Moving In

Welcome to Bath. You are now living in a diverse community of people: families, working and retired people, as well as other students. It is helpful to meet people on your street and get a sense of who is around you. Everyone has different lifestyles – the rhythms of people’s days can differ. Being tolerant and respectful of these differences will help community relations.

Our Good Neighbour Campaign launches every October and aims to give helpful advice to permanent residents as well as student residents living in privately rented accommodation. We encourage everyone to meet their neighbours as they share the streets and communities. We also share advice on waste and recycling, helping to keep the streets of Bath clean and tidy. If you are a student or new to your area, take a look at these helpful tips for living in Bath and sharing our city:

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS
If you haven’t already do introduce yourself to your neighbours when you move in to your new home. Permanent residents will appreciate the effort you made to introduce yourselves from the start and it will make communications easier. Recent lockdowns have impacted on people’s attitudes and behaviour and it may take time and understanding to build relations. Provide your contact details so you can join in with street What’s App groups and be in touch with each other if any issues arise.
GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
Try volunteering in your local community. This offers you a chance to become involved in a project or with an organisation you really care about or develop a new skill. It’s also a great opportunity to meet new people.
Keep an eye out for local events – cake/book sales, concerts, school/church fetes or Residents’ Meetings. This gives you a different perspective on the community and will help you to develop a sense of belonging.
EXPLORE YOUR NEIGHTBOURHOOD
There can be lots going on immediately around you in cafés, community centres, libraries and parks.
There are also lots of independent shops, delis and markets to explore in Bath.
See Visit Bath’s Events in Bath for details of wider city events.
RESPECT YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Late night noise may upset your neighbours! Please keep noise to a minimum, especially after 11.00pm and before 7.00am. Noise can travel a surprisingly long way, particularly in gardens and at night time.
If you are coming home late there’s a high chance you’ll wake at least one house up if you are in a large group or calling to each other.
REGISTER TO VOTE
Register to vote. This is how you can have a say on the issues that affect your neighbourhood, as well as who gets elected to Parliament. It’s really important that everyone in a community engages with local decision making.
TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS IF YOU’RE PLANNING A PARTY
Let your neighbours know in advance. Give them the number of someone to contact. If your neighbours have your number, and have met you, they are much more likely to contact you if there is a problem.
As much as possible keep doors and windows closed, and keep noise to a reasonable level. Move speakers, TVs and sound systems away from walls joining your neighbours’ property – particularly where they sleep. Please ask your guests to leave quietly.
USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OR A BIKE
The Universities and Students’ Unions recognise the Climate Emergency and are committed to reducing their carbon footprint.
We would encourage you to use public transport, a bike or the e-scooters. Bath is a small city with regular buses to both Universities.
Please consider your neighbours if you are a car owner and ensure that you park without blocking access.
FIND OUT ABOUT RUBBISH AND RECYCLING
KNOW YOUR COLLECTION DAY. Look at when your neighbours put their waste out and do the same. Bath Council lists the collection days for different roads in your neighbourhood on their website’s Collection Day Tool.
KNOW YOUR BINS. To sort your rubbish successfully the Council have provided a lot of different containers.
- Black bins are collected fortnightly. This is for all your non-recyclables, place items in plastic bags first.
- Green boxes are collected weekly. You should have two, one for: tins, cans, aerosols, plastic and foil and the other for: glass, paper, occasional recyclables, eg. bagged textiles, small electrical items – all need to be separated.
- Kitchen caddy also collected weekly. Line with newspaper and put food waste in then transfer to the large food bin outside and pull handle forward to deter animals.
- Blue bag is collected weekly and is for cardboard which needs to be cut or folded to 45cm2 or less.
KNOW WHERE TO GET HELP. Ask your neighbours or ask us. If you need another bin see Order a box, bag or bin. Contact our Community Warden on community-liaison@bath.ac.uk, who will be happy to advise you.
LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE
If you walk down your road can you tell which houses are HMOs?
Check your tenancy agreement – are you responsible for maintaining your garden? If so, do have a go at looking after the garden or your landlord could charge you for gardening needed at the end of your tenancy.