Student halls with flowers

FAQs


 

How to...

 

Here you can find answers to some frequently asked questions.

   

Staying Safe 

How to… Stay safe in Halls

Royal Holloway is one of the safest campuses in the UK, and we ask students and staff to work together to maintain this and to reduce risk further within the campus and surrounding areas.

Here are our top tips to stay safe: 

  • Don’t leave your room or flat door propped open or on latch, as this provides easy access should someone seek to gain access to your residence. If you notice your housemate leaving doors unlocked, it’s best to let them know. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can speak to one of our Hall Life Duty Officers at one of our drop-in sessions, Monday-Friday, 7pm-8:45pm in Founder’s Visitors’ Centre, opposite Security, term-time.
  • For your safety and others, please keep all fire doors shut. If you are cooking, we recommend that you keep your windows open and turn on the extractor fan. Additionally, fire equipment and fire detectors should not be tampered with.
  • You should wear your College student card at all times and keep this safe. College Security operates and is contactable, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for your protection. If there is an emergency on campus please call the dedicated security line on 01784 443063.

How to… Get help in an emergency

If there is an emergency in Halls you can contact Security by calling 01784 443888 who are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you have already called for a first responder such as an ambulance, please let Security know so they can support them.

 Alternatively, details of other services you can contact can be found here

 

Halls troubleshoot 

How to… Report a maintenance problem

If any appliances in your Hall are not working or if something is broken or damaged in your room, please visit your nearest Hall reception. Alternatively, you can report the problem to our maintenance team by emailing customerservices@royalholloway.ac.uk

How to… Use the campus washing machines

There’s a laundrette within walking distance of each Hall. Click here to find your nearest laundrette.

You can pay with debit or credit card including Mastercard, Visa, Maestro and American Express, including mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay.

If you’ve experienced any issues, please call WashCo on 08000 546 546, or email service@washco.co.uk

Find out more below.

How to use the washing machines.

How to use the dryers.

Ironing

There is an iron and ironing board provided, for your use, in the kitchen of your Hall. 

How to... Turn on or off the heating

Rooms are normally maintained at a minimum of 18-19 degrees Celsius. If your radiator has a temperature control you can adjust the temperature yourself. If not, or the problem persists after you have adjusted the temperature, you should contact our maintenance team at customerservices@royalholloway.ac.uk.

Useful advice on preventing condensation and mould building up in your room is detailed in this document.

How to... Resolve accommodation lockout

We ask you to be careful and responsible with your access card/University Card to avoid being locked out of your bedroom, flat and building. We recommend you wear your University student card at all times and keep this safe.

If you lock yourself out and require access during the day, please visit you nearest hall reception. For out of hours, please call University Security on 01784 443063 or visit the Founder’s Security office located on Founder’s east central entrance. 

If you do not have your mobile phone on you, please use the red phone which is located in many of our residential buildings, normally on the first-floor landing area.

  • For Founder's Hall, George Eliot Hall and Penrose Court, please use the red phone located in the George Eliot Centre main foyer entrance.
  • For Runnymede, Reid, Gowar, Wedderburn, Tuke, Williamson and Butler, please use the red phone located in the Hub main foyer entrance.

How to... Report broken or damaged items 

If something is broken or damaged in your room, you need to report it by emailing customerservices@royalholloway.ac.uk

If you damage university property you will be charged for repairing or replacing items. By damage we mean any deterioration to the property over and above that which is accepted as ‘fair wear and tear’. Some damages are not immediately obvious, such as marks left on walls from Blu-tac or stains on mattresses, but these could still result in charges.

 

Communal living advice 

How to… Report noise

Living in Halls means you are all in close quarters. This means that any sound you make will carry and can be heard by others in your flat. Noise is quite common in halls of residence so while we do have rules in place (quiet time from 11pm to 7am), you can expect some level of noise.

Here are our top tips: 

  • Speak to your flatmates on what is acceptable. Remember noise should always be kept to a minimum after 11pm. Bass and subwoofer equipment are not permitted. 
  • If there is disruptive noise please speak to your housemates first. They might not realise they are being loud and often a conversation can resolve it.
  • If it is out of hand or becoming a problem call Security at the time. This can be done anonymously. They will attend and deal with the incident. They provide us with a report which we can initiate misconduct proceedings against those individuals making a noise. They can be contacted on 01784 443063 24 hours a day 365 days of the year. You may also wish to speak to a Hall Life Duty Officer.

How to... Resolve flat conflict and cleaniless

It is an important part of independent living that you speak in person to your flatmates and try to resolve issues between yourselves. Try and have a constructive conversation with your flatmates to try and resolve your issue.

Click here to check the Hall Life tips. If you still encounter problems, speak to a member of our team through our drop-in sessions. The sessions run Monday to Friday, 7 - 8.45pm, term time only in Founder's Visitors' Centre, opposite Security.

If you need help creating a cleaning rota, click here to view our cleaning rota template.

 

Services in Halls 

How to... Find my hall reception

If you’ve got a question or problem, contact your Hall Reception. There are three hall receptions, each serving different halls of residence. They are all here to help and advise you about anything to do with your room including maintenance issues, lost keys and locking yourself out. After 10pm contact Security on 01784 443063

Email Address - customerservices@royalholloway.ac.uk

 Hall ReceptionTelephone Number LocationOpening Hours 
The Hub - Gowar, Wedderburn, Reid, Runnymede 1&2, Williamson, Butler and Tuke.

