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BIMM ACCOMMODATION GUIDE

WHERE TO LIVE EUROPE’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT MOST CONNECTED TYPES OF LETTING MUSIC COLLEGE MANAGING FINANCES

2017/18 BIMM.CO.UK CONTENTS

ACCOMMODATION 3

PRIVATE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION 4

HOUSE SHARES 5

HOUSE VIEWINGS 6

LOCATION 7

TRANSPORT 8

FAQ 9 “ JOINING BIMM WAS MANCHESTER LIFE 13 ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I EVER SHOPPING 15 MADE. THE TUTORS EATING OUT 15 WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO QUICKLY THINGS TO SEE AND DO 16 INTEGRATE ME INTO THE MUSIC SCENE IN CULTURE 17 MANCHESTER.” ACCOMMODATION

One essential thing you must ensure you Manchester hosts various possibilities for have arranged prior to your studies at BIMM accommodation such as flats, shared houses, Manchester is your accommodation. Your living and private halls. However, as Manchester is arrangement can be an important factor in a university city there is a heavy demand for your success as a student. student accommodation. We advise you to look as early as possible to find a place that We do not have halls of residence at BIMM suits your needs. Institute Manchester, which means you must find housing privately but we have various resources available to help with every step of the process. PRIVATE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

Alternatively, there are many letting MANCHESTER STUDENT VILLAGE agencies and private landlords MCR Student Village is located less than 5 minutes based in Manchester. If you are away from the Great Marlborough Street building. going through a letting agent you New refurbished apartments with the perfect city will be expected to pay a holding centre location. For further information please visit fee, agency fees, a deposit and centurionstudents.co.uk usually one month’s rent up front, plus provide a guarantor. Ensure UNITE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION that the letting agent you use is Unite offer great value student housing with a wide following the code of practice of range of studio flats and en-suite rooms available. the National Association of Estate New Medlock House accommodation is located within Agents. a 5 minute walk to BIMM. For further information please visit www.unite-students.com/manchester Websites that list locally MANSION STUDENT available accommodation can Mansion House offers 40 fully furnished en-suite also be found here: rooms. The property offers internet access within your own room and laundry facilities, modern kitchen accommodationforstudents.com and lounge area fitted with a flat screen TV and all fish4lettings.co.uk utility bills included in the weekly rent. For further findaproperty.com information go to www.mansionstudent.co.uk latesthomes.co.uk property.men.vivastreet.co.uk LIBERTY HEIGHTS ineedaplace.co.uk Formerly Student Castle, Liberty Heights is located rightmove.co.uk across the road from the Great Marlborough Street zoopla.co.uk building. Liberty Heights offers new studio flats and mixed flats, all self contained. There is also a free Please be aware that the agents on-site gym. For further information please visit listed have not been visited libertyliving.co.uk or vetted in any way by BIMM Institute Manchester and you PRIME STUDENT LIVING should therefore use them at Cambridge House is located within a 10 minute walk your own risk. Ask what charges from both BIMM buildings. The property consists of you will have to pay before 40 en-suite bedrooms all provided with a double you enter into an agreement bed. Each flat is arranged in 4 or 5 bedroom clusters with them. If you do have any with a shared fitted kitchen and a lounge provided concerns about the agency, with a leather sofa and flat screen TV. For further contact the National Association information please visit of Estate Agents at primestudentliving.com/manchester/cambridge-house www.naea.co.uk HOUSE SHARES

You could also find a number of existing house shares in Manchester where you could join an established group of people. These can be found on the following websites; www.gumtree.co.uk/manchester www.accommodationforstudents.com www.spareroom.co.uk

RENT AND BILLS FINDING HOUSEMATES Below are some guidelines for the average Facebook is a good way to link up with people price of accommodation in Manchester. who are already at BIMM or who are starting at the same time as you. Some students set up Accommodation Price per month groups prior to starting BIMM in order to find Student Halls £360 - 600 (inc. bills) housemates. Using this facility is a great way House/Flat Share £250 - 350 (not inc. bills) to post in formation about yourself, the type (2 or more) of housing you are looking for and also any rooms that you or others may know of which As a full time student you are not liable to are available for rent. pay council tax if you are house sharing with other students. The local Council Tax It’s the perfect place for students to acquaint Office will be notified of students who are themselves with their fellow course friends and exempt after enrolment: however you can find appropriate housemates. Look for group also request a letter to confirm your student names such as “BIMM Freshers”. status from reception.

