Our policies for under 18s living in halls of residence

Your financial guarantor

If you are under 18, you must nominate a person to act as a guarantor who will assume financial responsibility for your accommodation fees and any other fees you incur. You must provide us with the guarantor's details. 

Your nominated guarantor must agree:

• To be held financially responsible for you until you reach your eighteenth birthday, when any outstanding debt will become your responsibility
• To take full responsibility for any damages recharges or breaches of the Licence Agreement 2020-2021 that are incurred until you reach 18 years of age

When you reach the age of 18, you will be required to re-sign the letting agreement and your guarantor's responsibilities will then be relinquished.

Room types and flat sharing

• As an under 18, you will be placed within halls in a same-gender flat in an en suite room. Your guarantor should be aware of the additional cost of this type of room against a standard room
• It is likely that you will share a flat with over 18s so we will carry out an appropriate risk assessment, taking into account any disclosures made by you and by the over 18s in their application to the University

If you are ill

• Students who fall ill will be advised to remain in their flat where they can receive appropriate support. However, if you are an under 18 student and require care, you may be advised to return home
• As an under 18 student, if you notify staff that you are ill, site staff will seek to check on you at least once every 24 hours
• You will be required to administer your own medication

Contact

• We will only contact your parents/guardians to speak about your behaviour or health if we believe you are at risk and contacting your parents will reduce that risk. All such decisions will be carried out by staff from the halls of residence and the Student Wellbeing Service
• All students will be given an appropriate emergency number from where they can summon assistance in an emergency

Supervision

• Halls of residence staff will not supervise every aspect of your life. For instance, we will not check what time you are returning home or whether you are attending lectures
• A member of hall staff will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will be aware of any resident students who are under 18
• Your guarantor will be contacted if you engage in anti-social behaviour or conduct that will bring the University into disrepute

Your behaviour

All students entering University are expected to abide by our Student Code of Conduct and demonstrate appropriate and responsible behaviour. If you are a student aged under 18 and you accept a place in halls, you are agreeing to abide by the terms of this policy. You should note that you will be offered the same terms, conditions and pricing as those offered to over 18s. Note that many of the points set out in this policy apply equally to students over 18. 

If you have any questions relating to the accommodation of students who are under 18 please contact us by email at studentlivingspecialrequirements@derby.ac.uk

Disciplinary policy

All students are subject to the Halls of Residence Disciplinary Policy.

Consumption of alcohol

We will take all reasonable measures to ensure that, as far as practicable, current laws and licensing requirements on the purchase and consumption of alcohol are complied with at halls and University premises. 

Inappropriate material

If you are under 18, you may not possess or access via the internet network any inappropriate material at any of the halls of residence. If you breach this rule, you may be subject to the Halls of Residence Disciplinary Procedure.

Bullying or harassment 

You are encouraged to report any bullying or harassment. If appropriate, any bullying or harassment suffered by a student would be dealt with in accordance with the Derby Student Residences Limited (DSRL) Disciplinary Procedure.

Illegal drugs

We operate a policy of no tolerance towards the use of illegal drugs on our premises. This includes the premises of the University of Derby and our subsidiaries, including DSRL. Any and all uses of illegal drugs on our premises will be referred to the police and will be subject to our disciplinary procedures. The use and supply of drugs may jeopardise your right to remain a member of the University and subsequently retain your residence in halls.