Advice and Guidance on Searching for Accommodation

Posted byManchester Student Homes NewsPosted inInformation Advice and Guidance, MSH NewsTags:, , , , ,

You may also look at our general FAQs and Family Accommodation FAQs for more info.

Step One – Looking for Accommodation

Option One – On the Manchester Student Homes Website

Generally the easiest way to find available private accommodation is to visit our website at www.manchesterstudenthomes.com. However, please note that availability is extremely low at this time.

Here you can use the search facility to find properties by choosing options from the drop-down menus; this will then generate a list of private accommodation.

Private Hall waiting list

  • These are now currently full
    • You can join the waiting lists for each private hall on our list in case something opens up.
    • View the list of Private Halls that you can contact to be placed on their waiting list:

https://www.manchesterstudenthomes.com/pages/private_halls

1 bedroom flats / Studios

  • Property Type = select Studio and Whole Property
  • Rooms Required = 1 bedroom
  • Contract Length = Long Let

Shared House

  • Property Type = Room(s) in a Shared Property
  • Rooms Required = 1 bedroom
  • Contract Length = Long Let

Use the Student Login tile in the centre of the page to create an account and set up alerts to receive email notifications every time a new advert comes onto our website.

Option Two – Message Board

Utilise the Student Message Board on our website and view the Offering Student Accommodation forum. This is where students post messages advertising a spare room in their house and when they are looking for a replacement tenant. If a student is looking to leave a private hall, the often post here looking for someone to take over their tenancy. You may also wish to post your own message in the Looking for Student Accommodation forum stating that you are looking for a place to live.

What to do:

  • Set Up an account using your University email (if you use your personal email please state in the post that you are ‘an incoming [your institution] student’)
  • Go through the message board and reply to posts with your message ‘I am interested please call me on 07xxxx’.
  • Do not leave your email address we will remove this to prevent spamming and scams.

Option Three – If you live near enough to commute

We would advise that you commute from home for a few weeks, and in the meantime add yourself to waiting lists and keep an eye on our message board.  There is usually movement in the market due to changes in students’ circumstances in October/ November.  Therefore it is the students’ responsibility to find a replacement tenant and a good opportunity for you to take over any contracts that are on offer.

Option Four – Stay with a Host Family

Find accommodation with a host family/resident landlord on the websites listed below:  

Home Stay services and websites:

Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.co.uk

HomeStay: https://www.homestay.com

Vrbo: https://www.vrbo.com

Plum Guide: https://www.plumguide.com

Home to go: https://www.hometogo.com

Home Stay In: http://www.homestayin.com

HomestayWeb: https://www.homestayweb.com

·         A room in a host family’s/resident landlord’s house

·         Bills will be included

·         All bookings and payment must be done the Homestay portal as advised

·         Dates should match the period you are booking.

·         Affordable accommodation available

·         Prices from £650 per month

Option Five – Using Non-Accredited Providers/ Platforms

You can use websites listed below to find a local agents/ landlords. Accommodation is available in and around Manchester.

Property search websites:

Rightmove: https://www.rightmove.co.uk

Zoopla: https://www.zoopla.co.uk

OpenRent: https://www.openrent.co.uk

OnTheMarket: https://www.onthemarket.com

PrimeLocation: https://www.primelocation.com

Gumtree: https://www.gumtree.com/flats-houses

SpareRoom: https://www.spareroom.co.uk

The Student Room: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk

RoomGo: https://www.roomgo.co.uk

Ideal Flatmate: https://www.idealflatmate.co.uk

The properties available may or may not be furnished, so you will have to apply a filter to see only (un)furnished properties:

  • run a search that meets your criteria
  • click on Property Type in the top right-hand corner
  • choose your preferred furnished type  (If available)

Properties from these websites will tend to be:

·         Whole Properties

·         Bills will not be included

·         High-end and affordable accommodation available

·         Contract may be a minimum of 6 months

·         May or may not be furnished

·         Prices from £600 per month (2 bedrooms)

Please find below information on Scam and Fraud Awareness:

·         https://www.manchesterstudenthomes.com/Pages/House%20hunting/#Avoiding-Scams-

·         https://manchesterstudenthomesnews.wordpress.com/2022/08/23/scam-and-fraud-awareness/

Here is a small list of local agents* that you can contact directly:

You may also see the attached list of properties available through local agents for some of the properties available from some of the local agents.

*Please note that none of these websites, agents or properties are accredited by us. Prior to sending any money or signing any documents, please ensure listing and contracts have been checked by Manchester Student Homes – you can do this by emailing us contracts/documents to us at manchesterstudenthomes@manchester.ac.uk.

Step Two

When you find a property that you are interested in please contact the landlord directly on the number/ email address provided on the advert to arrange a viewing or ask any specific questions.  Private halls will have a link for an online portal you can go to either book or join a waiting list.

  • Contract the landlord for a viewing.
  • Visit the property and view it internally.
  • If you would like to proceed with the property the landlord may ask you for a holding deposit – this should not be more than 1 weeks rent (equivalent).
  • Receive a receipt for the money paid with the date of payment – this will hold the property for 2 weeks.
  • Ask for a copy of the contract to view.
  • Email it to Manchester Student Homes at manchesterstudenthomes@manchester.ac.uk.
  • Once the contract is checked and approved you can proceed with arranging a time to sign the contract.
  • When you sign the contract you will need to pay a security deposit and rent in advance. Your holding deposit should be deducted from this amount.

Step Three

In terms of viewings and contracts, we do strongly advise that you view a property before signing any legally-binding contract – whether this is virtually or in-person. If you arrive in Manchester before your contract is due to start you can book a room in a hotel (here is a small selection of Hotels, Hostels and Serviced Apartments in Manchester and Salford).

If you would like to sign a contract before you view the property but you are happy with the videos/ photos/ virtual viewing then email us a copy of your contract before you sign or hand over any money and we will check this for you.  Please email us at manchesterstudenthomes@manchester.ac.uk with the following information:

  • Your contract
  • Name of your landlord
  • Address of the property
  • Have you viewed the property – virtually or in-person?
  • Where did you find the property? – provide a link if you have one
  • Have you seen photos/ video walk-throughs?

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate by emailing manchesterstudenthomes@manchester.ac.uk or by calling us on 0161 275 7680.

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