Resident's handbook

Stadswonen’s contact information:

Struissenburgdwarsstraat 109, Rotterdam

Email shortstay@stadswonen.nl

Website http://www.stadswonen.nl/website_new/html/short_stay1.html

Tel. +31 (0) 10 8007200

Fax +31 (0) 10 4145086

Stadswonen’s bank information:

Bank: BNG – Den Haag

IBAN: NL81BNGH0285047558

SWIFT: BNGHNL2G

Always state the address and the rent period which you are paying rent for.

Every February of each year rent rooms will increase with a maximum of four percent due to the annual rise of predominantly city and county taxes, the rise of City Services and Utilities and the actual rent. Hogeschool Rotterdam also withholds the right to increase the rent at the beginning of the Fall semester in case of considerable losses were made in housing in the previous semester. A resident is allowed to cancel the rental agreement in case of rent increase.

A three-day notice to "cure or quit" can be given to a tenant who has not paid rent on time or who is violating a lease agreement. A three-day notice is a warning that if the rent is not paid within three days you can be taken to court to be evicted. A three-day notice does not mean you will be thrown out of your apartment in three days. The notice must state the correct amount of rent owed, and Stadswonen must accept the rent if you attempt to pay it.

You will not be able to change or cancel your contract once you have signed the contract and it has been sent to Stadswonen. Changing rooms is NOT allowed.

When you arrive at the resident, you should find your room and the unit clean. When you move into your room, make sure you complete the checklist and return it to the Student Housing Office within seven days. This checklist will be used as a reference in future checkout reports. After you have left, you will not be charged for any damage that was already present when you moved in; the checklist will prove that you are not responsible. If you do not return it or return it too late, you will be charged for all damages (if any). Please note that the checklist is not a complaint form, it is not passed on to a technical service department of Stadswonen. Any damage reported on a checklist is processed at the Student Housing Office for the purpose of the housing security deposit administration.

Each student needs to register with the local authorities (GBA office at City hall). Sometimes you will need a ‘Verhuurdersverklaring’ to register. This is a declaration by your landlord that he agrees with you registering and using one of his addresses. Upon arrival you will receive this declaration from the Student Housing Office.

Today’s Dutch currency is the Euro. Most people in the Netherlands pay with cash or (Dutch) debit cards in stores.

It will take approximately two to three weeks to set up a Dutch bank account. When you go to the bank you will need your tenancy agreement, letter of acceptance which you received form the International Office, your id-cart or passport and a social security number (burgerservicenummer). Please contact ‘Belastingdienst’ for more information on the social security number http://www.belastingdienst.nl/variabel/buitenland/en/citizen_service_number/citizen_service_number-04.html . Credit cards are accepted in most stores but not in most supermarkets and small shops. Most accepted cards are Visa- and MasterCard and there is a wide range of ATM machines.

A resident may not sublet, transfer, or share a room, nor may an unassigned person reside there at any point during the academic year, including summer. A resident may not trade places with another person in or out of the Hogeschool Rotterdam housing system. If a resident is discovered at any point to be in violation, Hogeschool Rotterdam reserves the right to cancel his or her assignment and/or contract, even if previously confirmed, and take disciplinary action as appropriate.

If you like to have guests over for a few nights (two nights maximum), you will have to ask permission of the resident sharing your unit and the Student Housing Office. Failure to do so will be considered a breach of contract.

Due to Fire Department Regulations and Safety Regulations bicycles, shopping carts etc. are not allowed in the common areas of this building. Taking shopping carts outside the premises of the supermarkets is considered theft and will be dealt with accordingly.

All foreign objects will be removed at your own expense.

Do not open the main entrance door for people you do not know! Stadswonen, the Student Housing Office and the cleaning company have keys to the building. Always close the door when you leave your unit!

There are fire-hoses in each unit in this apartment building to make sure damage is limited in the event of a fire. These hoses must only be used in case of fire. If they are misused the carpet will be damaged and it will cause flooding and leakages. Penalties for misuse are charged to an entire floor if the student responsible does not come forward!

Never throw burning cigarettes on the floor or in a rubbish bin. Never put cigarettes out on the carpet.

Please note that you could also contribute to the improvement of your own safety, for instance: close and lock your windows and unit and front door when you leave your room and at night as prevention of burglary.

You may not have hazardous items in your room at all. Possession of any items listed below will result in disciplinary action.

Prohibited items include:

For all emergencies, no matter if you need the police, an ambulance or the fire brigade you should dial 112.
Ambulance: 010 - 215 0035
Fire brigade head quarters: 010 - 446 8900
If you need the police, but it is not an emergency: call 0900 - 8844

For minor medical emergencies, you can call the doctor line: 010 - 420 11 00
For minor dental emergencies, you can call the dentist line: 010 - 455 21 55

Emergency help in case of accidents can be supplied by every hospital. Assistance is available 24 hours a day. For other matters, you can’t go to the hospital on your own initiative. If treatment in a hospital is necessary, a doctor will refer you. If you should have a medical emergency of the type that requires first aid, you can go straight to the EHBO (First Aid) for assistance. In the case of other types of emergencies, you can dial 112.

An apotheek (pharmacy / chemist) dispenses drugs on prescription from your family doctor or dentist, while drogisterij (drugstores) are limited to a wide range of over-the-counter, non-prescription medicines. Most pharmacies are open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm, with at least one pharmacy on-call in each neighbourhood at weekends and at night. You will recognize a pharmacy by its sign with a snake.

The Dutch word for family doctor or GP is huisarts - which literally translates into 'house doctor'. The general word for doctor is dokter or arts. If you need to see a doctor we suggest you go and see Doctor Oudeman as he treated our foreign students before.

3014 EB Rotterdam

Tel.: 010 - 436 2243

If you need a dentist (tandarts in Dutch) please go and see

Website : http://www.sanasmile.nl

Please note that if you visit a dentist or doctor (GP) you will need to pay cash. Don’t forget to ask for the receipts as your insurance company will need these.

Neither Stadswonen nor Hogeschool Rotterdam has you insured against theft, loss, damages etc. In case of theft, robbery or break in we strongly suggest you report this to the police and ask for a copy of the report, as your insurer might need this to consider your claim.

Note that Stadswonen will hold you responsible for all damages to your unit and/or room. Thus, you will be responsible for damages due to break-ins.

There are quite a few insurance companies in the Netherlands. A company that caters to foreign students, staff, and employees is AON. For more information, visit their website www.myaon.nl/fellows .

We also urge you to arrange your health insurance before you arrive.

You will receive your key (card) and mailbox key directly from the Student Housing Office. A key (card) of the building must never get into the hands of strangers, as this would result in a risky situation for the entire building, since every key (card) can open the main entrance door of the building. You can report the loss of your key card to the Student Housing Office.

Losing your key (card) is not only inconvenient but also expensive!

The Student Housing Office will be able to issue a new key card but in that case, you will have to pay € 30,00. Note that a new key (card) will always cost you money, it doesn’t matter if you pick it up at Stadwonen or at Student Housing Office.

You need to return your key (card) and mailbox key on the end date of your housing contract. Failure to do so will result in a penalty of € 100,00.

If you lose your key card or if you are in any other room problems after office hours, then you can call Stadswonen’s emergency number: 010-4123641. This service is not free of charge.

Residences African Inn and Koningslaan:

The door will be opened and you will get a new key card for your room in case you lost the key card. The charges for this service are at least € 75,00 so be careful with your key card!!

Robert Baelde Hall:

The door will be opened and you will get a new key for your room in case you lost the key. The charges for this service are at least € 75,00.

You will need to pick up a key for the other latches at Robert Baelde Hall at Student Housing Office. Later on we have to repair the old latch because of the key plan and this will cost you an extra € 100,00. So be careful with your key!!

Lights in the common area (kitchen, toilet and shower) need to be working. Residence Koningslaan: Stadswonen will replace tubular lighting. Residence African Inn and Robert Baelde Hall: the caretaker will replace tubular lightning. Lights (bulbs) in your room are for your own expenses.

The electric current is AC 220 - 240 volts. Frequency (Hz) is 50. Electrical appliances from the UK are compatible. However, appliances from the US (110 volts / 60 Hz) need step-down transformers. For most appliances from EU countries, a simple adaptor should work for everything except the heavier appliances. These may require transformers as well.
Plug shape is the standard two-pinned type. Plug adapters can be bought in most electrical shops.

