We often get asked questions about living with Opal. We have collated a few of the frequent ones together with their answers to assist you with any queries. If you have any questions which are not covered here, please contact us.
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How can I apply for a room in Opal 1?
New students should apply online via Abertay University's portal. You will receive a username and password from the Registry Team when you apply to Abertay. If you have not received these yet please contact
regadmin@abertay.ac.ukThe online application system will be available from the end of April. Abertay University will then allocate a room and pass the student's details to Opal who will in turn contact the student with an offer and the related paperwork. The lease will be between Opal and the student.
Returning students should apply online via
Opal's website. The lease will be between Opal and the student.
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The Opal 1 website shows all the rooms fully booked. Am I too late to apply for a room there?
No. Opal 1 lease rooms out directly too. We have a large number of rooms available in Opal 1 and none of them have been booked yet. If you are a first year, or new to Abertay, wishing to book a room in Opal 1 please follow the instructions on the
How to Apply page.
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What is the set up/arrangement with Opal 1 and Abertay University?
Abertay University and Opal 1 have a contractual agreement in which Abertay have a number of rooms that are reserved exclusively for our first year students. The remaining rooms are let directly by Opal 1 for students registered at any of the Dundee institutions of further or higher eductation.
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Will I be sharing a room with other Abertay students or will I be mixed in with other university/college students?
Students allocated to rooms in the Abertay University flats will be sharing with other Abertay students. Returning students, who must apply to Opal 1 direct, may share a flat with students from other institutions.
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How long will my lease be?
You can choose either a 42 or 51 week lease with Opal. Abertay's academic year lasts for 37 weeks, including the Orientation week, so there would be no rush to move out at the end of the year!
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How can I pay my rent?
Rent is payable directly to Opal. There are two ways in which you can pay your rent:
Option 1 is to pay annually in advance. By paying the full amount by the required date, you have the peace of mind that your rent is paid and you will receive a discount on the total rent. Please go to the
Opal 1 website” for further information.
Option 2 is to pay by instalments. For those students looking to pay by this method, you will need to be able to provide a satisfactory UK-based guarantor. To help you, Opal have set instalment dates to coincide closely with the dates you should get your student loan payments.
If, at any stage during your lease, you think you might have a difficulty in paying your rent on time, you should speak with a member of staff in Opal 1 as soon as possible.
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Does the rent include utility bills?
Yes, the rent charge covers all electricity and water costs, it also includes your contents’ insurance cover up to £3,000. Please see the
Opal 1 website for specific details.
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How warm are the apartments?
As the building is very recently completed it complies to modern building standards for energy efficiency, with high levels of insulation and draughproofing. Each room has its own thermal envelope, efficient heating systems with timers controllable by the occupant - you will probably find your apartment to be significantly cosier than a traditional house.
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If I want to move to other university accommodation, can I transfer?
No, unfortunately not. The lease with Opal is not transferrable with an Abertay University lease. If you have an issues with your flat or flatmates, please speak to a member of staff in the "Opal 1 office" or contact Student Services to book an appointment to see an Accommodation Officer.
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Is the television included?
Yes, the apartment is equipped with a 21-inch LCD flatscreen colour TV with Freeview channels. You will need to provide your own TV licence though. Please go to the
TV Licensing website for further information.
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Will my lease be with Opal or Abertay University?
Whether you are a new or returning student, your lease will be with Opal.
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Do I have to buy a TV licence?
Yes. It is the law that your flat should hold a valid TV licence. If you do not buy a valid TV licence you could be prosecuted and fined. You will also need a licence if you use your computer to watch television programmes. Each student will need a licence if they use a TV in their own study bedroom. Please go to the
TV Licensing website for further information.
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Will I be able to access the internet from my room?
Yes. There is a free 2MB broadband internet connection included in the rent in each bedroom above the work station. Should you require a faster bandwidth, upgrade packages to 50MB are available at your own cost.
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Can I smoke in my bedroom?
No. Smoking is strictly prohibited in any part of the building at all times. If you wish to smoke, cigarette bins are provided outside the building but within the secure perimeter of the grounds of the complex.
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Is there any car parking?
No, but there are car parking spaces for disabled students.
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How can I choose what accommodation I live in?
If you are part of a group and want a whole apartment then at the time of booking you must provide us with the names and email addresses of all the group's members. We may be able to allocate an apartment to your group as and when we have received all completed applications.
If you are looking to share with others, we shall do our best to match your preferences. You shall be allocated a specific room when you have completed all the criteria and your booking is finally confirmed.
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Can I pay in instalments?
You can pay in instalments if you provide a satisfactory UK-based guarantor. All guarantors shall be validated and Opal reserves the right to decline any guarantor. All overseas students are required to pay the full annual amount in advance. If you pay annually you shall be entitled to a discount on the rent. Please go to the
Opal 1 website further information
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What is the typical room size?
All rooms are a good size - there are no short straws! Approximate sizes are:
- Standard is 11 m2 plus an en-suite bathroom
- Deluxe is 13 m2 plus an en-suite bathroom
- Kitchen/dining/living area is 22 m2
- Studios are typically 25m2
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What is the difference between a standard room and a deluxe room?
Standard rooms include a single bed, under-bed storage, wardrobe, study area, shelves, and study chair.
The deluxe rooms are larger and they also include a double bed, two-seater settee, coffee table and a little more storage space.
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What fittings are included in the apartment?
- Bed
- Bedside cabinet
- Bookshelves
- Drawers
- Dustpan/brush
- Fitted kitchen units
- Fridge freezer
- Hob/oven/extractor
- Iron and ironing board
- Kettle
- Kitchen/lounge
- Microwave
- Mop and bucket
- Over-bed light
- Pin board in the bedroom
- Study desk and storage space
- Toaster
- TV in living area
- Vacuum cleaner
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What is not provided?
- Bedding is not provided (mattress cover only)
- Crockery
- Cutlery
- Kitchen utensils
- TV licence
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How many people will I share an apartment with?
Apartments have between four and seven bedrooms.
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What is included in a studio?
Studios include a double bed, under-bed storage, wardrobe, study area, shelves, study chair, two-seater settee, coffee table, fully equipped kitchenette and breakfast bar.
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What is included in a studio kitchenette?
- Dustpan/brush
- Fitted kitchen units
- Fridge freezer
- Hob/oven/extractor
- Iron and ironing board
- Kettle
- Microwave
- Mop and bucket
- Toaster
- Vacuum cleaner
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What is not provided in a studio?
- Bedding is not provided (mattress cover only)
- Crockery
- Cutlery
- Kitchen utensils
- TV licence
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What happens if I wish to leave my flat part way through the tenancy term?
You can leave your accommodation at any time, however, you will remain liable for the full amount of annual rent for the period of your lease, unless you can make an arrangement for another suitable student to take over your lease. This will require the formal signing of a contract between Opal and the other student before it will take effect.
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What security provision is there at Opal 1 Dundee?
- 24-hour manned security
- Extensive CCTV system
- Electronic fob entry system to each bedroom, plus apartment and common areas
- Double door entry to each block
- Intercom entry
- Spy hole in each flat and bedroom door
- Window locks, all windows have restricted opening for security and safety reasons. Please be aware we are unable to open these windows for any reason
- Students are also able to contact the University's own Campus Security team
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Is there bicycle storage provided?
Yes, and it is free of charge.
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What is the typical colour scheme?
The colour schemes tend to be fairly neutral, typically a blue, red or green feature wall with colour co-ordinated carpet, all other walls are magnolia. Kitchens and bedroom furniture are birch veneer.
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Is there general maintenance provided?
Yes, the management office on site will be able to resolve any maintenance issues you may have. They also have a 24-hour emergency service for any out of hours emergency issues; we expect that the fact that the building is only recently completed and is of a good standard of construction the extent of breakdowns and repairs will be limited.
In the event of a problem, Opal have a customer service policy in place that sets out targets to attend and resolve problems. Details of the policy are available on the website and on site and you should make yourself aware of the standard of service you are entitled to expect.
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What if I book a room and then change my mind?
If you book a room and cancel within 14 days of booking and before 1 August 2011, then you will receive a full refund.
If you do not cancel until after 14 days or after 1 August 2011 then the advance rent payable will be retained as a cancellation fee and you will remain liable for the whole rent for the tenancy period. All cancellations must be made in writing. Please be sure before booking.
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Do you provide summer accommodation?
Yes. Opal shall be offering various packages for summer 2012 at competitive prices and we will advertise full details from around March/April 2012.
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Why Choose Opal 1 Dundee?
- Modern purpose built student accommodation (only opened last year)
- Excellent location just five minutes’ walk from the University of Abertay, close to public transport links and all the amenities of Dundee city centre
- Secure environment including 24-hour on-site staff presence, CCTV and key fob entry
- No agency or booking fees, deposit or other hidden extras
- No utility deposits or further bills
- On-site laundrette that is reasonably priced
- Common room with TV and Sky package
- All rooms en-suite
- Free 2MB internet connection in rooms (upgrades available at your own cost)
- Dedicated management team on-site
- Free contents insurance
- Covered, secure bike store
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When can I collect the keys to my room?
- You will be contacted prior to your arrival with a specified date and a time to collect your keys, this will be between 10am and 4pm on either Saturday 10th or Sunday 11th September 2011. If you are not able to collect your keys during these times please e-mail opal1dundee@opalstudents.com to discuss other arrangements.
Please note that keys cannot be collected prior to 10am on Saturday 10th September 2011. - Keys for your room in Opal 1 can be collected directly from Reception at Opal 1.
