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FAQ - housing through AU

Find answers to your questions

In the following you find answers to common questions. If your question is not answered please contact [email protected] 

Booking fee - AU Housing

A non-refundable booking fee of DKK 600 will be charged if you accept a housing offer through AU Housing. The fee is charged together with the first month’s rent. Submitting an application to AU Housing is therefore free of charge.

AU Housing vs. Student Housing Aarhus

AU Housing offers a limited number of furnished rooms for specific categories of international students, with a maximum rental period of 12 months. The service is intended to support students arriving from abroad. You cannot choose a specific location, and you will receive a maximum of one housing offer.

Student Housing Aarhus offers a larger selection of unfurnished rooms for both Danish and international students from several educational institutions in Aarhus. You can stay as long as you remain an active student, which is verified twice a year. You can select specific dorms, but popular locations may have waiting times of 2–4 years. You may decline up to four offers without losing your place on the waiting list. Interns (who don't take exams at Aarhus University) and PhD students are not eligible.

Can I apply to both?

Yes. You can apply to both housing services at the same time. If you receive offers from both, you can decline the one you do not wish to accept at no cost. If you cancel after accepting a housing offer, the relevant cancellation policy applies. Read more here.

Planning a longer stay

If you plan to stay in Aarhus for more than two semesters, it is recommended that you sign up for Student Housing Aarhus as early as possible. You may choose to start in AU Housing and later move to housing through Student Housing Aarhus after gaining seniority on the waiting list (typically 6–12 months).

I am allocated a room far out of town. Can I move closer to the University?

Most students are allocated rooms outside the campus area and the city center. If you must live in the city centre, you will have to look for a room at the private market. From most rooms allocated via AU Housing it is possible to reach campus within 30 minutes, either by bike or by bus. 

When can I collect my key

You can collect your key at the International Center from 1pm on the day your lease starts unless this day is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday. You do not need to collect your key on the day your contract starts. You may collect it at a later date, as long as it is after the contract start date.

My contract starts 1.8., but I will not arrive until 15.8. Do I need to pay rent for half of August?

Yes, you need to pay your rent from the start of your housing contract. It is not possible to postpone a housing contract.

AU Housing will try to find housing with a contract start date as close as possible to the date you requested. However, it is not always possible to offer a contract starting on the exact date requested. In such cases, we will aim to offer a contract starting up to 14 days before or up to 14 days after your preferred date.

I have seen there is a vacant room in a dorm where I want to live. Can I move there?

No, AU Housing can provide a maximum of one housing offer per applicant. A limited number of rooms in each dorm are reserved for AU Housing, and vacant rooms will be offered through Student Housing Aarhus. If you wish to move, you can either search for a room on the private market, sign up at Student Housing Aarhus or join the waiting list at the reception at the International Centre.

Why do I have to leave my room 7 working days before my contract expires?

 

In most dorms in Denmark you must move out some days or weeks before your contract ends. This period is called the maintenance period. You are obliged to pay your rent in the maintenance period. The janitor will during these days clean and maintain the room. In some dorms the maintenance period is 7 weekdays, in others it is two weeks. In a few dorms they don't have a maintenance period at the end of the lease and you can stay until the last weekday in the contract. In these dorms the maintenance period is in the beginning of the lease and you might therefore not be able to move in on the first days of the contract.

The maintenance period is laid down by the Danish rental legislation. Aarhus University doesn't own residences but mediates contact between internationals and dorm owners. AU is aware of the inconvenience this legislation causes but we are not able to change the legislation.

As rules are different from dorm to dorm, check your online residence information for the rules at your specific dorm.

I have applied for accommodation but I am not going to study in Aarhus after all. Do I have to pay for my accommodation anyway?

If you inform us at least 6 weeks before your contract starts, we will refund you the paid rent. If you inform us less than 6 weeks before your contract starts, you will have to observe the termination notice in your contract and pay the rent for this period. The invoice will be sent to you.

I haven’t got my visa yet, so my arrival in Aarhus will be delayed. Can I postpone my contract?

Your landlord or residence expects the rent to be paid regardless of the reason for your delay. All leasing contracts are individual and cannot be transferred to another person. Therefore it is not possible to postpone a leasing contract, but a contract can always be cancelled with 6 weeks notice.

Can I live in University accommodation in my second year?

No. The AU housing office can provide accommodation for you for maximum 2 semesters only.

Is it necessary to purchase property insurance?

Yes. The University does not assume responsibility for the loss of money or valuables, damages to property or injuries on the premises. Therefore it is strongly recommended that you take out a home content insurance to protect against such losses.

Can I choose which residence I will be living in?

It is unfortunately not possible to choose a specific residence if you apply for housing through AU Housing. When you fill in your housing application, you can prioritize which type of housing you prefer. If you want to apply for a specific residence, you should apply at www.studenthousingaarhus.com instead.

What if I am not happy with my allocated room?

If you are not happy with your accommodation when you arrive, AU Housing recommends that you allow time to adjust to your new residence. Our experience shows that many students find they are very happy once they have settled in and met new friends.

If, after 4 weeks, you still wish to move, please sign up to our accommodation waiting list at the IC. If any rooms become available they will be distributed to the students on the waiting list.

What about bed linen?

AU Housing provides a duvet (140x200cm) and pillow (60x70cm) for each tenant. For sustainability reasons, these items are reused. 

If you prefer not to use the povided duvet and pillow, we recommend that you bring your own.

You must bring your own bed linen, and its use is mandatory.

Do I need to bring my own furniture?

Rooms allocated via AU Housing are furnished with basic furniture: bed, chair, lamp, table. If your accommodation has a private kitchen, you will also find basic kitchenware: plates, cups, cutlery, pot and pan.

You need to bring (or buy after arrival) duvet, pillow, bed linen and towels.

If you are allocated a room from www.studenthousingaarhus.com you will in most cases not find furniture in your room. Don't forget to check it, before you sign the contract. Find more information here.

If you sublet a room, the room will in most case be furnished (don't forget to ask your landlord about it.)

Is there any accommodation suitable for students with special needs?

If you have a disability or medical condition which needs to be taken into account in the accommodation allocation procedure, you should write this on the Accommodation Application Form.  Only information provided at the time of application, along with written confirmation from a Medical Practitioner, will be taken into account in the allocation process.  All disability/medical information provided will be treated confidentially and be used for the accommodation procedure only.

I need family accommodation, what should I do?

The number of residences suitable for families and couples are in limited supply at our university. Please write about your preferences in the special remarks part of the application form and we will do our best to find you suitable accommodation.

I have a pet. Can I bring it with me?

Please find information about housing with pets here.