David kato uni of york review

before I joined the wonderful uni of york (uoy) david kato (dk) community I had absolutely no idea what my room was going to be like mostly based on the shear lack of information. i am in band 2 david kato accommodation and here i will give you the run down and info i would have loved to know before moving in.
- regards to the kitchen and communal areas: the hobs are electric NOT conduction, in band 2 you share the kitchen with 10 people, it can get absolutely filthy so i recommend bringing "outdoor shoes" (crocs are great) just to save your slippers; the cleaner comes every week and you need to make sure the kitchen is "cleanable" (nothing on the windowsills, fridges, and personal items not in cupboards/drawers on the kitchen table and that the sinks are clear); people will use your stuff if you leave it out, you get a cupboard and drawer each, a fridge/freezer drawer too (1 and 1/2), the uni provide a hoover, mop bucket (not mop), ironing board (no iron) and a dust pan and brush. I would recommend getting these. Also there is only one microwave, two kettles (lemon juice works well for limescale) and toasters.
- washing, the laundry room can get very busy, i would go early morning or late late, in total it is £5.10 for a wash and dry load, the 3 in 1 pods are brill, the timer on the app is never accurate, check the drum before you leave and clean the lint filter as it will dry your clothes faster
- room, you have under bed storage, wardrobe, drawer in wardrobe and a little canny at the bottom, you also have "cubes" above the bed and a bedside table (only small), don't bring an extension cable, there are 8 sockets in the room that should be plenty, there is a bin provided in the room and a lamp attached to the wall. I would recommend highly getting a mattress topper! Also random but the floors are really hard so try not to drop anything fragile (my poor mug), there is also a notice board
- bathroom, comes with toilet brush no bin, shower is really nice and the water isn't hard; please clean shower drain especially if you have long hair it can get awful, here is where a mop might come in handy. bring multiple bath mats.
- food wise; i use asda delivery its the cheapest and the van will park just outside the hub, also weekly college meal which is nice (i haven't been)
- social, re the hub (laundrette, vending machines, post box, pool tables, pingpong, a lot of events) nice play to study in when quiet, lots of activities and free food (yum)
- shopping, local shop is a co-op, i wouldnt do the weekly shop there its too expensive
- gym, sports village is cheap with the student price, its okay, if your more into weights i would recommend ultra flex but it is the problem of getting there

things i would have brought with me if i knew:
- more shoes, you walk a lot!
- cleaning products and mop/brush (washing up liquid/disinfectant/shower spray)
- mattress topper
- four pillows (since the bed is practically a double)
- a spare mug/glass
- snacks
- limescale remover
- bleach
- kitchen utensil organiser for the drawer
- a working laptop and less paper, everything is online, maybe one pad would come in handy
- teddys/more stuff from home

Reply 1

Lucyjane05

Original post

by emmalucyc2p008

before I joined the wonderful uni of york (uoy) david kato (dk) community I had absolutely no idea what my room was going to be like mostly based on the shear lack of information. i am in band 2 david kato accommodation and here i will give you the run down and info i would have loved to know before moving in.
- regards to the kitchen and communal areas: the hobs are electric NOT conduction, in band 2 you share the kitchen with 10 people, it can get absolutely filthy so i recommend bringing "outdoor shoes" (crocs are great) just to save your slippers; the cleaner comes every week and you need to make sure the kitchen is "cleanable" (nothing on the windowsills, fridges, and personal items not in cupboards/drawers on the kitchen table and that the sinks are clear); people will use your stuff if you leave it out, you get a cupboard and drawer each, a fridge/freezer drawer too (1 and 1/2), the uni provide a hoover, mop bucket (not mop), ironing board (no iron) and a dust pan and brush. I would recommend getting these. Also there is only one microwave, two kettles (lemon juice works well for limescale) and toasters.
- washing, the laundry room can get very busy, i would go early morning or late late, in total it is £5.10 for a wash and dry load, the 3 in 1 pods are brill, the timer on the app is never accurate, check the drum before you leave and clean the lint filter as it will dry your clothes faster
- room, you have under bed storage, wardrobe, drawer in wardrobe and a little canny at the bottom, you also have "cubes" above the bed and a bedside table (only small), don't bring an extension cable, there are 8 sockets in the room that should be plenty, there is a bin provided in the room and a lamp attached to the wall. I would recommend highly getting a mattress topper! Also random but the floors are really hard so try not to drop anything fragile (my poor mug), there is also a notice board
- bathroom, comes with toilet brush no bin, shower is really nice and the water isn't hard; please clean shower drain especially if you have long hair it can get awful, here is where a mop might come in handy. bring multiple bath mats.
- food wise; i use asda delivery its the cheapest and the van will park just outside the hub, also weekly college meal which is nice (i haven't been)
- social, re the hub (laundrette, vending machines, post box, pool tables, pingpong, a lot of events) nice play to study in when quiet, lots of activities and free food (yum)
- shopping, local shop is a co-op, i wouldnt do the weekly shop there its too expensive
- gym, sports village is cheap with the student price, its okay, if your more into weights i would recommend ultra flex but it is the problem of getting there
things i would have brought with me if i knew:
- more shoes, you walk a lot!
- cleaning products and mop/brush (washing up liquid/disinfectant/shower spray)
- mattress topper
- four pillows (since the bed is practically a double)
- a spare mug/glass
- snacks
- limescale remover
- bleach
- kitchen utensil organiser for the drawer
- a working laptop and less paper, everything is online, maybe one pad would come in handy
- teddys/more stuff from home

Thanks for sharing all this detailed information about your experience in David Kato accommodation at the University of York! It’s really helpful for anyone who’s about to move in and doesn’t know what to expect. I completely agree with your tips, especially the one about having outdoor shoes (crocs really are a lifesaver in a shared kitchen!). The whole "nothing on the windowsills or kitchen table" rule is crucial to keep things clean and manageable – it can get a bit chaotic otherwise!
The laundry situation is definitely something people don’t mention enough – getting there early is a game-changer. Also, the advice about checking the drum and cleaning the lint filter before leaving is spot on. I’ve made that mistake before, and it just ends up wasting your time.
As for the room, I also think bringing a mattress topper is essential. The beds aren't the comfiest, and a topper really does make a huge difference. And the floors – yeah, they’re solid and can be unforgiving when you drop things. I learned that the hard way with a mug as well!
The food delivery tip is great too. ASDA delivery is definitely the easiest way to get your shopping in, and the fact that it comes right to the hub is a bonus. And with so many activities and free food at the hub, it sounds like a great place to meet people and unwind after a long day.
Your list of things you wish you'd brought is really useful. I completely agree about the cleaning supplies – especially the mop/brush. It’s something people often forget, but having them makes life a lot easier when you’re sharing a kitchen and bathroom. And the extra pillows – such a good call, especially when the bed’s on the larger side!
Overall, I think your tips are going to be super helpful for anyone moving into David Kato. It’s great that you’re sharing this because it really helps set expectations and makes the transition smoother for others. Thanks again for the insight!