Booking student removals in Hatfield is usually a small job that has to happen at a very specific time: a campus arrival slot, the last day of a tenancy, or the gap between one shared house and the next. Most student moves involve one room, a few boxes and a desk, but the timing and the rules around University of Hertfordshire accommodation can make them more complicated than they look.
This guide covers moving into halls on the College Lane and de Havilland campuses, moving between shared houses, summer storage and the end-of-year move-out. We are based in St Albans, a short drive from Hatfield, and our man and van service regularly handles small moves across the area.
| Quick answer For University of Hertfordshire halls, book your arrival slot first, then arrange your van around it. Keys are collected from the helpdesk on your campus: The Oval at College Lane or the Residential Services Office at de Havilland. Vehicles can unload at de Havilland but cannot stay on campus. For shared houses, share one van with housemates, check parking on the street, and match your move to your tenancy dates. If there is a gap between tenancies, put your belongings into storage for the summer. |
1. When do students in Hatfield actually need a removal service?
Plenty of first-year arrivals happen in the family car. A van becomes worth it in these situations:
| Situation | Why a van helps |
| Arriving from far away or from abroad | No family car available, or too much to carry on a train |
| Moving from halls to a shared house | More belongings after a year, and often furniture bought along the way |
| Moving between shared houses | Several housemates moving on the same day, often to the same new address |
| End of year, with a gap before the next tenancy | Belongings need to go into storage for the summer |
| Graduating and moving on | Moving to a first job in London or elsewhere, often with more than you arrived with |
2. What do you need to know about moving into University of Hertfordshire halls?
The University has two campuses in Hatfield with on-campus accommodation: College Lane and de Havilland. The process is similar on both, but a few rules differ. The details below come from the University’s own moving-in guidance, which is worth reading before you arrive.
| College Lane | de Havilland | |
| Postcode for arrival | AL10 9BT | AL10 9UZ |
| Where to collect your key | Accommodation helpdesk at The Oval | Residential Services Office |
| Arrival slot | Must be booked before you move in | Must be booked before you move in |
| Cars | A parking permit is needed before arrival if you have a car | You can unload, but cannot keep a car on campus |
| What to bring | Photo ID and your arrival pass on your phone | Photo ID and your arrival pass on your phone |
Three practical tips if you are using a removal van rather than a car:
- Book the arrival slot first. Then book the van to arrive at the same time, not before. The University uses slots to manage arrivals on busy days.
- Ask the helpdesk about vans. Check whether a removal van needs a permit or a particular unloading point, especially at College Lane.
- Collect your key before unloading. You will need your key card to get belongings into your flat, so plan for the key collection to happen first.
3. What about moving into a private student house in Hatfield?
Most students move out of halls after their first year into shared houses or flats around Hatfield. These moves are more like a small house move, with a few things to watch:
- Check the landlord. The University runs an accreditation scheme for private student housing with the local council. Your Students’ Union can tell you more.
- Parking on residential streets. Many student houses are on busy residential roads. Check where a van can stop, and warn the crew if the nearest space is some distance from the door.
- The check-in inventory. Walk round with it on your first day and photograph anything already damaged. It protects your deposit when you leave.
- Furnished or unfurnished. If the house is furnished, you are mostly moving boxes and bedding. If not, beds and desks need moving and possibly assembling.
4. Can housemates share one van?
Usually, yes, and it is often the most sensible option. A single student room rarely fills more than a small part of a Luton van, so several housemates moving on the same day can share one van and one crew. It is quicker for everyone and splits the cost.
To make it work, give the removal company every pick-up and drop-off address when you ask for a quote, agree the order of stops, and make sure each person’s belongings are packed and labelled with their name as well as their room.
5. Should you put your belongings into storage over the summer?
Storage makes sense if you are an international student going home for the summer, if your current tenancy ends before the next one starts, or if you are on a placement year away from Hatfield.
Based on the Self Storage Association UK Annual Industry Report 2026 national average of £27.40 per square foot per year excluding VAT, here is roughly what summer storage costs:
| Unit size | Roughly holds | 1 month (est.) | 3 months (est.) |
| 25 sq ft | One student room: boxes, bedding, desk items | £69 | £206 |
| 50 sq ft | Two or three students’ belongings, or a room with some furniture | £137 | £411 |
Estimates only, based on the SSA UK 2026 national average plus 20% VAT, per calendar month. Prices vary by facility; collection and delivery are extra.
