Manchester Accommodation FAQ + Accommodation Choices Thread Mark III

Thanks a lot

But isn't private accommodation cheaper? I've found a few good deals in Manchester (like £325 per month, all bills included and it looks really modern), even though I think it's best to spend your first year in halls in order to meet people and stuff like that right?

I'm an international prospective student, that's why I'm sooooo confused about pretty much everything :')

Won't a privately rented shared house work out cheaper?
All privately rented shared houses are self-catered, and almost all are shared bathroom, so I'll compare it against Oak House, which is self-catered, shared bathroom, using 2011-12 prices.

Oak House £82 for 40 weeks = £3280 (includes all bills)
No deposit - there is a £400 pre-payment, but this is automatically offset against your final accommodation payment.
If you are receiving a bursary, and opt for the accommodation discount, then the total bill will actually come to £2000 less. The accommodation discount is not applicable to privately rented shared houses.

Shared House - a conservative estimate (i.e. it may very well cost more than this)
Typical student houses will cost £70-80pw, on a 52 week contract, with a half rent concession over eight weeks of summer, so £70 for 44 weeks + £35 for 8 weeks = £3360
Bills - typically £10-15pppw, so £10 for 52 weeks = £520
Deposit - typically £300-400, and you may or may not get it back.
Total: £3880 + deposit

In addition, in private houses you tend to have problems with landlords that are either incompetent or maliciously bad (repairs not being done, laws not being followed, and deposits not being handed back etc.) along with the hassle of dealing with utility providers, getting a council tax exemption, maintaining the garden and doing all your own cleaning should be enough to put you off renting in the private sector until you have to. Reading the RenterGirl blog should open your eyes to the fast ones that many landlords and their agents try to pull.

Does anyone know if it matters how far in advance you apply for accommodation? Like if you apply early (e.g now) then are you more likely to get your first choice than if you were to apply in June? Just wondering

Are applications first-come first-served?
Yes. I have this on authority from a member of staff from the accommodation service. Who gets what hall is based on the date you applied for accommodation. However, if you later email them to change your choices (say, after the open day) then your original application date stands.

When do I need to apply by to guarantee getting X / Y / Z hall?
It's impossible to say. This because
a) I don't have access to the data, and
b) things change from year to year

However, Manchester has always had more spaces in halls than it actually needs, and it has recently taken the decision to reduce the overall number of students, which will create more spare spaces. Many halls are not oversubscribed. Those halls that are significantly oversubscribed are marked on the accommodation office's website as being 'high demand'. Most of those are self catered, en suite halls.

Ultimately, you should get your accommodation application in as soon as you make Manchester your firm / insurance / clearing place. However, it is not worth making a hasty decision on which university you go to because you are worried about which halls you will get. You will only be living in halls for one year, but you will be spending three to six years at the university itself. Don't forget that if you are allocated a hall that you really don't like, then you can apply to move from 1st October.

As per the FAQ on the first page on this thread

I did exactly the same as you! Really hope I get Oak House, everyone I have spoken to says it's the most fun by far!

Do you happen to know if disabled students are guaranteed a place in halls for years of study following the first?

Ahh I really can't decide on my accommodation! Everywhere seems to have mixed reviews
I'm basically the kind of person who likes going out a few times a week and partying but I also like nights in and don't want to be too noisy when I want to study

I'm currently looking at: Sheavyn House, Richmond Park, Victoria Hall, Burkhadt House and Canterbury House. I don't really want catered so my preference in self-catered and ensuite if possible but i'm not too bothered about sharing. As long as I have a washbasin

At the moment I might go for Sheavyn, Richmond and either one of the halls from Victoria Park. But I'm not sure

Any advice would be appreciated ^^

Victoria Hall is half private so there are lots of hidden fees including internet which is included in all other uni halls. It's also far away from other groups of halls and I don't know anyone who has lived there.

I wouldn't go for Canterbury as it's quite a long walk from bus routes which could be annoying on nights out and might require you to get taxis (which no one does, everyone uses the buses!). Burkhardt House is in a good location, close enough to not need a bus pass for uni (five minute walk to the SU) and right next to bus stops if you ever need to get to town/fallowfield. There's also a good sized Lidl right next to it and it's in a lovely quite setting a street behind the start of busy Rusholme (curry nights!). The Sheavyn and Richmond halls in Fallowfield are good but you will need a bus pass to get to uni, unless you're a very keen cyclist.

If ensuite isn't a big deal to you then maybe consider Oak House (Fallowfield) or some of the city shared halls by the Aquatics Centre that include Grosvenor Street Building, Grosvenor, and Bowden. The latter are right next to a lot of popular clubs and bars.

I have photos of the accommodation in the link in my signature.

When they say you can't set up your own wifi does this mean don't set up your own connection or don't make their connection into a wifi hotspot?

When they say you can't set up your own wifi does this mean don't set up your own connection or don't make their connection into a wifi hotspot?

I think they mean that they don't want you hooking up a wifi box to their internet so that other people can get it/it's less secure. I guess you could set up your own wifi with another provider as you do have a phone connection in your room (or at least I did in Oak House).

Thank you, does oak house have an wifi areas? What else does it have other than a bedrooms and kitchens?

Thinking of applying for either in Whitworth Park or Grosvenor Place. Was wondering how many people are usually in the flat together? I'm guessing about 6/8ish? Also do you know whether you can apply for particular Halls in whitworth park? Or do you just get any?

I have photos of the accommodation in the link in my signature.

Hiya. Can I get your help please..
I like going out but need some quiet time too. I also want self catered and an en suite. I think i've narrowed it down to Richmond, Lambert and Burkhardt house. or Sheavyn house because of the sports facilities. I will be based at the ellen wilkinson building/devas street for my course - so I don't really mind having to cycle or take the bus. Thank you.