Students are responsible for setting up and paying for their utility bills, including water, electric, gas and internet access. HOUSE VIEWINGS

TIPS FOR VIEWING PROPERTIES:

• We recommend viewing a property at least twice. You’ll be more likely to notice problems the second time around. • Take someone with you or let someone else know exactly where you are when you vis it a property, just to err on the side of caution. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN VIEWING • It’s also a good idea to visit the area at A PROPERTY? night. If you do this, please ensure you stick to the point above and take someone We have checklists and tools to help with you. when you’ re viewing properties. Use • Make sure you and all your other the checklist below to make sure you housemates view the property. Don’t take ask the right questions and look into all someone else’s word that the property is the key areas: right for you. • Compare a range of different landlords • Does the place look well and properties. maintained? • Take your time and don’t let landlords • Will you be warm enough in winter? pressure you – there is a surplus of good • Will it be safe and secure? properties in the area and you will find • Does it have the space and facilities somewhere you like. you need (i.e. washing machine, • When you go to view, take notes and heating, fridge/freezer)? photos and use our checklist to make sure • Are the current tenants happy with you don’t miss anything. the landlord? • Get informed – knowing your rights will • Is the property affordable and good help you view properties more critically and value? put you in a stronger negotiating position. • Is the area suitable for your needs? Where to live: LOCATION

Where should I be looking? BIMM Institute Manchester has two buildings, located at:

8 Great Marlborough Street Manchester M1 5NN

Bank Chambers Faulkner Street Manchester M1 4EH

There is an abundance of student accommodation within a fairly short distance of both buildings, and plenty of house and flat shares run by private landlords in other popular student areas. Please take into consideration the cost of travelling and the time it takes to get to the College from where you choose to live.

The following areas in particular are a good place to look for shared student accommodation:

• /Oxford Road • Rusholme • Fallowfield • Withington

Manchester is well connected through public transport services; frequent buses that run all through the night, Metrolink/ rail and cycle lanes make it easy to get around. Please note there are no parking facilities available. TRANSPORT

BIMM Manchester is well connected to the rest of the city via public transport.

BUS The closest bus stops to Great Marlborough For details about service times, prices and Street, on the main student route route information please refer to are located on Oxford Road, by the www.tfgm.com Dancehouse coming into the city centre, and by the Palace Hotel to leave the city TRAIN centre. is located a few For those living outside of the city, BIMM is minutes from the main bus station at easily accessible from either Piccadilly or Piccadilly Gardens. Buses at these stops Oxford Road Station. Oxford Road station run frequently between Manchester City is the closest to Great Marlborough Street, Centre, and popular student areas such as and Piccadilly Station is closest to Bank Rusholme, Fallowfield and Withington. Chambers (See map for details).

Manchester has the busiest bus route in METROLINK Europe due to the number of universities Manchester Metrolink has been expanding on the Oxford Road corridor. As a result throughout the city, and is a quick and easy you will rarely have to wait more than a way to travel across Greater Manchester. few minutes for a bus during the day. The Metrolink runs on several lines including majority of buses on this route go from Salford Quays/Media City and East Piccadilly Gardens to South Manchester Didsbury. See www.metrolink.co.uk for straight down Oxford road. details

142 or 42 – Piccadilly Gardens – Universities BIKE – Rusholme – Fallowfield – Withington – Manchester is very cyclist-friendly with Didsbury Village – East Didsbury accessible cycle lanes. If you live a short 143 – Piccadilly Gardens – Universities – distance from the College it might be the Rusholme – Fallowfield – Withington – West most cost effective way to travel. Find out Didsbury more about cycling in Manchester at www.cycling.tfgm.com 43 – Piccadilly Gardens to 147 – Manchester Piccadilly Train Station – Universities – Manchester Royal Infirmary and other hospitals. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WILL I NEED TO SIGN A CONTRACT TO RENT A ROOM?