There are no ready-to-use telephone facilities available in the apartment buildings. Most foreign students buy a prepaid cell phone (mobile) with a Sim card of a Dutch provider. Some will bring their own cell phone and just buy the Sim card. Both cards and phones are widely available at telecom stores throughout Rotterdam.

Internet is available in the dormitory and is included in the rent. User guides for the internet are provided by the Student Housing Office. System cables are not included. You can buy them for example at Media Markt, Binnenwegplein 50-52 in the centre of Rotterdam.

Residents are responsible for cleaning their rooms and keeping the common areas tidy. All kitchen appliances and work surfaces and benches should be cleaned after use. Entrance hall, hallways, stairs etc. are cleaned once a week by a local cleaning company.

Regularly there are hygiene inspections in the apartment building. You will not be notified of the dates. You are obliged to keep your unit clean at all times, not just before an inspection.

The inspectors are very strict. If anything is not in order, no excuse will be accepted and the unit has to pay a penalty (see Penalty system). Special interest areas are kitchen, shower and toilet.

Since a new group of students inhabits this building every semester, it is necessary to take good care of the furniture, walls and carpets in order to offer the best possible accommodation to every new guest of the apartment building.

Drain blockages occur because tenants put materials into the drain that should never go there. Often liquid materials are put "down the drain", and then solidify and cause clogging. Remember to just let materials harden, then place in trash, instead of in the drain! Don't pour grease down your drains; keep free of hair and other debris, such as food. To have a plumber come over to fix a plugged sink or fix lavatory and shower drains is quite expensive (€ 100,00) and the whole unit will be charged for the costs made. These costs will be deducted from your deposit.

Residents are not permitted to alter or add to any part of the building structure, mechanical, or electrical systems.

You are not allowed to repaint the room or paint any other area apart from your room. Bear in mind, Stadswonen is quite strict on stains and spots of paint on floor, furnishings etc.

Students may not make holes, particularly with nails, tacks, or screws in the walls, ceiling or floor of their room. You will need to state all irregularities on your check list to avoid charges on your own check out report from Stadswonen.

As most European schools, Hogeschool Rotterdam offers community housing only (off campus). The student apartment buildings are located in parts of Rotterdam where both families and university students are domiciled. It is unlawful for any person to make, continue, cause or permit any unnecessary, excessive or offensive noise. This includes vocal or instrumental music and related sounds, live or produced mechanically, which disturbs the peace or causes the annoyance or discomfort of any reasonable person.
You have to bear in mind that there are children who go to bed early, working people who need a good night’s sleep and students who have to study for their exams. This means that you have to keep the noise down inside as well as outside the building, especially during the evenings and nights. Do not wake up the entire neighbourhood and all the other students in the building when you come home after an evening out.

A large student building has advantages and disadvantages. It is a social environment and you are never alone.

Sometimes students are bothered by their surroundings, for example, when your neighbour plays his stereo every night at maximum volume or does not clean kitchen, bathroom and so on! Usually students can sort out this kind of problems themselves; do not hesitate to talk to your neighbours if you want to solve a problem. If problems are not solved and you cannot come to an agreement, you can take your complaint to Student Housing Office. If someone does not agree with this decision, he/she can protest within 5 days. This has to be done in writing, addressed to the Housing Officer at the Student Housing Office Hogeschool Rotterdam.

Note that your complaint in writing to the Housing Officer will not be accepted if previous steps were not taken.

Tenants will be fined for throwing rubbish out in the hallways or stairways, for unnecessary use of the fire-hose, for keeping a unit insufficiently clean, for leaving pieces of furniture like TV-sets etc. in the hallway or outside on the streets around the building or for bringing bicycles in the hallway.

The following fines apply:

This list of rules is not exhaustive! In case of misbehaviour, appropriate measures shall be taken!

Hogeschool Rotterdam and/or Stadswonen reserve the right to enter a room or apartment at any time when imminent danger to life, safety, health or property is reasonably suspected as determined by the Student Housing Office, Stadswonen, the student manager or their authorized representative. They also reserve the right to enter the residents whenever reasonably possible, to inspect the condition of the room, conduct a room inventory, to show an apartment or room to prospective residents, to inspect for fire and health hazards, to enforce the rules and regulations of the Resident’s Handbook, to make repairs, installations, additions or alterations to the room or apartment or building or to remove placards, signs, fixtures, alterations or additions to the premises which are in violation of Hogeschool Rotterdam standards.

