Procedures

All rooms and apartments are cleaned prior to fall move-in. Vacant rooms and apartments are cleaned prior to spring move-in. Occupied spaces are not cleaned by University staff prior to spring semester move-in. During the course of the academic year, students are expected to clean and discard trash regularly. Excessive trash, dirty dishes and open/left out food can attract insects and rodents. Vacuum cleaners are available at the Harbin Key Room.

Common areas are cleaned by University cleaning staff. Residents are expected to clean up after themselves and leave common space in good order. Cooking items (i.e. pots and dishes) and other personal belongings left in community kitchens will be discarded.

Review our cleaning documentation for tips & tricks to keep your room and apartment pest free.

Student housing fees cover all normal wear and tear. Residents will not be charged for repairs or maintenance due to normal wear and tear. Vandalism costs, however, are not included in the housing fees. Individual students and residential communities are held liable for vandalism costs.

Damages

Damages to public or common areas that are preventable (broken windows, graffiti, stolen furniture and light fixtures, etc.) that are not assignable to individuals will be billed in equal amounts to the groups having responsibility for those areas. It is the responsibility of all residents to notify their Community Director if they have any knowledge of individuals responsible for damage to community areas or property.

Individual Damage Billing

Charges not covered under routine wear and tear are:

1. Misuse
2. Vandalism and abuse; accidental use and/or modifications necessitating repair, replacement, or other expense
3. Deliberate damage
4. Loss or theft
5. Maintenance and housekeeping services beyond those reasonably required.

Students are responsible for the reasonable care and cleaning of their rooms and reporting maintenance issues. The necessity of additional cleaning, maintenance and repairs by University or contract personnel for the purpose of health or safety will result in additional charges.

Damage Billing Appeals

Students may submit an appeal to any charges they believe to be unfounded by filling out the Damage Billing Appeal form on their Hoya Housing page. The submission must include the specific charge and amount being appealed, the justification for the appeal, and any supporting documentation available (photos, work orders, etc). Supporting documentation can be emailed to damagebilling@georgetown.edu. Appeals will not be granted if justifications cannot be substantiated. The Office of Residential Living will review and respond with a decision in due course. All decisions rendered by the Office of Residential Living are final.

General inquiries that are not appeals regarding specific residential facilities damage charges may be directed to the email address damagebilling@georgetown.edu.

Reports are made about the condition of each room, apartment, or townhouse before students move into a space. Students should look at these reports during their first week in a residence to review its accuracy, and make any updates if necessary. At the end of the semester/year, students will be billed for any damage not reflected on the RCR.

The University reserves the right to enter a student’s room or apartment for health, safety and administrative purposes. Typically, a student’s room may be entered with the consent of the resident or under the following circumstances:

1. For administrative purposes, such as safety inspections, facility repairs and general housekeeping. If a resident is not present, a note will be left indicating the name(s) of the person(s) entering and the reasons for doing so. 
2. When there is evidence or strong suspicion of an emergency that warrants immediate entry such as the presence of smoke, flooding, screams for help, or other indicators of danger.
3. When given reasonable suspicion of conduct that may violate University policies, a search may be performed upon authorization by Student Affairs staff.

Health & Safety Inspections

The Office of Residential Living conducts twice-annual Health and Safety Inspections in all residential spaces, once during the Fall semester and once during the Spring semester. Health and Safety Inspections are part of the office’s continued efforts to ensure safe and welcoming residential spaces.

What to Expect During Health and Safety Inspections

• The primary function of Health and Safety Inspections is to maintain safe residential spaces and halt any student behavior that puts the health and safety of themselves and others at risk. To this end, staff from the Office of Residential Living will be conducting a visual inspection of residential spaces, examining each unit for any maintenance or student behavioral issues that pose a health and safety risk.
• This will include, but not limited to, ensuring that the mandatory emergency egress plan is visible, all University smoke detectors are present and functional, window delimiters are present and functional, and emergency egress points are not obstructed.
• Additionally, staff members will be inspecting to ensure no prohibited items are present in residential spaces. Any and all prohibited items identified will be confiscated and residents responsible will be notified and will proceed through the Code of Conduct process.
• Any and all other Code of Conduct violations identified during the inspection will be handled as they would be as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
• Residents authorized to keep service animals by the Academic Resource Center will not be documented for having prohibited animals in their space. All other residents will be documented and will have seven (7) days to fully remove the prohibited animal and all related materials from their residential space. If the space has not been cleared within seven (7) days, the Office of Residential Living will coordinate with the Office of Safety and Environmental Management and Georgetown University Police Department to vacate the prohibited animal from the space.
• All facilities issues identified will be submitted to the Office of Planning and Facilities Management.

Preparing for Health and Safety Inspections

Generally, residents complying with all University and Office of Residential Living guidelines do not have to take any additional steps in preparation for Health and Safety Inspections. All residents should maintain safe and healthy living conditions that do not provide a breeding ground for pests. Excessive trash or garbage will be documented by staff members conducting inspections. Additionally, any damage or vandalism identified in residential spaces will be documented and residents will be notified and taken through the Damage Billing process.

Dates & Times

• Fall Health and Safety Inspections occur in October
• Spring Health and Safety Inspections occur in late February to early March
• Staff members from the Office of Residential Living will be entering residential spaces during the one week period between the hours of 9:00am to 9:00pm
• Residents do not have to be present during the inspection
• When completed, staff members from the Office of Residential Living will provide a written inspection receipt, which will indicate what (if any) follow up notes or prohibited items that were confiscated

​Questions

If you have any questions or comments regarding health and safety inspections, feel free to speak with your Resident Assistant or Community Director, or send your questions or comments to the Office of Residential Living at residentialliving@georgetown.edu.

Students are responsible for removing trash and recyclables from their room or apartment and taking them to designated trash rooms or dumpsters. Students may not place trash in the halls, stairwells or outside their apartment for cleaning staff to pick-up. Students who do so will be assessed a $50 per bag fine.