This section will go through what you need to do within the first few days of checking in, and also how to look after your room and shared apartment spaces during your time here!
You’ll receive an Inventory/Room Condition Report Form when you first check-in to the Village. This form must be completed and returned to the office within 48 hours of moving in. It is really important that your form is completed in detail, as it will be a record of the condition of your room when you arrived. If you don’t return the form, we will consider everything is OK. Please make the effort, as it will avoid issues with your Security deposit/Bond when you move out.
Your Bedroom includes: Bed frame, mattress, open wardrobe with shelves and drawers, desk with attached bookshelf and desk chair.
Your Apartment includes: Lounge chairs, coffee table, dining table, dining chairs, fridge, kitchen bin, main kitchen fit-outs (bench, sink, stove top, microwave oven).
To set up your new room, bring your own bed linen, duvet and cover, pillow and case, and towels. For your kitchen, bring drink ware, tea towels, basic crockery, cooking utensils or cutlery that you need. Consider also bringing some laundry liquid and basic food or cleaning supplies, so you have the bare essentials until you can arrange a shopping trip!
For shared apartments, we recommend waiting until you move in before you purchase a kettle or toaster - in case your roomies already have them and are happy to share (this will avoid you having 3 kettles and 4 toasters in the same apartment!)
Arrived without any of life’s essentials?
If you’re in need of a linen pack you can pre-order this on-line through our website. They include a duvet, duvet cover, flat sheet, fitted sheet, pillow, pillow case and a blanket.
You’ve just arrived in a community of great people, many of whom are in exactly the same situation as you. Making friends is one of life’s great pleasures. Say hello to someone you don’t know – they could turn out to be your new best friend.
You can do this pretty easily, all you have to do is open your bedroom door and say hello. Beyond that, make your way to the common areas – these are great areas to meet up with friends from around the Village, meet new people or just hang out and watch the world go by.
Our Residential Life Team runs regular events and activities throughout the year which gives you a chance to meet new friends, take part in charity events and learn new skills. Keep up to date with what’s going on by following our Facebook community group, checking the notice boards around the Village and keeping an eye out on your email inbox!
TIP! If you need a bit of help, that’s fine! Head out to the common areas of your apartment or keep your bedroom door open to show your roomies that you’re free to chat.
Our resident portal includes resources that you might need during your stay at the Village such as our Village Rules. This is also where you log maintenance requests, make account payments and re-apply each year. Be sure to check out the portal and make the most of the information available. Can’t find what you are looking for? Just ask the office.
If you are a resident you can access the wireless zones in your room and throughout the Village using your login.
Mail
You may have a lot of people who want to contact you via good old postal mail too – make sure that friends, relatives and any companies (such as your bank or mobile phone company) have your new address, located at the top of this guide.
Parcels
Parcels delivered by couriers will be kept in the Village office; parcels can be collected during office hours only.
You will be required to show ID when collecting parcels. Please check and pick up your mail regularly. Village staff will email you if you receive a package or anything that looks important.
While we accept mail from courier companies we do not accept any liability if the mail goes astray. Any arrangement to have mail delivered by courier is based on this understanding.
We live in a wired world, so your apartment will probably have a few electrical appliances, including your own! We ask that, in order to prevent our circuits overloading and to preserve energy, you only keep smaller electrical items (e.g. computers, lamps, hair straighteners) in your room. Keep them in a good, clean operating condition so that they meet our safety regulations.
Other than your hair straightener, any appliance with an open heating element (e.g. hotplates, BBQ’s, fridges or electric blankets) are prohibited in apartments and rooms, unless you have written permission from Village Management.
All electrical appliances brought to the Village need to be safety checked at the beginning of the year.
Only safety tagged appliances should be used within the Village. This is to ensure we comply with fire and safety policies, ensuring the safety of all our residents and not to make your life difficult!
TIP! It is your responsibility to make sure any electrical equipment you bring has been checked and tagged.
It won’t take you long to realise that there’s never a boring moment at the Village. Life here is very informal, as it should be – after all, it’s your home away from home.
