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Cardiff Digs Community Guide Your one stop shop for student community and living advice.

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CR OE SO FR OM CA RD IFF DIG S!

ST KLI ST EC KLI CH EC IN CH G IN VIN G MO VIN MO Follow this guide to get sorted in your new home, tick when complete.

WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO WELCOME YOU TO YOUR NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD! But we know, when you’ve just landed into a new term and a new home, there is a lot going on, so we’ve put together this handy guide to help you get settled.

What is Cardiff Digs? Cardiff Digs is a partnership between Cardiff’s three Universities and the Council. We work with the local police, fire service, health board and many community projects to support you whilst living off campus. We are here to help you have a rewarding experience as part of Cardiff’s community, keeping you safe, healthy and happy. So unbox the kettle, make a cuppa and take a moment to look through this short guide. It should answer some initial questions, but for more information and to get in touch, visit our website cardiffdigs.co.uk

Contents 3 – Moving In Checklist 4 – Your Community 6 – Home Secure 7 – Fire Safety 8 – Recycling and Waste 10 – Traveling around Cardiff 11 – Health and Wellbeing 12 – City Safe 14 – Noise – be a good neighbour 16 – Moving Out Checklist

Have you remembered…

What to do…

Rent Smart Wales - confirm your landlord is registered and the person who lets and manages the property is licensed with Rent Smart Wales

You can check this using the Rent Smart Wales website https://www.rentsmart.gov.wales/en/check-register/

Tenancy contract & Gas Safety certificate – Have you got a copy?

Make sure you have a copy; ask your landlord/letting agent for this if they haven’t provided one. This is important!

Bond/Deposit – Do you know your Deposit ID and details of where your bond is protected? There are three possible deposit schemes.

Check your tenancy contract and email inbox for details. If unsure, ask your landlord or contact your Tenancy Deposit Service. Keep your Deposit ID safe, you’ll need it when you move out!

Inventory – Have you filled in the inventory checklist carefully?

Check inventory before signing it. Inform the landlord/agent in writing about any repairs that need doing. Take photos as proof of property condition before moving in your belongings.

Gas, electricity and water – Have you contacted your suppliers?

Contact the utility companies and give them meter readings. Put all housemates’ names on bills. Welsh Water - 0800 052 0145 www.welshwater.com. Find other details on recent bill.

Health and Safety – have you registered with your local GP and checked you have working fire alarms?

Register with your local GP’s surgery. Check you have working smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors. Contact the Fire Service for a FREE home fire risk check on 0800 169 1234

TV Licence – Have you got one?

Buy a TV licence at www.tvlicensing.co.uk If living in a shared property only one TV licence is needed, split costs between all housemates.

Council Tax – Have you got your Council Tax exemption certificate?

Ask your University for this. Send to Cardiff Council, Council Tax Section, PO Box 9000, Cardiff, CF10 3WD

Recycling and Rubbish – Do you know your waste and recycling collection day? Be responsible for your rubbish or face a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice from Cardiff Council

Check collection day at www.cardiffdigs.co.uk/recycling-waste or download the “Cardiff Gov” app for free reminders – different bins are collected on different weeks! Put recycling/ waste on the pavement outside your property by 6am on the day of collection (but not earlier than 4.30pm the day before).

Neighbours – Do you know your neighbours? Introduce yourself!

A quick hello goes a long way to get to know your community. Please be mindful of noise and consider your neighbours!

Security – Have you protected your valuables?

Parking – Do you have a parking permit? Or save your pocket and the planet with active travel!

Check whether you need a permit at www.cardiff.gov.uk/parking. Better yet, leave your car at home! Cardiff is easily accessible by bus, foot or bike.

Done?

YO UR CO MM UN ITYGE T INV OLVE D! CARDIFF IS ONE OF EUROPE’S FASTEST GROWING CITIES AND YOU ARE LIKELY TO BE LIVING IN THE HEART OF THE WELSH CAPITAL. Even if you live close to campus, you share the community with local residents. Getting involved with the community can make a big difference to your university experience – here are our top tips:

GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS A friendly hello goes a long way! If you need help breaking the ice, use our pull-out postcard in the middle of this guide.

CLUBS AND SO CIETIES

Cardiff has a rich culture. Whateve r your interest, yo u are likely to fi nd a club or society on your doorstep . Your student’s un ion is a good starting point to explore from. 4

COMMUNITY PROJECTS Volunteering can develop skills, boost your CV and connect you with your community. It can also have a significant positive effect on your wellbeing. There are organisations who specialise student volunteering – check out: & Volunteering Cymru (SVC) • ASkills local charity providing opportunities to

students & the community across South Wales. Their projects support adults and children with disabilities and/or mental health conditions, young carers, the homeless, the NHS, and community safety and environmental initiatives.

svcymru.org Email: info@svcymru.org Cardiff Volunteering (Cardiff Uni Student’s Union) • Cardif f University Student’s Union in house

volunteering team - you can start your own volunteering project or come along to many of our other opportunities and events. If you can’t find what you are looking for on our website just send an email and we will be happy to help.

cardiffstudents.com/volunteering Email: Volunteering@Cardiff.ac.uk Volunteer with us! • Cardiff Digs hosts the Environmental Champi

ons project is partnered with the Police Student Volunteer Project and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Volunteer Scheme.

Find out more at: cardiffdigs.co.uk/volunteering

FIR E SA FE TY

HOME SECURE STUDENT HOUSES CAN BE A TEMPTING TARGET FOR THIEV ES. They are packed with multiple high value gadgets and studen ts are often away from home at day and night. Criminals tend to be opportunistic, but that means that you can beat the burglars and scupper their plans by using the se simple steps.

• Don’t attach your name or address to your house keys If you have a back gate or entrance, make sure it’s kept • shut and secure at all times Make sure all doors and windows are locked when you • head out Avoid keeping spare keys hidden under the front door • mat or in other locations outside the property • Keep valuables safely away and out of sight from windows If you’re going home for the holidays, take all your • valuab les with you and make sure everything is locked

Register all your possessions for free on immobilise.com, and mark your property with a UV pen with your home address house number & post code only – this will help us return items to you if they get lost or stolen.

The Council, Rent Smart Wales and the South Wales Fire and s of Rescue Service work together to ensure that licensed House . It Multiple Occupation have adequate fire safety measures in place you ures helps to know what to do if a fire does occur and the meas can take to reduce the risk. Here are our top tips:

TEST IT TUESDAY! Test smoke / CO alarms once a week – there should be one on each floor of your home.

IF YOU SMOKE

ESCAPE R O

UTES

Plan an e sca to the m pe route ain door in advance (and kee p it clutte r fre includes e, that bikes!)

Use a proper ashtray – not a bin or anything th at could catch fi re and never smoke in bed.

TAKE CARE WHEN COOKING

CANDLES

AVOID UNOFFICI AL CHARGERS FOR YOUR TECH These can be faulty and result in a fire. For more info , visit electricalsafe ty first.org.uk

Put can dles out when leaving a room and be careful not to p ut t close to anythin hem g that could ca If using tch alight. t them in ea lights, put a candle holder.

DOORS

Especially after a night ou t – it’s easy to f org about it o et r fall asleep. O pt for a takeaway instead!

Keep doors cl osed (including at night) – in the event of a fire, this sign ificantly slows the spre ad.

SAFETY ADVICE For more fire safety advice or to book a fire safety consultation, visit: cardiffdigs.co.uk/ firesafe

CA RD IFF ST UD EN TS RE CY CL E

The CARDIFF GOV APP will let you:

reminders before your bin day, to • Set let you know what recycling/waste needs to be put out for collection

DID YOU KNOW THAT WALES IS A WORLD LEADING NATION WHEN IT COMES TO RECYCLING ? It’s something we’re proud of in Cardiff so please get to know the recycling a waste system, sort it out and keep it clean.

Dry recycling (packaging) is collected all together in council green bags EVERY WEEK.

Food waste (raw and cooked) is collected from the brown food caddy EVERY WEEK.

