Restrictions on Cooking Appliances in the Student Accommodation

Many students live in halls of residence run by the university or in partnership with a private company. These are usually arranged around corridors with shared bathrooms and kitchens or in apartments with en suite rooms, but can be on or off campus. They are very popular and you need to book early to get a room in one of these. They will probably have transport links, all-inclusive bills, insurance and Wi-Fi included in the price. These are also very well-located, often within walking distance of the university and so can be a good option for students who have to do long commutes to lectures or want a more social lifestyle.

If your child is planning to live in catered or self-catered accommodation, make sure they understand how close their lecturers will be to their living accommodation. This is an important factor in choosing their accommodation as they don’t want to be stuck travelling half an hour for every lecture, but having to walk back to their accommodation to eat!

Reading student accommodation in a student hall will also be expected to adhere to strict rules, which could mean that they have to keep their fire doors closed at all times or comply with quiet hours. The University will conduct regular inspections to ensure that these rules are being followed and may punish students who fail to comply if they break any rules.

If you or your child are considering bringing a cooker or other cooking appliances into the Reading student accommodation, check with your university whether there are any restrictions on these. For example, it may be prohibited to bring George Foreman grills or any other types of cooking appliances that have an open flame, or those that can be turned on and off without supervision (for instance, some hot plates and all immersion coil water heaters). If you have any questions about what is permitted in your hall, please contact the ResLife staff for advice.

Are There Any Restrictions on Cooking Appliances in the Student Accommodation?

It is usually not allowed to use or possess kerosene heaters in residence halls, as these pose a fire and life safety hazard. Portable space heaters are also not permitted, as they can cause a fire hazard and damage the building.

You should only bring a refrigerator and microwave into your room if you are in a non-suite or apartment residence hall. Each non-suite or apartment has a university-provided fridge and microwave, so it is not permitted to bring your own refrigerator into any other type of student accommodation.

Student accommodation holds specific advantages for international students who often face unique challenges when studying abroad. One of the primary benefits is the opportunity to immerse themselves in a supportive and inclusive community. Living with fellow international students and local students fosters cultural exchange and helps international students feel more connected to their new environment. Additionally, accommodation providers often offer specialized support services tailored to the needs of international students, including language support, orientation programs, and assistance with visa requirements. This helps alleviate the initial challenges and provides a smooth transition into a new educational and cultural setting.

Individual air conditioners are not permitted in residence halls, as they can overload electrical circuits, pose a health and safety risk to residents and their guests, and can cause damage to window frames and sills. Students with a documented disability-related need for an air conditioner should speak to the residential life staff about arranging an exception to this policy.

In accordance with New York State law and UR’s Code of Conduct, any activities that are considered hazing are not permitted in the residence halls. This includes, but is not limited to: initiation into a fraternity or sorority; hazing, tumescence, and other physical activities; and any other activities that are intended to be dangerous or degrading to other students.