Overnight Guests (and Guest Requests for Vacant Rooms)

Last reviewed: February 2026

We recognise that residents will sometimes have guests to stay during your time in Blackfriars’ accommodation, and friends, partners and family are very welcome in our community.   However, for a range of reasons including household safety, being a considerate neighbour to your roommates, and to ensure fair access to shared spaces such as bathrooms or kitchens, we restrict the number and frequency of guests each resident may have to stay and we do not typically allow guests to stay in rooms that may fall vacant in our housing.

This policy applies to Blackfriars students, other residents, and visitors staying in our accommodation for short stays.

• Occasional guests are permitted within the accommodation provided that other residents are content and the overnight stay has been registered with the Junior Dean.
• To avoid the risk of noise disturbance, you should limit the number of guests in your room to only one during the hours 11.00pm to 8.00am.
• One guest can stay for a maximum of three consecutive nights on an occasional basis. This does not apply, for example, to every week on a regular basis.
• If you require a guest to stay longer than 3 nights, please contact the Bursar for approval.
• Residents who have guests for longer than the agreed period, without the Hall’s approval, may be in breach of their licence agreement and risk disciplinary action and/or losing their Blackfriars accommodation.
• Please note that no guests under the age of 18 are permitted in Blackfriars housing, in keeping with our Safeguarding Policy.
• You must make your guest(s) aware of emergency evacuation arrangements and the fire alarm activation.
• You are responsible for your guest(s) at all times whilst they are on site, including their behaviour.
• Blackfriars staff have the right to refuse entry to any guest where they deem it reasonable to do so for the safety and security of the building and/or the wellbeing of others.
• If for any reason your guest makes a disturbance, Hall staff including Junior Deans have the authority to ask them to leave the premises immediately.
• Anti-social behaviour or damage to property caused by your guest is your responsibility and could result in disciplinary action or charges for repair being passed onto you.
• All guests must be signed in with the Junior Dean on the day of arrival and then signed out by the third day.
• Overnight guests or day visitors are not permitted in shared accommodation if a resident within the house has an infectious disease or is quarantining or self-isolating.
• Your guest is your responsibility and you should stay with them at all times. You must not lend them a fob or key for the accommodation under any circumstances.

Use of Vacant Rooms
Blackfriars Hall does not allocate vacant rooms for guest accommodation unless there are exceptional circumstances.  If a room is provided, the guest’s stay will be charged at the standard nightly guest rate.

Thank you for your support to ensure everyone is safe and all residents can enjoy our accommodation.