The Branch - August 2016

August 2016

This is the special landlord ‘take over’ edition of The Branch for 2016, produced in partnership by Manchester Student Homes’ Good Neighbours Team and our Accredited Landlords.

Landlord Workshop On Friday 29th July Manchester Student Homes (MSH) hosted a Landlord Workshop Coffee Morning.

The session enabled accredited landlords to feedback on the work of The Good Neighbours Team and support the development of Halls 2 Home. This campaign is our flagship programme which supports students during their transition from Halls of Residence to living in off campus communities. The feedback and contributions we received from our accredited landlords will help us shape our projects for the upcoming academic year.

Alongside very interactive and productive discussions, we all enjoyed tea, coffee and cakes donated by Tesco Express in Fallowfield and Wong Wong Bakery in Manchester City Centre.

It was great to have so many MSH landlords in attendance, we received great feedback to say how much the

Home Alone?

By Carolyn Uphill MSH Accredited Landlord since 2003 and Chair of the National Landlords Association

Well not quite! As students you may be moving from Halls or your parent’s home into a house with friends, but as a group there are some things to be aware of. event was enjoyed by all those that attended.

We would like to thank our MSH accredited landlord volunteers Brendan Cunningham, Bernard Sampson, Carolyn Uphill, Damien Rafferty, Mahibulla Din, Mathew Walsh and Gary Rafferty for their contributions on the day.

MSH runs a landlord volunteer scheme which has seen over 128 hours delivered to support community projects from bulb planting to delivering British Heart Foundation recycling bags

trapped in the house you will soon encourage condensation which I do hope that you chose an MSH leads to mould growth. So open Accredited Landlord who will carry windows, use ventilation fans and out any essential maintenance don’t leave wet towels on the promptly but there are lots of bannister to keep your home dry. things you can and should do to protect yourselves.

Your new home should be free of vermin but if mice move in make As students remembers that you sure that it is not because you are have lots of ‘goodies’ like iPads feeding them. Remember food left which thieves want. So if there is in bedrooms, plates unwashed an alarm and window locks use and crumbs accumulating under them, you can usually lock the the microwave are a feast for a windows in an open position for rodent. ventilation.

There was a reason why your Ventilation is critical, each one of mother urged you to clean and us breathes out 60 litres of put things away, it really can make moisture a day, if that is added to your life in your new home more boiling pans and showers, and is comfortable.

The best part about working with MSH is excellent advice readily available. MSH cares not only about students but also about landlords.

Bernard Sampson - Accredited A+ Landlord MSH provides a great service and fair prices. MSH care not only about students but about landlords as well. I always tell my student tenants that I work with MSH and advise to get in touch with MSH if they have any issues.

Mahibulla Din- Accredited A+ Landlord

Manchester Student Homes is a free, university-run housing service for students. Based in Fallowfield, MSH runs a landlord accreditation scheme and can offer support to students in relation to property searches, providing housing advice and contract checking. MSH also works with students, the community and partner agencies to identify issues in off campus areas.

Q & A Session with Bernard Sampson

with Mahibulla Din

(MSH landlord since 2001)

(MSH landlord since 2001)

What is your company name? And do you have any other roles?

Mr Sampson:

Mr Din:

“Sampson’s Lettings and I do property development .”

“Property source - I manage 24 student houses and 16 professional houses.”

What safety/housing advice would you give to students?

Mr Sampson:

Mr Din:

“I would advise students to first of all introduce themselves when moving in to their student accommodation. They need to be aware of safety equipment and how to properly use them. I always show my tenants how everything works in my properties.

“Housing - always make sure you get advice and support from MSH, and take pictures when you move into the property as part of your itinerary.

They need to be sensible and take precaution when living in the property, remembering to always close doors, windows and back gate. To be aware of the community - be respectful and don’t be noisy.

Safety - make sure you always close the doors and windows, and always make sure to put the alarm on when you leave the property; use the facilities that are provided.”

Don’t walk home alone and always make sure that you are accompanied by your peers especially when you come back from a night out. Remember about recycling/bins etc.”

LEGAL HELP FOR NEW AND EXISTING BUSINESSES One of our student landlords Robin Burman (of HLF Berry Solicitors in Chorlton) has been running free legal advice clinics in partnership with One Manchester Housing Association in Fallowfield and Moss Side. The service is designed to help community members who want to start new businesses, or who already run their own business. The legal advice clinics are run by Robin on a voluntary (free) basis from the following venues: • The Pod, 141 – 143 Princess Road, Manchester, M14 4RE • The Place (Fallowfield Library), Platt Lane, Fallowfield, M’cr, M14 7FB

What are the benefits of landlord volunteering?

Mr Sampson:

Mr Din:

“It is good to be involved with the community and the feeling that you are contributing something to it.”

“Landlord volunteering is very important as you can get engaged with the community and to give something back to it. You should be aware of people who live in the community and take into account that your tenant may have impact on local residents.”

If you are organising an event or need volunteers please send details of the opportunity to Poppy Humphrey, Off Campus Student Affairs Officer, at poppy.humphrey@manchester.ac.uk.

The clinics are run every two weeks.

Advice can be given on almost all areas which small businesses need e.g.

• Business Structures and Formations i.e. should you be a partnership, Limited Company or

sole trader etc) • Business Leases (advice on renting your business premises) • Terms and Conditions of Business • Employment Issues • Debt Collection • Business Growth (Bringing in a new Partner/Shareholder) • Business Exit (advice on how to sell your business or close your business) • Property Transactions To book in for a session please contact: Lorraine Kahwema at One Manchester Telephone: 0161 227 1346 Email: Lorraine.kahwema@onemanchester.co.uk

Robin Burman at HLF Berry Solicitors Telephone: 0161 860 7123 Email se@hlfberry.com