Accommodation Frequently Asked Questions
Please be aware that any national restrictions which are in place at any time will supersede any college policies, if there is a conflict.
License period
What is the license period for AY 2023/24?
The license periods are as follows:
- Flats 1-24 Rewley Abbey Court: 22 September 2023 to 9 September 2024
- Flats 25-42 Rewley Abbey Court: 22 September 2023 to 30 June 2024
- Flats 43-47 Rewley Abbey Court: 30 September 2023 to 9 September 2024
- All other college accommodation: 22 September 2023 to 30 June 2024
What if I need to arrive earlier or later than the start of the license period?
If you need to arrive earlier, please contact Green Templeton Accommodation to see if the room is available earlier. Your rent charges will start from the date of your arrival, if earlier than the start of your license period.
If you need to arrive later, you are still liable for paying rent from the beginning of the license period.
What if I’m unable to travel in September due to travel restrictions?
Please contact the Accommodation Office to discuss your options. We may be able to refund your deposit if you are unable to travel to the UK.
What if I need to terminate my contract before the end of the license period?
If you wish to terminate your license early, you are liable for paying the rent until a suitable replacement can be found to take over your tenancy. This will need to be someone who is a
postgraduate Oxford University student who is not already living in college accommodation.
Rent and deposits
What is included in my rent?
In shared accommodation, your monthly rent includes WiFi and all utilities (water, gas and electricity). Contents insurance is provided by Endsleigh and is included in your rent charge.
In self-contained accommodation including the houses in Observatory Street and the flats at Rewley Abbey Court and 13 Norham Gardens, the rents do not include gas and electricity but do include WiFi and water. Contents insurance is provided by Endsleigh and also included.
How do I pay my rent?
Your accommodation charge is payable by Direct Debit, unless the college otherwise agrees, in accordance with your License Agreement. The college requires you to have a UK bank account from which payments by Direct Debit can be made.
When do I need to pay my rent?
The college must be in receipt of cleared funds for the first month’s rent by the time your license starts otherwise your keys will not be issued. If you are waiting for a bursary or scholarship funds, please contact the Accommodation office to request an extension. Monthly rent is payable in advance by direct debit.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
Yes, the college requires a £500 deposit to secure your accommodation. Deposits which have not been paid within 4 weeks (28 days) of receiving an offer will result in the booking being cancelled and the room released to other students who may be on the waiting list.
If you have a scholarship, it is possible to defer payment of the deposit until you are in receipt of your funding. There will be an opportunity to declare any scholarships during the booking process and you will not be asked to ask to pay a deposit within the 28-day limit. However, you will still be required to pay the deposit once you are in receipt of your funding.
Deposits are non-refundable if you find alternative accommodation prior to moving in, unless agreed by the Domestic Bursar.
Deposits are returned at the end of your tenancy, subject to any deductions for any required end-of-tenancy cleaning and or maintenance/repair works.
Council tax
Do I need to pay council tax?
Most of our rooms are exempt from council tax payments. Exceptions are the self-contained houses in Observatory Street and the flats at 13 Norham Gardens. You can apply for a student exemption if you’ve booked any of these properties but other members of your household may need to pay council tax.
You can find more information on the Oxford City Council website
Support services
Will the College provide cleaning services?
The college has cleaners who clean communal areas except over the Christmas and Easter breaks, bank holidays and weekends. Please note that cleaners have been employed to look after the cleaning of communal areas within the building; they are not employed to wash up dishes or tidy surfaces, etc. The cleaners do not clean the houses along Observatory Street and the flats in Norham Gardens; it will be your responsibility to keep your residence clean and tidy throughout your tenancy.
Couples/family accommodation
Do you have anything suitable for couples?
All of the rooms onsite are for single occupancy (1 person only). Most of the rooms at the shared houses at St Margaret’s Road (SMR) are also for single occupancy; however, there are a few rooms at 5 SMR, 33 SMR and 39 SMR which are for double occupancy (2 persons).
We also have 1-bedroom flats at Rewley Abbey Court which you can apply for as a couple.
I would like to share one of the 2-bed or 3-bed houses with other students. Can I apply for one of the houses along Observatory Street?
Families will be given priority for the houses along Observatory Street. If you are a group of students who wish to share a house, you will need to join the waiting list and we will be in touch in August to let you know if a house is still available; however, you will all need to be Green Templeton students in order to qualify.