Tenants of residence Koningslaan: first contact Student Housing Office. Tenants of residence African Inn and Robert Baelde Hall: first contact the caretaker. The problem has to be solved within a reasonable time depending on the nature of the problem, contractors, special days (such as holidays) etc. Usually a problem should be fixed within two weeks, three at the most.

If the problem isn’t fixed or if you are having other problems, please file your complaint to studenthousingoffice@hro.nl .

Clearly state your name, address, specific information about your complaint (incl. names of those involved) and other information that would help process your complaint. Finally inform us what type of resolution you are seeking.

Whatever you do, never stop paying rent or a part of your rent, as this will weaken your case.

Always open and save letters from Stadswonen, bailiffs or Hogeschool Rotterdam. Always reply to these letters. Always save your bank receipts of any payment done to Stadswonen or Hogeschool Rotterdam.

Your contract will end on the end date specified in your contract. You must leave your room in a similar condition to check in. If damages occur during your stay, you will be billed based on current cost and labour charges.

You will receive more detailed information two months before your housing contract ends.

Your deposit can only be transferred if all bank information is available, there are no charges, all rent has been paid (not paying your rent due will affect the release of your grades and diploma’s!) and the key (card) and mailbox key have been handed in at the Student Housing Office personally. If you like to speed up the transfer of your deposit please send us a copy of all rent payments before you leave. Also make sure that the Student Housing Office has your current and full bank information.

Please make sure you leave your room clean, hand in your key (card) personally (unless other arrangements have been made with the Student Housing Office) on the end date of your housing contract as we shall charge € 100,00 per key (card) if you are late.

When you leave your room make sure your bedroom door and windows are closed, the heating is off and no trash and personal items (clothing, furniture, TV sets etc.) are left behind. If you are the last tenant to leave your unit, you will have to empty and clean the refrigerator and trash can. You also need to turn off the refrigerator by pulling out its plug.

You will be charged for damages and missing items if you leave your bedroom door unlocked after you have moved out.

Examples of charges made after final checkout:

* Bedroom door unlocked € 25,00

* Mattress missing € 200,00

* Refrigerator not cleaned and emptied € 80,00

* Cables and wiring left € 50,00 - € 300,00

* Repainting room € 500,00

* Removing graffiti € 100,00 tot € 500,00

* Removing clothing lines € 25,00

If the Student Housing Office has all the information needed and the key (card) to your room, an order to have your deposit minus possible charges will be sent to the manager of Student Housing Office who will then sign the order for approval after which he will send the order to the Finance Department. After checking whether the deposit was indeed received, the money will be transferred. Please note that this procedure might take 2 to 3 months.

The Dutch attitude towards drugs is a bit ambivalent. According to Dutch law, the possession, use, transportation and/or sale of drugs is a crime. However, the sale of soft drugs (e.g. Marihuana) in small quantities is tolerated in certain selected locations (usually coffee shops). In some countries, Holland (and Amsterdam especially) has a reputation for tolerance towards a substance that is essentially illegal, but that does NOT mean that anything goes.
As a rule of thumb, you can safely visit a coffee shop; buy a small amount of the weed of your choice, and smoke it right there. Although this is essentially illegal, if the law were interpreted strictly, this is tolerated. If you do anything else (e.g. take the drugs with you on the street) that's a good way to get into trouble.
Please be aware that you do this at your own risk.

Please note the legal drinking age is 16 (18 for liquors) and the legal age for smoking tobacco is 16.

· Public Transport: buses, trams, and metro (subway) provide frequent service. Rotterdam's municipal public transport system - the RET - has an extensive public transport network with excellent connections. For the bus or tram, tickets can be purchased from the driver. To buy in advance is cheaper and is possible at all railway stations, post offices, at many bookstores and at some cigarette shops. For more information please visit http://www.ret.nl/?sc_lang=en .Train tickets need to be bought before boarding - at the railway station. For more information please visit http://www.ns.nl/cs/Satellite/travellers

· For more information on life as an exchange/international student in the Netherlands, please visit http://www.rotterdam-guide.com

There are a number of bicycle shops where one can buy both new and used bikes. Near the city centre is the All Bikes shop (Jonker Fransstraat 91-93/ www.allbikes.nl ) or Megabike at Metro station Oostplein (Burgemeester van Walsumweg 2 www.megabike.nl ).