Practical information about housing for exchange students

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Aarhus University does not own any student accommodation. In order to be able to offer accommodation to international students, the International Centre has reserved rooms with a number of different housing organisations and private landlords in Aarhus. International students offered housing through the IC must sign a leasing contract between you and the housing organisation/private landlord and it is your responsibility to acquaint yourself with the rules applying to your particular housing organisation or landlord. Translated material is not available from all housing organisations; if you need help with translation or clarification, you are always welcome to contact the IC housing office. You should be aware that not all housing organisations/landlords have the same rules, so what applies for your study mate might NOT apply for you and therefore it is YOUR RESPONIBILITY to read and understand the rules applying to your lease. The IC STRONGLY RECOMMENDS that you at least acquaint yourself with the rules regarding inspection (both moving in and moving out) of your room, which damages/breakages will result in deductions from your deposit, and house rules related to cleaning, visitors and noise. Any violations of these rules can cost you money, and Aarhus University will NOT cover any costs related to your violation of any rules determined by your housing organisation/landlord.

Housing periods

The AU offers fixed housing periods, which typically begin about 2 weeks before the start of your courses and end after the exam period at the end of the semester. Your housing period will depend on which academic courses you choose when filling in your application form. It is not possible to choose a housing period starting earlier or later than this.

We recommend that you arrive to Aarhus before your courses start, to give yourself time to settle in and get used to your new surroundings. This will make the start of your studies less troublesome and much more fun.

Confirmation

When we have allocated you a room, we will send you an email. You will be asked to visit the online student self service system where you will find information about your address, rent and deposit. You must confirm that you accept the accommodation in the student self service system. When we have received your confirmation, we will finalise your leasing contract and make sure that your key is ready to be picked up when you arrive in Aarhus. We can only make you one offer of accommodation: should you not accept this offer, we advise that you start looking for accommodation in Aarhus on your own.

You can find some suggestions for finding your own accommodation in Aarhus here.

Cancellation

If you have to cancel your accommodation in Aarhus after you have confirmed your accommodation, you must contact housing@adm.au.dk immediately. If you cancel your accommodation more than 6 weeks before your leasing contract starts, we will cancel your contract without any cost. If there is less than 6 weeks to the start of your leasing contract, we will send you an invoice for 1-2 month’s rent depending on the leasing contract.

Please note that this cancellation policy will apply regardless of the reason for your cancellation (such as visa problems, illness, personal or family problems, delays or any other situations outside of your control.)

Delays

It is not possible to postpone a leasing contract. If your arrival in Aarhus is delayed for any reason, you need to decide whether you want to cancel your leasing contract or continue to pay the rent from the start of the leasing period. If you decide to cancel your lease, please read the cancellation policy above.

Accommodation policy

As a rule, the International Centre provides only one housing offer per student. This means that the International Centre cannot relocate you to another residence if you are not satisfied with your current accommodation.

Should such a situation occur, you are responsible to make your own arrangements. Please note that you cannot apply for alternative housing through the Central Housing Office in Aarhus (Kollegiekontoret) as they only allow a limited number of exchange students in their residence halls. Their quota has already been filled by the International Centre and other higher educational institutions.

Even though there might be vacant residences due to students leaving Aarhus early, these rooms may not be distributed by the university and therefore cannot be given to other exchange students.

Also, please be advised your housing offer registered on the self-service system might be subject to last minute changes.

Payment

Residences and shared facilities houses

You don’t have to pay before arrival. You will receive your invoice (first month’s rent and deposit) per e-mail within 7 days from the start of your leasing contract. The due date is 2 weeks. All payment information needed to make the payment is stated on the invoice. You can’t pay the invoice at the international Centre. You can pay the invoice by making international transfer or in cash at the bank or at the accounting department of Aarhus University. You will receive more information about rent invoices and payment upon your arrival to Denmark. 

Subletted rooms

You must pay the first month’s rent and the deposit to your landlord immediately after receiving your leasing contract, before your arrival in Aarhus 

Moving in

You can pick up your key and leasing contract from the International Centre on the day your leasing contract starts unless your leasing contract starts on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, in which case you can pick up your key on the following Monday.                      

What to bring

You need to bring a duvet, pillow, bed linen and towels. These items can also be bought cheaply in supermarkets in Aarhus. Your room will have no decoration, so you might want to consider bringing some things to make your room nice. Your kitchen will have basic kitchen utensils only (fork, knife, spoon, plate, glass, cup, pot and pan) so if you need a coffee machine, rice cooker, boiler or the like, you need to bring it.

Arriving late?

If you are going to arrive more than 7 days after the start of your leasing contract, please inform housing@adm.au.dk of your arrival date. We are not able to postpone the start of your leasing contract, regardless of the reason for your delay. Please see the section above regarding delays.

You need to pay your rent from the start of your leasing contract also if you arrive late.