Policies & Guidelines

Your tenancy agreement is emailed to you with the subject "Web Agreement"; it is a legal contract between you and the University. It's detailed, and some sections can be hard to parse on a first read. We've broken it down below so you know what each part covers and where to look if something comes up during your stay.

Section 2 Sets out your tenancy start and end dates. Once you accept the offer, the contract is legally binding.

Section 3 Covers how rent is paid — in full, by term, or monthly — along with advance payments. Also explains what happens if rent is late and the steps taken if it remains unpaid.

Section 4 This section explains how damage charges are raised and how to dispute them if you disagree. You're responsible for any damage to your room, shared spaces, fixtures, fittings, and furniture.

Section 5 This covers a lot of ground: your obligations around how your room can be used, noise, drugs, harassment, cleanliness, rubbish disposal, pets, bikes, electrical appliances, reporting repairs, fire safety, TV licences, smoking, and how guests are expected to behave.

Section 6: This covers what the University must do as your landlord: maintain the property, carry out repairs, provide safe furnishings, and ensure you can enjoy your room without unreasonable interference. Also covers rent reductions if the property becomes uninhabitable, how notice to end the tenancy works, electricity monitoring, and the insurance held on the property.

Section 7 Covers your internet access, how to register, what the service can and can't be used for, and the terms set by the third-party provider. You cannot install a separate broadband or phone line.

Section 8 This section explains the inventory process, your responsibility for your room and shared spaces, and how charges for cleaning, repairs, or replacements are applied. Your accommodation is accepted as clean and fit to live in at the point of move-in.

Section 9 When you leave, the inventory will be checked against the record from when you arrived. You're responsible for anything missing or damaged, subject to fair wear and tear. You can't bring furniture into the property that doesn't meet safety standards.

Section 10 In some circumstances — repairs, adapted accommodation needs, or changes to shared occupancy — the University may need to move you to a different room. This section explains when that can happen and how it works.

Section 11 Covers everything to do with leaving: early termination, withdrawing from the university, finding a replacement tenant, rent liability, moving out, abandoned belongings, breach of contract, non-payment, misconduct, and the formal notice and repossession process.

Section 12 When you accept a tenancy offer online, you have a seven-day cooling-off period. This section explains when that right to cancel starts and when it ends.

Section 13 Explains how the University handles your personal data, including accommodation records, wellbeing support information, CCTV, body-worn camera footage, and access control data.

Section 14 If a dispute arises between you and the University as your landlord, it's handled through the University of Edinburgh complaints procedure.

All University of Edinburgh students are bound by the Code of Student Conduct. This applies on campus, in accommodation, online, and off campus where the University's interests or reputation are affected. Breaches in accommodation can include fire safety breaches, smoking/vaping and use of illegal substances, harassment, and conduct that affects other residents. 

Detailed policies on topics including rent, repairs, maintenance, damages, guest stays, and transfers are held by the Accommodation, Catering and Events (ACE) team.