Accommodation Frequently Asked Questions
License period
Information on licence periods can be found here
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.
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 Howdens 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 Howdens 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 £250 deposit to secure your accommodation. Deposits which have not been paid within 14 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.
Deposits are non-refundable unless you withdraw or defer from your course. Cancellations received after 31 August will not have deposits refunded, whatever the reason.
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. Y
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.
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; RAC flats receive a 90-minute clean once per term to the bathroom.
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 on-site are for single occupancy (1 person only). Most of the rooms at the shared houses at St Margaret’s Road are also for single occupancy; however, there are a few rooms at 5, 33 St Margaret’s 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?
These houses are reserved for families. Subject to availability, a couple may be able to stay in one of the two-bed houses. Please apply directly to the accommodation office if you wish to avail of a 2-bed house as a couple.
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 along with crockery, cutlery and a range of pots, pans and cooking utensils.
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. These are operated via a chip and pin machine.
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?
Please refer to the Residents Handbook, which details what is and isn’t permitted. Note, you are not allowed to bring your own furniture or rugs for fire safety reasons.
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
Details of the overnight guests policy can be found here.
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. Certified 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.
