This Booklet Has Been Made Possible Thanks to Alumni and Supporters Of

This booklet has been made possible thanks to alumni and supporters of The University of Manchester, whose generous donations support projects like this to help enrich your student experience.

Good.neighbours.CheckIn.Guide.lo10.2014.indd 1 25/02/2015 14:07 A MESSAGE FROM THE OFF CAMPUS STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICER

The Halls 2 Home campaign is Moving out of designed to help you during your transition from Halls of Residence University Halls into your own home. This guide of Residenceyear? this will provide you with the practical steps you can take to fully integrate into the community, become good neighbours and get the most from living in an off campus area. Although you are no longer living in a university building, you are by no means without the support of your institution. It is my role to act as the link between the University and students living in private rented housing. You may see me walking I’m based at Manchester Student around your street from time to time, Homes in Fallowfield, feel free to stop knocking on doors and welcoming by should you have any queries or students to the area. concerns. You will soon become a part of a vibrant and diverse local community which extends further than your immediate neighbours. Take the time to Off Campus Student Affairs Officer get to know your area and the people who live there and don’t forget to take pride in the place you live. I wish you the best of luck in your new home and hope to meet you soon.

Twitter. @Man_Student_Hme Facebook. /ManchesterStudentHomes Address. Unit 1-3 Ladybarn House Moseley Road Fallowfield Manchester M14 6ND Telephone No. +44 (0) 161 275 0750

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Pictured: You can find the MSH offices opposite Tesco in Fallowfield

Don’t panic if you haven’t found anywhere to live yet – there are still plenty of properties available at SERVICES www.manchesterstudenthomes.com WE PROVIDE: Manchester Student Homes is part of The University of Manchester Landlord accreditation and provides a free housing This means all the landlords we work with service for students. We can help are approved by us you find accommodation from an approved landlord and provide Property Search support and advice if you have any Find your student home at www. problems living in privately rented manchesterstudenthomes.com accommodation. Housing Advice If you are having any issues with Get free independent housing advice your landlord, please contact Contract Checking manchesterstudenthomes@ We can check your tenancy agreement manchester.ac.uk and we will do all before you sign it we can to help.

Twitter. @Man_Student_Hme Facebook. /ManchesterStudentHomes Address. Unit 1-3 Ladybarn House Moseley Road Fallowfield Manchester M14 6ND Telephone No. +44 (0) 161 275 7680

Good.neighbours.CheckIn.Guide.lo10.2014.indd 3 25/02/2015 14:07 Best Wishes NEED ADVICE ABOUT HOUSING? Manchester Student Homes WE CAN HELP Here at Manchester Student Homes THE SERVICES a large part of what we do is to WE OFFER AT provide housing advice and support MANCHESTER to students living off campus in STUDENT HOMES ARE: privately rented accommodation. You can come to us with any issues you have, whether it be finding a home • Contract checking or dealing with a problem with your • Deposit advice home or landlord whilst studying at • Advice and advocacy Manchester. We can provide you with • Management of accreditation expert advice on how to resolve the complaints issue or in more serious cases act as advocate or mediator in disputes. • Property inspections • International student support It is also our responsibility to You can call us on 0161 manage the Accreditation Scheme 275 2877 or email at Manchester Student Homes. We manchesterstudenthomes@ accredit landlords and private halls manchester.ac.uk.You can drop of residence to ensure that they in and see us in Manchester meet our standards in regards to Student Homes or contact us accommodation and management to make an appointment. We practices. If you have an issue with will be at some of the house- an accredited landlord or hall we can hunting talks and events at the investigate and ensure that they are university throughout the year. compliant with our Code of Standards. We also inspect accredited properties to ensure they meet standards and you can approach us to inspect your home if you feel there are any issues.

DID YOU KNOW? •

Good.neighbours.CheckIn.Guide.lo10.2014.indd 4 25/02/2015 14:07 AREA GUIDE “Getting to know your new home”

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOUR:

FALLOWFIELD Fallowfield is a buzzing suburb of the city, with an eclectic mix of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops Pictured: Kay Fletcher planting bulbs withPictured: a student Kay Fletcher from the planting Manchester bulbs and a supermarket serving the Leadershipwith a student Programme from the 2012/13Manchester diverse population. Home to the Leadership Programme 2012/13. Owens Park campus, Fallowfield has fantastic transport links to the Kay Fletcher: “I have lived in university and beyond. Fallowfield, off and on, all my life – sixty five years! I have DID YOU KNOW? seen the area evolve from • young families living in all the houses to where we are today. Muc h of Fallowfield is covered by I like the liveliness of an “alcohol exclusion zone” – this Fallowfield, I don’t feel means it is illegal to consume threatened walking about, even alcohol in the street. late at night as there are always young people around. We have • There are exciting plans to a fantastic bus service and lots redevelop the Owens Park campus of wonderful places to eat, a in Fallowfield in the next few years. beautiful park on our doorstep This will improve the services and and we are ten minutes from facilities available for students, the city!”. including those that have moved out into the community.

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KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOUR:

I have lived in this area for the last 20 years with my family. Whilst it is true that Withington is home to lots of students, there are many families with young children and older people that live here too.

The Halls 2 Home campaign run by Manchester Student Homes is a really great project as it educates and WITHINGTON makes students aware of their Withington is a thriving community responsibilities when living just south of Fallowfield. in a mixed community. Quite Home to a number of popular often long term residents have independent bars and restaurants, different lifestyles to students Withington is a vibrant suburb so its important that we can all benefitting from excellent transport live together in harmony. links to neighbouring areas.

Pictured: Sue, Chair of Withington Community Guardians, with Cooper Healey Manager of DID YOU KNOW? Manchester Student Homes and Ravi, University Withington Civic Society have lots of Manchester Summer Intern at Manchester Student Homes. of exciting events such as historical walks and commemorative events. Visit www.withingtoncivicsociety. org.uk

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RUSHOLME Famous for being home to the “curry mile”, Rusholme is lively and culturally mixed, well served with Manchester has fantastic restaurants and bars and is just a transport networks- why short walk from campus. not explore towns like Bury or parts of Cheshire. DID YOU KNOW? Visit www.tfgm.com Platt Fields Park forms the border of Rusholme and Fallowfield and is home to a large lake, the Gallery of CITY Costume and is a popular destination CENTRE: for runners and sports groups alike.

The City Centre is the thriving VICTORIA PARK heart of Manchester. For those Leafy Victoria Park is home to a looking for culture, the University number of Halls of Residence and has a huge number of cultural is a short walk from the University assets that you can visit, such campus on Oxford Road. It is close as John Ryland’s Library on to the shops and restaurants of Deansgate. You could visit the neighbouring Rusholme. Manchester Art Gallery or one of the many museums. DID YOU KNOW? Then for a spot of sophistication, Victoria Park is a conservation area head down to the Palace Theatre and is home to over twenty listed or the Opera House or check out buildings. the vibrant bars and restaurants Leader of the suffragette movement, in the Northern Quarter. Emmeline Pankhurst is a former Manchester has an exciting resident of Victoria Park. music scene so whatever you fancy, from salsa to hip hop, we have it all here!

Good.neighbours.CheckIn.Guide.lo10.2014.indd 7 25/02/2015 14:07 STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

Pictured: Student Volunteers at the Community Fun Fest

The University of Manchester is committed to ensuring socially responsible graduates who GOAL 3: SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY participate in the community, raise aspirations and contribute to the “The University will contribute success of the local area. This can to the social and economic include volunteering activities success of the local, national and in the local community, such international community by using as environmental activities and our expertise and knowledge engaging with local community to find solutions to the major groups, crime awareness operations challenges of the 21st century, and events encouraging students to get to know their neighbours. and by producing graduates who exercise social leadership and DID YOU KNOW? responsibility”. Each year students contribute to the success of the British Heart Foundation recycling initiative. 183 tonnes of donations were collected in 2014 equating to nearly £230,000!!

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HAVE YOU THOUGHT • Arranges drop-in sessions to answer any questions about ABOUT VOLUNTEERING? volunteering. These are held in IT’S A GREAT WAY TO The Atrium in University Place LEARN MORE ABOUT THE every Monday (12pm-1pm) and AREA IN WHICH YOU Wednesday (1pm-2pm) throughout LIVE. the year. Volunteering is a great way for you to have fun, build your confidence and learn new skills. It can also give FINDING you a real sense of achievement. OPPORTUNITIES At The University of Manchester, ONLINE we have a dedicated Volunteering & Community Engagement Team Visit www. manchester.ac.uk/ that works to support you and your volunteers. volunteering needs. The Team: Here you can search through hundreds of volunteering • Sources volunteering opportunities opportunities across Greater locally, which are available to you Manchester. These include one- online via www.manchester.ac.uk/ off opportunities or long-term volunteers. placements in sectors such as: • Provides advice and guidance • Children and young people regarding regional, national and • Vulnerable adults international opportunities. • Health • Hosts events to help you find out • Conservation and the more about volunteering, including environment a Volunteering Fair held each October which gives you the chance • Arts, culture and media to meet with over 70 local and • Sport and leisure national charities and not-for-profit organisations looking for student volunteers. • Mentors student groups who run their own volunteering projects, known as long-term projects.

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INCORPORATING VOLUNTEERING WITH YOUR ACADEMIC STUDY The Manchester Leadership Programme (MLP) is unique to The University of Manchester, offering you the opportunity to enhance and combine your academic study with volunteering. The MLP addresses many of the key challenges facing 21st century society, focusing on the themes of ethics, global poverty and inequality, economic and environmental sustainability and social responsibility. • The Manchester Global Award- this You develop an understanding of gives you the knowledge and skills the themes through the academic you need to communicate across ‘Leadership in Action’ unit and cultures by combining a 10 credit through the opportunity to contribute unit with an intercultural experience. to more sustainable communities • The Manchester Enterprise Award- by completing up to 60 hours of this brings together academic study volunteering. and practical experience through To find out more about the MLP go to: a 10 credit University College www.manchester.ac.uk/mlp. Unit combined with a practical community based enterprise The Manchester Leadership project. Programme consists of two complementary elements. If you With ever-increasing competition for achieve both elements of the MLP, you jobs, a University College Award can receive the Manchester Leadership put you one step ahead. Every award Award. provides key employability skills and a unique selling point when applying The Manchester Leadership Award for jobs. is one of a suite of University College Awards that offer a stimulating way To find out more about the to learn and get experience in real- University College Awards go to: world environments. The other awards www.manchester.ac.uk/college/ include: awards.

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LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS

SOME LOCAL GROUPS/ FIND A LOCAL ORGANISATIONS YOU COMMUNITY MAY BE INTERESTED IN: GROUP Friends of Platt Fields – This group exists to promote and improve Platt From Residents’ Associations to Fields Park. They hold volunteering Interest Groups, you can find a days, community events, fundraise and encourage people to use the local group or cause that interests park. Check out Friends of Platt you at: www.manchesterzoom.com Field Park on Facebook for more or get in touch with Manchester information. Student Homes. Birch Community Centre – This Rusholme based organisation works with the local community and other voluntary organisations to improve education, recreation and STUDENTS’ leisure opportunities for the local UNION community. (www.birchcc.org)

The University of Manchester Brailsford, Moseley, Braemar and Students’ Union has a dedicated Balmoral Residents Group (BMBB) Community Officer who is elected are based in the Fallowfield area, off to represent students in the local Ladybarn Lane and hold events to community. welcome students to the area at the beginning of term. Last year they Manchester Student Homes works had a BBQ and a bouncy castle! closely with the elected Students’ Union Sabbatical Officers. Visit www. manchesterstudentsunion.com

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1. Introduce yourself to your Top 10 things neighbours to remember

2. Complete your inventory: take photographs of the condition of your property and its contents

3. Check your eligibility for Council Tax exemption by contacting Student Services at the University WEBSITES TO FIND OUT… 4. Get a TV Licence – if you are on a Joint and Several Tenancy then you will only need 1 licence for the whole …everything you need to know property about council tax – www. manchester.gov.uk/counciltax Find out what day your rubbish and 5. ...your bin collection dates – recycling are collected & display the information somewhere visible in www.manchester. gov.uk/ your house bincollections ...more about getting a TV 6. Take meter readings for your gas Licence – www. tvlicensing. & electricity (+ water if you have a co.uk/check-if-youneed-one/ meter) and contact the supplier to ...about other tips go to www. register your details manchesterstudenthomes.com and click on House Hunting. 7. Arrange contents insurance for your belongings – student houses are often targeted by burglars! 9. Register to vote! Have your say in Local and General Elections. 8. If you have paid a deposit you Registering to vote is easy – you should receive the information can now do it online! www.gov.uk/ regarding its protection within yourvotematters 30 days of the start of your tenancy – more information on 10. Sign up with a GP in your local deposits can be found on www. area. This may save you having to manchesterstudenthomes.com travel back home to get a doctor’s appointment. To register visit www. nhs.uk/Service-Search/GP

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WASTE AND RECYCLING

You can donate any unwanted RECYCLING items in order to raise even more BINS: money for The British Heart Foundation: Put your waste items straight in. What can I donate? Don’t put them in bags first. Clothes, paired shoes, bed sheets, BROWN BIN OR BOX pots and pans, crockery, DVDs, books, small working electrical • Glass jars and bottles, plastic goods (toasters, hairdryers, bottles, tins and cans, foil and straighteners, radios etc). Duvets takeaway trays. and pillows cannot be recycled or BLUE BIN OR BOX donated. • Any type of paper, card, food or How can I donate? drink cartons. Simply bag them in British Heart Foundation bags (which can be GREEN BIN OR BOX delivered to your door or collected • All cooked or raw food waste from the Students’ Union, Owens including bones, and most ‘green’ Park reception and Manchester garden waste. Student Homes) and donate them to any of the BHF Banks which are located around the City WHAT DAY? Centre, Rusholme, Fallowfield and Withington. Further details will be • Find out what day your bins are delivered to your door nearer the collected, or order new ones at: end of term in May. www.manchester.gov.uk How long would I have the • The University and Manchester opportunity to donate? City Council work closely with the British Heart Foundation. You will Between May and September, find their donation points around British Heart Foundation Banks are campus! available within your local area for you to donate unwanted items. • ALWAYS wheel your bin back to your property after collection – It For further information on The will cost you £27 if it goes missing! British Heart Foundation, please visit www.bhf.org.uk

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This booklet has been designed to ensure a smooth transition when you move from halls to your own home. You should by now be aware that you are soon to be part of a mixed community, and your lifestyle as a student may NOISE be different to your neighbours. Don’t forget the people who live near you COMPLAINTS may be elderly, have children, or even health problems. They may even be Manchester Student Homes students themselves with important runs a neighbourhood helpline deadlines to meet. We want you to which can be used to report any enjoy your time in Manchester, after all complaintsIf you are aboutexperiencing student issuesnoise you are now an adopted Mancunion. innuisance, the community, you can such contact as loud Please don’t let this be at the expense paManchesterrties. This service City Council’s is open to of your neighbours right to enjoy their allLicensing members and of the Out community of Hours lives. Constant parties can be extremely includingTeam on long 0161 term 234 residents 5004, when and disruptive and damaging to the sttheudents noise themselves. is ongoing. If a complaint community. The University takes very is made about a student house seriously complaints about students in thOfficerse Off Campuswill take Student your detailsAffairs the community, and works closely with Offandicer can will attend visit the to propertyprofessionally with partnership agencies to respond to these. Grwitnesseater Manchester the disturbance. Police and Officers work most days until MANAGING NOISE: Manchester City Council to explain the04.30am. impact of the incident, the • Keep your windows and doors closed to possible repercussions and to give a stop noise from travelling. fWhen you call the number, stay • If you are having a party make sure on the line and you will get you discuss this with your neighbours through to a member of the in advance, agree a time for it to finish team. and stick to it. • Make sure any speakers are not against the wall and turn the bass down. • Be careful about noise outside of 0161 234 5004 the property. Don’t forget you are responsible for your guests’ behaviour! • If you are getting a taxi, ask the driver to call or text you when they arrive and not to beep its horn. Wait indoors until it arrives.

Good.neighbours.CheckIn.Guide.lo10.2014.indd 14 25/02/2015 14:07 TOP 10 ENERGY TIPS

1. Save money by turning off lights 8. Set your washing machine to and appliances: switching off 30°C: 90% of a washing machine’s unnecessary lights and appliances energy is spent on heating the which have been left plugged-in/ water, therefore washing at a on standby can save you up to lower temperature will save you a £80 a year. lot of money.

2. Energy efficient light bulbs: using 9. Turn off your boiler: During low energy light bulbs reduce spring/summer holidays turn off energy consumption by 90%. the boiler if no one is around, however during Christmas 3. Only boil the amount of water you break set the heating to a low need when making a cuppa: don’t temperature so pipes don’t freeze. fill your kettle up, use coffee mugs for example as guide for amount of water you need. 10. Get ahead and reduce pressure: Using a water-efficient shower head and reducing water Dual fuel: receiving your gas 4. pressure could reduce your hot and electricity from the same company, many offer a discount if water usage up to £65 pound you select this option. a year.

5. Fixed Rate: price you pay for fuel is fixed and will not change for the duration of your contract, however some suppliers can charge a fee if you want to terminate the contract early.

6. Layer up: putting a jumper on at home will guarantee you instant warmth instead of waiting for your room to warm up – saving money whilst doing so!

7. Use a lid: when cooking, putting a lid on your sauce pan will reduce the amount of energy needed to cook whilst cooking your food quicker.

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Pictured: Manchester Student Homes working with Greater Manchester Police in Sainsbury’s, Fallowfield to give security and safety tips.

CRIME AWARENESS

Manchester Student Homes works • Have an alarm? Use it! Your closely with Greater Manchester contents insurance may be Police on campaigns to educate invalid if you don’t! students about their personal safety. • Sadly student areas are often targeted by criminals so it’s vitally important that you keep yourself safe and your belongings secure. A high percentage of burglaries result from unlocked windows and doors. Take some simple steps to make sure you don’t make life easier for thieves. • 1 in 3 burglaries are a result of an unlocked door or window – keep them locked (even when you’re home!).

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FIRE SAFETY

Manchester Student Homes works your life at risk but also invalidates closely with Greater Manchester Fire the landlords insurance. and Rescue on campaigns to educate students about fire safety. DID YOU KNOW? Manchester Student Homes also Cooking food after returning home works with accredited landlords, from nights out, and tea light Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue candles are the biggest cause of and Manchester City Council to house fires. ensure fire safety requirements are met in accredited properties. The fire service recommends that battery fire/smoke alarms are tested on a weekly basis. Did you know? Manchester Student Homes works Batteries should be changed as closely with the Police and Fire Services to carry out required. inspections of student properties Smoke alarms should never be disconnected – this not only puts

Good.neighbours.CheckIn.Guide.lo10.2014.indd 17 25/02/2015 14:07 MANCHESTER STUDENT HOMES: 0161 275 7680 manchesterstudenthomes@ manchester.ac.uk @man_student_hme GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE: Non-emergency: 101 THE OFF CAMPUS STUDENT In an emergency always ring: 999 AFFAIRS OFFICER: 0161 275 0750 @good_neighbours MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL: 0161 234 5000 www.manchester.gov.uk HOUSING CASEWORKER: @mancitycouncil 0161 275 2877 manchesterstudenthomes@ manchester.ac.uk MANCHESTER NHS http://www.manchester.nhs.uk/ @NHSinManchester REPORT COMMUNITY ISSUES TO THE 24 HOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD HELPLINE: COUNSELLING AT 0161 275 1863 THE UNIVERSITY OF Neighbourhood.helpline@ MANCHESTER manchester.ac.uk http://www.studentnet. manchester.ac.uk/counselling/

GREATER MANCHESTER STUDENT SERVICES FIRE & RESCUE: http://www.studentnet. 0161 736 5866 or 999 for manchester.ac.uk/crucial-guide/ emergencies. ssc-contact-details/

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