What to do when moving out of accommodation
Contract End Dates
Please see the tenancy end dates for each accommodation site below:
If you are part of the Study Abroad Program, your tenancy will end 13 June 2026. If you want to enquire about staying longer in your accommodation, please raise a case on the Student Hub.
As you approach the end of your tenancy, you need to prepare for leaving your University accommodation.
You are responsible for your accommodation until the end of your agreement and all keys are returned. Please note that returning your keys early does not mean you will receive any reduction in cost.
Our accommodation team have a moving out checklist which you can use to help you. Please see below:
Cleaning your accommodation
You should return the house or flat to us in an acceptable state. This includes bedrooms, bathrooms and communal areas. Before you move out, we expect you to do the following:
Bedroom:
Empty wardrobes and drawers and wipe clean
Wipe clean all surfaces
Vacuum
Bathroom/shower room:
Clean shower, sink and toilet, and remove any limescale
Clean floors and tiles
Wipe clean all surfaces
Communal areas (kitchens, living areas, hallways):
Empty all cupboards and wipe clean
Clean ovens, hobs and microwaves
Empty and clean refrigerator and freezer including defrosting
Wipe clean surfaces
Mop or vacuum floors
Removal of rubbish
Remove all rubbish and unwanted items from your accommodation. This includes emptying bins.
If you are living in a University Managed House (UMH), please make sure that rubbish and waste are correctly disposed of, and collected by, York Council based on their collection dates. Any rubbish left inside the property or in your external waste bins will be removed by University staff, and you will be charged for this.
For students who can drive and are living in university managed houses, you can make an appointment to drop off any excessive waste at Hazel Court. Please see City of York Council’s webpage for more information: https://www.york.gov.uk/household-waste/hazel-court-household-waste-recycling-centre-hwrc.
Please be aware that there are British Heart Foundation (BHF) donation bins for students to donate unwanted items. These Donation bins are located on the City Residence, the Grange, Limes Court, St John Central accommodation sites and on the main campus on Lord Mayors Walk (outside St Antony’s House).
The following items can be accepted in the donation bins: clothes, jackets, accessories, shoes, books, small working electricals.
Please note the following items cannot be accepted in the donation bins: duvets, pillows, broken/dirty items, food, knives. Take any unwanted bedding, such as duvets and pillows, with you and dispose of them at home.
If you were provided with a University issued bedding pack, please leave this folded in your room.
Please note that bringing extra furniture into your accommodation is a breach of your contract. If furniture must be removed from your flat or house, you will incur a fine if these are found in your accommodation after you have vacated.
Securing Your Accommodation
Please ensure your bedroom window and door are closed and locked before you vacate the accommodation.
Storage
The University cannot offer storage facilities; if you need to store any belongings over the summer you will need to consider using a storage facility:
Inner Space Stations https://innerspacestations.com/self-storage/student-storage-york
Kit Keeper https://www.kitkeeper.co.uk/location/student-storage-in-york
Lovespace https://lovespace.co.uk/student-storage/york LOVESPACE are offering YSJ students a £10 discount with the unique code YORKSJU26. They also provide free moving boxes to help reduce costs.
Go Store https://www.gostore.co.uk/storage-options/student-storage-options
Post and parcels
Collect all outstanding parcels from your post box or the Porters Lodge before leaving.
We cannot forward on any parcels, so make sure you have arranged to have any mail or online shopping redirected.
If you are expecting a delivery to arrive after you have moved out, you must tell the Porters Lodge before you leave. You must also be able to collect or arrange collection from the Porters Lodge within 48 hours of delivery. Any deliveries held and not collected within the agreed time will be returned to the sender.
Returning keys and fobs
Keys should not be left in your room or accommodation.
Please return your keys and fobs to the Porters Lodge on campus by the end date of your contract. If Porters Lodge is closed, then keys and fobs should be handed into the Security Office.
Students should hand their own keys back in person and not give their keys to friends to return on their behalf. This is because you will be liable for any late key return or replacement costs.
Keys and fobs should be in an envelope, clearly marked with your name and student ID number. We strongly advise that you hand in keys and fobs in person. If you are not able to do this, please post them, by recorded delivery, in a padded envelope to the following address:
Accommodation team
York St John University
Lord Mayor's Walk
York
YO31 7EX
If you return your keys or fobs later than your end contract date, you will be charged £25.00 per key or fob. If keys or fobs are missing, you will be charged £20.00 per key or fob.
Parking
Several of our accommodation sites do have available parking on site. These include: City Residence, Limes Court and The Grange. You are able to book a 1-hour slot via the ‘MyYSJ’ app to secure a parking space here. All of our other accommodation sites, except select University Managed Housing, do not have parking available. You will need to find alternative parking arrangements for your move-out date. Those who do park at these accommodation sites with no parking permit will be subject to fines.
Inspections and charges
After you have left, rooms and communal areas will be inspected for cleanliness, damages and repairs. All communal areas are a shared responsibility. Any cleaning or damage charges in these areas will be divided between all housemates or flat-mates. Even if you are the first to leave, charges will be made based on the condition after the last person has left.
Please refer to the Accommodation Team’s moving out guide for current information on charges. https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/policies-and-documents/accommodation/#accommodation-moving-out-guide
We’d recommend you take photos of the state that you left your room and communal areas in before you vacate.
TV License
If you have purchased a TV License, please make sure you have updated on the TV License website when you will be vacating your student accommodation. You can cancel your license up to 2 weeks before you move. You can also request a refund if you have at least one complete month left on it. You can see more information on the TV Licensing website: https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk.