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The house rules in the COA reception centre
Last updated: 1/12/2024, 11:51 AM
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The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) has house rules that are valid in every reception centre. These house rules are about living together in the reception centre and about safety. Read more about COA's house rules here.
Withhold part of your weekly allowance.
Transfer you to a reception centre with a strict regime. This happens in case of a serious offence.
Call in the police in case of criminal behaviour.
You must report to the at least once a week. This is called the obligation to report. This rule applies to all COA locations. You must report at a time and place indicated by COA. You will receive information about your obligation to report at your reception centre. If you have a good reason not to report, please let a COA employee know.
Discrimination is prohibited. This is also stated in Article 1 of the Dutch Constitution. In the reception centre you must not discriminate against others. People with different backgrounds need to live together safely in the reception centre.
Any form of aggression or violence against COA residents or employees will be punished. If you are a victim of aggression, violence or sexually transgressive behavior, you can report this to the police.
In the reception centre you may practice your religion and have your political opinions, but others should not be bothered by them.
Illegal drugs and alcohol are prohibited in the reception centre. You may not possess, deal or use either illegal drugs or alcohol.
Drunkenness in public is prohibited in the reception centre.
Weapons are prohibited in the reception centre.
It is prohibited to wear face-covering clothing in the reception centre, such as a niqab or burka.
Your living space is only for you and your fellow residents. You may not let other people live there.
You may not change anything about the living space. You are not allowed to bring your own furniture. You may not hang your own curtains or wall hangings.
If you break something, you have to pay the repair costs yourself.
You must keep your living space clean yourself and leave it clean when you move out. You are not allowed to take items out of the living space.
All residents are responsible for keeping the common areas and immediate surroundings of the reception centre clean.
You may not have a pet unless you have written permission from the reception centre management.
You must allow COA employees access to your living space for room checks, maintenance or repairs. COA employees may enter your living space uninvited if there is a threat to safety or public health.
You may move to another room or another resident may be placed in your living space.
You can borrow some items temporarily from COA. For example: plates, cutlery, bedding, towels and things for your baby. You must return the items to COA.
You cannot smoke in the reception centre, including in your own living space.
You are not allowed to have an open flame in the reception centre.
You may only cook on the fixed cookers in the communal kitchens in the reception centre.
You should not cover fire alarms in the reception centre with anything.
Escape routes in the reception centre should always be clear.
If the fire alarm goes off, you must leave the building immediately and wait outside. Then follow the instructions of the COA employees.
COA is not liable for damage to your belongings in the reception centre. Not even if your co-residents have damaged your belongings.
You are liable for damage to your living space in the reception centre. If it is not clear who caused the damage, each resident in the reception centre must help pay.
You must not cause noise in the reception centre. Between 22:00 and 08:00, it must be quiet so that everyone can sleep.
It is forbidden to take photos videos or sound recordings of people in the reception centre without permission.
Your visitors must sign in at the reception desk when they arrive at the reception centre and sign out when they leave. Visitors are welcome between 08:00 and 22:00. You must pick up your visitors at the reception and are responsible for them. You can ask COA for the rules for visitors.
You are responsible for the safety of your minor children. Damage caused by your minor children must be paid for by you.
All children between the ages of 5 and 18 must attend school. You are responsible for your child going to school. If your child does not attend school, you may be fined. At COA's information desk, you can ask how to register a child at a school in the neighbourhood.
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