House rules at the GOO shelters run by Apeldoorn City Council

When you first arrive at the GOO shelter, you will be registered in the shelter’s records. We use your data to provide you with accommodation. We share your data with other organisations if there is a legal obligation to do so. This is the case, for example, if your children need to attend school or for the national vaccination programme. We also ask for your consent to share your data if there is no legal obligation to do so. For example, if you need to go to hospital and we need to let them know who you are and what condition you are suffering from in Dutch.

You must register with our municipal personal records department. The shelter coordinator will invite you to do so. You must attend this appointment. During the registration process, you will be given your BSN number. You cannot go to the town hall on your own initiative.

The shelter manager, shelter coordinator, security guard or other council staff may give you instructions. These instructions are designed to ensure the shelter remains a pleasant place to live. For example, you may be asked not to cause a nuisance, to keep passageways in the shelter clear for safety reasons (such as a fire hazard), or to clean or tidy your room. You may also be instructed, subject to approval from the project manager, to report at certain times.

We need to be able to verify your identity. Clothing that covers your face is therefore not permitted at GOO shelters. Clothing that covers the face includes a niqab or burqa, as well as a balaclava, full-face helmet or hoodie.

The Municipality of Apeldoorn is a politically and religiously neutral organisation. At GOO shelters, you are free to practise your religion and hold political views. However, your political or religious views, activities or preferences must not cause a nuisance to others in any way.

Privacy at GOO shelters is important. It is therefore forbidden to take photographs, videos or audio recordings of fellow residents, GOO shelter staff, visitors or other people present on the premises without their consent.

Visitors are not permitted at GOO shelters. The local authority may make an exception for a specific GOO shelter if the conditions at that shelter allow it. In that case, the visiting rules can be obtained from the reception desk at that location.

Pets are not allowed at GOO shelters.

Discrimination on the grounds of religion, belief, political affiliation, race, gender, sexual orientation or any other reason is strictly prohibited. 

Any form of aggression, incitement to aggression, violence, incitement to violence, or threats of violence against others is prohibited. This applies to verbal, physical and psychological aggression. Shouting, hitting, kicking, spitting, vandalism, threats, provocation and other forms of aggression and violence are therefore all prohibited. Intimidation is also prohibited. By intimidation, we mean behaviour intended to frighten others. 

Any form of sexually inappropriate behaviour is prohibited. By sexually inappropriate behaviour, we mean behaviour or advances that are sexual in nature and are perceived as unwanted by the victim. This may be physical or non-physical. Examples include unwanted touching, kissing against someone’s will, sending unwanted sexually explicit photos, catcalling, sexual assault and rape.

It is not permitted to cause a nuisance. This is particularly important at night. Between 10.00 pm and 7.00 am, it should be quiet so that everyone can sleep undisturbed.

Drinking alcohol at GOO shelters is not permitted. The local authority may grant an exception for a specific GOO shelter if the circumstances at that shelter allow it. The rules on alcohol can be viewed at the shelter reception. In all cases, being drunk in public is not permitted in the Netherlands, which includes on the premises of GOO shelters.

You must not be in possession of drugs or take drugs at GOO shelters.

Possession of weapons is prohibited. Weapons are objects that could be used to attack someone, such as knives (except cutlery), clubs, awls, knuckle dusters, slingshots, and so on.

Trading in or receiving stolen goods within the GOO shelter or its outdoor areas is prohibited. This applies to all illegal goods, including drugs, weapons and alcohol.

You are fully liable for any damage you cause to property belonging to the Municipality of Apeldoorn or third parties. You must pay for any damage caused by you or your children.

Medical assistance is available to residents. You must arrive on time for any appointments made for you. You can make arrangements with the shelter coordinator. You cannot visit a healthcare organisation without an appointment. In the event of a life-threatening situation, call 112. If you have a contagious (infectious) disease, report it immediately to the shelter coordinator and seek medical attention.

1. You are responsible for your children until they reach the age of 18. All children aged between 5 and 18 must attend school in the Netherlands. As a parent or carer, you are responsible for ensuring that your children attend school. If your children do not attend school, the Municipality of Apeldoorn or the school may report this to the relevant inspectorate. You may then face a hefty fine. You can ask the shelter coordinator how to enrol your child at a school. If a child uses transport provided by the Municipality of Apeldoorn to travel to a language class, you must help supervise them on the bus. When your children are not at school or in childcare, you are responsible for actively supervising them.

You can borrow certain items on a temporary basis from Apeldoorn City Council. For example, plates, cutlery, cups, a cot, a set of bed linen or a baby kit. You must treat these items with care. Items you have borrowed must be returned as agreed with the shelter coordinator.

• You may use a bed in a room at the GOO shelter. This room is for you and your fellow residents only. You must not allow other people to live or stay here.
• Another resident may be placed in the room with you, or you may be moved to another room. This could also be at another shelter. You must cooperate with this.
• You must not make any changes to the room or the furniture. You may not bring your own furniture.
• The room must always comply with the fire safety regulations set out in Article 22.
• You must clean your own room at least once a week. When you move out, you must leave your room (and any bathroom facilities you use) clean. You are not allowed to take any borrowed furniture or items with you.
• You are not permitted to store electric vehicles in your room or charge their batteries.

The local authority regularly inspects your room to ensure the shelter is safe. You must allow staff access to your room. The local authority complies with the law on entering premises in this regard. Staff will knock on the door before entering your room. Staff may enter your room without permission if there is an immediate threat to safety or public health, such as a fire or a risk of contamination.