01784 443285

Hub Guest House

Main entrance foyer

Monday to Friday 8am-8pm

Saturday & Sunday 9am-5pm

 

George Eliot, Highfield, Penrose and Founder's

01784 443440

George Eliot Centre, Block D

Ground floor reception

Monday to Friday 8am-8pm

Saturday & Sunday 9am - 5pm

 

How to... Receive mail and parcels

If you live in Halls you can have your post delivered to the College. Use the address of your room and the College address, post will be delivered and redirected to the post point for your Hall. Click here for more information. 

  • Make sure mail is addressed with your full name as shown on your College Card followed by your hall of residence and Room Number, followed by Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0BN
  • Mail is delivered Monday to Friday
  • Letters are placed in pigeon holes under your surname.

 Your letter post points are:

  • Founder’s - George Eliot reception
  • Gowar & Wedderburn - outside The Hub Post Room
  • Butler, Williamson & Tuke - outside The Hub Post Room
  • Reid - outside The Hub Post Room
  • Runnymede - outside The Hub Room
  • George Eliot - in the George Eliot reception
  • Highfield - Highfield Common Room.
  • Penrose - delivered directly via Royal Mail but please also check pigeon holes at Highfield Common Room.

 Students should also regularly check their department mailbox for mail.

How to… Move or swap rooms in Halls

The Hall Life team are unable to arrange a room move. If you are experiencing an issue with flatmates and are unable to resolve it between you, please email the Hall Life team, or you can speak to a member of the team through our drop-in service in Founder's Visitors' Centre, Monday to Friday, 7 - 8.45pm, term time only.

If you want to move to a different room or Hall this may be possible, subject to availability. Speak to your hall reception or email studentaccommodation@rhul.ac.uk for more information. Click here for further guidance on moving or swapping rooms. 

How to… Get accommodation and storage during the vacation period

If you have a 30 week contract Residential Services provide accommodation and storage lockers to students during the vacation periods. Residential Services will send you an email prior to the end of term with further details on nightly costs and how to apply. 

Alternatively, you can visit your nearest Hall reception or email customerservices@royalholloway.ac.uk

How to... Look after your guests

If you have guests staying overnight, or even during the day, it is important to notify your flatmates, especially if they are staying for a few nights. 

 

 Getting around campus and surrounding areas 

How to… Travel in Egham and surrounding areas

Egham has a good transport system and many options to help you get about.

To get to Egham train station, you can catch the campus bus from Founder’s bus stop. Click here for the latest timetable.

Two local bus services operated by White Bus run outside of Royal Holloway and serve the bus stops on the A30. They are as follows:

441: Staines – Egham – Englefield Green

500: Staines – Egham – Sunningdale – Windlesham – Camberley – Frimley Park Hospital

Cash, contactless or tickets bought on the White Bus app are all acceptable on the services. There is a 33% student discount on services in Surrey and a special £1 fare from Royal Holloway either to Egham or Englefield Green. You will need to show a valid student ID card.

Period tickets including weekly and four-weekly passes are available for any students living slightly further afield. The buses on service 441 were recently upgraded to longer, higher capacity vehicles with onboard Wi-Fi and next-stop information. All service 441 period tickets are now available on the White Bus app, which you can download via the App Store or Google Play.

How to… Get a discounted Railcard

As a student you might be eligible for a 16-25 Railcard or a discounted Oyster card. Find out how to get these on our travel discounts pages.

How to... Park your bike

Cycling is a great way to get around Royal Holloway and the local area. We're lucky to be in an area with dedicated cycle paths linking Egham and Englefield Green to our neighbouring towns and villages, including Staines, Windsor and Virginia Water. 

Royal Holloway has over 600 spaces to park your bike throughout the Main Campus see the Cycle Facilities Map for more details. Many of these spaces are covered so your bike stays safe and dry.

 

Your Hall Life team 

How to... Get support from the Hall Life team

The Hall Life team can help you with:

  • Hall social events - we organise events to help residents get to know one another. From yoga to a roller disco, if there's an event you'd like to see, get in touch and let us know!
  • Hall discipline - we encourage you to follow the rules and regualtions that are in place for your safety and a happy Hall life.
  • Hall welfare - we offer advice on a variety of issues such as living with others, emergency problems and homesickness.

Our Duty Officers and Assistants are students who have lived in Halls before. They can provide you with practical advice on communal living, homesickness, details of Hall Life events and more. They can also direct you to specialist services where necessary. So, ask away - no question is too big or small!

To attend one of our drop-ins, just turn up Monday-Friday from 7-8.45pm at Founder's Visitors' Centre (opposite Security), term-time.

How to... Join the Hall Life team

If you want to join the Hall Life team and help others have a positive experience of living in halls head over to our Join the Team page.

Vacancies are currently open! Make sure to check them out on the RHUL vacancies page. 

If you would like more information on the types of roles available head over to our Your Hall Life team page.

 

 

 

Hall Life Corner


  1. Need help in Hall?
  2. Read our top tips, and get ready for independent living!

  3. Join our virtual Hall Life Common Room to find your flatmate group.
  4. Tips to dealing with noise in Hall. Click here.

Find out more 

For further information on Health and Safety, please click here.

Follow the Hall Life Team on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Contacting the Hall Life Team:

You can contact your Hall Life team by email.

Drop-in to Founder's Visitors' Centre, Monday - Friday, 7-8.45pm, term time only.

Download the app

Click here to download the Living in Halls guide via the Welcome to Royal Holloway app to access up-to-date information about living in halls, and our termly events.

Alternatively, click here for the web version of our app.

Meet the team

Find out more about the team

group of students