If I apply for a 2-bedroom flat at Rewley Abbey Court, can I choose my flatmate?
If you are both Green Templeton students and are both qualified to apply for accommodation, you can request to be allocated rooms in the same flat. Please note that each 2-bedroom flat has a larger bedroom with a double bed and a smaller bedroom with a single bed, so you will need to come to an agreement about room assignments.
Provisions in rooms and houses
What furniture will be provided in my room?
Where space allows, your room will have the following:
- Bed and mattress
- Bedside cabinet and lamp
- One wardrobe
- Desk, desk chair and lamp
- Chest of drawers
- An easy chair
- Noticeboards and bookshelves
What equipment is provided in the kitchens?
All houses, flats and communal kitchens will be equipped with a fridge freezer, hob/oven, microwave, toaster and kettle.
Are there any laundry facilities?
Shared laundry facilities (including ironing boards and irons) are available onsite, in each house at St Margaret’s Road and at Rewley Abbey Court. Charges apply for the use of the washing machines and tumble dryers. Cards are available to purchase from the Lodge.
Washing machines are also provided in each house along Observatory Street and the flats at 13 Norham Gardens.
Will bedding be provided by the college?
You will need to bring your own bedding. The college will only provide a bed, mattress and mattress protector. The College will keep a limited stock of bedding packs for students to purchase which will include a duvet and duvet cover, a pillow and pillowcase, and a fitted sheet. Please contact Green Templeton Accommodation accommodation@gtc.ox.ac.uk if you wish to reserve a set.
Will there be WiFi?
Each house will have points for University network access.
Are there any televisions in the houses?
The college does not supply televisions in the houses and any resident providing their own must ensure that a TV license is purchased before using one .
Am I allowed to bring other furniture or electrical appliances into my room?
The following items are not permitted in students’ rooms:
- Refrigerators (unless for storage of medication*)
- Microwave ovens
- Toasters/sandwich toasters
- Deep fat fryers/chip pans
- Rice cookers
- Slow cookers
- Other cooking appliances (except in designated kitchen areas)
- Electric fires/heaters
- Electric Blankets (hot water bottles are acceptable)
- Fairy lights with filament bulbs (LED bulbs are allowed)
- Candles, oil burners, joss-sticks or other naked flames
- Sunbeds
- Bicycles and scooters (must be stored in designated bike racks outside)
- Fireworks
- Highly flammable liquids and sprays
- Weapons including hunting and air rifles
- Private furniture
- Two or three-way multi-way cube adaptors and DIY sockets
The college strictly prohibits any cooking inside student rooms. Cooking must be done solely in the designated kitchen areas.
*If you require a fridge in your room to store medication, please submit a Doctor’s Certificate to the Accommodation office.
Overnight guests
Am I allowed to have guests in my accommodation?
If any national restrictions are in place, visitors and overnight guests are not allowed in our shared accommodation. If you live in a self-contained flat or house, you will need to register all members of your household with the Accommodation Office.
Rooms which are marked as Single Occupancy are for 1 person only. Rooms marked as Double Occupancy and 1-bedroom flats are for 2 persons only.
When national restrictions are not in place, residents are permitted one occasional overnight guest in their accommodation, not more than three nights per week subject to certain conditions. No such guest must use the premises and facilities unless the resident is present personally and all guests must be registered with the Lodge prior to arrival. Any breach of these conditions will constitute a breach of a term of the License Agreement which may give rise to a ground for terminating the License Agreement.
Single occupancy rooms are not suitable for anyone wishing to have a partner/friend stay over for any long periods. If you have guests visiting for more than 3 nights, please contact the Accommodation Office to inquire about booking a guest room.
Parking
Can I apply for parking from the college?
We have very limited parking in the college so can only provide parking for PGCE students and those with disabilities. Parking is available at Rewley Abbey Court, 5 St Margaret’s Road and 38 St Margaret’s Road. If you qualify for parking, please contact the Lodge to arrange this. There is a monthly charge of £45.
Pets
Does the College allow any pets in its accommodation?
Green Templeton College operates a strict no-pets policy. Assistance animals are allowed – please contact Green Templeton Accommodation accommodation@gtc.ox.ac.uk to discuss suitable accommodation if you need to bring an assistance animal with you.
Smoking
Are there any smoking rooms in the college?
Green Templeton is a non-smoking college; this applies to all buildings and outside areas around the Estate, including gardens, lawns and driveways and covers cigarettes, vaping and electronic cigarettes.