You should have a small kitchen caddy and a larger one to put the food waste out, ready for collection.* * You can use the Cardiff Gov app to order recycling bags, food caddies and caddy liners.

If your waste hasn’t been collected on collection day, or if you have a pink sticker on your recycling bags, you need to take action. Take it in, clean it up or you may receive a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice.

Place your re cycling / waste kerb side for collectio n no later than 6am on collection day (or the evening b efore).

out the correct items to put into • Find your green recycling bag/food waste caddy

all the equipment you need to • Order recycle at home out where you can collect • Find recycling bags in your area a collection for large, bulky • Book items e.g. mattresses, chairs

Non-recyclable waste is collected every two weeks. You may have a black wheeled bin or alternatively, you may have “red striped” waste bags. If you have bags, they are delivered to your house twice a year and strictly limited in quantity. If you have a black bin, waste must fit inside your bin. If your house share is struggling with your amount of non-recyclab le waste, you may qualify to be assessed for a larger bin/additional red striped bags. For more info on this and other waste and recycling services, visit: cardiffdigs.co.uk/recycling-waste

Black bags next to bins? Received a pink sticker on your recycling bags? Be careful - you could receive a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice .

GE TTI NG OU T AN D AB OU T CARDIFF AS A CITY IS INCREDIBLY COMPACT, FLAT AND EASY TO TRAVEL AROUND. This is why we would recommend you don’t bring a car with you to Uni unless you have particular circumstances that rely on the use of a vehicle. Our city is best explored on foot, or by bicycle, which is perfect for saving that student budget.

Cycling - Separate cycle paths in Cardiff are expanding, making cycling even easier. Cardiff Council have developed a cycle friendly map that you can download to your phone. If you don’t have a bike, there are plenty of options available. You can hire a bike from Pedal Power based in Pontcanna fields, or Nextbike who have stations all over the city with special memberships for students. If you would like to buy a bike, Cycle Training Wales have a selection of affordable refurbished bikes available. For more information about these cycling options visit cardiffdigs.co.uk/citytravel

YO UR HE ALT H AN D WE LLB EIN G WHEN YOU MOVE HOME, YOU SHOULD REGISTER WITH A LOCAL GP SURGERY STRAIGHT AWAY. Registration can take a couple of weeks to process, so be sure to put it on your “to do” list and not wait until you fee l unwell.

To find a general practice near you, please visit cardif fdigs.co.uk/do ctor

? NERVOUS CYCLING f dif Car m. No proble le Council offer free cyc for ns sio ses training nal non-riders up to Natio g inin Tra le Cyc rds Standa Level 3. They can be booked by emailing to k RSO1@cardiff.gov.u

WELLBEING

Moving into a ne w neighbourhood is exciting but can be challengi ng. If you would like more information about looking af ter your wellbeing or loc al support services, visit cardiffdigs.co. uk/ wellbeing

Did you know you can access many health services without having to visit the GP? Choose Well is designed to help you make the right healthcare choice when you are feeling unwell. You can find local healthcare services at choosewellwales.org.uk

Public Transport - All university campuses are connected by either university bus, public bus or rail. Discounts are available for certain age groups or passengers opting to use travel apps. Taxis -

Many Taxis are availab le for hire in Cardiff. If you get caught short without taxi fare, some Student Un ions even offer a Safe Taxi scheme to get yo u a lift home. For mo re information on all of these travel options, vis it cardiffdigs.co.uk/cit ytravel

CI TY SA FE CARDIFF IS A VIBRANT CITY AND THERE IS PLENTY TO KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED. We want you to have fun and be safe when going out so here are our top tips to keep in mind.

We want you to have memorable nights out (for the right reasons!) Be careful if having pre-drinks, especially if you are not in control of your measures. When socialising at home, it can be increasingly difficult to know the quantity of alcohol being consumed.

