The two questions that new tenants almost invariably ask us before arrival are: Is my room furnished? Do I have to bring my own cooking and eating utensils?

Rooms in our renovated hostels are equipped with all basic furniture items – each resident has his or her own bed, desk, chair and shelves. Kitchens are equipped with a cooker, refrigerator and basic kitchen furniture. The rest – curtains, carpets, blankets, pillows, cleaning equipment, dishes, water boilers, toasters, etc. – is up to the resident. Before you buy anything major, however, it may be sensible first to meet with your roommates/flatmates and see what is there already, decide how you’re going to use it, and only then, if and as you agree, start purchasing new items.