Dear student, a warm welcome to the Boekstraat! Living in student housing comes with great freedom — and equally great responsibility. Because you live close together with a group, we make a few agreements that keep life pleasant for everyone.
These rules complement your rental contract: a bundle of practical information and a few formal rules. We count on your responsibility and active participation. In case of non-compliance, the landlord may, in consultation with the housing service, impose sanctions.
Art. 1. You receive your keys at the start of your contract. Passing on keys, having copies made or installing a different lock in your door is not allowed.
Art. 2. You do not modify the technical installations (internet, heating, …).
Art. 3. Don't soil the walls. Attach posters and decorations without damaging walls or doors.
Art. 4. Smoking is prohibited in your room and in the common areas.
Art. 5. Overnight guests are not allowed, not even in the common areas.
Art. 6. Pets are not allowed.
Art. 7. You may use your room during weekends and holidays, as long as they fall within the term of your rental contract.
Art. 8. Within the first fifteen days you draw up a detailed inventory of the room together with the landlord: furniture, fittings and any defects. Both parties sign and date the document. At the end of your contract, the condition of your room is compared with this inventory; damage, missing items or extra cleaning will be charged.
Art. 9. Painting or wallpapering your room is not allowed.
Art. 10. A mattress is mandatory and you bring your own.
Art. 11. You clean your room regularly.
Art. 12. Permitted electrical appliances: a mini-fridge. No oven; portable heaters and gas appliances are prohibited.
Art. 13. In your room it is forbidden to cook or heat food (applies to rooms, not studios), to do or dry your laundry, and to burn candles or incense sticks.
Art. 14. Your washbasin is not a dishwashing sink: no dirty water, fats or food scraps. Dirty water goes in the toilet or slop sink, cooled oils in a bottle, food scraps in the bin.
Art. 15. Treat these areas with respect and keep them tidy.
Art. 16. Use the waste container provided; glass goes to the bottle bank. Put the waste out on the agreed dates.
Art. 17. No waste, rubbish bags, bicycles, shopping trolleys or furniture in the hallways.
Art. 18. Damage to common areas is charged to the person responsible — or, if untraceable, to all residents. Illegal dumping is also charged.
Art. 19. Fire hoses, fire escapes and extinguishers are for emergencies only.
Art. 20. Park your bike in the designated place and lock it. The landlord is not responsible for theft.
Art. 21. No dirty water, fats or food scraps in the sink — that's how we prevent blockages.
Art. 22. Remove food scraps and leave the kitchen clean after use: table, hobs, oven, microwave, counter and floor.
Art. 23. Do the dishes daily and put everything away.
Art. 24. Keep the fridge clean and defrost the freezer compartment regularly. If you're away for a week or more, take your food out. At the end of the academic year the landlord defrosts the fridges and freezers; you'll be notified in time to remove your items.
Art. 25. Don't take anyone else's food. (Yes, not even that one yoghurt.)
Art. 26. Remove expired food from the fridge.
Art. 27. Leave the sanitary facilities clean and the floor dry.
Art. 28. Rinse the shower after use, remove hairs from the drain cover and take your shower things with you.
Art. 29. Flush the toilet and clean it with the brush if needed.
Art. 30. Toilet paper goes down the toilet; toilet rolls, sanitary towels and the like go in the bin.
Art. 31. Avoid conflicts, don't cause nuisance and respect others' privacy. Stick to the agreements made.
Art. 32. Respect your housemates' peace and quiet — especially in the evening and at night. Between 10 PM and 7 AM and during exam periods it must be quiet; headphones are your best friend. For activities in your room or the common areas you always need the landlord's prior permission.
Art. 33. Keep the front door and access doors closed at all times. Close ground-floor windows when you're out.
Art. 34. Only open the door when it's your own visitor ringing — that way no strangers slip in.
Art. 35. Keep fire doors closed (unless electrically operated) and don't block self-closing doors.
Art. 36. Always keep hallways and emergency exits clear.
Art. 37. No climbing on the flat roofs, no moving along the gutters, no stepping from one terrace to another.
Art. 38. Only air your room when you're present and close your window when you leave. Never turn radiators completely off in freezing weather; avoid frost damage. Switch off the heating when you're away.
Art. 39. Avoid wasting electricity and heat. Don't hang anything on the radiator to dry.
Art. 40. Keep your windows closed when the heating is on.
Art. 41. Switch electrical appliances off completely — standby also uses energy.
Art. 42. Switch cooking appliances and ovens off completely after use.
Art. 43. Notice a technical defect in your room or the building? Report it immediately to the landlord on +32 493 60 99 94.