Moving In

Welcome! We are delighted you are making Bath your new home – there is a really strong sense of community across this city. You are joining a vibrant mix of families, working people, retired residents, and your fellow students. Getting to know the people who live around you helps build a friendly, supportive neighbourhood where everyone feels comfortable and safe. We all have different routines and lifestyles – a little understanding and respect will help build good community relations.

Every September, our Good Neighbour – Moving In Campaign shares helpful advice for students living in privately rented homes. We encourage everyone to meet their neighbours, care for their shared streets, and enjoy everything the wonderful city of Bath has to offer.

Here are some friendly tips to help you settle in and feel part of the community.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Saying a quick hello when you move in can make a big difference! Sharing your contact details or joining a street What’s App group can make it easier to stay in touch and sort out any small issues together. Contact the SCP at scp@bath.ac.uk to find out more about other informal social events to meet your neighbours.
GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Volunteering is a great way to meet people support causes you care about and develop new skills. Keep an eye out for local events – cake/book sales, concerts, fetes, Residents’ meetings. These events will be relaxed, welcoming and a good way to help you feel part of the community.
EXPLORE YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
Bath is full of lovely cafés, delis, parks, community centres, libraries and independent shops. If you are living outside the centre of Bath try the great range of shops in Moorland Road (Oldfield Park), Larkhall, Widcombe, Bear Flat, and Walcot Street.
See Visit Bath’s Events in Bath for details of wider city events.
RESPECT YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Noise travels easily at night – especially in gardens and on the streets! Please keep things quiet after 11.00pm and before 7.00am.
If you are walking home late in a group, keeping voices low helps everyone get a good night’s sleep.
REGISTER TO VOTE
Registering to vote is an important way to have your say on local issues and national decisions. Being involved helps strengthen your community. Local elections for Bath are coming up in May 2027.
PLANNING A PARTY? CHAT TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Let your neighbours know in advance – it shows consideration and helps build trust. Give them a contact number in case they need to reach you.
During a party or gathering keep doors and windows closed where possible, move speakers away from shared walls and ask your guests to leave quietly.
TRAVEL SUSTAINABLY
Bath is a small historic city with narrow streets and many areas have Residents Parking Zones (RPZ). The Universities strongly discourage students from bringing cars and parking on campus is limited to those with evidenced medical exemptions. There are regular bus services to the Universities, plus good cycling and e-scooter options which we would we encourage you to use rather than driving.
We do understand that some students need access to cars for medical, caring, employment or other reasons. Where you live in an area with an RPZ and cannot access a permit contact scp@bath.ac.uk.
If you do drive please park considerately and avoid blocking access for others. To support the wider community please avoid parking on the roads immediately outside the RPZ and adding to the congestion in these areas.
RUBBISH AND RECYCLING: MADE EASY!
KNOW YOUR COLLECTION DAY. Check when your neighbours put their bins out or use Bath Council’s Collection Day Tool.
KNOW YOUR BINS.
- Black bins (fortnightly). All non-recyclables items in tied plastic bags and contained in the bin.
- Green boxes (weekly). You should have two boxes one for: tins, cans, aerosols, plastic and foil and the other for: glass, paper, bagged textiles, small electricals.
- Kitchen caddy (weekly). Line with newspaper, put food waste in then transfer to the large food bin outside, pull handle forward to deter animals.
- Blue bag (weekly). For cardboard which needs to be cut or folded to 45cm2 or smaller.
NEED HELP? Ask a neighbours, contact us scp@bath.ac.uk, or request another bin Order a box, bag or bin.
LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE
Take a walk down your road – can you spot which houses are HMOs? Check your tenancy agreement to see if you are responsible for the garden? If you are, keeping it tidy throughout the year avoids extra charges later on and helps keep your street looking lovely.