged for their mess or damages. We won't be able to waive any charges if you leave early and your flatmates don't clean the flat or cause damage to the property after you leave.

Please remember to notify the Accommodation team by email (halls@hw.ac.uk) and return your keys to Main Reception.

I'm returning to halls in the next academic year, can you store my items over the summer?

Unfortunately not. There is no option of storing items at the University over the summer. Please look into alternative storage arrangements.

Can you provide me with a reference?

If you are moving into the private sector and require a reference, Halls can provide you with one. Please email halls@hw.ac.uk.

How do I find accommodation in the private sector?

or information on how to find accommodation off campus, please visit: https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/edinburgh/living/off-campus-living.htm

What do I do with the items I don’t want to take with me?

Unwanted duvet and pillows should be put into a clear bag and disposed of in the external general waste bin/skip. Pillowcases, duvet cover, bedsheets, etc. can be put into a clear bag and put into the British Heart Foundation bin. Please do not put duvet and pillows in the British Heart Foundation bin without a clear bag. Please speak with a member of staff for provision of clear bags.

It would be amazing if you could consider donating the stuff you do not need, such as food, pots & pans, crockery, cutlery, clothing items and books. Our Chaplaincy can accept these donations and give it for free next year to new students! You can donate directly to Chaplaincy or to ResLife :)