House rules

House rules

  • Rights of residents.

    • In addition to the rights inherent to the accommodation service contained in the contract, if you reside in BE Coimbra, you can enjoy complete privacy. No one will enter your room without your permission, except in the emergency situations detailed in section ‘Access to rooms by BE Coimbra staff’.

    • As long as you comply with the rules of coexistence, you can organize your time as you want, dedicate yourself to the activities you like the most and have the relationships you want in the way you consider appropriate.

    • The residents enjoy all the individual rights of a democratic society. These freedoms are exercised with respect for the individual rights of other persons.

    • The exercise of individual freedoms by residents must be reconciled with the following principles:

      • Respect for the staff of the residence and the central services of BE Coimbra.
      • Respect for facilities and equipment.
      • Respect for the work and tranquillity of other residents.
      • Respect for cultural, religious, political, or gender differences.

  • Access to rooms and residences.
    • The room contracts are personal and non-transferable. No one may re-rent or assign the rights of use of their room to any other person (regardless whether they are residents of BE Coimbra or not). In case of prolonged absence, the room must remain unoccupied and may not be provided to any other person without the express consent of BE Coimbra.
    • In no case will the key to the residence or room be temporarily given or transferred to visitors, relatives or friends without the knowledge and express consent of BE Coimbra.
    • Each resident is responsible for their keys and means of access. In case of loss, you must immediately inform the staff of BE Coimbra and the expenses derived from the duplication of the means of access and the replacement of the lock, where appropriate, will be borne by the resident.
    • The installation of locks, padlocks or similar objects is not allowed. The replacement or repair of such devices may only be performed by personnel authorized by BE Coimbra
    • No one may enter another person’s room without the express permission of the holder.
    • Each resident, when entering or leaving the building, must prevent unknown persons from taking advantage of the opportunity to enter without authorization.
    • Employees of BE Coimbra should be warned of any unauthorized access (or attempted access).
    • In residences where there is a portal with an additional door that must remain closed at night, each resident must leave it perfectly closed when entering or leaving during the hours specified.
    • The access to the residence and its dependencies will always be made through the door and never through windows or skylights.
    • No access is allowed to the roofs and cornices or to the areas or dependencies that are designated as for the exclusive use of the employees of BE Coimbra

  • Access to rooms by BE Coimbra staff.

    • The staff of BE Coimbra, or persons authorized by it, may enter the rooms without prior notice in the following circumstances:

      • To carry out urgent repairs.
      • If there are good reasons to think that the room has been abandoned by its occupant.
      • If we have reasonable grounds to believe that rules have been broken that may affect the health, safety or good order of the residence.
      • In an emergency situation.

    • At least 24 hours’ notice is required for:

      • Perform non-urgent repairs.
      • Show the room to potential future residents.

    • The request, verbal or written, for repairs or maintenance grants the staff of BE Coimbra right of access to that room to inspect and/or repair in accordance with such request.

  • Room integrity.
    • At the end of their stay in the residences, each resident must deliver the room in the same condition in which it was granted.
    • It will not be possible to paint on the walls, doors, windows (including frames and glasses) or on the furniture or appliances owned by BE Coimbra, or to make perforations or place adhesives that are difficult to extract. This rule applies to single rooms as well as to the common areas of the residence.
    • The use of the classic pins and the adhesives of easy removal will be allowed as long as they do not leave marks or stains on the support surface.
    • Each resident shall pay the expenses caused by the repair or restoration of unauthorized alterations.

  • Safety.
    • No one can endanger the safety of other people. The misuse or deterioration of security materials and equipment (fire extinguishers, surveillance cameras, detectors, alarms, medicine cabinet, etc.) are strictly prohibited.
    • Gas appliances, electric ovens, hobs, water heaters or microwaves may only be used in kitchens and only appliances provided by BE Coimbra may be used.
    • Irons for clothing can only be connected in the places enabled for it and will be provided by BE Coimbra.
    • Any electrical appliances (except for laptops, mobile device chargers and hair dryers) must be provided by BE Coimbra or be authorized in writing.
    • Residents are prohibited from intervening in networks of water, electricity, gas or heating.
    • BE Coimbra is not responsible for the loss, theft or deterioration of objects, equipment, clothing or food.

  • Hygiene and maintenance.
    • The cleaning of the common areas is carried out by BE Coimbra. However, each resident must contribute to the maintenance of clean places through appropriate behaviour, especially in collective spaces.
    • Each resident is responsible for the hygiene and cleanliness of their room and must ensure regular maintenance of the room.
    • Any malfunction, damage or incident must be reported as soon as possible to the address of the residence.
    • Each resident should clean the dishes and kitchen utensils he uses and leave them, as soon as possible, in a position to be used by other people.
    • If any liquid, dust or any matter likely to spread is spilled, it is necessary to clean it before it is stepped on and spread throughout the residence.
    • No debris or objects of any kind may be thrown through windows or balconies. If due to carelessness something falls, it must be picked up immediately or, if it is not possible, notify the maintenance service.
    • It is not convenient to leave glasses, bottles or any other object on the railings, especially if they face the street.
    • Ash, cigarette butts and tobacco waste in general, should be deposited in the appropriate containers for this purpose. Never on the ground, pots, dishes, etc.

