Once per term, Student Housing performs inspections of each residence unit. We want to make sure that we’re doing our part and you’re doing yours to make sure your unit is in good condition—for you, your roommates and any future residents.
We’ll email you one week before your inspection date to let you know when Student Housing staff will be inspecting your unit.
You need to prepare for your inspection
- Tidy it up. Make sure your place is clean and tidy. We recognize it probably won’t be spotless, but coordinate with any roommates to put stuff away and clean up any surfaces like tables, countertops and floors. We understand if there are a few dishes in the sink or if school work or projects are left out, of course.
- Put it back. Make sure all common area furnishings are put back where they’re supposed to be. You don’t want to be on the hook for a missing chair, do you?
It’s worth mentioning: most units pass inspection, so don’t be nervous!
Cleaning tips!
We discovered these videos in the Residence Life archives. Some things don’t age well, like early 2010s iPhone footage. But tips on how to clean, it turns out, are ageless.
Watch these videos for great tips on how to clean your bathroom, stovetop and oven.
The inspection
During the inspection, we’ll inspect and inventory the following:
- Common areas—Kitchen, bathroom(s), lounge
- Furnishings—Is furniture missing or damaged?
- Housekeeping—Is there substantial dirt accumulation and poor housekeeping conditions?
- Smoke alarms—to make sure they’re working
- Sprinkler heads (and surrounding ceiling area)—to make sure they’re clear of items that could set them off accidentally
- Unit exits—to make sure they’re not blocked
We will not inspect individual bedrooms unless furnishings are missing from a common area.
How long does the inspection take?
Typically less than 10 minutes.
Do I need to be home?
No. You don’t need to be home during the inspection. To ensure the safety and security of your belongings, two staff members will inspect your unit. Before entering, Student Housing staff will use a clear protocol for announcing themselves and giving you ample opportunity to answer the door.
What happens if my unit doesn’t pass inspection?
The list
If your unit doesn’t pass inspection, we’ll leave a list of things in your unit that need attention.
The list will tell you:
- What you need to do to pass a follow-up inspection
- The date of your follow-up inspection (usually a week out)
- Fees you will be charged if you don’t do what’s needed*
*These fees cover the cost of Student Housing staff having to do the work for you. Cleaning charges are $39 per staff-person, per hour.
Typically, if all roommates chip in, the work shouldn’t take much longer than an hour to complete.
The follow-up
If you did all the work on the list, you’ll pass inspection and you’re all set.
If your unit still doesn’t pass inspection:
- Student Housing staff will complete the work for you
- You and your roommates will be charged a fee for the related work
Questions?
Contact Us
If you have a question that wasn’t answered above, please contact your Residence Life Manager (RLM) or the Building Services Manager (BSM) for your residence.
RLM Contact Info
Visit our Contact Us page to find your RLM’s contact information.