The University of Sheffield
Student Life

Domestic Issues: Laundry, TV Licences & Heating

Domestic

Laundry

1. Washing Machines

  1. You will have to do your own washing.
  2. University Residences have washing machines, for some of which you pay at every use.

2. Launderettes

  1. A launderette is a place, usually in a row of shops, where you pay to wash your clothes in a coin-operated machine and also to dry them. Find out what coins you need beforehand as change is often not available.

Television Licences

1. Televisions in University accommodation

  1. Televisions are not generally provided within University accommodation with the exception of Opal 2 where a television is provided in each communal living space. Residents of this property must purchase a Television Licence. All occupants of the flat will be expected to contribute to the cost of this and the amount may change depending on the number of students in the flat.
  2. If you bring a television to your study bedroom,you must buy an individual licence in accordance with the television licensing regulations. If one person purchases a TV licence to cover the television in their study bedroom this will also cover the television provided in their communal living space but not other study bedrooms.
  3. Students who do not occupy the accommodation for the July, August and September period may be entitled to a refund and should contact TV Licensing for further information.
  4. Residents in family self-catering accommodation are required to purchase a TV licence.
  5. Members of Television Licensing staff carry out regular checks on the residences to ensure licences have been purchased. The fee for a TV Licence is £145.50.
    For more information please call 0300 790 6138 or visit

2. Television licences in private sector

Television sets must, by law, be licensed. A licence for a colour television costs £142.50 per year and £48.00 for a black and white set (prices correct at 06.04.09). If you buy or rent a television from a shop, the dealer is obliged by law to notify the licensing authorities.

You can be prosecuted if you do not have a licence. Prosecution usually leads to a fine of up to £1,000.

Detector vans sometimes visit the area. These vans can detect when and where a television set is in use. If you do not have a licence, the officers have a right to come into your home at that time and serve you with a notice that you will be prosecuted.

For information about paying for a TV Licence see:

Heating

1. Central heating is operated from a central point in the accommodation. Students who are not used to a cold climate may find it very difficult to live in accommodation which is not centrally heated.

2. Self-catering accommodation.

Timing and level of heating should be agreed with others living there. To be healthy, some heat is required but excessive heating will lead to excessive fuel bills.

3. Heating is usually switched off at night.

4. Free-standing heaters are not permitted in University-owned accommodation for safety reasons.