Repairs and faults
How to report repairs and faults in your accommodation:
Colchester Campus
Communicable diseases and bed bugs
Communicable diseases
If you believe you may have a communicable disease, such as scabies, then please do let your accommodation team know by reporting via the repair contact information below. The team will be able to ensure that the right teams are informed, such as Occupational Health, and they will be able to provide guidance on what you need to do.
Please do also visit your GP as soon as possible for treatment, and try not to socialise with other people, go into other peoples rooms, or share bedding or clothing, until you are well again.
You will be required to remain in your current room until your illness has been treated. Once your illness is clear, we will perform a deep clean of your room.
Bed bugs/scabies
Bed bugs can be brought into residences transported on luggage, clothing, and bedding, and are attracted to your body heat and the carbon dioxide you give off. Once mature they can bite, and usually come out overnight, so if you have developed red, itchy bumps on your skin that weren't there when you went to bed, you may have an infestation in your room.
It can be stressful to find bed bugs but don't worry, they are unwelcome but not dangerous, they do not transmit any human diseases, and if followed correctly it should be a simple procedure to eradicate them.
If you suspect that you have bed bugs in your room, firstly, you should report via the repair reporting contact information below. The operations team will then arrange for pest control to visit your room to carry out a full inspection, and if bed bugs are found or as a precautionary measure, begin treatment. The pest control operative will attend as soon as they are available to do so, but this can take a few days depending on their schedule. However. the sooner we can so this the better, so please do be flexible when we request access to your room.
It is your responsibility to do the following:
- Put ALL your clothing and bedlinen into bin bags (we can provide you with plenty of these if you need them, just ask). It is then very important to shower, then take your washing to the laundry room, and wash everything that is washable on a hot wash of at least 60 degrees, as this will kill any bed bugs that may be hiding
- You do not need to replace your bedding (duvet/pillow) but we would advise washing these too
- Keep your room tidy and remove clutter, especially from the floor as this will reduce the number of hiding places for the bugs. During treatment, it is advised NOT to hoover the room whilst treatment is taking place
- Please continue to use your room as normal. Whilst we appreciate this may not seem ideal, it will help speed up the treatment process. The CO2 your body gives off whilst your sleeping, encourages the bugs to come out, and they will fall victim to the treatment more rapidly
- When your room has been spray treated, it is recommended that you do not enter for approximately 4 hours due to the fumes. However, we do sometimes use a heat treatment, which means you may need to vacate for up to 7 hours. You will be contacted if this treatment is used, to agree a convenient date and time
Hopefully, this will resolve the problem. However, if you feel there is still an issue (as sometimes bed bugs can be stubborn), please let us know as soon as possible so we can arrange a return visit from pest control.
You should avoid vacuuming for 2 weeks after treatment is complete. However, continue to keep your room tidy, washing your clothes and bedding, and regularly shower to help support the treatment.
Unfortunately, you cannot request a room move once bed bugs have been identified and treatment is in process. You are required to remain in the room until the bed bugs have been eradicated, to help prevent them spreading. We will replace your mattress, once the treatment has been successful.
South Courts, The Towers, The Houses & Wolfson Court
During normal opening hours
Out of hours
If you have a repair emergency out of hours then phone the Security and Safety Centre 01206 872125. Where appropriate, we will call a duty engineer to rectify the problem.
Repair times
Most repairs are carried out by staff from the Estates Management Section and you don't need to be there if they need access to your room. For non-urgent repairs, maintenance staff won't normally come into residences until after 9am.
- Information on agreed repair response times can be found in our Service Level Agreement (.pdf).
- For information on agreed terms relating to privacy and access, please read our Terms and Conditions of Residence.
The Meadows
During normal opening hours
Out of hours
Out of hours or in an emergency contact security on 07460 373172.
The Copse
During normal opening hours
Out of hours
Out of hours or in an emergency contact security on 07460 373172.
University Quays
During normal opening hours
Out of hours
Out of hours or in an emergency contact security on 07460 373172.
The Pastures
During normal opening hours
You can also visit reception in The Saltmarsh building or contact the team at Helpdesk number: 01206636060 - Helpdesk Email: uoe.helpdesk.uk@equans.com
Out of hours
Please contact Security for emergencies on 07779872201.
For enquiries about accommodation or about an application you're making, contact us at the Student Services Hub. Quote your full name and PRID or PG number on all correspondence.