Your Guide to Living in Leeds

This guide will help you make the most of your time in Leeds and settle in to the community. It provides information on the essentials of living in Leeds.

Students make a great contribution to the City – the University attracts the brightest students from diverse backgrounds. As with every community, some things, such as bins on streets or noisy parties, can still cause problems. This guide gives you advice on how to avoid these.

Have a read, pick up some tips and enjoy your time in the City!

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All other residents 41%

Aged 18-24 59%

No area could be considered as being ‘student only’ - your neighbours could be students like you, young professionals, elderly people or

families. You’ll be living next to each other for a year so why not call in and say hello!

Make sure you have been provided with

an inventory detailing what is in the house. Take photos of every room to show its condition when you move in, especially anything that is not in good, clean condition.

Take meter readings and contact your

utility providers to give them your readings and contact details. Make a note of it on page 22.

Paid a deposit? Check with your

landlord which tenancy deposit scheme your money has gone in to.

If everyone in your house is a full time

student, let the Council know that you are exempt from Council Tax.

Check your bin collection days.

See the waste and recycling section of this guide (page 14).

Register to vote, visit

www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Save money – go to a local charity shop

for stuff for your house rather than buying new and agree with your flatmates what each of you will be buying so you don’t end up with 10 can openers.

Make sure you have a copy of the gas

safety and energy performance certificates from your landlord – legally you should have these!

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Welcome! Moving in Checklist

Based on the 2011 census data in Woodhouse, Headingley and Hyde Park

Save money and have a positive impact!

Try out these easy tips to save money and reduce your impact at the same time.

Energy Save up to £80 a year just turning off appliances when not in use!

Put a lid on your sauce pan. This doesn’t just save energy but also cooks your food quicker!

Set your washing machine to wash at 30°C.

Buy energy-saving light bulbs.

Only boil the amount of water you need.

Try putting another layer on instead of the heating.

Simply turning off your lights will reduce your energy use and your bill!

For more tips visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Water Installing a ‘water hippo’ saves up to 5000 litres of water per year. You can get these FREE from most water companies!

Don’t leave your taps running.

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TravelLeeds has a compact citycentre and good publictransport services makingit easy to get around. Youdon’t need a car here!

Travelling to campus on the bus is really easy from £1 for a journey.

Walking is one of the easiest, healthiest ways to get around and can save you lots of money!

Save up to 1/3 off train travel around the UK with a railcard.

You can hire a bike at a really low cost from the University’s Bike Hub. Check Leeds City Council’s website on safe cycling routes around the city.

If you need to use a car, why not lift share?

For more information on sustainable travel, visitsustainability.leeds.ac.uk/sustainable-transport

Food Plan your meals for the week ahead, then you know how much you need to buy and minimise the waste for that week. Share with friends or have a ‘bring a bit’ lunch to use up leftovers.

You can freeze more than you think. Move food to the freezer if it’s near the used by date if you won’t have time to eat it.

Love your leftovers! A great way to save money, time and minimise waste!

Shopping locally supports local businesses and communities. Keep your money within the community and the choice is incredible.

For more information, visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

Try a shower timer! If everyone used a shower timer we would save enough water to supply one million homes every day.

Get leaks repaired.

Load the dishwasher full, use the ‘eco’ option or use a bowl and wash them by hand!

Use a reusable water bottle instead of buying disposable plastic bottles.

For more tips visit www.waterwise.org.uk

Your Local Treasures

Outdoor spaceSustainable Garden University of LeedsThe garden is not only a nice and quiet environment, it also offers weekly gardening sessions on edible growing, run by @BardonGrange

Woodhouse MoorRight next to the University of Leeds, this popular park has plenty to offer. Please look after the moor and take your litter away with you! A free 5k parkrun is organised every Saturday at 9am, so go along and run or volunteer. @WHMParkrun

RosebankRosebank Road, LS3 1HRose Bank is a public green space and community food garden with one of the nicest views in Leeds. Volunteers are always welcome. www.hydeparksource.org/volunteering

Bedford FieldsWoodhouse Cliff, LS6 2HFBedford Fields Community Forest Garden is an open access garden. Gardening sessions are held weekly for those interested in getting their hands dirty.

