Moving on from student housing
Published on 16 February 12
The next step in building your life as a graduate is finding the right home.
If you are graduating in the summer, then your future living arrangements will be playing on your mind. It may be that you want to stay in the house you are renting now, perhaps some of your housemates will still be students, or are moving home and you are considering getting a new roommate.
- Help is available
Manchester Student Homes is happy to offer advice on renting low budget housing in Manchester for recent graduates, or students looking at renting possibilities for when they graduate. Drop by their office in Fallowfield, or call up with your query for free confidential advice. Click here for contact details.
- I want to stay in the property I rented as a student
Private halls accommodation is strictly student-only, but if you are renting a house or a flat then most landlords will be quite happy to consider graduates as tenants. If you want to stay in your current property then contact your landlord as soon as possible, and be sure to update them in your change of circumstances.
Many landlords with student properties are happy to rent to non-students but remember – if you rent a student property your contract will run for the entire academic year. If there is a possibility your circumstances might change in that time, you must inform your landlord, and your roommates; check that the landlord will allow you out of your contract, and find out who will be responsible for finding a replacement tenant. Professional lets are much better suited to people who are not students, as they rent on a rolling month by month contract.
- Make sure you understand your Council Tax
Full time students qualify for Council Tax exemption. If you share a house with a mix of students and non students, then the non students are legally responsible for paying the council tax – it is a good idea to discuss this set up with potential house mates before signing any contracts together.
If you are the only tenant in the house who is not a full-time student, then you qualify for a 25% discount on your council tax. Find out more about Manchester City Council Tax.
Council Tax varies depended on which band your property is in. The majority of properties in student areas tend to be in Council Tax band A, which amounts to approximately £900 a year. Check which Council Tax band a property is in.
- Looking for a roommate or a houseshare?
It is important to exercise caution when using any third party services to find a replacement roommate or houseshare; it is a good idea to try word of mouth with friends and colleagues first.
If you do use and online forum, or even an old fashioned notice boards, use your common sense. Never post any more of your personal information than is completely necessary. Don’t exchange money without viewing a property or establishing the legitimacy of the landlord. If you have doubts, move on. Manchester Student Homes offer advice and guidance on what to look out for.