Sharing a unit with housemates is a simple way to cut the cost. Whatever you store, pack it properly; our guide on how to pack for storage explains how to stop things getting damp or crushed.
6. What should you do before moving out at the end of the year?
- Check your tenancy or licence end date. And the time you need to be out by on the last day.
- Deal with small repairs. Fill picture-hook holes, fix loose handles and remove anything you put up. Our guide to end of tenancy repairs has a room-by-room checklist.
- Clean properly. Kitchen, bathroom and fridge are the areas most often behind deposit deductions in shared houses.
- Take meter readings. Photograph them, especially in shared houses where bills are split.
- Photograph your room once it is empty. Your evidence if there is a deposit dispute.
- Return every key. And get confirmation that they were received.
- Update your address. Bank, student finance, GP and your university records. See our list of who to notify when moving.
7. When should you book a student move?
Student moves in Hatfield tend to cluster around the same few weeks: the September arrival period and the end of tenancies in the summer. Vans and crews book up around those dates, so plan ahead.
| When | What to do |
| 4 to 6 weeks before | Agree a moving date with housemates; get a quote with every address included |
| 2 to 3 weeks before | Book storage if needed; start packing things you won’t need before the move |
| 1 week before | Confirm the van time, arrival slot or key collection; book any repairs or cleaning |
| The day before | Finish packing; label every box with your name and room |
| Moving day | Meter readings, final photos, keys returned |
If a date gets moved at short notice, our guide to last minute removals covers what to do.
8. What if you are graduating and moving on?
Graduating often means a bigger move than the one that brought you to Hatfield: more belongings, possibly some furniture, and a new city. Hatfield’s rail link and road access via the A1(M) make moves to London and around the South East straightforward, but a move into a London flat brings its own issues, such as parking and stairs, that are worth raising when you get a quote.
If you are not a student and are moving a family home in the area, our Hatfield house removals guide is the better place to start.
9. How Shaheen Express Removals helps with student moves
- Man and van for small moves. Our man and van service uses 3.5 tonne Luton vans, well suited to student rooms and shared houses.
- Close to Hatfield. We are based in St Albans and cover Hatfield and the surrounding area; see our Hatfield removals page.
- Flexible timing. Available 24/7, so we can work around arrival slots, tenancy end times and early starts.
- Storage. Personal storage, including shipping containers and crates, for the summer or between tenancies.
- Trusted locally. Rated 5.0 from 444 Google reviews, over 20 years in removals, fully insured and DBS-checked staff.
| Moving in or out in Hatfield? Call 07903 494502, send us a photo of your room on WhatsApp or request a quote online. Include every address if you are sharing a van with housemates. |
Frequently asked questions
Can a removal van unload at University of Hertfordshire halls?
Unloading is possible, but the rules differ by campus. At de Havilland, vehicles can unload but cannot stay on campus. At College Lane, students with cars need a parking permit before arrival. Check with the accommodation helpdesk whether a removal van needs a permit or a set time, and book your arrival slot before arranging the van.
Do I need to book an arrival slot to move into University of Hertfordshire halls?
Yes. The University asks all students moving into on-campus accommodation to book an arrival slot before moving in. Instructions are sent by email once you accept your accommodation offer.
Where do I collect my keys for University of Hertfordshire accommodation?
From the accommodation helpdesk on your campus. For College Lane, the helpdesk is at The Oval; for de Havilland, it is the Residential Services Office. Bring photo ID and your arrival pass on your phone.
Can I store my belongings in Hatfield over the summer?
Yes. Storage is a common solution for international students and anyone between tenancies. A small 25 sq ft unit is often enough for one student room; based on the Self Storage Association UK 2026 national average, that works out at around £69 a month including VAT, though prices vary by facility.
Can housemates share one van for a student move?
Often, yes. A single student room rarely fills more than a small part of a van, so sharing with housemates can make a move quicker and more cost-effective. Tell the removal company every pick-up and drop-off address when you ask for a quote.
Do full-time students pay council tax in Hatfield?
Households made up only of full-time students are usually exempt from council tax. You normally need a council tax exemption certificate from your university to send to the council for your address.