Our jam-packed Live, Learn, Grow residential life program means you’re never out of options when it comes to meeting new people! There is something for everyone. From cooking classes to harbour boat cruises and a huge range of social, cultural, arts, volunteering and sporting events, we’re dedicated to creating activities that allow you to meet like-minded people and make friends for life. We suggest you start small, come to one of our many BBQ’s or free food events and introduce yourself!
Check out our Facebook Village Community Page for the latest information on what’s happening, and how to get involved in the events. Also, keep your eye on posters and notice boards around the Village which will keep you informed of any upcoming events or opportunities. If you have any ideas for an activity that’s not currently available, speak to your Resident Assistant team - we LOVE new ideas!
Exercise, besides being good for you, is a great way to get outside, meet people or even just take a break away from the books or your computer screen. If you are interested in joining a team or getting a team together to enter into university or local sporting competitions, speak to a member of the Resident Assistant Team and they’ll help get you in touch with the right people.
At the Village we care about our people, our planet, and our business which is why we are committed to sustainable and responsible practices. As one of our valued residents, you too can get involved and support our sustainability journey through the decisions you make every day.
Know your waste!
The Village strives to reduce its levels of waste, and decrease the amount of waste that ends up in landfill. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the waste bins available (general waste, recycling, green waste) and dispose accordingly. If you are unsure, you can use the RecycleMate app – free for iOS and Android. Get your housemates involved and make sure recycling is a habit you get into every day.
Repurpose and re-use!
As a resident you have access to the whole Village community via our social media pages. If you have items that are no longer used, they might find a new home with other residents! We will organise sustainability fairs or ‘swap and goes’ if there is enough interest, so reach out to your friendly Village reception who can facilitate this. We also encourage donating any second-hand clothes to charities like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, or St Vincent’s.
Showers
A hot shower after a long day of classes, work, or exercise is a great way to unwind or prepare yourself for exciting Village events. However, it is important to limit shower time to conserve water. Shower timers are a great way to start and keep this good habit. We recommend ‘1 song showers’ – no longer than 4 minutes.
Taps
Brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, filling a bucket to mop the floor – all of these involve turning a tap on and most importantly, off again. Only using the amount of water you need is a great way to limit usage.
Lights
On average, lighting accounts for 10-15% of household electricity use! By making sure you turn off lights when you leave your bedroom or common areas you can help to make instant change.
Heaters and Fans
We know how hot summer can get in the southern hemisphere, and equally how quickly the temperature can drop in winter, and this means we have to be especially conscious of our use of heaters and cooling systems. Before turning on a heater, try putting on a pair of warm socks or grabbing an extra blanket! In summer, try opening your windows and screen doors before turning that fan on full blast. As always, make sure these appliances are switched off when you leave the Village.
Standby Mode!
You may not know but devices and appliances still use power when in standby mode! Make sure you are turning these off at the power point when not in use to minimise energy usage. Examples include the kettle, microwave, and gaming systems.
But why?
It’s the right thing to do. As a community of young and diverse students, the Village is the perfect place to develop, practice, and share sustainable habits that can make positive change for our environment. The Village will keep you updated on sustainability initiatives and the real impact your decisions have on our environmental footprint. Keep your eyes peeled for competitions within and between Villages, with rewards for sustainable achievers! As always, keep it green!
Getting around on foot is fun, but sometimes we need to get from A to B a little faster. We’ve got storage for you, no matter how you choose to get about town!
If you have a bike, that’s great – it’s an easy, environmentally friendly and speedy way to get around town. We do ask bike owners to be considerate and adhere to the following:
The Village assumes no responsibility for your bike while it is parked at our property. We recommend that you insure your bike and keep it secure with a D-lock - see the office for further details.
TIP! Store your bike safely and responsibly with a secure, anti-theft bicycle lock
For the drivers in the house, we do have parking spaces available at the Village, although we cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide parking facilities to every car-owning resident as spaces are limited.
Residents wishing to park their car in the Village car park must complete a Car Parking Application form. If you are granted a parking space for the year you will be charged an additional $45/week with your rent. Permits are issued on a first come, first serve basis and you will need to provide your car registration details and a mobile phone number. All car parks are monitored. If you are parking at UNSW Village in a reserved space or parking without a permit, charges will automatically be applied.
Make the most out of your life at the Village! Our facilities, inclusions and other information that's handy to know.