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.

Students – rooms near Oxford Road and city centre added online

Students – about 200 rooms in private halls close to the Oxford Road campuses and in the city centre have been added to our website today. In addition there are several short term rooms available in private halls over the summer. You can search for private halls here.

There are still a very large number of houses, flats and houseshares available for next academic year – search on our website.

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.

Summer accommodation

Students – Manchester Student Homes are in the process of compiling a list of short term summer accommodation. You’ll be able to collect this from our office or by email. Please contact us for more details.

Landlords – please contact us for details of how your property can be featured on the summer list. Registered landlords should have received an email with details of this service.

‘The F words?’

The current issue of Residential Property Developer (official publication of the Residential Landlords’ Association)  asks ‘Fixtures, fittings and furnishings: how much should you pay, and when is it worth forking out extra?’

The article, ‘The F words?’ cites an anecdotal case in which the landlord of a New York apartment was sued by his tenant ’because the IKEA kitchen…was “ugly” and not good enough’. The more pragmatic message is that tenants may be more aware of the furniture, fittings and fixtures in rented properties than in previous times, and may base some or all of their decision to rent on how the property is dressed. There is also a suggestion that, where goods appear to be of a high quality, ‘tenants…are more appreciative of the place and thus more likely to take care of it’.

There is a balanced perspective however – landlords are not actively encouraged to overspend where the rent they are likely to achieve doesn’t justify it. Suggestions, estimated costs and alternatives are given, and the view seems to be that some dressing and attention to appearance is important, but that this should be balanced against the potential return. Some suggestions are cheaper and easier to effect than others, for example dressing beds and laying tables with flowers in empty properties before viewings.

Source: Residential Property Investor, May-June 2010, ‘The F words?’ by Nicola Venning (www.rla.org.uk)

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.

Are you satisfied with the MSH service?

Students! – complete our student online satisfaction survey here

Landlords! – complete our landlord online satisfaction survey here

TODAY!

Students! Don’t forget our first informal ‘Focus on…’ talk will be today in our Fallowfield office, 1.30-1.50pm. Bring your lunch with you!

This talk focuses on your rights as a private tenant and may be useful if you’ll be living in private accommodation next year.

This week!

Students! Don’t forget our first informal ‘Focus on…’ talk will be this Wednesday in the Fallowfield office, 1.30-1.50pm. Bring your lunch with you!

This talk may be useful if you’ll be living in private accommodation next year.

Single semester accommodation

Students – if you’re looking for somewhere to live for the remainder of this semester (now until the end of June), ask us for our list of single semester accommodation. We can email you a copy or you can pick one up from our office. Our contact details are here

Landlords – if you have accommodation to offer from now until the end of this semester, or for a short or negotiable term, contact us to be put on the list. (Listing is free if you have a current web advert with us).