How to deal with issues with housemates (university accommodation)
Issues with housemates in university accommodation can occur. When they do this article provides some advice on what to do.
Residents breaching the York St John University Accommodation Agreement
If fellow residents are not abiding by the terms and conditions of the Accommodation Agreement then there are several ways we can assist.
Security Team assistance
Our Security Team can be contacted 24/7 if you are currently being affected by noise or anti-social behaviour.
Our Security Team contact details are below:
Telephone: 01904 876444 or 07885 201182
Email: security@yorksj.ac.uk
Any information given will be treated as strictly confidential
Noise/parties
Parties and excessive noise are breaches of the Accommodation Agreement. If you are being affected by excessive noise then please contact our Security Team who can investigate and record who is responsible. This will help us if this needs to be pursued as a disciplinary concern.
Illegal activity/anti-social behaviour
If you witness any illegal activity or anti-social behaviour then this can also be reported to our Security Team who can investigate. Such behaviour can also be reported to North Yorkshire Police: https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/ro/report/
Accommodation Team assistance
Our team can assist with other breaches of the Accommodation Agreement such as:
- damage to university property
- subletting a room
- illegal activity
- cleanliness/hygiene concerns
Please submit a case through the Student Hub online portal and provide any evidence that will assist us such as photographs.
Housemate/flatmate behaviour concerns
If you have concerns about the behaviour of one of your housemates there are University staff you can talk to.
Welfare Team support
You may wish to report these behaviours or other concerns about a York St John University student you are living with to the relevant support teams.
Our Welfare Advisors can offer support and advice on such issues as:
- sexual assault
- bullying, harassment, stalking or personal safety concerns
- domestic violence
- drug or alcohol concerns
- police or crime matters
- issues relating to your privately rented accommodation, such as problems with your private landlord or serious difficulties with housemates
To book an initial appointment with a Welfare Adviser, use the appointment booking system on the Student Hub online portal.
When you book, you will be able to choose a time and date that works for you.
Your appointment with a Welfare Adviser will last for up to 40 minutes, and it will either be in person, by phone, or by video call, using Microsoft Teams.
If you are using a public or shared computer to complete the form, we recommend you open it in a new 'private' or 'incognito' window in your browser, for your confidentiality.
Sexual violence or misconduct
If you have experienced any form of sexual violence or misconduct, you can request support from our Sexual Violence Liaison Officers by asking for help from the Student Hub team. You can request help in person, by phone or online by logging a case in the Student Hub online portal. Alternatively, you can use our Report and Support reporting system.
Report and Support
We believe that sexual violence, partner violence, and hate crime, including harassment such as racism and sexual harassment, are never okay.
Our Report and Support system allows our students to report something either anonymously, or with contact details, so that you will get a response. Reports can be about an individual or a group of people.
You can choose to make a report anonymously or by providing contact details. If you choose to submit a report anonymously, you will not be asked for any personal identifiable details, but we will be unable to offer any direct advice about your report. If you choose to submit contact details, the Welfare team will only use your details to put you in contact with a University Welfare Adviser or Sexual Violence Liaison Officer. This does not initiate a formal complaints process. The report will remain confidential, and they will not disclose any personal or identifiable information to others, unless there is a genuine threat to a person's health and safety.
Your report will be reviewed and assessed to determine how your concern will be addressed and any provisional action that the University may need to take to keep you safe.
If you leave your details, you will be contacted by the Welfare team to discuss options and any support you may need. You may be asked for further information or evidence, at this stage, to ensure your concerns are fully understood.
We understand that you may not feel comfortable raising a concern, perhaps because you feel it will make things worse or you may not be believed. Any disclosures made will be taken seriously and treated sensitively, and the University will work with you to decide if you wish to take further steps.