Summer’s here!

Summer is here, even if the weather suggests otherwise…!

For many students tomorrow (11th June) will be the last day of term until mid September. Manchester Student Homes remains open throughout the summer between our usual opening hours of 9-5, Monday-Friday.

The end of June  means moving in and moving out time for many student tenants. Please contact MSH if you need advice on what needs to be done during this time, whether you’re a student or landlord.

Mid-summer onwards is a very busy time for us, with the release of exam results and late university applications. Around this time and through to the end of September we receive large numbers of enquiries from new students, many of them arriving in Manchester for the first time without a pre-formed group of potential housemates. Landlords may want to consider offering rooms on an individual basis at this time – there are some administrative differences  between joint and several and individual tenancies, so do get in touch with us if you would like advice.

We are running a list of short term summer vacancies. Students can request this list from our office. Landlords, please contact us for details if you are a registered MSH landlord and would like to appear on the list.

Tomorrow!

If you’re moving out of your privately rented accommodation at the end of June, you might like to attend tomorrow’s ‘Focus on….’ talk. The talk (1.30-1.50pm, 2nd June in the MSH office) will give you some tips on how you ensure that all your obligations are fulfilled when you move out.  Much of the advice students ask us for over the summer relates to non-return of deposits, however these problems could often been avoided if tenants take the time to ensure everything is done properly at the end of their tenancy. 

If you or one of your housemates cannot make the talk, please contact us as soon as possible for advice on what you need to do at the end of your tenancy. We also advise your landlord to write to you at this time of year with details of what you need to do.

Don’t bin it – bag it! Help a charity and win a prize!

Landlords – please could you make your tenants aware of the following.

Students – Moving out this summer? Environment on call (part of Manchester City Council) will be delivering green and clear bags which you can fill with unwanted items for collection (bags are also available from students’ unions and will shortly be available from the MSH office). Your unwanted items, such as sheets, clothes, tinned food, pots and pans, will be collected from the kerbside  between now and 3rd July and donated to charity.

Text to win! If you’ve used the green or clear bag scheme, text  zero waste with your name and full postal address to 86099 or email recycling@manchester.gov .uk to be entered into a competition to win a variety of prizes, including tickets to Pangea and a student Stagecoach bus pass for 2010/11. The competition closes on 4th July 2010.

To find out more, visit www.manchester.gov.uk/recycling or contact Environment on call on 0161 954 9000

In addition, there will be extra recycling collections between now and 3rd July.

Students – avoid deductions from your deposit!

If you’re moving out of your privately rented accommodation at the end of June, you might like to attend our next ‘Focus on….’ talk. The talk (1.30-1.50pm, 2nd June in the MSH office) will give you some tips on how you ensure that all your obligations are fulfilled when you move out.  Much of the advice students ask us for over the summer relates to non-return of deposits, however these problems could often been avoided if tenants take the time to ensure everything is done properly at the end of their tenancy. 

If you or one of your housemates cannot make the talk, please contact us as soon as possible for advice on what you need to do at the end of your tenancy. We also advise your landlord to write to you at this time of year with details of what you need to do.

Ease the transition between tenancies

Landlords – If your property is registered with MSH, your tenants may soon be receiving a flyer inviting them to attend an informal talk at our office on how to avoid deductions from their deposits.

Student tenants may be unaware of their less obvious obligations when it comes to moving out of a property.  The talk aims to make them aware of what they need to do, and remind them that they need to consider the community, as well as their tenancy, when they move out.

As you’re probably aware, it’s good practice to write to your tenants between now and the end of May (for tenancies ending on 30th June), reminding them of their obligations at the end of the tenancy. You should also have served a Section 21 notice by the end of April. Please get in touch with us if you’d like any advice.

Plenty of homes available for next year!

Students!

There are still plenty of properties advertised on our website, including many in Fallowfield, Rusholme, Victoria Park, Withington and Salford, some 7, 8 and 9 bedroom properties and properties available to families. There are also apartments and rooms available in private halls. If you have specific requirements, such as single semester accommodation, please contact us for advice.

Easter opening

Most universities and colleges are currently on vacation, and most return to teaching on 19th April. 

Manchester Student Homes remain open 9-5 Monday-Friday throughout the vacation, with the exception of the bank holidays. As expected, we’re finding this a fairly quiet time in terms of enquiries from students, but some groups and individuals are still coming in. If you’re a landlord and are going to be away over Easter, you might want to set voicemail and out of office email messages to let enquirers know when you’ll be able to respond to them.

We hope you enjoy the long weekend!

Meet at the MSH office

MSH registered landlords are welcome to use the MSH office within our usual opening hours to meet students and sign contracts.

The office is a pleasant, professional and neutral environment and MSH staff are nearby to help with queries and witness signatures. There are vending machines selling hot drinks and snacks and a public toilet.

The office is open 9-5 Monday to Friday, with some extended hours during busy periods, which will be advertised nearer the time (you might like to subscribe to this blog to receive updates). The office is in Fallowfield, Manchester, on the corner of Moseley Road and Wilmslow Road, opposite Tesco. Our full address is:

Unit 1-3, Ladybarn House, Moseley Road, Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6ND