Before accepting hotel staff accommodation, ask questions that reveal what living there will actually be like. Confirm the room, sharing arrangements, facilities, rules, journey to work and what happens when the arrangement ends. “Accommodation available” is the beginning of the conversation, not a complete description.
The accommodation-offer guide covers what is included in the package. Use this question sheet to examine daily life in the property, then keep the final answers with your offer.
Establish who shares the property
Ask whether you have a private bedroom, how many people share the home and which spaces are communal. Clarify whether the arrangement can change, who allocates rooms and how changes are communicated. Request recent photographs or a video showing the actual room and shared facilities.
Ask about storage, bathroom access and where you can keep personal belongings. A photograph of a well-presented room does not tell you whether it is the room reserved for you. Confirm the address and intended occupancy in writing.
Ask about facilities, rules and privacy
Check cooking facilities, food storage, laundry, heating, internet and what is included in the charge. Ask who cleans shared areas and how repairs are reported. Clarify arrangements for access by the owner or manager, quiet periods and use of communal spaces.
Send a concise message: “Please confirm the bedroom arrangement, number of occupants, facilities, included bills, house rules and repair contact for the accommodation offered to me.” Add questions specific to your needs rather than assuming every property operates like a hotel guest room.
Test whether the home works with your shifts
Ask about visitors, late entry and noise expectations when residents work different schedules. Confirm whether the journey is walkable in practice or requires transport, including at early starts and late finishes. If a staff lift is mentioned, ask who provides it and what happens on days off or when that person is unavailable.
Compare these answers with the broader accommodation guide. A low weekly charge may still leave a difficult commute or extra costs. Use the arrival guide to agree the first key handover separately from the usual routine.
Clarify duration and leaving arrangements
Ask when occupancy begins, whether it is temporary, what happens if employment ends and how any deposit is dealt with. Request the relevant written agreement and explanation of charges. Do not assume that all staff accommodation has the same legal status.
The RTB explains that calling an arrangement a licence does not decide whether it is legally a licence or tenancy; the actual substance matters. Consult its licence and lease guidance when the agreement is unclear, and obtain advice about your specific position where necessary.
Finish with three columns: confirmed; still unclear; action before travel. For example, “shared house” remains unclear until you know whether the bedroom is shared too. Resolve that uncertainty before treating the accommodation as ready.