Be a good neighbour

Living In your community

Our relationship with our neighbours is very important to us. As a Leeds Beckett University student, you need to be aware of the responsibilities you have while on campus and in the local community.

You have a duty to behave appropriately as outlined in your student contract and if your behaviour is inappropriate the university will take disciplinary action.

There is no such thing as a ‘student area’ in Leeds. Wherever you live, your neighbours will include people from all walks of life and all ages. Every year your neighbours welcome and support students to get to know the area, from letting you know your bin collection day to advice on the best local takeaway. In return, they ask that you consider their daily lives as you live yours.

Helping others, looking out for those around you, keeping the noise down and being friendly might seem like small things, but they can make a huge difference.

Living in a connected and supportive community helps mental health, not just yours, but your neighbours too. Be kind to them and be the best neighbour you can be.

Carnegie Village exterior, corner of a brown building with sunlight reflecting off a wall
Neighbours alking a dog

Our expectations of you

You can find details of the university’s expectations around your behaviour as well as the complaints process in the student contact 2022/2023.

Download the Student Contract

The Leeds Beckett student contract

We expect you to conduct yourself at all times in a manner which demonstrates respect for the university, its students and staff, and members of the wider community. When you join you enter into a student contract which outlines our expectations on your behaviour.

These include:

  • Compliance with the university’s regulations and policies on student behaviour and conduct,
  • Listen to and respect the differing perspectives of those from different cultures and backgrounds
  • Take care with our personal and professional identity, particularly in social and digital interactions and recognise the impact those interactions may have on others

We have a process for members of the local community to report anti-social behaviour and we will carry out disciplinary action on any Leeds Beckett University students found to be involved. Anti-social behaviour is not tolerated and we will enforce our student code of conduct.

  • Your tenancy agreement in private accommodation will also make it clear that you are responsible for the behaviour of yourself and any guests.
  • Most of the complaints we receive around noise are from house parties.
  • Anti-social behaviour and repeated offences of this kind will result in disciplinary action by the university.

Sanctions include:

  • Fines of up to £500
  • Termination of student residency agreement
  • Suspension
  • Expulsion

We work closely with all universities in Leeds, the city council and the police to prevent and deal with inconsiderate behaviour off campus.

Leeds Beckett University and University of Leeds have made a significant investment to make sure Leeds City Council responds to complaints about anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance. We’re funding extra noise nuisance patrols to make sure the council has dedicated officers to respond to noise nuisance complaints in the areas where large numbers of students live.

A legal notice issued by the council can result in:

  • a criminal conviction,
  • confiscation of any noise-making equipment,
  • fines of up to £5,000
  • closure notices on a house to prohibit entry by visitors or even occupants.
A criminal conviction can have a long-term impact on your life and your future career!

Public Spaces Protection Order

Leeds City Council implemented a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on 1 July 2020 for an area of North West Leeds, covering Headingley, Hyde Park, Weetwood, Little London and Woodhouse. This was implemented to tackle serious anti-social behaviour, nuisance and disorder, as well as environmental issues.

Continued failure to comply with any requirements under the PSPO could result in enforcement action being taken, which could include a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 or action through the courts by Leeds City Council.

The Public Spaces Protection Order sets out prohibitions for behaviour within this area which you need to be aware of. These include:

  • Anti-social behaviour and criminality
    This means you should not engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour at any time. This includes using abusive language towards others, damaging property (including graffiti) and shouting in the street.
  • Noise nuisance, gatherings of two or more people and parties in residential streets and local parks
    This means that you should:
    • not hold gatherings or parties in gardens, streets or public places.
    • keep music indoors and always move gatherings inside after dark
    • if your neighbours can hear you then you’re too loud
    • let your neighbours know if friends are coming round
    • if you want a party book a venue instead – you don’t want the party to be memorable because you lost your speakers and earned a fine
    • don’t just think about noise at night – many of your neighbours will be working from home in the day
  • Leaving bins and bags of waste on streets and in public spaces
    You must return your bin within the property boundary after collection and not leave bags of waste in gardens or on the street. The council has already issued dozens of £100 fixed penalty notices to student households. Bin collections change from area to area. Its highly likely that what goes in each bin, as well as their size, colours and frequency of collections will be different to what you’re used to.
    1. Find out everything you need to know about your recycling and waste collections
    2. Never miss a bin collection - Download the incredibly popular Leeds Bins from your app store
    3. Don’t park badly or leave your car in the middle of one of the back streets. Bad parking is the main reason for missed bin collections, as the large vehicles can’t access streets
  • Being in possession of and consuming alcohol or using psychoactive substances in public spaces
    This means you should not consume alcohol outside of the property boundary and to not take, or allow others to take, psychoactive or illegal substances in your accommodation.

Staying safe and reporting issues

Leeds is a safe and well policed city, but there are things you can do stay safe and enjoy your time here. experience and of course report any issues and incidents.

Our community police officer and security team have created this guide to help you and your friends.

Support. Report. Respect.

Leeds Beckett University (LBU) is a great place to study and work. When unacceptable behaviour occurs we want students to be able to report it and receive the help you need, including specialist support.

Noise nuisance

If you are affected by noise in your home:

  • You can call 0113 3760337 between 5pm to 4am every day (last call-out 3:30am)
  • If you do not require an immediate response or the nuisance is occurring in office hours, call 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday on 0113 2224402
  • You can also report online using the council's web form for anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance

Playing a positive role in your community

Give back to your community while gaining useful cv-boosting skills by volunteering with Leeds Beckett Students’ Union. They link with over 150 local charities to offer you a wide range of opportunities.

Find the right opportunity for you

An active network of settled residents and students share information and work together to make the place you live safer and friendlier.

Find your local group by searching ‘neighbourhood watch’ in Facebook groups.

Some of our local groups:

Join the local Neighbourhood Watch

Give back to your community while gaining useful cv-boosting skills by volunteering with Leeds Beckett Students’ Union. They link with over 150 local charities to offer you a wide range of opportunities.

An active network of settled residents and students share information and work together to make the place you live safer and friendlier.

Find your local group by searching ‘neighbourhood watch’ in Facebook groups.

Some of our local groups:

Contact Student Advice

We are located in the Student Services Centres in the Leslie Silver building (City Campus) and Priestley Hall (Headingley Campus). Our opening times are:- Monday: 09.00 – 17.00 Tuesday: 10.00 – 17.00 Wednesday: 09.00 – 17.00 Thursday: 09.00 – 17.00 Friday: 09.00 – 16.30. If you have any questions in relation to your enrolment or Online Welcome system, please contact welcome@leedsbeckett.ac.uk