What you need to know

If you’re moving into Coventry University accommodation, you’ll be asked to agree to a Licence to Occupy. It’s basically the set of rules and responsibilities that come with living in halls. Here’s an overview of what you need to know - but make sure you read the full document before you move in.

The essentials

• Not a tenancy: This is a licence, not a tenancy agreement. You have the right to live in your room, but the University can enter it when necessary and, in some cases, move you to another room.
• Advance Licence Fee: You’ll need to pay a £90 advance licence fee plus your rent (known as the Licence Fee). Rent covers normal use of gas, electricity and water.
• Accepting your room: By accepting your accommodation offer online (or by moving in/collecting keys), you’re legally agreeing to the Licence.

Payments

• Rent must be paid in line with the payment schedule in your accommodation offer.
• Your responsibility to pay continues even if your course dates don’t exactly match your accommodation dates.
• Overuse of utilities (e.g. very high electricity or water use) can result in extra charges.

Living in halls

• Guests: One overnight guest (18+) is allowed for up to two nights in any seven-day period, if registered in advance. Day guests are welcome until 11pm.
• Behaviour: Respect your neighbours and staff. No illegal drugs, weapons, banned items (like candles, electric scooters, or deep fat fryers), parties, or disruptive noise.
• Pets: Not allowed, unless it’s a registered assistance animal with permission.
• Cleanliness: Keep your room and shared spaces clean and take rubbish to the correct bins.

Health & safety

• Fire safety is important: no smoking or vaping indoors, don’t tamper with alarms or fire doors, and never use banned appliances.
• Keep your room locked and don’t give your key/card to anyone else.
• In emergencies, the University may relocate you to other accommodation.

Moving in, moving out

• You’ll be given an inventory when you arrive – check it carefully and report any issues within 10 days.
• At the end of your contract, you must leave your room clean, clear your belongings, and return your keys. Charges apply for missing keys, damages, or belongings left behind.

If things go wrong

• Breaking the Licence (like not paying rent, serious misconduct, or repeated breaches) can lead to warnings, fines, being moved, or having your agreement terminated.
• There’s a clear complaints and appeals process if you ever need it.

The Licence to Occupy is there to keep everyone safe, respectful, and comfortable in halls. Here is the full document, please take the time to read in more detail: