resident's handbook Robert Baelde fall 2013

Resident’s Handbook Robert Baelde Hall

Student Housing Office Fall 2013

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Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction ……………............................................ 3 Chapter 2 The first few days in Rotterdam………………………. .5 Chapter 3 During your stay in Rotterdam…………………………. 9 Chapter 4 Facilities………………………………………………………13 Chapter 5 Final things to know……………………………………... 15 Chapter 6 Important phone numbers………………………………16 Chapter 7 Find your way in Rotterdam…………………………….18

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Chapter 1 - Introduction Welcome to Rotterdam University, we hope you will enjoy your stay in Robert Baelde Hall.

In this handbook you will find relevant information and regulations which apply in Robert Baelde Hall.

Robert Baelde Hall This apartment building is for international students only. A five-storey building (with elevator) with 100 furnished rooms.

Floor 1: 22 bedrooms (ground floor) Floor 2: 23 bedrooms Floor 3: 23 bedrooms Floor 4: 23 bedrooms + laundry room Floor 5: 9 bedrooms + caretaker’s office On the first 4 floors there are double units and triple units. A double unit has 2 bedrooms, a kitchenette, a shower and toilet. A triple unit has the same facilities but with 3 bedrooms. The rooms are quite basic and about 12 square meters. On the 5th floor there are 8 larger rooms (18 square meters).

Each room has a bed, mattress, mattress cover, notice board, wardrobe, desk, desk chair, bookcase and bedside table. Your kitchen has 4 hotplates and a fridge.

The mattress cover is to extend the life span of the mattress and can be washed regularly in the washing machine. Therefore the mattress cover should always be placed over the mattress. The mattress cover is not meant to sleep on it, so you should always put a fitted sheet over the mattress cover. The mattress cover should be washed and left clean on the mattress when moving out. If you have taken it with you or if it is missing we have to charge for € 25,00.

A washing machine and dryer are available in the laundry room. Coins can be bought at the caretaker’s office, € 1,30 a piece.

If you have not bought the bedding or cooking package via Student Housing Office you should bring/buy your own. Towels, desk lamp etc. you have to bring yourselves.

Living together As most European schools, Rotterdam University offers community housing only. The student apartment buildings are located in parts of Rotterdam where not only students are domiciled. There are also families living there. It is unlawful for any person to make, continue, cause or permit any unnecessary, excessive or offensive noise. This includes vocal or instrumental music and related sounds, live or produced mechanically, which disturbs the peace or causes annoyance or discomfort.

You have to bear in mind that there are children who go to bed early, working people who need a good night’s sleep and students who have to study for their exams. This means that you have to keep the noise down inside as well as outside the building, especially during the evenings and nights. Do not wake up the entire neighborhood and all the other tenants in the building when you come home after an evening out.

A large student building has advantages and disadvantages. It is a social environment and you are never alone.

Sometimes tenants are bothered by their surroundings, for example, when your neighbour plays his stereo every night at maximum volume or does not clean kitchen, bathroom and so on. Please note that in the Netherlands it is very common that you are quiet from 22.00 – 8.00 hrs. Usually students can sort out this kind of problems themselves; do not hesitate to talk to your neighbours if you want to solve a problem. If problems are not solved and you cannot come to an agreement, you can send your complaint to Student Housing Office. Student Housing Office will send a written warning and/or invite the tenant causing inconveniences. If the inconveniences continue a penalty

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will be given to the tenant causing inconveniences. Student Housing Office will also inform the study department at Rotterdam University and the home university about the misbehaving student.

Objections can be made within 5 days in writing to studenthousingoffice@hr.nl. The objection will be replied within 5 days. This however does not mean that you can claim an other room in the dormitory!

“Be a good tenant and live in peace with each other. Then life is easy!”

Length of stay In general new tenants arrive three times a year; at the beginning of each semester often in August and February and for summer courses in July or August.

Rooms offered by Rotterdam University can only be rented for one (or sometimes two) semester(s) depending on the duration of your exchange period. Students who intend to follow the 2 semesters’ exchange should mention that on their housing reservation forms. Please note that new exchange students always have priority over students who are already here for half a year.

GRSS students can only rent for one semester. These students should start apartment hunting as soon as possible after arrival to avoid unnecessary housing problems at the end of the first semester.

Plan accordingly! This restriction is to ensure new students accommodation upon arrival.

Overstaying your contract (even for a few days) often result in losing your deposit.

Changing or canceling your rental agreement You will not be able to change or cancel your contract once you have signed the contract and it has been sent to Stadswonen. Changing rooms is NOT allowed due to safety precautions.

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Chapter 2 - The first few days in Rotterdam Rent Rent for rooms in Robert Baelde Hall is inclusive of furniture, local taxes, internet, gas, electricity and water. The first rent has to be paid at the front office of the rental company and owner of the building, Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen.

Address: Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen Goudsesingel 66 3011 KD Rotterdam Tel: 010 - 8007200 www.stadswonen.nl From then on you will receive an invoice for the rent each month. Rent has to be paid in advance every month before the first day of the month. Rent can be paid with a credit card (Visa- or Master card), a Dutch debit card or bank transfer. Pre-authorized debit is an efficient way of paying your rent as well. This way your bills are automatically deducted from your bank account. For more information on pre-authorized debit, contact Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen shortstaystadswonen@vestia.nl. Rent cannot be paid in cash. Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 9.00 – 17.30 hours.

Please make sure to save all bank statements and/or receipts concerning rent payments so when you are leaving for home, you can prove that you paid all rent.

If you fail to pay your rent in time, Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen will send you a reminder and will charge a late payment fee of € 10,00.

Debts not settled will affect the release of grade lists or diplomas.

Rent increase Each year rent for rooms in Robert Baelde Hall will increase with a maximum of 4% due to the annual rise of predominantly city and county taxes, the rise of city services and utilities and the actual rent.

Rotterdam University also withholds the right to increase the rent at the beginning of Spring semester.

Registration with the local authorities Each international (exchange) student who will stay in Rotterdam longer than 4 months needs to register with the local authorities (GBA office at city hall) (please check the information on http://www.rotterdam.nl/registrationinmunicipalpopulationregister). You will need a ‘Verhuurdersverklaring’ (from Vestia) to register This is a declaration by your landlord that he agrees with you registering and using one of his addresses. Upon arrival you will receive this form from Student Housing Office.

Visa and MVV For information regarding Visa and MVV you can contact the GRSS office RBS@hr.nl .

Banks and currency Today’s Dutch currency is the Euro. Most people in the Netherlands pay with cash or (Dutch) debit cards in stores.

It will take approximately two to three weeks to set up a Dutch bank account. When you go to the bank you will need your tenancy agreement, letter of acceptance which you received from the International Office, your id-cart or passport and a social security number (sofinummer). Please contact the ‘Belastingdienst’ for more information on the social security number http://www.belastingdienst.nl/variabel/buitenland/en/citizen_service_number/citizen_service_number04.html . Credit cards are accepted in most stores but not in most supermarkets and small shops. Most accepted cards are Visa- and Master card. There is a wide range of ATM machines.

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Insurance Neither Stadswonen nor Rotterdam University has you insured against theft, loss, damages etc. In case of theft, robbery or break in we strongly suggest you report this to the police and ask for a copy of the report, as your insurer might need this to consider your claim.

The address of the police station in Rotterdam-Kralingen is: Taborstraat 22 3061 EW Rotterdam Tel: 0900-8844 Note that Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen will hold you responsible for all damages to your unit and/or room. Thus, you will be responsible for damages due to break-ins.

There are quite a few insurance companies in the Netherlands. A company that caters to foreign students, staff and employees is AON. For more information, visit their website www.myaon.nl/fellowss. We also urge you to arrange your health insurance before you arrive.

Keys All exchange students will receive their keys directly from Student Housing Office. The steel key opens the following doors: main entrance, unit, room, laundry room and mailbox.

A key of the building must never get into the hands of strangers, as this would result in a risky situation for the entire building, since every key can open the main entrance door of the building. You can report the loss of your key to Student Housing Office. Losing your key is not only inconvenient but also expensive. Student Housing Office will issue a new key card which costs € 30,00 per key.

If you lose your key after Student Housing Office hours, you can go to Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen between 16.30-18.00 hours. There you can pick up a new key, which will cost € 40,00 per key. This will be deducted from your housing deposit.

In case you lose your key or if you have any other urgent housing problems after Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen’s office hours you can call Vestia Rotterdam Stadwonen’s emergency number: 010 – 4123641. A constructor will be sent to your address to fix the problem. We advise to ask for the costs before the constructor is sent to your address, because this service is not free of charges.

On the end date of your housing contract you need to return the key, which you received upon arrival, to Student Housing Office. Failure to do so will result in a penalty of € 100,00.

What to do in case you are locked out: See if the residence assistant is at home or contact him by phone 06 192 02 458 (also see telephone number on his door).

This service costs you € 10,00 (from 10.00 hrs am till 22.00 hrs pm) or € 25,00 at night (from 22.00 hrs pm till 10.00 hrs am) In case the Resident’s Assistent is not in his office: - Monday – Friday 9.00 – 16.30 hours (office Student Housing Office): pick up the spare key at Student Housing Office - After office hours Student Housing Office: get a new key at the office of the rental company Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen: Goudsesingel 66.

- Call the Stadswonen emergency number at 010-4123641 (after 17.30 and before 9.00 hours) and during weekends, make sure to ask for the costs, because this service is not free of charges.

Please note the emergency line is only for emergencies outside the office hours and if the residence assistant is not at home!

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Penalties Checklist Upon arrival in Robert Baelde Hall, you should find your room and the unit clean. When you move into your room, make sure you complete the checklist and return it to Student Housing Office within the term that is noted on the checklist. This checklist will be used as a reference in future checkout reports. After you have left, you will not be charged for any damage that was already present when you moved in; the checklist will prove that you are not responsible. If you do not return it or return it too late, you will be charged for all damages (if any). Please note that the checklist is not a complaint form, it is not passed on to the technical service department of Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen. Any damage reported on a checklist is processed at the Student Housing Office for the purpose of the housing security deposit administration.

Requests for technical repairments can be send to studenthousingoffice@hr.nl.

Penalty system Tenants will be fined for placing garbage in the hallways, stairways or any other place then in the garbage container. Tenants will also be fined for unnecessary use of the fire-hose, for keeping an unit insufficiently clean, for leaving pieces of furniture like TV-sets etc. in the hallway or outside on the streets around the building or for putting bicycles in the hallway.

The following fines apply:           

A rubbish bag left anywhere outside your unit Items left in the halls Unnecessary use of the fire hose Removing a door-closer Noise pollution, playing music too loud, etc.

Keeping an unit insufficiently clean inspection Leaving furniture like TV-sets, etc. in hallway Parking bicycles and shopping carts in the common areas.

Setting up cables/wiring through walls, doors, windowsills etc.

Any other damage done to the building both in- and outside Having kitchen sink or other drain unclogged

€ € € € € €

25,00 to € 75,00 25,00 to € 100,00 100,00 50,00 25,00 to € 100,00 50,00 per resident per

€ € € € €

25,00 to € 100,00 50,00 50,00 to € 300,00 50,00 to € 2.000,00 100,00

After you have checked out of your room, the caretaker and Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen will inspect your unit and room. You are obliged to leave the unit and room in the same condition as you find it when you moved in.

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Examples of charges made after final checkout:             

Bedroom door unlocked Mattress missing Mattress cover dirty or missing Removal of personal items to € 250,00 (e.g. furniture) Refrigerator not cleaned and emptied Cables and wiring left Extra cleaning common area (toilet, kitchen, shower) Repainting room Removing graffiti Removing clothing lines Smoking in your room Covering or damaging smoke detector House rules (on your room door)

€ € € €

25,00 200,00 25,00 50,00 (e.g. clothing, trash)

€ 80,00 € 50,00 - € 300,00 € 100,00 bedroom, € 300,00 € 500,00 € 100,00 tot € 500,00 € 25,00 € 100,00 – 500,00 € 100,00 – 500,00 € 10,00

These lists of rules are not exhaustive! In case of misbehaviour, appropriate measures will be taken. These fines are to be paid to the caretaker in cash. Fines not paid are taken out of your deposit. Misbehaviour in the apartment buildings is expensive. If Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen or Student Housing Office fines are not paid, they will be deducted from your deposit with a 50% increase.

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Chapter 3 - During your stay in Rotterdam Your neighbourhood, Kralingen Kralingen appeals to many young singles and dual-income-no-kids couples. Ten minutes east of the city centre, Kralingen has multi-million euro mansions alongside student apartments and council housing. Near a lovely lake and woods, the area has a very international feel and a huge variety of affordable and up-market housing available.

For more information on Rotterdam, please visit http://www.rotterdam-guide.com Parking in Robert Baeldestraat The city of Rotterdam applies parking charges in the area Robert Baeldestraat. The times at which charges apply are Monday to Saturday 9.00 - 18.00 hours. It is not possible to use coins in Rotterdams’ on-street parking meters. Payment can be made in the following ways:  Parking permit Every resident who has a car can apply for a resident parking permit. This permit costs € 5,30 per month (2013). At the 'Stadswinkel Kralingen-Crooswijk' you can pick up an application form for the parking permit. You can also apply for a visitors card (bezoekerspas). With this card your visitors can park at a profitable tariff.

Stadswinkel Kralingen-Crooswijk Oostzeedijk 276 3063 CA Rotterdam Tel: 14010 @ deelgemeente@kc.rotterdam.nl Opening hours information desk Kralingen-Crooswijk Monday till Thursday 08.30 – 17.00 hours Wednesday nights also 18.00 hours - 20.00 hours Friday 08.30 – 16.00 hours Please keep in mind that you have to be registered at the GBA in cityhall to be able to apply for a parking permit.  Parking cards At the 'parking stores' run by Stadstoezicht (City Inspectorate) you can purchase parking cards, which can be used in those areas of Rotterdam where there is paid parking. You can buy these parking cards valid for 1 or 2 hours a day, for a day, a week or a month in the area in which you wish to park.  By credit card In many places in the city centre, and at shopping centres, leisure facilities, tourist attractions and hotels, the parking meters offer the facility to pay with your credit card. You can identify these meters by the credit card logos.  Prepaid Chipknip A separate cash card is available for tourists. A balance in Euros is stated on this so-called Prepaid Chipknip. The Prepaid Chipknip can be purchased from various points in Rotterdam. The cash card enables you to pay at parking ticket machines, but also at 160.000 other payment points in the Netherlands.

For more information about parking charges you can contact Stadswinkel Kralingen-Crooswijk.

Guests and unauthorized occupancy A resident may not sublet, transfer, or share a room, nor may an unassigned person reside there at any point during the academic year, including Summer. A resident may not trade places with another person in or out of the Rotterdam University housing system. If a resident is discovered at any point to be in violation, Rotterdam University reserves the right to cancel his or her housing contract and take disciplinary action as appropriate.

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Safety You have to know some safety rules for your own safety and the safety of other tenants.  Due to Fire Department Regulations and Safety Regulations bicycles, shopping carts etc. are not allowed in the common areas of this building. Taking shopping carts outside the premises of the supermarkets is considered theft and will be dealt with accordingly. All foreign objects will be removed at your own expense.  Do not open the main entrance door for people you do not know! Stadswonen, the Student Housing Office and the cleaning company have keys to the building. Always close the door when you leave your unit.  There are fire-hoses on each floor of this apartment building to make sure damage is limited in the event of a fire. These hoses must only be used in case of fire. If they are misused the carpet will be damaged and it will cause flooding and leakages. Penalties for misuse are charged to an entire floor if the student responsible does not come forward.  Hallways and stairways must be kept empty, as they serve as fire exits.  Please note that you could also contribute to the improvement of your own safety, for instance: close and lock your (windows) room and unit door when you leave your room and at night as prevention of burglary.  You are not allowed to smoke in your room or building.  You may not put a bag over the smoke detector or demaging the smoke detector. If you do the alarm system will not work. You bring yourself and others in danger!!!

Also as a measure of precaution, we suggest you scan your passport, credit cards and insurance policy and keep it in your E-mailbox or make copies and keep them on you during your stay abroad. Note that in the Netherlands you are obliged to always have your id-card or passport with you. You should be able to show them in case a police officer asks for it. If you are not able to identify yourself it will cost you at least € 60,00.

Prohibited items You may not have hazardous items in your room at all. Possession of any items listed below will result in disciplinary action.

Prohibited items include:  Incense  Candles  Air conditioners  Electric cooking grills  Firearms or lethal weapons of any sort  Fireworks or explosives  Flammable liquids  Gas-powered equipment  Laser pointers  Lighted smoking materials  Pyrotechnic devices of any sort  Heaters  Drugs Bikes There are a number of bike shops where one can buy both new and used bikes. Near the city centre there is the ‘All Bikes shop’ (Jonker Fransstraat 91-93 www.allbikes.nl) or ‘Megabike’ near metro station Oostplein (Burgemeester van Walsumweg 2 www.megabike.nl). Second hand bikes can be bought at most bike shops and the bike shelter under Central Station.

A bike shed is available in the backyard. Storage of the bike inside the building is prohibited. Bikes left in the entrance hall, corridors, on the parking lot or against one of the fences will be removed.

Pets Because of public health regulations, pets are NOT permitted in the building under any circumstances

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including brief visits or temporary stays. This includes, but is not limited to dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, snakes or other reptiles, spiders, mice and other rodents.

Right of entry Rotterdam University and/or Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen reserve the right to enter a room or unit at any time when imminent danger to life, safety, health or property is reasonably suspected as determined by the Student Housing Office, Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen or their authorized representative.

They also reserve the right to inspect the condition of the room or apartment, conduct a room inventory, to show an apartment or room to prospective residents, to inspect for fire and health hazards, to enforce the rules and regulations of the ‘resident’s handbook’, to make repairs, installations, additions or alterations to the room or unit or building or to remove placards, signs, fixtures, alterations or additions to the premises which are in violation with Rotterdam University standards.

Garbage In the backyard you will find 3 garbage containers. You are urged to always put your garbage in one of the containers. The caretaker inspects this area regularly. Tenants who put their garbage anywhere but in the garbage container will be fined.

You can put your garbage in one of the underground containers which you can find in Robert Baeldestraat in case the 3 garbage containers in the backyard are full.

Please do not hesitate to inform Student Housing Office if all the garbage containers in the backyard are full.

If you have large items in your unit which you do not intend to take with you when moving out, you need to make an appointment with Roteb (the local garbage company) to collect the large items. This service is for free. Make sure to contact Roteb at least 3 weeks in advance to schedule the pickup.

Roteb Tel: 14010 https://concern.ir.rotterdam.nl/grofvuil-www/home (Dutch website) - choose for afspraak maken.

Drugs in the Netherlands The Dutch attitude towards drugs is a bit ambivalent. According to Dutch law, the possession, use, transportation and/or sale of drugs is a crime. However, the sale of soft drugs (e.g. marihuana) in small quantities is tolerated in certain selected locations (usually coffee shops). The Netherlands have a reputation for tolerance towards a substance that is essentially illegal, but that does NOT mean that anything goes.

As a rule of thumb, you can safely visit a coffee shop, buy a small amount of the weed of your choice and smoke it right there. Although this is essentially illegal, if the law were interpreted strictly, this is tolerated. If you do anything else (e.g. take the drugs with you on the street) that's a good way to get into trouble.

Please be aware that you do this at your own risk! It is not permitted to use or smoke drugs or tabacco in your room!!!

It is not allowed to grow weed plants in this apartment building. The penalty is € 100,00.

Please note the legal drinking age is 16 (18 for liquors) and the legal age for smoking tobacco is 16.

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Miscellaneous  Shops Most shops in Rotterdam are open from Monday to Saturday between 9.00 hours and 18.00 hours.

Many supermarkets are open between 8.00 hours and 20.00 hours on weekdays. Shops are mostly closed on Sundays, except shops in the city centre (12.00 hours to 18.00 hours).

International food stores are available.  Public transport Buses, trams and metro (subway) provide frequent service. Rotterdam's municipal public transport system, RET, has an extensive public transport network with excellent connections. Tickets for the bus or tram can be purchased from the driver. To buy in advance is cheaper and is possible at all railway stations, post offices, at many bookstores and at some cigarette shops. Please visit www.ret.nl/nl-nl.aspx?sc_lang=en for more information.

Train tickets need to be bought before boarding at the railway station. Please visit www.ns.nl/cs/Satellite/travellers for more information.

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Chapter 4 - Facilities You live in a multitenant building and need to keep your room as tidy as possible. Robert Baelde Hall offers a couple of facilities to make your stay comfortable.

Residence assistent The residence assistent holds office (please see actual opening hours on the door of his office on the fifth floor). During these hours you will be able to borrow the vacuum cleaner, buy coins for washing machine or dryer and ask for technical assistance. However, we advise you to send your technical request to studenthousingoffice@hr.nl. Technical reparations which are requested via email will be carried out quicker.

Please do not disturb the residence assistant outside the office hours, except when you are dealing with an urgent problem (such as being locked out). Please contact him on telephone number 06 192 02 458 or by email ra.robertbaeldestraat@hotmail.nl Lights You should have one working light in your bedroom. If this is not the case, please send an email to studenthousingoffice@hr.nl.

Lights in the common area (kitchen, toilet and shower) need to be working as well. Stripe lights are replaced by the caretaker.

The electric current, Hz and plug shape The electric current is AC 220 - 240 volts. Frequency (Hz) is 50. Electrical appliances from the UK are compatible. However, appliances from the US (110 volts / 60 Hz) need step-down transformers. For most appliances from EU countries, a simple adaptor should work for everything except the heavier appliances. These may require transformers as well.

Plug shape is the standard two-pinned type. Plug adapters can be bought in most electrical shops.

Telephone and internet facilities There are no ready-to-use telephone facilities available in the apartment building. Most international students buy a prepaid cell phone (mobile) with a sim card of a Dutch provider. Some will bring their own cell phone and just buy the sim card. Both cards and phones are widely available at telecom stores throughout Rotterdam.

Internet is available in the dormitory and is included in the rent. User guides for the internet are provided by the Student Housing Office upon arrival. Student Housing Office has a limited numbers of internet cables. There for it is best if you bring your own internet cable.

Washing machine / dryer  The machines are located on the 4th floor.  Coins can be bought at Student Housing Office or at the Resident’s Assistents office, € 1,30 a piece.  The washing and drying machines may only be used if you signed in by writing down your name on the timetable hanging on the door.  Usage of the machines without an appointment will result in a € 25 fine. Clothing may also be confiscated and will only be returned after payment of the fine. If you suspect someone is using the laundry facilities without an appointment, you can report this directly to Student Housing Office at any time.  To prevent delays, be at the laundry room at least 5 minutes before your appointment time and also 5 minutes before the next appointment time starts.  If someone else’s clothes are still in the machine at the time of your appointment, you are not allowed to remove them until 5 minutes after your own appointed time starts. Then you can take these clothing out and leave them on top of the machine.  Always clean out the spots of your spilled detergent on the floor, the machines and in the reservoirs or simply use a dosage-cap to prevent spilling.  Prevent fire; always empty the dust filters after usage of the drying machines.  Dispose your empty detergent boxes and/or garbage in the garbage bin, not next to it.  Keep the laundry room clean 13 J:\StudentHousingOffice\Robert Baeldestraat\Robert Baelde fall 2013

There are laundrettes in the near vicinity of the building such as: Laundromat Waspunt (self service) Goudse Rijweg 13 Rotterdam Tel 06 18700183 email: info@waspunt.nl Dry Cleaner’s 'Soap' Oostzeedijk Beneden 233-235 3061 VW Rotterdam Tel. 010-4122829 Hygiene inspection Regularly there are hygiene inspections in the apartment building. You are obliged to keep your unit clean at all times. These inspections are not announced, so always keep your unit clean.

The inspectors are very strict. If something is not in order, no excuse will be accepted and the unit has to pay a penalty (see Penalty system). Special interest areas are kitchen, shower and toilet.

Since a new group of students inhabits this building every semester, it is necessary to take good care of the furniture, walls and carpets in order to offer the best possible accommodation to every new guest of the apartment building.

Blocked drains Drain blockages occur because tenants put materials into the drain, which should never go there.

Often liquid materials are put “down the drain”, and then solidify and cause clogging. Remember to just let materials harden, then place in trash, instead of in the drain. Don't pour grease down your drains; keep free of hair and other debris, such as food. To have a plumber come over to fix a plugged sink or fix lavatory and shower drains is quite expensive (€ 100,00) and the whole unit will be charged for the costs if this occurs often.

General cleaning Residents are responsible for cleaning their rooms and keeping the common areas tidy. All kitchen appliances, work surfaces and benches should be cleaned after use.

The entrance hall, hallways, stairs etc. are cleaned once a week by a local cleaning company. Extra cleaning due to misbehaving tenants will be done at the expenses of the tenants. The garbage bin in the entrance hall of the building is only for unwanted post. Do not put your household garbage in the garbage bin in the entrance hall.

Vacuum cleaners It is advisable that you buy or bring your own vacuum cleaner, because the caretaker has 1 vacuum cleaner for general use. Note that the tenant ‘borrowing’ the vacuum cleaner is responsible for its return and condition. If you decide to give it to a fellow tenant, you still will be hold accountable in case of damage and loss.

Decorating your room Residents are not permitted to alter or add to any part of the building structure, mechanical, or electrical systems.

Students may not make holes, particularly with nails, tacks or screws in the walls, ceiling or floor of their rooms. In every room there is a notice board where you can place your pictures or posters. You will need to state all irregularities on your checklist to avoid charges on your own check out report from Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen.

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Chapter 5 - Final things to know Complaints If you have any complaints about your accommodation, the procedure is as follows.

Before you file a complaint, make sure you have read the ‘Resident’s Handbook Robert Baelde Hall.

First send a specified email to studenthousingoffice@hr.nl . The caretaker will try to solve the problem or will request Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen to fix the problem. The problem has to be solved within a reasonable time depending on the nature of the problem, contractors, special days (such as holidays) etc. Usually a problem should be fixed within two weeks, three at the most.

If the problem is not fixed within a reasonable time file your 2nd complaint directly to Student Housing Office by email studenthousingoffice@hr.nl . Always clearly state your name, address, date, specific information about your complaint (incl. names of those involved) and other information that would help process your complaint.

Deposit Your deposit can only be transferred if all bank information, the proof of deregistration or a proof of changed address from the city hall is available (if you have stayed more than 4 months (see ‘registration with the local authorities’ on page 5), there are no charges, all rent has been paid (not paying your rent due will affect the release of your grades and diploma’s) and the key is returned to the Student Housing Office in time.

Please make sure you leave your room clean, hand in your key personally (unless other arrangements have been made with the Student Housing Office) before 10.00 hours on the end date of your housing contract as we will be compelled to charge € 100,00 per key if you are too late.

When you leave your room make sure your bedroom door and windows are locked, the heating is off and that no garbage and personal items (clothing, furniture, TV sets etc.) are left behind. If you are the last tenant to leave your unit, you will have to empty and clean the refrigerator and garbage can.

You also need to turn off the refrigerator by pulling out its plug.

You will be charged for damages and missing items if you leave your bedroom door unlocked after you have moved out.

If the Student Housing Office has all the required information and the key to your room, the payment order (housing deposit minus the handling fee of € 30,00 and possible charges) will be sent to the manager of Student Housing Office who will then sign the order for approval after which the order will be sent to the Finance Department. After checking whether the deposit was indeed received, the money will be transferred. Please note that this procedure might take 2 to 3 months.

NOTE: You will not be able to use the housing security deposit for your last month’s rent payment, as we will not have any security deposit to cover any damages to your room, loss of keys etc. For the very same reasons, we will not be able to return the deposit in cash upon departure. In case we will have to use your deposit to settle any unpaid bills, a € 30,00 surcharge will be imposed.

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Chapter 6 Important things to know and phone numbers Emergencies For all emergencies, no matter if you need the police, an ambulance or the fire department you should dial 112.

If you need the police, but it is not an emergency: call 0900 - 8844 For minor medical emergencies, you can call the doctor line: 010 – 4201100.

For minor dental emergencies, you can call the dentist line: 010 – 4552155.

Emergency help in case of accidents can be supplied by every hospital. Assistance is available 24 hours a day. For other matters, you can’t go to the hospital on your own initiative. If treatment in a hospital is necessary, a doctor will refer you. If you should have a medical emergency of the type that requires first aid, you can go straight to the EHBO (First Aid) for assistance. In the case of other types of emergencies, you can dial 112.

An apotheek (pharmacy / chemist) dispenses drugs on prescription from your family doctor or dentist, while drogisterij (drugstores) are limited to a wide range of over-the-counter, non-prescription medicines. Most pharmacies are open Monday to Friday from 9.30 hours to 17.30 hours, with at least one pharmacy on-call in each neighbourhood at weekends and at night. You will recognize a pharmacy by its sign with a snake.

The Dutch word for family doctor or GP is huisarts - which literally translates into 'house doctor'. The general word for doctor is dokter or arts. If you need to see a doctor we suggest you go and see Doctor Oudeman as he treated our international students before.

Please note that if you visit a doctor (GP) you will need to pay cash. Don’t forget to ask for the receipts as your insurance will need these.

Dr. I.H.P. Oudeman ‘s Gravendijkwal 24 3014 EB Rotterdam Tel. 010 - 436 2243 If you need a dentist (tandarts in Dutch) please go and see Sanasmile Ruyterstraat 4-6 3071 PJ Rotterdam Tel. 010 - 414 1200 Website http://www.sanasmile.nl Vestia Rotterdam Stadswonen Goudsesingel 66 3011 KD Rotterdam Email shortstaystadswonen@vestia.nl Website http://www.stadswonen.nl/website_new/html/short_stay.html Tel. 010 - 8007200 Stadwonen’s emergency number after 17.30 hours and before 9.00 hours and during weekends: 010 – 4123641 Rotterdam University Student Housing Office, room number KZ.B2.126 Kralingse Zoom 91 3063 ND Rotterdam Tel. 010 – 7946347 / 7946237 Office hours: daily 10.00 hours – 12.00 hours and 14.00 hours – 16.00 hours Email studenthousingoffice@hr.nl Website www.hr.nl/housing 16 J:\StudentHousingOffice\Robert Baeldestraat\Robert Baelde fall 2013

Disclaimer The information contained in this Resident’s Handbook is intended for general information purposes only. All information is subject to change without notices. You Should verify all information before relying on it. Decisions based on the information provided are for your own account and at your own risk. The Student Housing Office Rotterdam University has attempted to provide accurate and up to date information. This information may include technical or editorial inaccuracies or typographical errors. The Student Housing Office makes no warranties or representations, express or implied, as to whether information contained in e-mail, sites, letters, brochures etc. is accurate, complete or up to date. The Student Housing Office is not obliged to update the information or to correct inaccuracies or errors. No rights can be derived information.

Last updated: February 2013

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Chapter 7 Find your way in Rotterdam

Explanation: A: Robert Baelde Hall B: Rotterdam University, C: Rotterdam University, D: Rotterdam University, E: Rotterdam University, F: Rotterdam University,

location Kralingse Zoom location Wijnhaven/Blaak location Museumpark location Academieplein location Pieter de Hoochweg

More information regarding public transport in Rotterdam? Please visit www.ret.nl www.9292ov.nl www.ns.nl

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