This is part of a series of guidance about community relations provided for students.
The Neighbourhood
One of the things that permanent residents in areas with high student populations bemoan is the lower number of people available to get active in the local community. But just because you’re only going to be living somewhere for a year or two doesn’t mean you’re excluded from the local community.
Community Spirit
Many universities and colleges have a Student Community Action, or similar volunteering scheme, which can provide a way for students to get involved in valuable projects in local communities. If not, feel free to approach the local community group directly, and ask what opportunities there are to get involved; it could be anything from helping at an after-school club to simply attending a few community forum meetings to show that you’re interested in what’s going on around you.
Getting involved in the local community is a great way of making friends with ‘the locals’, and can provide a much broader experience in preparation for the world of work than simply studying on its own, the sort of thing employers love to see on a CV.
Doorstep Appeal
While it’s generally your landlord’s responsibility to look after the external decoration of the property, it’s likely to be your responsibility to keep it clean and tidy in the same way as it’s your responsibility to keep the inside clean. Sweeping up leaves in autumn, and generally keeping it tidy throughout the year won’t take long, but will make a big impact on how the house looks, and your neighbours will be very grateful for it. If the front of the house is really shabby, mention to your landlord that this is letting it down, and that you think it might put off future prospective tenants from wanting the property.
Whilst it varies from contract to contract, in many cases it may also be your responsibility to look after any gardening. No-one’s asking you to be Alan Titchmarsh or Charlie Dimmock, but keeping on top of grassed areas and hedges doesn’t take much time or skill, and can be a different way to take a break from studying. If your contract says you should look after the garden your landlord may be willing to provide some simple garden tools to help you to do it; if it says the landlord should do it, make sure he does!
Neighbourhood Watch
Many areas have Neighbourhood Watch groups, and these can be great schemes to get involved in. From a practical point of view, getting to know your neighbours will mean it’s more likely that a potential burglar will be recognised as an outsider if they start lurking around. You may also find that living in a neighbourhood watch area could reduce your insurance premiums.
If there isn’t an existing Neighbourhood Watch group, why not ask around and see if people would be interested in setting one up. It’s an unfortunate reality that many areas with high student populations are targeted by burglars, and this is a practical step you can take to help yourself avoid becoming a victim of crime.
Bins
Bins seem to be a perennial point of annoyance for permanent residents in areas with large student populations. A lot of the problems can be solved by making sure you know the system, and sticking to it.
- Different areas have different schemes for handling waste collection – make sure you know what it is in your area.
- Find out what day the bins are collected, and if there is any special rota for collection of different types of waste (some areas now have one bin for recyclables and one for other waste, and collect them on alternating weeks).
- Be careful around bank holidays – the rota can often change at these times.
- If you have more waste than you can fit in the bin, find out what the procedure is. Some Councils will accept neatly tied bags placed by the side of the bin, but others will strictly only accept what can fit in the bin – in this case it may mean a trip to the tip for you.
- Put your bins away promptly after they are collected. People with disabilities can have difficulties negotiating pavements where bins have been left out. In some areas there are bylaws against leaving bins on the street, and you could be fined up to £1000 if you do so.
Summary
- Try to get involved with local community groups – just because you may only be in the area for a year or two doesn’t prohibit you from doing so.
- Do what you can to make your property presentable from the outside.
- Consider getting involved in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
- Follow the local rules regarding waste.