The following rules apply in communal areas such as the entrance, recreation rooms, children’s playrooms, the outdoor area, kitchens, toilet and shower blocks, the canteen and so on:

• You must not store your belongings in communal areas (including parking spaces).
• All residents are responsible for keeping the communal facilities at the GOO shelter and the immediate surroundings of the shelter clean.
• You must dispose of waste in the designated bins. Blue bins are for paper and cardboard. Grey bins are for other waste. Dispose of cigarette ends in the designated bins or pots; never throw them on the ground.
• Only walking is permitted in the communal areas, unless you are a wheelchair user. Running, cycling or moving around in any other way is prohibited.
• It is forbidden to leave any belongings in the showers, toilets or the sanitary area. Please ensure that the sanitary facilities are left clean after use.
• At GOO shelters that do not have their own cooking facilities, three meals a day are provided in the restaurant. These meals must be eaten in the restaurant. Taking meals into the rooms is not permitted.
• At GOO shelters with cooking facilities, meals must be eaten in the dining area. It is not permitted to take meals into the rooms.
• Communal recreational rooms and areas may not be used between 10.00 pm and 8.00 am.
• Please leave bicycles in the designated area. There are no indoor charging facilities for electric bicycles.

For your own safety and the safety of others, the following fire regulations apply:

• Smoking is not permitted in GOO shelters. This includes your own room, stairwells, toilet facilities and storage areas. The smoking ban applies to all tobacco products and all types of vapes (e-cigarettes).
• Do not light an open fire. This means no candles, incense, oil lamps, etc.
• If there are cooking facilities available to residents: you may only cook on the cooking appliances provided by the Municipality of Apeldoorn in the kitchens. Always keep an eye on your cooking. Always stay near the hob.
• You may only use electrical equipment bearing the CE mark and which has been approved by a shelter coordinator. You may not use electrical equipment that generates heat or cooling, unless it is equipment provided by the Municipality of Apeldoorn. This means that kettles, microwaves, air conditioners, freezers, pressure cookers, coffee machines, irons, etc. are not permitted. You may use electrical appliances for personal care in the washrooms.
• It is strictly forbidden to tamper with a fire alarm.
• You must not set off the fire alarm unless there is a fire.
• It is forbidden to use extension leads with multiple sockets, unless they are provided by the Municipality of Apeldoorn.
• It is forbidden to cover a fridge.
• It is forbidden to park or charge an electric bike or scooter (or its battery) indoors.
• If a fire breaks out, everyone must be able to escape unhindered. This is why escape routes must always be kept clear. Please ensure that pushchairs or bicycles are not blocking escape routes.
• When the fire alarm sounds, leave the building immediately and go to the designated assembly point. Leave your belongings behind to avoid wasting precious time. Always follow the instructions of the shelter staff.
• Self-closing, fire-resistant doors must never be left open. It is therefore forbidden to damage or remove door closers.
• You are not allowed to keep petrol, alcohol or other highly flammable substances in your room.
• If tumble dryers are available at your premises, always clean the dust filter. Remove dust from the dryer filter before and after use. A dirty tumble dryer can catch fire.
• Every communal corridor must have clear walking space. It is forbidden to leave shoes lying about or place other obstructions in the corridors. However, shoes may be stored in a shoe rack placed against the wall.
• Use emergency exits only in the event of an emergency.

You must respect other people’s property. Ensure that neighbours are not inconvenienced by the presence of a GOO shelter.

• It is forbidden to enter the premises of other residents or businesses in Apeldoorn. Do not touch other people’s property, such as houses, cars and bicycles.
• Please put rubbish in the bins provided or take it back to the GOO collection point and dispose of it there.
• It is forbidden to park on someone else’s property.

Mail and parcels must be delivered to the information desk. Residents must collect their post and parcels addressed to them in their own name. You must show ID to collect parcels and registered post. Staff may notify other government agencies about suspicious post or parcels if there is a threat to safety or public health.

• If you leave the GOO shelter for more than 24 hours, you must always inform the site coordinator.
• If you have been away from the shelter for more than 24 hours without first signing out with the shelter coordinator, your personal belongings may be temporarily removed and stored. If this happens, the Municipality of Apeldoorn accepts no liability for any damage to or loss of these items. Your place may be made available to accommodate other people.
• You may be absent from the GOO shelter for up to 28 days a year.
• You may be absent from the GOO shelter for up to 14 consecutive days. You can request to be absent for more than 14 days by email. You can do so by emailing at least three days before departure oekraine@apeldoorn.nl. Your place can only be reserved for the longer period if you receive written permission to be absent. You must leave your key and any GOO identification card with the shelter coordinator whilst you are away.
• Once you have returned, please report to a member of staff at the shelter in person. They will register your return.
• If you leave without giving notice, if you are away for more than 14 consecutive days, or if you are away for more than 28 days a year, your place at the shelter may be taken by another or a new resident. If that happens, you will not be able to return to the GOO shelter. You can contact the shelter coordinator to collect your personal belongings.
• Your living allowance will be stopped after 28 days of absence.

You must let us know if you no longer wish to stay at the GOO shelter. If you leave permanently, you must:

• Please inform the shelter coordinator of your departure and your destination.
• Complete the relevant forms (new residence form). If you are moving outside the Netherlands, you will also need to complete an emigration form. You can find this at: Moving house or returning home
• Please leave your room clean and have it (and any bathroom facilities) checked.
• Take your belongings.
• Please return your key.