  • Alcohol.
    • BE Coimbra encourages and demands a responsible attitude towards the consumption of alcohol, therefore the possession or introduction into the residence of large quantities of alcoholic beverages is not considered acceptable. It is also forbidden to consume drinks of high alcoholic strength (cognac, whiskey, vodka, rum, gin and the like) in common areas. These measures apply to both residents and occasional visitors.
    • All the common areas of the residences are considered alcohol-free from 23:00 hours to 8:00, not being able to consume or have alcoholic beverages of any kind, unless written permission of BE Coimbra.
    • BE Coimbra reserves the right to occasionally declare a common dependency as alcohol-free if there are residents who for religious, cultural or identity reasons so request.
    • It is not permitted to remain in the residence in a state of alcoholic intoxication, whether the alcohol has been consumed in the residence or outside it. The rule also applies to occasional visitors.

  • Visits

    • You have the right to receive visitors, but you are responsible for your visitors complying at all times with the rules of coexistence of the residence.

    • Visitors may only be at the residence in the presence of the person who has invited them. If for any reason the person who invited them was not present when the visit arrived and it was necessary to wait for it, they must present themselves to the care manager of the residence that will indicate where they can wait.

    • Except in the cases detailed below, visitors may not spend the night, cook or make use of washing machines or showers, although if they wish they can connect to the Wi-Fi network.

      • Persons who have an active contract with another residence of BE Coimbra are exempt from these restrictions and have the same rights as any other resident.
      • One visit (and only one) is allowed to stay to sleep in your room for free for a single night (including the right to shower). You can make use of this right up to 10 non-consecutive days per month. Prior warning is required. The most elegant thing is to present the person to the care manager but, if it is not possible, it is enough with a WhatsApp message specifying the name.
      • If the same or different visits stay to sleep 2 or more nights in a row, from the second night you must pay 7.5 euros per night and person. In that case the visit will have the right to shower and kitchen and from the third day you can also use the washing machines.

  • Social gatherings.
    • We understand by social gatherings any gathering of more than 10 people that includes visitors.
    • The common spaces of the residences are mainly intended for the enjoyment and comfort of the residents, so they will allow only those meetings in which the residents of BE Coimbra are at least 60% of the total. Residents also include people who have an active contract with another residence of BE Coimbra different from the one where the meeting takes place.
    • In the rooms it is not allowed to have meetings of more than four people, residents or not, since a meeting of 5 or more people, no matter how quiet, will disturb anyone who wants to sleep or study in the adjacent rooms.
    • In the common spaces, you can have meetings with up to 8 external visitors.
    • In residences where there is a plurality of common spaces, several meetings may be held, provided that the 60% rule is maintained in all of them.
    • Meetings of more than 8 visitors require an explicit permission from BE Coimbra, which must be requested at least 2 days in advance.
    • Visitors must comply with the rules of coexistence of the residence, and the space must be collected and ordered at the end of the meeting.
    • Care should be taken that visitors do not invite other people on their own, as any meeting that exceeds the permitted number will be automatically cancelled and dissolved.
    • The instructions of the staff of BE Coimbra must be respected at all times.
    • If there are state or municipal laws or regulations in place (such as rules due to the COVID-19 pandemic) that impose restrictions on the number of people who can gather or the way these gatherings will take place (e.g., social distancing or wearing masks), such provisions will be mandatory and take precedence over the rules outlined above.

  • Bicycles and other similar items.
    • Bikes are always welcome, and we encourage you to bring yours. Residences always have a space where you can park it safely.
    • The residence does not provide chains, locks or padlocks to secure them, and you must bring them with you.
    • Bicycles cannot be left in places that impede access roads, common areas, corridors, bathrooms or kitchens.
    • You can park it in your room, if you wish, as long as that does not involve scratches or deterioration of walls or furniture.
    • Skateboarding, skating, bicycles or similar items are not allowed in any area of the house, including your room, common areas, hallways, etc.

  • Noise.
    • In a university residence it is necessary to combine two somewhat contradictory requirements: On the one hand, the student population is hungry for social interactions that are as intense and exciting as possible, and that inevitably generates noise. On the other hand, the same population needs to carry out an intellectual activity that requires concentration, to follow some rhythms of attendance to classes and to pass tests and examinations. And in the line that goes from one of these poles to the other, each one is placed at a point that depends on the career he studies, his level of academic commitment and his personal biography. It is therefore basically impossible to lay down precise rules that apply at all times and without exception. We do, however, propose some guidelines that can serve as an initial starting point.
    • It is recommended to preserve, as far as possible, silence and tranquillity in the housing areas, moving the noisiest activities and the most numerous meetings to the social areas.
    • When you’re alone listening to music or watching movies, especially at night, try to wear headphones. On the contrary, if you need a sepulchral silence twenty-four hours a day to be able to concentrate on your studies, consider using earplugs.
    • We recommend not to set the music too high when you are gathered in conversation. Loud music forces everyone to raise the volume of voice and, if there are several conversations, each group will raise its voice to make itself understood above the music and the other groups that in turn will raise their voice for the same reasons.
    • When returning to the residence at night or in the early morning, keep in mind that there will be people sleeping who will have class the next day in the morning. Try to make as little noise as possible and not speak out loud. In addition to the obvious discomfort this can cause, it’s a pretty aggressive and selfish behaviour that people can interpret as others don’t care.
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