Avoid drinks that you didn’t see being poured and never leave drinks unattended.

t and ht ou outh g i n On a lp? The S Bus ty he need olice Safe e city h P t s Wale rly patrols anyone r la regu looking fo come e , b e centr may have assisted who ble. It is ff ra or sta vulne r staf f, do cheme” by ba e Street S ers Th nte e and “ lice Volu o e sam P h t t u ing o ot. carry ties on fo u d

Keep up to date with the rules on socialising and Covid-19, they are for everyone’s safety – cardiffdigs. co.uk/covid-19

If you are out in your group, go home as a group and if you are walking, stick to well-lit busy areas. Consent is essential in sexual act ivity, if someone doesn’t give consent or does not have cap acity to give consent, sex is rape. So make sure your partne r is participating freely and readily. Sexual Harassment is never acceptable – if you see somebody being harassed, ask if they’re ok. Its #oktoask

Personal Safety s’ ie it rs ve ni U ur Download yo fferent niversities use di U nt re fe if D . App of South ity & University rs ve ni U ff di ar apps (C Met use one and Cardiff Wales use Safez r subscribe and fo to w ho t ou nd fi CallMy ). To n staying staying safe whe on n io at rm fo in more afety co.uk/personal-s s. ig fd if rd ca t si social, vi 13

NO ISE:

B E A G O O D N E IG H B O U R LIVING IN THE CITY. Some sound can travel, but remember that you will be living in the same street as non-students, families and shift workers. Noise disturbance can seriously effect a person’s wellbeing and create tensions between neighbours. So we encourage you to meet your neighbours – not upset them!

Affected by a noisy neighbour ? Politely knock at their door and explain the problem in a calm manner, you may find they were unaware and agree to kee p the noise down. However if this does not work, you can contact the Council for help. For more information about noise, parties and how to contac t the Council for assistance, visit cardiffdigs.co. uk/noise

OUR TOP TIPS!

uce yourself to your neighbours and • Introd consider sharing contact details. Being friendly

and approachable goes a long way. If you’ve just moved in, it’s a perfect opportunity – you could use the postcard pull out in this guide to break the ice!

mindful of volume any time of day or night. • Be It is a myth that noise is allowed up until 11pm! windows and doors closed to reduce sound • Keep travelling. playing music, be mindful of bass levels - it • When really carries.

• Place speakers away from neighbouring walls. er neighbours sleeping if you walk home with • Consid friends late in the evening. They may have an early start.

There are special rule s for socialis ing at hom e to keep yo u and the community you live in safe from Covid-19. Stay up to date – cardiffdig s.co.uk/ covid-19

MO VIN G OU T CH EC KLI ST Follow these steps to get organised and maximise your chance of receiving your full deposit back. Tick when completed so you don’t forget something important. Have you remembered…

What to do…

Rent – Have you paid all your rent?

Check the landlord has received all the rent if you are unsure.

Bond/Deposit – Do you know your Deposit ID and details of where your bond is protected? There are three possible deposit schemes.

Check your tenancy contract and email inbox for the details. If unsure, ask your landlord or contact your Tenancy Deposit Service.

Inventory – Have you checked the inventory you filled in when you moved in? Check for damages that were not there when you moved in.

Check the inventory with your landlord.Arrange an inspection date. Contact your Tenancy Deposit Protection Service if any disagreements arise with regards to the deposit/bond.

Recycling and Rubbish – Have you removed all recycling /waste from property and front and back gardens?

Check collection day at www.cardiffdigs.co.uk/recyclingwaste or download the “Cardiff Gov” app for free reminders - collection days often change with bank holidays.

If you have items to donate or extra waste – plan ahead. Find out your options at cardiffdigs.co.uk/recycling-waste

Put recycling/ waste on the pavement outside your property by 6am on the day of collection (but not earlier than 4.30pm the day before).

TV Licence – Have you told them you are moving out? You may be eligible for a partial refund!

Update your details on www.tvlicensing.co.uk

Mail – Have you changed your address to back home for the summer?

Contact Doctors, Bank, Mobile phone company, Friends, Family, DVLA, Employer.

Keys – Have you returned your keys to your landlord/letting agent?

Give landlord/letting agent keys at the moving out inspection.

Bills - Gas, electricity and water Ensure you’ve paid outstanding bills.

Take meter readings and notify utility companies of moving out date.

Done?