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Confiscation Policy
Confiscation Policy
Purpose Statement
Our policy aims to create a safe and respectful living environment for all residents in addition to safeguarding University colleagues and property.
Applicability and Scope
The policy applies to all residents in University-owned accommodation. It includes all shared areas and bedrooms. This policy extends to the confiscation of items that are prohibited, items posing a health safety risk, or items being used in a way deemed to be a nuisance or could cause serious offence.
What is a prohibited item?
There are several items that are restricted in University-owned accommodation. These are outlined in our Residents Handbook and Tenancy Terms & Conditions, and other policies, all of which can be found on our webpages. Examples of prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
- heaters, including electric clothes dryer
- illegal drugs (see Alcohol and Drugs Policy)
- candles and incense sticks
- LED strip lights and mains powered fairy lights
- fireworks and sparklers
- fabrics (such as tapestries) hung on walls, across ceilings, or draped over electrical appliances
- deep fat fryers or any open flame cooking equipment
- any electrical cooking equipment not provided by Accommodation Services or that has not been PAT tested
- any electrical food or drink preparation item stored in a bedroom
- any fridge not provided by Accommodation Services
- any item with a halogen bulb, eg lava lamp
- damaged electrical equipment (see Portable Appliance Testing Policy)
- electric power adaptors not made to British Standard (BS) 1363
Our Responsibilities
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to encourage a safe living environment
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to remove items that are prohibited, causing a nuisance, serious offence or an obstruction within our accommodation
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to issue a removal notice and to store items until the end of your tenancy unless the item is animate, perishable, or illegal to possess
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to notify you of suspected prohibited items delivered via the postal system, which may result in a follow up inspection and confiscation
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to inform and educate you of the consequences of possessing prohibited items within University-owned accommodation, this could include:
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the health and safety risks
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the legal position and police involvement (see Alcohol and Drugs Policy)
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the academic consequences (where appropriate)
Your Responsibilities
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not to bring in or have delivered prohibited items into University-owned accommodation
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to keep the accommodation safe by reporting use of any prohibited item
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to only use electrical equipment designed for UK mains electric (230 volts)
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to only use electrical adaptors which have been made to British Standard (BS) 1363
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to report any damaged electrical appliance to a member of Accommodation Services Team
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to familiarise yourself with and adhere to this policy
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to seek clarification from a member of Accommodation Services Team, about any aspect of this policy as required
Definitions
Certain words and phrases used in this policy have the meanings given to them here.
Animate items: animate items are things that have life, such as animals, plants, and humans.
Prohibited items: items that are restricted for use in University-owned accommodation.
Room: the accommodation that we will make available for your exclusive use during the Tenancy Period.
Shared Area: the parts of the building that are for use by more than one occupier. Shared Areas within a flat are for the shared use of the people living in that flat. Shared areas outside a flat are for the shared use of the people living in the building.
We/us/our/ours: Newcastle University which is the landlord of the accommodation.
You/your/yours: the person who has agreed to take a tenancy in our accommodation.