Accommodation
Manchester is more than just a city. It’s a hotbed of culture, music, film, theatre, sport and food. We love being here and we know you will too.
Going to uni is exciting and finding somewhere to call home while you study will play a huge part in your experience as a student here at UCEN Manchester.
Everything you need to know
We work closely with Manchester Student Homes to help you find the perfect home whilst studying. Our partnership means that you can access their range of services which includes:
- Properties listed on one website
- All landlords are approved and must sign up to a code of standards
- Free, independent housing advice, including contract checking
- Assistance with finding flatmates and access to their online message boards
- Advice and guidance about community living and making the most of your time off-campus.
Find your accommodation
You can search for accommodation on the Manchester Student Homes website.
They also have a handy message board where you can post or respond to messages regarding spare rooms in a student house or private halls.
To discuss your accommodation needs, contact Manchester Student Homes directly:
Telephone: 0161 275 7680 or email manchesterstudenthomes@manchester.ac.uk
Accommodation Frequently Asked Questions
I have signed a contract for a house / apartment / private hall room, but I want to defer my move in date?
You have signed into a legally binding contract for a fixed period, you can speak to your accommodation provider to see if they will defer the contract. However, this would most likely mean that your contract would end at a later date. If you need advice, please speak to Manchester Student Homes.
I want to find out more about what to do about accommodation
House Hunting sessions support students with their property search in the private sector. Manchester Student Homes (MSH) host virtual House Hunting Talks where students can ask questions specific to their search at the end.
In these sessions, a Housing Caseworker will discuss a number of topics including, but not limited to, the following:
- Where to begin with the accommodation search
- Different types of accommodation
- Viewings
- Tenancy Agreements
- Deposits
If you are interested in attending one of the House Hunting Talks please email your interest along with your full name, the institution of study, e.g. UCEN Manchester (if you are using your personal email) and your student number to manchesterstudenthomes@manchester.ac.uk.
How to I find short term/single semester accommodation?
You can search for short term properties as follows:
- Visit www.manchesterstudenthomes.com
- Select Short Let from the dropdown menu
- Review the list of results and ensure that the ‘available’ date fits your criteria
Please email us on manchesterstudenthomes@manchester.ac.uk with your requirements if you cannot find what you are looking for.
I have signed a contract for accommodation but I don’t want it anymore. What do I do?
A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract and all tenants are obliged to its terms until the end of the fixed period. To avoid any contractual breaches there are a couple of things you should make sure to do. These are as follows:
- Inform the other tenants (not applicable to those on an individual contract)
- Inform your accommodation provider.
- Seek an alternative tenant by advertising on Manchester Student Homes’ Message Board and posting on Manchester Student Homes’ Facebook page.
- Once an alternative tenant has been found, contact the accommodation provider and the tenants to arrange for a transfer of names to occur.
- Ensure that your name has been removed from the tenancy.
Note: The replacement tenant must be accepted by all parties (where applicable) involved in the contract. If a replacement tenant is not found you are still liable for the contractual obligations (including rent) of the tenancy.
Use the Manchester Student Homes’ Message Board and include detail such as:
- Whether it is a house or a Private Hall
- The number of tenants the house/flat accommodates
- How much the room is
- Whether or not bills are included in the rent
- Location of the property
- Facilities
- Distance from the city or key locations
- Time it takes to get to the locations mentioned
- Your contact number (if you prefer)
It will be beneficial for you to reply to existing posts where students are looking for accommodation.
How do I deal with my belongings that I have left in Manchester?
Tenants are legally protected by Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977. There is a legal duty on the accommodation provider to take reasonable care of the goods until they are returned to their owner, they also have a responsibility to protect and keep secure any belongings that have been left in a property. If an accommodation provider sells or disposes of the goods without taking the correct steps the tenant could advance a civil claim against them.
In scenarios where accommodation providers believe that belongings have been abandoned, with no intention from the tenant to collect them, they should ensure to receive express consent from the tenant before disposing of belongings. Accommodation providers should be able to demonstrate that several attempts were made to contact the tenant and a reasonable period of time had lapsed before disposing of the goods.
Tenants should liaise with their accommodation provider and housemates regarding plans for packing belongings in a reasonable time limit. This is also to ensure that there is enough space for tenants, and their family, to collect belongings whilst continuing to social distance. Please ensure that communications are detailed in writing and any telephone conversations are followed up with written confirmation (this should be standard practice for any dealing with your accommodation provider).
I have left Manchester and will not be returning. What does this mean for me?
Tenants who have been repatriated to their home country or do not intend to return to Manchester will need to seek assistance from their accommodation provider, housemates and/or friends in the city. Personal belongings should be organised, packed and shipped to the tenant’s overseas or UK address.
It should be noted that although the accommodation provider is obliged to secure a tenant’s personal belongings, it is not for an extended period and there may be storage and ultimately removal costs involved. Tenants should liaise with their ‘packer’ and arrange for the shipper to collect packed items at a convenient time.