Meanwood Valley TrailA 7-mile linear walk which takes you through some of the highlights of the cultural and natural history of Meanwood Valley.

Kirkstall AbbeyAbbey Road, LS5 3EHKirkstall Abbey boasts impressive historic architecture amid a haven of wildlife and greenery. A Deli market is held in the grounds every last Saturday of the month. @kirkstallonline

Kirkstall Community Garden, Church Lane Allotments, LS6 3LH Kirkstall Community Garden is a great place to meet local people, share knowledge and have a go at growing your own. @kirkstallgarden

Hyde Park Source 2 Rosebank Road, LS3 1HHA community organisation that works with local communities to improve their surroundings through volunteering projects. @HydeParkSource

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Community centresOblongWoodhouse Community Centre, 197 Woodhouse StreetOblong is an organisation that provides advice, support and facilities for local people who want to make a difference through volunteering and community projects. @Oblongleeds

Swarthmore 2-7 Woodhouse Square, LS3 1ADSwarthmore is a centre for lifelong learning and community projects, providing a range courses and activities for anyone looking for a new hobby! @SwarthmoreLeeds

HEARTBennett Road, LS6 3HNHEART is a lively enterprise, arts and community centre in the centre of Headingley. The centre offers a varied programme of music, films, performance, literature and talks. @HeadingleyHEART

ArtsHyde Park Picture House 73 Brudenell Road, LS6 1JDOne of the oldest cinemas in the country, the Hyde Park Picture focuses on independent, art house, classic and foreign language films. @HydeParkPH

Cottage Road CinemaLS6 4DDCottage Road Cinema is one of the few remaining independently run cinemas in the country. @CottageRoad

Food & drinkHeadingley Farmers’ Market Rose Garden, LS6 3JJHeld on the 2nd Saturday of the month, Headingley farmers market regularly attracts over 20 food stalls as well as music provided by local groups. @HeadingleyMkt

The Real Junk Food Project café at All Hallows’, 24 Regent Terrace, LS6 1NPA pay-as-you-feel café that reduces food waste, feeds hungry people and supports the community. @AllHallowsCafe

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Get Involved Locally

There are many different ways to get involved locally and have a positive impact on your new community, whilst gaining some essential skills at the same time. There is something for everyone, Leeds has lots of local music, arts and sports group you can join.

Volunteering in the communityA wide range of volunteering opportunities are on offer through the University and the Student’s Union. Opportunities including working in local schools, sports, offering community support to the elderly, working with refugees, conservation work and much more.

www.leedsforlife.leeds.ac.uk

www.luu.org.uk/volunteering

https://doinggoodleeds.org.uk/i-want-to-volunteer

Local DemocracyAs a student you are eligible to vote in local elections in both your home constituency and here in Leeds. The Councillors you elect to represent you have a real impact on the services you receive as a student, including policing, landlord accreditation, health services and recycling and waste.

www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Join Leeds Citizens’ Panel Join the Leeds Citizens’ Panel and you will have the opportunity to take part in the city wide decisions to shape local services. You may also be invited to attend discussion groups and workshops.

www.leeds.gov.uk/council/Pages/Citizens-panel

Leeds Landlord AwardsIs your landlord going above and beyond to provide you with a good experience as a tenant? Nominate them for a Leeds Landlord Award to thank and celebrate their efforts, whilst helping other students to identify which landlords are the best in Leeds.

www.leedslandlordawards.com

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Granby Residents Environmental Action Team (GREAT)The residents of the Granby’s stay in touch via email and are actively involved in the Headingley Neighbourhood Forum.

Contact the_transporter@ntlworld.com

Cardigan Triangle Community Association (CTCA) CTCA is bordered by Cardigan Road, the stadium and the railway line. They are involved with activities including an annual art day, pot luck community dining and the expansion of Sparrow Park.

Contact marian-charlton@btconnect.com

North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association (NHPNA)NHPNA cover the area north of Headingley Lane from Hyde Park Corner to North Grange Road. The association helps look after Dagmar Wood, a community green space used for open air performances and social events, look out for their Meet Your Neighbours event in the autumn.

Contact a.slomson@leeds.ac.uk

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Find out what is happening in your area and get involved by joining your local residents’ association. Resident associations are groups of local people who work together to represent the collective views of their community, enhance their neighbourhoods and organise community events and activities for all to enjoy.

Join a Residents’

Association

South Headingley Community Association(SHCA)SHCA has been running for 41 years and covers the area bordered by Headingley Lane, Hyde Park Road, Alexander Road, St Michaels Lane and North Lane. They are involved with campaigns to retain sports facilities and other public facilities; local events including Unity Day.

Contact dawncareyjones@hotmail.com

Little Woodhouse Community Association (LWCA) The Little Woodhouse area is bordered by Clarendon Road, Moorland Road, Hyde Park Road, Burley Road, Park Lane and includes the Burley Lodges, The Marlboroughs and Willows Residents’ Associations.

Contact patrickhallx@hotmail.com

Ash Road Resident Association (ARARA)ARARA is an association for residents living in the area between Kirkstall Lane and St Anne’s Road in Headingley. The Association is involved with projects including managing and improving Batcliffe Woods.

Contact helen.gee@ntlworld.com

Burley TopBurley Top is a group for residents in and around the Stanmore, Talbot and St Anne’s streets in LS4. The Association is involved with activities including afternoon teas, bulb planting in local green spaces, clean-up days and painting artwork over local graffiti spots.

Contact burleytopcommunity@gmail.com

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Get involved with the Sustainability

Service

The University of Leeds makes its economic, social, environmental, and cultural responsibilities a priority. There are loads of ways to get involved with sustainability.

Volunteer by supporting students to live more sustainably in local communities, welcome them to the city and encourage them to become more actively involved.

Help with the daily running of the Bike Hub and get involved with bike maintenance and repairs.

Become a Project Assistant or an Auditor with the Green Impact scheme and work alongside University staff to help their teams become more sustainable.

Why not become a Sustainability Student Architect and work on your own sustainability project.

Take part in weekly gardening sessions in the Sustainable Garden.

Apply for a year-long internship with the Sustainability Service.

To find out more and get involved, sign up for our monthly newsletter by emailing sustainability@leeds.ac.uk or follow us on Twitter @UoL_Sus!

Keep Leeds Clean

Did you know that 8 out of 10 green bins in Hyde park are contaminated? These easy to follow guidelines will help you keep Leeds clean and environmentally friendly.

Reduce – buy lessAgree with your flatmates at the beginning of the year what household items you will each bring.

Local charity shops sell lots of household items.

Think about the things you definitely need to have so you don’t end up with too much to move at the end of the year.

Choose products that are returnable, reusable, or refillable over single-use items.

Take reusable bags and containers when shopping, traveling, or packing lunches or leftovers.

Avoid individually wrapped items, snack packs, and single-serve containers. Buy large containers of items or from bulk bins whenever practical.

Reduce the amount of annoying junk mail pouring through your door – opt for electronic billing.

Reuse- give your items a second chanceDonate any unwanted clothes, books, CD’s and home-wares to a local charity. Drop your items at a local charity shop. A number of charities will also arrange to collect bulky items of furniture. www.charityretail.org.uk

Find a new home for all of your unwanted belongings through a reuse website- try www.freecycle.org or www.ilovefreegle.org

Swap your unwanted items for cash through a yard sale, or through Gumtree or Ebay. Or have a ‘swap meet’!

Remove- sometimes it just has to be binnedFind out when your bin collection days are and avoid the pile up of rubbish. Visit www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Check-your-bin-day

Wheelie bins must not be left on streets between collections - not only does it look unpleasant, they cause an obstruction for people who need to get past on the pavement; bins cause an obstruction especially for guide dog and wheelchair users and people with push chairs.

Missing a green or black bin? Just order a new one by emailing refusecollection@leeds.gov.uk with your address.

Report a missed waste collection through https://secured.leeds.gov.uk/Pages/MissedBins

Don’t leave rubbish on the streets – it’s not only unpleasant, it encourages vermin, causes harm to children playing and pets walking.

If you’re out in local parks, take your litter away with you.

www.whatgoeswhere.org.uk

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Stay Safe and Secure 50% of student burglaries are through windows and doors being left open or unlocked.

Lock your door, even when you are in the property and all your windows too when you are out. Keep your valuables out of sight when not in use.

When you leave your house at night, give the impression someone is still in and leave a small light on.

Check that your home has been accredited by the Safer Leeds Safer Homes standard. www.leeds.gov.uk/c/Pages/saferleeds/default

Leeds is a very safe city; however, as with any big city, it’s important you help keep you and your property safe.

Stay Safe and Secure

Personal SafetyNever leave your drinks unattended, even soft drinks get spiked

When walking around at night, stick to well-lit and busy streets and try to walk home in a group.

Avoid using your phone or iPod outside at night - this will help you be more aware of your surroundings and prevent you from becoming a glowing target.

Drink safely and sensibly. Always keep an eye on yours & your friends’ drinks and don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know. You can also use a Spikey to protect your drink.

Don’t leave your bag unattended when going out and especially look after your phone.

Only use licensed taxis.

CyclingNone of the 110 bikes stolen on campus last year used a D-lock.

Use a D-lock, it pays to invest in a good one.

Leave your bike in a well-lit and busy place so any potential thieves are visible.

Make a note of your bike’s model and serial number – as well as marking it with your postcode to aid in its recovery if stolen.

Always use a helmet and, at night, a front & rear light.

Take cycle training and maintancence classes to help you feel more confident and be safer on the roads. Contact the Bike Hub on campus for more information. http://sustainability.leeds.ac.uk/sustainable-transport/bike-hub

Hate CrimeReport any behaviour that you feel is motivated by prejudice, whether based on disability, race or ethnicity, religion or faith, sexual orientation or gender. See contacts page.

If you are sadly a victim of crime make sure you report it the University Security Team (0113 343 222 - emergencies only on campus) and West Yorkshire Police.

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Don’t get caught outNoise nuisance is a criminal offence and enforcement action can be taken by the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team against any household which is causing a nuisance. This could result in a criminal conviction, confiscation of any noise-making equipment and fines of up to £5000.

The University may also take disciplinary against students who behave in a way which persistently causes distress to their neighbours or brings into question the reputation of the University.

Parties Noise is an issue that affects all residents and can cause conflict between housemates, neighbours and whole communities. If you are thinking of inviting your friends over, spare a thought for those living next door who may be up at 7am to go to work, school or lectures.

Book out a space in the city centre to hold a party so the noise doesn’t bother your neighbours.

Report a Noise ProblemIf you are having a problem with a noisy neighbour report it to the University or Leeds City Council:

Universities and Colleges Neighbourhood Helpline ServiceEmail: neighbourhood.helpline@leeds.ac.ukTel: 0113 343 1064Web: sustainability.leeds.ac.uk/your-community/universities-and-colleges-neighbourhood-helpline

Leeds City Council’s Noise ServiceTel: 0113 222 4402 (daytime)Tel: 0113 395 0143 (nightime)Web: www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Noise-nuisance

Tips to Avoid Noise Complaints Being Made Against YouNoise can be a statutory nuisance at any time but the hours between 11pm and 8am are particularly noise sensitive. Please be more aware during these times.

Regular late-night disturbances, even at weekends, are likely to result in complaints.

As a matter of courtesy call around to your neighbours in advance of a party to let them know and agree on an end time.

Keeping doors and windows closed, especially in warm weather, will help to limit noise levels. If you or any guests are outside (e.g. having a BBQ, playing sports in the street, smoking or waiting for taxis) please keep the volume to a minimum. Keep equipment away from adjoining walls and raised off the floor.

