Birger Jarl

Quick facts about Birger Jarl

Practical information

Inventory

• Bed 200×90 cm including top mattress and mattress cover: 2
• Desk: 1–2
• Set of drawers: 1
• Desk chair: 1–2
• Bookcase: 1 large or 2 small
• Dinner table: 1
• Chairs: 1–2
• Small ladder: 1
• Desk lamp: 1
• Floor lamp: 1
• Fire detector: 1

What to bring

You need to bring your own bedding, sheets and towels.
Kitchenware is not included, but items may have been left by previous tenants.

Sharing a room

At Birger Jarl, each room is furnished with two single beds. You can choose to live alone or share the room with a roommate. Please note that only one person signs the housing contract and is responsible for paying the rent.

If you already have a friend you wish to share with, they should not apply for housing separately but stay as your lodger.

Tenants have access to a shared kitchen. Those sharing the kitchen are jointly responsible for daily cleaning and maintenance.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed indoors.

Internet/TV

SGSNET broadband is included in the rent. Information about your Internet connection (how to register and set up) can be found on the SGS Internet page. For detailed instructions, visit the SGS Guides section.

To connect to the internet, use an Ethernet cable with the wall socket in your room. A cable is not included but may have been left by the previous tenant.

If you wish to use WiFi, you must bring your own WiFi router or purchase one in Gothenburg.

Tele2 is responsible for cable TV. Customer service phone: 90 222 or +46 772 25 25 25. You need to get your own TV set if you want to watch television, and remove it when you move out.

Post and parcels

The mailbox for your apartment or room is marked only with your apartment number. Postal workers do not need your name to deliver letters, so you should not put a label or sign on it.

To make sure your mail is delivered correctly, please ask the sender to write your address as follows:
[First name] [Last name]
c/o University of Gothenburg
[Street name] [Street number], [Apartment/Room number]
SE-[Postal code] Gothenburg
SWEDEN

Letters and parcels that do not fit in the mailbox are typically delivered to a nearby service point, depending on the carrier (e.g. PostNord, DHL, Bring, or UPS). For details, please check the carrier’s website or app.

If you are sending a letter or parcel, visit the relevant provider’s website for information and nearest drop-off locations. For PostNord services, you can search for your closest service point here.

If you receive a letter that is not addressed to you, cross out the recipient’s name and address, write “Retur” on the envelope, and place it in a yellow PostNord mailbox.

Cleaning

Students are responsible for keeping their flats clean and tidy. No personal belongings should be left in the apartment when moving out.

If you have made marks or damages on the walls, you may need to repair them properly before moving out. Small holes can be filled with white filler. The wall colour is NCS S 0500 N. If you need assistance, please submit a fault report by emailing studenthousing@gu.se.

Vacuum cleaners

There is a built-in central vacuum cleaner system in the building. The hose is located in a cupboard in the corridor on each floor. The machine starts when the hose is connected to one of the wall sockets. Always return the hose after use.

Household waste and recycling

Waste recycling is in the basement next to the laundry rooms. A bulky-waste room and a swap room are located by the lift with entrance from outside.

Compost bags are available in the waste room and refilled when needed.

Elevator

There is one elevator. Lift faults can be reported directly to Otis at +46 200 212111 (answers 24/7).

Laundry rooms

There are four laundry rooms, each with two washing machines, two tumble dryers and one drying cabinet; an ironing board and iron are provided.

Book on the electronic booking board outside the laundry rooms using your Aptus key.

Common spaces and rooms

On the first floor you will find:

• A study room, which can be booked via the same electronic system as the laundry. Parties are not allowed in this room.
• An activity room with a billiard table and space to spend time with neighbours.
• A cinema room, also bookable via the electronic system.

Storage rooms

Storage rooms are not included.

Bicycles

Bicycle parking is available in the courtyard. 

Mopeds are not allowed indoors; use the outdoor bicycle area.

Electricity and water

Electricity and water are included in the rent.

The electricity panel is equipped with a residual-current device (marked JFB, for Jordfelsbrytare). If the power goes out, check the fuses in the electric panel and switch them back on. First, check for any faulty appliances that might have caused the outage and unplug them.

Light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, and starters are considered consumables and must be replaced by tenants. If a lamp doesn’t work after replacing the bulb, submit a fault report.

Tenants are responsible for cleaning the drains in both kitchen and bathroom. Instructional videos can be found here (turn on English subtitles):

• Instruction for cleaning the drain

If water doesn’t drain properly after cleaning, submit a fault report by emailing studenthousing@gu.se.

Heating

The heating in the apartments is centrally controlled and adjusts automatically to the outdoor temperature. It switches on when the temperature has stayed below about 15°C for a full day, rather than on a fixed date. In early autumn the weather can change quickly between cold nights and warmer days, which means the system may need some time to reach the right level.

Radiators are not warm all the time, even when the system is working. They switch off when the indoor temperature is around 20°C and turn on again when it gets cooler. This is normal and does not mean that the system is broken.

Tips for keeping your home warm
Turn the radiator knobs fully up (anti-clockwise) to let the maximum heat through.

1. Keep furniture and heavy curtains away from radiators so the heat can circulate.
2. Do not close the ventilation vents – good airflow makes your home feel warmer.
3. Close curtains at night and open them during the day to let in natural warmth from the sun.
4. Use blankets, warm clothes or hot drinks on chilly days when the heating is adjusting.

If it feels too cold
Measure the temperature in the centre of the room, about one metre above the floor. If it is colder than 20°C, please submit a fault report by emailing studenthousing@gu.se.

Fire detectors

The fire detectors in the apartments are powered by a long-life battery. When the battery is low, the detector will emit a recurring beep every few minutes. If this happens, submit a fault report by emailing studenthousing@gu.se.

Check the fire detector regularly to ensure it is functioning properly.

Parking

There are 43 parking spaces. Register your interest via the SGS website. A 25% VAT is added to the listed rent.