4. Who will help me finding accommodation?

Bearing in mind what the city of Santander is like, the accommodation that we offer is in private flats shared with other exchange students. The ORI can find you your first accommodation. If that is what you want, you should send us, sufficiently in advance, the accommodation reservation form that you will find on our Webpage, indicating that you wish to share a flat with other students. The fact these flats are private means that the ORI cannot be held be responsible for any discrepancy that may arise between the flat owners and the students. For all other kinds of information (Halls of Residence, host families, etc,...) it is up to the student to make his/her own reservations.

5. How do I find out the address of my accommodation?

The ORI sends out to those students that have requested shared accommodation with other students an e-mail giving the address of the flat, the date from when it will be available and the personal details of the flat owner. Students should get in direct touch with the flat owner for whatever questions they may wish to ask.

6. Are there any rules that I should follow regards my accommodation?

The student is usually obliged to pay the flat owner a deposit (this is usually one month’s rent in advance) to cover two kinds of contingencies: either the student leaves the flat before the period of time established in the contract expires, or because there have been damages or breakages in the flat. In these cases the flat owner is within his rights to refuse to return the deposit and the ORI cannot force him to do so under any circumstances. It is extremely important that, prior to the signing of the lease, the student be quite clear in his/her decision to stay in the said flat for the stipulated period of time. It should be remembered that the rent does not usually cover utility costs (gas, electricity, water, telephone etc.)

7. If I do not like the flat found, can I change?

Yes, but we always give priority to those students who are looking for a flat for the first time. Only if there are flats still available once the above condition has been met, we can help you. Anyway, the ORI does not generally undertake to find other flats after that moment because the number of flats is limited. If you decide to look for a flat by yourself, please do not forget to give us the new address so that we can get in touch with you if need be.