If you play a musical instrument, speak to your housemates and neighbours and agree a time that you can practice without disturbing them or book rehearsal rooms.

If you do get a visit from a neighbour, Police or Council Officer, remain calm and polite.

Noise affects everyone 39% of the complaints received by Leeds Antisocial Behaviour Team were from students.

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Charity Shops: There are a number of charity shops that would really appreciate your unwanted items. Some charities, such as Emmaus and Slate, will collect bulky items from you free of charge.

Got a bike you no longer want? Donate your unwanted bike to the STAR Bike Project who will recycle them with and for asylum seekers and refugees.

The changeover period has a huge environmental and social impact on the community. 300 tonnes of extra waste is generated every June when students move out of their properties, most of which could be reused, donated or sold. As well as following our tips on reducing, reusing and recycling, here are some additional tips to help with moving house.

Before you go

Not sure what to do with your old computer? FixIT re-uses, recycles and refurbishes donated computers and gives them to community projects or sells them cheaply in their shop in Armley. You can take your unwanted equipment directly to their shop.

Collection points: There are several collection points in halls of residences and in the local community for you to drop-off your unwanted items.

Freecycle: This is a great website for finding a loving new home for all of your unwanted stuff.

Gumtree & Ebay: These are both really easy to use and a great way to match up unique items to unique buyers. Keep an eye out for free listing days on eBay.

Yard Sale: Hold a yard sale and invite your neighbours to take part.

Fat Brain: As a student you are likely to end up with loads of books that you no longer need but other students do. There’s a real market for second hand books.

CEX & Music Magpie: You may be surprised at the price you get for your old iPod or phone, DVDs and CDs.

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Recycle or donate any of your unwanted items. There are collection points around changeover period or you can donate to a charity shop/food bank.Book a bulky item collection for heavier items. Call 0113 2224406 and allow 6 weeks for collection.

Moving out checklist

Start planning your move early so you don’t end up being rushed and throwing things out last minute that could be used by others. Refer to page 20 for tips on how to get rid of your unwanted items.

Get your deposit back by cleaning your house and making sure you don’t leave any of your belongings behind.Take metre readings again so you won’t get charged after you leave.

Notify your gas, electricity and water suppliers that you’re leaving the property.

Rate your landlordhttps://rateyourlandlord.org.uk/

Go along to a local festival before you go! There are many great events happening around the area. www.visitleeds.co.uk/whats-on

Gas

Electricity

Water

Gas

Electricity

Water

West Yorkshire Police 101 (non-emergencies)

University of Leeds Security 0113 343 5494/5 (non-emergencies) 0113 343 2222 (emergencies only) security@leeds.ac.uk

Leeds University Union 0113 3801 290Student Advice Centre advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk

Victim Support 0808 1689 111

Stop Hate UK 0800 1381625 (24 Hour Freephone) www.stophateuk.org/talk-to-us or report direct to your student advice centre.

Unipol Student Homes 0113 243 0169 info@unipol.leeds.ac.uk

Leeds City Council Noise Services 0113 222 4402 (daytime) 0113 395 0143 (nightime)

Leeds City Council Waste Services 0113 222 4406

Leeds Universities and Colleges 0113 343 1064 (24 hour voicemail) Neighbourhood Helpline neighbourhood.helpline@leeds.ac.uk

Electricity- find your supplier 0845 330 0889

Gas- find your supplier 0870 608 1524

Flood Risk Management 0113 376 0499 (emergency) 0113 222 4407 (daytime)

Your meter readings when you move in

Your meter readings when you move out

key contacts

And keep in touch! We would like to hear your stories of your time in Leeds.

UoLSustainability

UoL_Sus

UoL_Sus

sustainability.leeds.ac.uk

University of LeedsLeeds, United Kingdom

LS2 9JTTel: 0113 243 1751

www.leeds.ac.uk

Many thanks to Scriberia for illustrations

and Alex Santos Print and C

opy Bureau for the booklet design