Most landlords/agents will ask you to sign a tenancy agreement. This is a legally binding document setting out each party’s rights and responsibilities. By signing it, both you and the landlord have certain rights protected in law which can’t be overwritten by the contract. Before you sign, make sure you understand all the clauses, so there can be no nasty surprises after you’ve signed.

If asked to sign an agreement, it is likely to be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement and will normally last for at least six months, after which the tenancy will run on a monthly basis. However, many tenancies run for a fixed term, i.e. July 1st 2015 to June 30th 2016. In this case make sure that you are happy with the length of the contract as it is very unlikely that you will be able to end the tenancy early.

The terms of the agreement must be in plain, intelligible language and not be unfair. For example, the tenant should not be restricted from breaking a fixed term agreement if the landlord is not in the same way, nor should they be subject to unreasonable rent increases or held to unreasonable penalty clauses (for example, extortionate charges for late payment of rent).

Get a tenancy agreement checked first by an informed person such as an advisor from the citizens Advice Bureau. If the landlord/agent won’t let you take the contract away to get it checked first, think twice about signing it. Spend a little extra time in getting your contract checked out to save time, money and stress later in the year. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE LANDLORD RESPONSIBLE WHAT RIGHTS DO BOTH THE LANDLORD FOR? AND TENANT HAVE? • Heating and hot water installation The landlord or his agents have the right • Baths, sinks, basins and other to access the property at reasonable sanitary installations times during the day to carry out repairs • The structure of the exterior of for which they are responsible for and the property inspect the condition of the property. • Repairs and safety of gas and 24 hours’ written notice to inspect the electrical appliances property must be given. Arrangement • Ensuring that any furniture that he or she for access to the property must be supplies meets fire resistant requirements written into the contract.

WHAT IS THE TENANT RESPONSIBLE FOR? Tenants have the right to possess and • Water and sewage charges enjoy the property during the tenancy without • Utility bills- gas, electricity, telephone and any interruption from the landlord. This clause internet connection (if any) does not limit any of the rights made under • To take care of the property this agreement that the tenant has allowed the • Use the property in a responsible way landlord/ landlady to exercise. Neither does it • Pay the rent as agreed prevent the landlord from taking lawful steps • Keep to the terms and conditions of the to enforce these rights if the tenant should agreement break any of the terms of agreement. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT BILLS CAN I EXPECT TO PAY? CAN I DEDUCT MY DEPOSIT Depending on your own personal FROM MY LAST MONTH’S RENT? consumption you can expect to pay No, because to do so would be a breach of £1O - £15 per week for utility bills. your contract. It is important that rent and Remember that if solely full time students deposits are separate. occupy a property then they are exempt from Council Tax. WHAT IS A GUARANTOR AND WILL I NEED TO SIGN A GUARANTOR FORM? WHAT IS A DEPOSIT? A guarantor is someone who signs an The deposit is generally the equivalent of agreement to pay for any rent or damages if one month’s rent. Your landlord or agent the tenant fails to pay up. The guarantor will must, under the 2004 Housing Act, protect most likely be a parent or guardian. your deposit within 14 days of receiving it Some landlords ask for a guarantor but not as part of the Tenancy Deposit Protection all do. So there are still plenty of properties to Scheme and provide you with certain choose from if you don’t have someone who information relating to this. will be a guarantor for you, you’ll just need to This scheme ensures that deposits paid to look around. the landlords are kept safe and that tenants gets their deposits back at the end of the A guarantor is taking on quite a large tenancy, so long as there hasn’t been a responsibility, particularly if you are signing a breach of the tenancy agreement, such as joint contract. For example, if your housemate unpaid rent. Remember that the money hasn’t paid their rent, your guarantor could be held as a deposit remains yours at all times made to pay. and not the landlords, and only by mutual Do not sign a contract that requires a agreement should any money be deducted. guarantor form until you and your guarantors Your deposit, or part of it, will be withheld have read the form and agreed to sign. If you if you: have already signed a contract but a guarantor refuses to sign, you might not get the keys to • Fail to return ALL keys at the end of the the property. A good landlord will give you tenancy copies of the forms and time to check them through. • Are responsible for any damage to the property, either wilful or negligent Ask the landlord to accept a limited guarantee from your guarantor e.g. just covering your • Have not cleaned the property adequately rent/damages. Tell your guarantor not to give too much personal information on the form • Have left rubbish which needs removing e.g. Nl number, bank details or passport details from the property should not be necessary. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I AM LEAVING THE HOUSE A FEW WEEKS EARLY - CAN I GET MY DEPOSIT BACK EARLY? It may be possible for you to come to an arrangement for the early return of the deposit but the landlord/agent will obviously want to inspect the house and check all rent is paid.

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE FINAL UTILITY BILLS; CAN WE LEAVE OUR DEPOSIT OR THE LANDLORD/ AGENT TO PAY FOR THEM? No, not if the bills are in the name of the tenants- the utility companies will chase the named persons and not the land lord/ agent. Your deposit will be protected as part of the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme and therefore cannot be used by the landlord or agent.

FURTHER QUESTIONS If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the Student Support team on 0161 244 8210 or [email protected] MANCHESTER LIFE

Manchester is the music capital of the north. Just the right size to explore on foot, there’s a hell of lot going on for a relatively small city. Consider venturing out of the centre for a wider view of Manchester’s charms. Voted by the New York Times one of the top 50 places in the world to visit, the best part about Manchester is discovering its backstreet secrets for yourself. You can get free maps from Tourist Information on Piccadilly Gardens. It’s also really well located for trips to the surrounding cities of Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield, all “ of which boast a solid live music scene.

OXFORD ROAD The Great Marlborough Street Building is not-so-quietly nestled just off Oxford Road (one of the busiest bus routes in Europe!) right by the train station and it’s a great place to start exploring. . Gorilla and Sound Control are some of the larger scale live music venues in town, and there’s a good mix of bars and clubs in the area. Check out The Font for bargain cocktails, Grand Central for Metal fans, and HOME cinema and gallery for independent films and consistently impressive free exhibitions.

THE NORTHERN QUARTER Located a few minutes from Bank Chambers, The Northern Quarter is regarded as hipster central. Here’s where you’ll find all the record stores, vintage clothes boutiques and indie coffee shops you’ll ever need.

The nightlife here is hit and miss, veering from massively overpriced monstrosities aimed at the out-of-town invasion on the weekends, to quirky pop up bars and great local gigs in dingy pub basements. Make sure you visit Affleck’s Palace, a cornerstone of Manchester’s alternative history and a mecca for retro clothing, furniture, jewellery and oddities. MANCHESTER LIFE

NIGHTLIFE FESTIVALS With four universities, Manchester has Manchester is to several festivals a huge student population and there and events over the year with the biggest are plenty of student club nights and being Manchester International Festival, events going on to suit all music tastes. hosting big names in theatre, music For metal and rock, gigs tend to be at and art, Park life and The Warehouse the Academy venues up Oxford Road Project – an amazing live music clubbing and try Satan’s Hollow for a late one. experiment running for several months For Jazz fans, try Matt & Phreds. Classic from September. There’s also a strong indie lovers will love 42nd Street and underground music scene which tries hard 5th Ave. South has a good variety of to organise big events like ‘A Carefully nights and 2022NQ is a basement venue Planned Festival’, held over several venues attracting famous names. You’ll normally in the city centre and ‘Sounds from find out what’s going on thanks to over- the Other City’ in Salford. There’s also enthusiastic promoters bombarding you Manchester Pride in August, the Christmas with flyers. markets, and a mix of food, drink and arts festivals. SHOPPING

Manchester Arndale in the middle of town is the main shopping centre with all the big names. For top end brands, try King “ Street and for more vintage tastes try the Northern Quarter. The Trafford Centre, a short bus ride away in Old Trafford, opens until 10pm and has a huge range of shops and restaurants. For food shopping, there’s a medium sized Aldi supermarket on Bridge St in the centre and a range of small Spa and Sainsbury’s shops along Oxford Road. Larger supermarkets are all around the outskirts of the city.

EATING OUT

Make sure to visit ‘The Curry Mile’ in Rusholme, past the universities up Oxford Road, for cheap but good quality Indian food. China Town, just off Portland Street, has a wide choice of Chinese, Thai and Japanese places to suit any budget. Close by there’s Manchester’s only decent chip shop, Portland Plaice. In the NQ, check out Sugar Junction for a quaint vintage tea- room and Almost Famous and Luck Lust Liquor and Burn for deliciously dirty burgers and quirky Mexican street food. “

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Manchester has a great art scene and most of the galleries offer free entry. in town has a late night opening on Thursdays and the Whitworth Gallery up Oxford Road lies in a huge park and is well worth a visit. For history and architecture, check out the amazing nee-Gothic John Rylands Library on Deansgate, and , which is occasionally home to live music. All the museums in Manchester are free and include The Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester Natural History Museum and the Imperial War Museum. CULTURE

Manchester is a highly creative city with a diverse cultural scene and a wealth of theatres, galleries, live music and cinemas. Some of the most popular places exhibiting the best of culture in the North can be seen below:

Manchester Academy – Oxford Road – A Gorilla – West – great gig venue hosting gigs most nights. Another of the venues used by BIMM, this is a bar, restaurant and gig venue. Ritz – Whitworth Street West – Right near the Great Marlborough Street – Oxford Road building and a brilliant venue. A Grade – Here you can see some Egyptian 2 listed building, this was built in 1927. It mummies, dinosaurs and live reptiles. still has its original sprung dance floor! Manchester City Gallery – Moseley Street Manchester 02 Apollo – Stockport Road – A central location where you can see a – A bit further out of the city centre this range of fine and decorative art. venue hosts some huge acts. MOSI – Liverpool Road – An interactive – Trinity Way – museum where you can journey through attached to Victoria Station. Manchester’s heritage using sights, sounds and smells. The aircraft building Ruby Lounge – High Street – This is a is worth a visit! small venue that hosts both new and established acts, and a variety of great Imperial War Museum – North – Quay club nights. One of our end of term West, Trafford Wharf Road – Explore the venues. impact of modern conflict on people and society. CULTURE

The Lowry – Salford Quays – Hosts three theatre spaces with a “ diverse programme and two gallery spaces with a focus on the work of L.S Lowry.

Palace Theatre and – Oxford Street – Home to up and coming, and major West End shows.

Royal Exchange Theatre – Cross Street/St Ann’s Square – The Royal Exchange houses plays, workshops, a craft shop, cafe and costume hire.

Manchester Craft Centre – Oak Street – This hidden northern quarter gem houses 30 resident artists and makers. Pop along to see crafts men and women creating and selling original works. from jewellery to paintings and ceramics.

HOME – An international centre for contemporary visual arts and independent film. Merged with Manchester’s library theatre company.

Bridgewater Hall – Lower Moseley Street – permanent home of the Halle orchestra, this Hall hosts a variety of music and dance events. BRITISH & IRISH MODERN MUSIC INSTITUTE BIMM.CO.UK

BIMM Manchester YOUR MUSIC CAREER STARTS HERE

IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER Our Student Support Team are here to help QUESTIONS ABOUT FINDING you and can be contacted on: ACCOMMODATION IN MANCHESTER, PLEASE DON’T Tel: 08442 646 666 HESITATE TO CONTACT OUR Email: [email protected] STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM.

08442 646 666 BIMM Manchester 8 Great Marlborough Street Manchester [email protected] M1 5NN