New Residents

Welcome to your new home at KAUST

A welcome booklet has been carefully curated to guide new residents to the community and its offer. 

Resident Welcome Booklet

Other invaluable resources are available on the Accommodation Services Resource page.

HELPFUL INFORMATION

It is advisable to confirm with relocation support entity if all the below apply.


Soft Package

A ‘soft package’ is provided in the house you come into when you first arrive. This package includes bedroom linen as well as limited kitchen and dining utensils. The Tamimi supermarket on campus has household items available to supplement requirement.


Your Residence

  • All residents have access to a maintenance hotline and emergency contact numbers.
  • Residents are welcome to use their preferred television streaming services. Independently installed satellite dishes are not permitted.
  • Wi-fi routers are available for purchase from the IT Store. Residents may also use personal routers they have moved with to KAUST. Connection to the KAUST internet network uses a LAN cable connected to the router box.
  • Some unit types incorporate gardens. A gardening service supports maintenance of back gardens as a paid service.

Unit Assignment

  • All residents are assigned a housing unit before they arrive.
  • Assignment is based on the future occupant’s eligibility and guided by unit type availability.
  • Rental rates are based on the type of unit and the resident’s terms of employment.
  • Upon arrival, residents receive the keys to their new unit and lease agreement that requires their signature.

Arrivals without families

  • Residents initially arriving at KAUST without their spouse or families as single residents have the option to live in single-gender shared units with up to 3 other residents. 
  • Allow at least one month of a change of resident’s circumstances, including joining spouse or family to allow for the accommodation of the newly formed household.
  • To be mindful of other sharers pet ownership and smoking are not permitted in shared housing.

 

Bidding

  • Bidding is based on the periodic availability of vacant units.
  • Residents eligible for a unit change, depending on the subject bidding unit type are invited to take part in the bidding process.
  • Bidding assignments are automated and system generated.

Housing Agreement Highlights

  • Changing residential locks is the sole responsibility of Housing Services. See Housing key control.
  • Residents are responsible for the general upkeep of their units. Any maintenance requirement should swiftly be reported to KAUST Maintenance Services. See Maintenance Service.
  • It is prohibited to install satellite dishes or any external cable TV services. 
  • Mechanical rooms and their accesses should be kept free and clear.
  • Back yard maintenance is a resident's responsibility. Learn more.
  • Any physical unit alterations should first be requested through a Home Improvement Program (HIP) request.
  • Upon departure residents are required to return the unit in the same condition it was received, subject to normal wear and tear. See departure tips.
  • Residents should safeguard personal property and independently obtain adequate insurance cover. See lost and found.
  • In accordance with the KAUST pet policy only domestic pets like cats, dogs, indoor birds and fish are allowed.
  • No pets can be kept in apartments and sharing units.
  • From the time a new unit is assigned a resident is required to move within 7 days. See internal move tips.
  • KAUST materials management assists resident moves within the community.