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Accommodation
Manchester College of Higher Education and Media Technology

Accommodation

Manchester College of Higher Education and Media Technology provides accommodation places for students and also can provide advice you with information on where and how to find suitable accommodation.

An important part of your stay in Manchester will be accommodation. There are two main categories:

  • Private Accommodation: An independent flat or room which may be in an apartment or house. This should typically cost between £55 to £155 per week. (Excludes meals and services). The college provides private accommodation on subsidized basis to a select few students on a first come first serve basis.
  • Accommodation Agencies: Contact details for agencies close to the College.

You may be also able to find accommodation via:

  • Home stay: Staying with a family in your own room from about £85 per week including breakfast and an evening meal. (You may need to pay additional for services)
  • Halls of Residence: A study/bedroom in University student accommodation. £55 to £90 per week. Excludes meals. (You may need to pay additional for services)

The Admissions Manager can assist you in making the choice that best fits your personal needs and help you with any advice you may need.

Private Accommodation

There are many rooms to rent in Manchester in individual homes or apartments. There are a large number of premises available to rent in group shares with friends/family/students. The following information on renting in the private sector along with some information on agencies will help you get started.

Private accommodation is where you will enter into a legal agreement with a landlord or agent usually for a set length of time of typically 6 months or 1 year. It covers renting a shared house/apartment or an individual apartment or room within a shared house. Private rentals cover a huge variety in size, style and quality of properties so it is important that you happy with the property before you sign the agreement. A general rule is that the cheaper the property the less desirable the property is (it may be due to building age, location or general state) and the more questions you should ask before signing the agreement, because once you have signed then you are locked into a legal contract for an agreed term.

Things to consider before you sign any rental agreement:

  • How much does it cost? Have a realistic budget taking into consideration how much a week you can afford allowing for bills, food and transport.
  • Location… is it close to the college or city centre.
  • Is it furnished, or unfurnished?
  • Does it have phone lines, internet access etc.
  • Does it have security?
  • Does the landlord/agent have the required gas safety certificates, fire alarm etc.
  • Always view the property first before signing this will give you a more accurate picture of size, location and quality.
  • Who are you sharing with, do you know and trust them? Remember….in a joint agreement you are all liable to pay the rent. Therefore if one of you disappears then the others have to cover their share of the rent. If you don’t know the people you are sharing with, make sure you have their contact details at home.
  • Ensure you have a copy of the contract.
  • If you are renting an individual room and it is not a joint agreement for example in a person’s house/ apartment or your own apartment then ensure you have a written contract with the landlord/agent and keep records of payments and ask for receipts.
  • If it is not a fixed term contract that means not for a set number of months or until a fixed date, check what is the notice period you have to give if you want to move out (it is often one or two month/s).
  • If you are unsure of anything seek advice from your agent if it is before arrival to the UK or the Admissions Manager before signing anything. Also check the online information services listed below.
  • Check the date from which you can move in and arrange a time to move in so that someone can let you into the property, this is particularly important if it is outside normal working hours.
  • Get the full contact details of your landlord including name, address and 24-hour contact telephone number in case there are any problems.
  • Get contents insurance, and ask your landlord/agent for confirmation of landlords insurance.
  • Make sure you have an inventory of the property that is there on arrival; beds, ovens, cutlery etc
  • If anything is damaged such as windows or stained like carpets make a written note immediately and show it to the landlord/agent.
  • Ensure that you keep a record of any payments (rental or otherwise). This means getting receipts for rent payments if it is cash and will not show on a bank statement. If you have to pay for any damages, bills etc get a written receipt. This all prevents you from having problems when you depart and helps you get your deposit back.
  • If you are setting up payments for utility bills e.g. gas, water, electricity, phone bill then don’t put them all in your name, share the responsibility amongst the housemates.
  • When you leave inform the landlord/agency in advance of the date so that you can settle any balance and also they can view the property to make sure that you have left it clean and in the state you found it (this is when it is useful to have a copy of the inventory you had on arrival).
  • Inform the utility companies you are moving and collect any necessary meter readings for electricity, gas and water. It is also useful to ensure you have your housemates forwarding addresses in case the bills cannot be produced immediately and they can send you payment or yourself payment to them.
  • Make sure you inform the bank, mobile phone Company, police (if necessary) and family that you have moved and give then your new address.

Accommodation Agencies

We’ve listed below some of the online web searches you can go to and find properties in Manchester:

  • www.rightmove.co.uk
  • www.findaproperty.com
  • www.rentright.co.uk
  • www.zoopla.co.uk

Below is a link to the UK government website that assists people in making informed and accurate decisions regarding accommodation in the UK:

  • http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/index.htm

Below is a list of agencies that are local to the College and provide a friendly and helpful service to students:

  • www.manchesterpropertygroup.co.uk
  • http://www.thornleygroves.co.uk/
  • http://www.mancitylettings.co.uk/
  • http://www.jordansrentals.com/
  • http://www.bruntwood.co.uk/