Frequently asked questions

Is anything unclear? Maybe you will find the answer you are looking for in our list of FAQs! If that is not the case, please contact us, and we will reply as quickly as possible.
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01. Can I send my application by e-mail?

Yes, you are welcome to send us your application by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The application form and the accomodation selection list are to be filled out preferably on a PC. Please do not forget to sign the application form and the accomodation selection list.

02. How does the Internet work at ISH?

We have an on-line connection to the server at Innsbruck University. Once you have acquired your Internet authorisation from Innsbruck University, the Medical University or Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), you can make free use of the system at ISH. Students at other institutions also get free use of the ISH Internet connection. You simply need a PC with a network interface card and a network cable (8-pole connector).
The accommodation units at Hormayrstrasse 12 have a connection for TV, Internet and telephone via an external provider. Residents can sign up for a special ISH student package with UPC.

03. When I move in, what do I have to bring with me?

The rooms are completely furnished. ISH provides a mattress and the slatted base. So you only need to bring the bedding, the covers for the mattress, linen, crockery, towels, dishcloths etc. and any electrical or electronic devices you may need (e.g. computer, television, microwave, etc).

04. What do I have to do when I move into my accommodation?

When you move in you must present an ID (with photo) and the residence contract signed by ISH.
Please note the permitted hours for moving in! You can find them in the covering letter sent to you with the residence contract.

05. I suffer from an allergy - could that be a problem?

The ISH buildings are suitable for allergy sufferers. There are no fitted carpets, and all floors can be mopped. Pets are not allowed, and we attach the greatest importance to cleanliness.

06. Where can I smoke?

ISH supports the EU campaign "HELP - for a life without tobacco" and is introducing no-smoking regulations on a step-by-step basis. Smoking is not permitted in any of the apartments and accommodation units. If you wish to smoke, you may do so in two common rooms designated as smoking areas and also on the terrace on the ground floor and the roof terrace on the 6th floor of the main building.
If smoking nevertheless occurs in an accommodation unit, all resulting costs will be charged to the resident(s) on departure. Among other things, such costs can relate to the need to wash curtains, replace mattresses, recover chairs, and repaint the complete unit with special paint, possibly requiring two coats.

07. How far is it to the university?

All the universities and colleges are easily and quickly reached from ISH. The main university buildings with the Faculties of Law and Humanities plus Chemistry and Pharmacy, the Medical Faculty, the main university library, and many of the Natural Science departments are in the immediate vicinity of ISH.
Ausbildungszentrum West (AZW), with its university of applied science study programmes for health professions, is just a five-minute walk away. The Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, the Theological Faculty and Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), with its various university of applied science study programmes, are 15 minutes away on foot.
Pädagogische Hochschule Tirol (PHT) and the Tourism College are 25 or 30 minutes away on foot and are also well served by bus route T. The Technical University in Technikerstrasse (with its faculties of Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics and Biology), the Botanical Institute, the University Sports Institute (USI) and the Private University for Health Sciences (UMIT) in Hall are easily reached by bus in about 20 minutes.

08. How far is it to the Old Town and the city centre?

It is just a 10-minute leisurely walk to the city centre and Innsbruck's romantic Old Town. All the amenities like food stores, restaurants, bars, cinema and so on are within walking distance. Innsbruck is a lively city with a varied cultural offering and an exciting student scene.

09. How long does it take to get to the station and the airport?

Innsbruck's two railway stations (Hauptbahnhof and Westbahnhof) are a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride away. And it is not far to the international airport at Innsbruck-Kranebitten (INN): The F bus will get you to the terminal in 15 minutes!

10. What sports are available for students?

ISH has its own facilities, and there are attractive jogging trails and cycle paths by the river. In the Innsbruck area there is a wide choice of locations for jogging, waking and biking. For rock climbers there is also the Tivoli Climbing Centre in Innsbruck, and the University Sports Centre (USI) runs a full programme of sports for all students. Innsbruck also has several excellent outdoor and indoor swimming pools. Go to our links list to learn more!

11. Where can I go skiing?

Innsbruck itself has two modern ski areas. Most of the other ski areas and the Stubai Glacier are served by a free ski bus. For an overview of the ski areas around Innsbruck, go to our links list. All the ski areas offer season tickets, and there are some attractive combined ticketing offers for the season or the year, some of which include other leisure facilities like swimming pools.

12. May anyone else spend the night in my accommodation?

Visitors are allowed from 7 a.m. to midnight. Non-residents may not stay overnight.

13. Can I see the accommodation before I decide?

Our accommodation is always fully occupied. So it is not possible to inspect the units. But the porter will be pleased to show you a collection of photos of the various types of the accommodation. Please find the floor plans of all available accomodation units as a download.

14. How long does a rental agreement last?

The normal term of the agreements is from 1 September to 31 August of the following year. Accommodation in the annexes at Rechengasse 1, Rechengasse 3 and Hormayrstrasse 12 is only available for a full 12-month period.
In the main building (Rechengasse 7), however, exceptions can be made, and in addition to 12-month agreements we also offer 6-month rentals from 1 September to 28 February and from 1 March to 31 August, and 10-month rentals from 1 September to 30 June.
Please note that there is a surcharge for the shorter rental periods of € 30 - € 61 per month depending on the length of the rental and category of accommodation. 10-month rentals cannot be renewed for the following academic year. Where renewal is required, the existing agreement must be extended to the end of the 12-month period at 31 August.

15. What is covered by the regular cleaning service for the bath and kitchen?

The bath/WC and kitchen are cleaned once a fortnight. In the bath/WC the service covers the toilet bowl plus seat and lid, wash basin, shower screen and tray, and the taps, and in the kitchen the sink and taps, hot plates and stainless steel surfaces.
Please note that this is a basic cleaning service and does not relieve residents of their duty to do their own cleaning.

16. Are there any electrical appliances in the accommodation units?

You must bring your own TV, computer and any electrical appliances you may require (e.g. toaster, mixer, coffee machine, hairdryer).

17. Is there a telephone in the accommodation?

Every accommodation unit has a telephone. Internal calls are free. You will be billed for all outgoing calls on a monthly basis. Please note that the telephone may not be unplugged for safety reasons!

18. What kind of receiver do I need for the television?

Our accommodation units have an aerial socket. You merely need a TV set with an aerial cable.

19. Is it possible to install a fax machine?

No, that is not possible at ISH. Please note that the telephone may not be unplugged for safety reasons!

20. How does the cleaning of my move-out work?

Before moving out, students can either clean the apartment themselves or use the ISH cleaning service through a final cleaning account.

If the cleaning service is used by the ISH, the student pays a fixed amount in advance at the management office. Once the apartment has been inspected, it will be services and the actual cleaning time charged. If the apartment is fully clean, the balance of the unused cleaning time will be refunded to the student as part of the deposit refund.

21. How do payments have to be made in the case for a home place commitment and thereafter?

The deposit, the initial commitment fee and the usage fee for the first month must be paid by credit card (MasterCard or Visa with 3D-Secure code), cash or bank transfer to the ISH account within 10 days of receipt of the confirmation of commitment.

As of the second month, the residence fee shall be paid in advance by the 5th of each month using SEPA direct debit procedure. This requires a bank account with a European bank institution. Another payment method is not possible.

22. I signed a contract for an apartment at the ISH and was not accepted at the University. Is there a posibility to terminate the contract?

Non-acceptance at the University is an important reason for termination. In this case, we require a letter of termination and an official document confirming this important reason for termination, i.e. the University's letter of rejection. Upon receipt of the complete termination documents, the contract will end on the last day of the following month.