House Rules

Building a Respectful and Safe Community

To ensure a harmonious and secure environment for all our residents, we’ve established a set of house rules. These guidelines are designed not just to maintain order, but also to foster a community that is respectful, focused, and conducive to academic success. Your adherence to these rules helps create a living space that is enjoyable and safe for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to making Downtown Student Living the best experience for all.

Water and Electricity Consumption

Included in your rental is an amount allocated for the use of water and electricity. In order to maintain the level charged, we request that you use only the minimum amount of water and electricity required.
Please switch off all lights and electrical appliances when not in use or when you leave the room;
Water should be used sparingly. Please report any leaks to the security/building manager as soon as they are noticed;
Keep the bathrooms and kitchens in a clean state as you would like to find them;
Ensure that all stove plates and ovens are turned off when not in use.
Should we find that the water charge for the building exceeds that which was budgeted for; we will be obliged to increase the rental to accommodate the water shortfall.

Consideration for others

Serious and disorderly behaviour that results in the disturbance of others may lead to immediate termination of the lease agreement. In such cases you will be liable for the full charges set out in the lease agreement.
Playing of music or other sounds at unreasonable levels is strictly forbidden. The Lessor reserves the right to confiscate any music equipment if the Lessee does not adhere to this rule, and can be liable for a fine. Such equipment will be returned to the Lessee at the end of each semester.
Shouting, calling or talking in a raised voice is not acceptable. Running in corridors or in any other areas of the building is not permitted.
No victimisation may take place in the residence.
No animals may be kept in the residence.
Downtown makes no suggestion or guarantee regarding the general conditions in the residence with regards to clean and silent accommodation.

Care of the Buildings, Common Areas and Rooms

Dump rubbish (including food uneaten or stale) in the dust bins provided;
Downtown is not responsible for the cleaning of any rooms in the residence.
Your room must always be kept clean and tidy.
Bed linen should be changed and washed at least once a week.
No washing of clothes in the bathroom or kitchen sink is allowed.
The furniture provided in your room may not be removed from your room, or the building, without our prior consent. The full cost of repairing any item of furniture or electrical appliance provided by us will be charged to you with an appropriate administration charge of not less than R100.
Making fires or BBQ (braais) on the balconies is not permitted. Insects and rodents are a health hazard – all food kept in your room must be stored in suitable containers or wrapped tightly, this prevents insects or rodents from accessing it. Stale, unfinished or waste food must be thrown in the dustbins immediately.
All rooms are inspected regularly. Any damage found to the room on inspection will be billed directly to you on a month to month basis. Should we find that the state of your room is such that there may be a potential health hazard, you will be formally requested to clean your room. Should you consistently keep your room in such a state, we will arrange for the room to be cleaned and all costs will be for your account.
You will ensure that prior to vacating the room for weekends, vacations or otherwise, the room is cleaned and that any form of food or drink is stored away or thrown out and that pots, pans cups and plates are cleaned.
We reserve the right to clean your room in your absence and hold you accountable for costs incurred, and we will not be held responsible for any losses.
Cooking of food in your room is strictly forbidden. You may not remove any microwave ovens or hot-plates supplied from the kitchen for cooking in your room. Clothes or other items may not be hung from the windows or the building.
No posters or other items may be permanently affixed to the walls, windows or furniture of your room or any other part of the building. This may cause damage to the property and the charges will be for your account. It is in your best interest to keep the building in a clean state.
Please do not soil, mark, litter or damage the common areas of the building.
Toilets must not be used for the disposal of any foreign objects; only domestic toilet paper may be flushed down the toilet.

Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol

The building is a smoke-free building. Smoking, drinking or the taking of drugs is strictly prohibited within your room and in the common areas of the building.
Consumption and storage of alcohol is not allowed in your room or in the building. You will not use, store and sell non-prescription drugs or narcotics in the building. Should any form of drugs be found on your person or in your room, we reserve the right to terminate the lease agreement immediately and take whatever legal action that may be necessary against you.
Sexual harassment, involvement in racial conflicts, the possession and/or use of alcohol in the residence, presence in the residence when under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, the possession/use of firearms, and the handling of any other weapons are regarded as serious cases of misconduct, we reserve the right to terminate the lease agreement immediately and take whatever legal action that may be necessary against you.

Medical Conditions and Disabilities

Should you suffer from any medical illness or disability, we would appreciate you notifying us so that we are in a position to be of assistance in the event of a medical emergency.

Security and Safety

We cannot be held responsible for any losses that you may incur whilst residing in our buildings.
Considering this, please keep your room locked at all times and ensure that the windows are fully closed when you are not present in your room. The key for your room must never be given or lent to any other person.
You should ensure that there are no key tags or identification that would make it easy to identify the room or building that the key belongs to.
It is vital that you take good care to ensure that you never leave your keys in a place where they could be stolen or lost.
We will not be held responsible for any theft or burglary involving your possessions. Lost keys lead to the issuing of new keys and you will be held responsible for the cost and the issuing of new replacement keys (approximately R120.00) together with an administration charge, as a locksmith will be required to be called in (estimate R500.00).
Tampering with any security, fire-fighting equipment and electrical metering boxes is a serious offence and is strictly forbidden. Should you tamper with the fire equipment in any way, we reserve the right not only to have you arrested but to lay criminal charges against you and cancel the lease agreement. The cost of restoring such equipment will be for your account.
The use of candles, oil lamps, incense or anything that produces a naked flame is a potential fire hazard and is strictly forbidden from being used in your room or any other part of the building.
We reserve the right to search bags (yours or your visitors’) at any time and to refuse entrance to the building if found with these items in your possession. Repeated attempts to access the building will result in the termination of your lease.

Visitors

Visitors are welcome provided they observe these house rules and the lease agreement.
No student may have more than two visitors at any given time.
All visitors will be required to register with an ID & Bioscan at the security officer. All visitors are required to report to security and are not allowed direct access to your room.
Visitors will be required to leave either their student cards or identity documents with security prior to being allowed access to the building. You will be required to fetch all visitors from the foyer.
No visitors may remain in the building without your presence. Should you leave the building, your visitors must also leave the building.
You will be wholly responsible and financially liable for any damages caused by your visitor.
Visitors have access to the building from 9h00 to 22h00.
Sleeping overnight is not permitted. Should we find that you have granted a visitor the right to sleep over, we will charge you an amount of R250.00 per visitor per night for the room.
Management reserves the right to place further restrictions on the access of visitors if utility consumption increases dramatically, a visitor’s behaviour is inappropriate or the people-carrying capacity of the building is compromised in any way.

General

Firearms or any form of weapons, e.g. knives, batons etc, are strictly forbidden.
Pamphlets of any nature may not be placed or handed out in the building without our prior consent.
Failure to observe these House Rules will constitute a breach of the Lease Agreement and may lead to termination of the Lease.

Failure to observe these House Rules will constitute a breach of the Lease Agreement and may lead to termination of the Lease.

DOWNTOWN STUDENT LIVING, ITS MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES, SHALL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY, LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY DESCRIPTION WHICH ANY PERSON MAY SUSTAIN PHYSICALLY OR TO THEIR PROPERTY, BY REASON OF ANY NEGLECT OR FAILURE TO EXERCISE THE NECESSARY CARE WHEN OCCUPYING THESE PREMISES OR USING ANY OF ITS AMENITIES.

RIGHT OF ADMISSION RESERVED.