Welcome to the Community Guide (MMU) by Manchester Student Homes

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

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A MESSAGE FROM THE OFF CAMPUS STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICER t of u o ing y Hallsis v o M ersit e th c Univesiden ? of R year

The Halls 2 Home campaign is designed to help you during your transition from Halls of Residence into your own home. This guide 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 around your street from time to time, knocking on doors and welcoming students to the area. You will soon become a part of a vibrant and diverse local community which extends further than your immediate neighbours. Take the time to get to know your area and the people who live there and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to take pride in the place you live.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m based at Manchester Student Homes in Fallowfield, feel free to stop by should you have any queries or concerns.

Off Campus Student Affairs Officer

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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MANCHESTER STUDENT HOMES

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 www.manchesterstudenthomes.com

SERVICES WE PROVIDE:

Manchester Student Homes is part of Manchester Metropolitan University and provides a free housing service for students. We can help you find accommodation from an approved landlord and provide support and advice if you have any problems living in privately rented accommodation.

Landlord accreditation

This means all the landlords we work with are approved by us

Property Search

Find your student home at www. manchesterstudenthomes.com

Housing Advice

Get free independent housing advice

If you are having any issues with your landlord, please contact manchesterstudenthomes@ manchester.ac.uk and we will do all we can to help.

Contract Checking

We can check your tenancy agreement before you sign it

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

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NEED ADVICE ABOUT HOUSING? WE CAN HELP

THE SERVICES WE OFFER AT MANCHESTER STUDENT HOMES ARE:

Here at Manchester Student Homes a large part of what we do is to provide housing advice and support to students living off campus in privately rented accommodation. You can come to us with any issues you have, whether it be finding a home or dealing with a problem with your home or landlord whilst studying at Manchester. We can provide you with expert advice on how to resolve the issue or in more serious cases act as advocate or mediator in disputes.

• Contract checking • Deposit advice • Advice and advocacy •M anagement of accreditation complaints • Property inspections • International student support

It is also our responsibility to manage the Accreditation Scheme at Manchester Student Homes. We accredit landlords and private halls of residence to ensure that they meet our standards in regards to accommodation and management practices. If you have an issue with an accredited landlord or hall we can investigate and ensure that they are 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.

You can call us on 0161 275 2877 or email manchesterstudenthomes@ manchester.ac.uk.You can drop in and see us in Manchester Student Homes or contact us to make an appointment. We will be at some of the househunting talks and events at the university throughout the year.

DID YOU KNOW? •S o far this year we have been able to assist students to claim back over £85,000 of unfair financial disputes and charges.

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AREA GUIDE

“Getting to w know your ne home”

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOUR: FALLOWFIELD

Pictured: Kay Fletcher planting bulbs with a student from the Manchester Pictured: Kay Fletcher with a student Leadership Programme 2012/13 volunteer planting bulbs

Fallowfield is a buzzing suburb of the city, with an eclectic mix of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops and a supermarket serving the diverse population. DID YOU KNOW?

Kay Fletcher: “I have lived in Fallowfield, off and on, all my life – sixty five years! I have seen the area evolve from young families living in all the houses to where we are today. I like the liveliness of Fallowfield, I don’t feel threatened walking about, even late at night as there are always young people around. We have a fantastic bus service and lots of wonderful places to eat, a beautiful park on our doorstep and we are ten minutes from the city!”.

•M ore than 60% of Fallowfield residents are families, professionals and elderly residents. •M uch of Fallowfield is covered by an “alcohol exclusion zone” – this means it is illegal to consume alcohol in the street. • The 1893 FA Cup final was played at the now demolished Fallowfield Stadium. • There are regular bus services to the universities, City Centre and Piccadilly Station.

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AREA GUIDE

Pictured: Avia, a local resident and youngest attendee at a MSH community event.

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 makes students aware of their responsibilities when living in a mixed community. Quite often long term residents have different lifestyles to students so its important that we can all live together in harmony.”

WITHINGTON Withington is a thriving community just south of Fallowfield.

DID YOU KNOW? •W ithington Baths, recently saved from closure by local people, opened in 1911 and was the first public baths to allow mixed gender bathing. •A lso located in Withington, The Christie is a world class centre for cancer research and is one of the largest treatment centres in Europe. •E rnest Rutherford – the first to split the atom - was also a Withington resident and lived in a property on Wilmslow Road now named ‘Rutherford Lodge’.

Home to a number of popular independent bars and restaurants, Withington is a vibrant suburb benefitting from excellent transport links to neighbouring areas.

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AREA GUIDE RUSHOLME Famous for being home to the “curry mile”, Rusholme is lively and culturally mixed, well served with restaurants and bars and is just a short walk from campus. DID YOU KNOW? Platt Fields Park forms the border of Rusholme and Fallowfield and is home to a large lake, the Gallery of Costume and is a popular destination for runners and sports groups alike.

CITY CENTRE:

Man trans chester h p a not e ort netwos fantastic x rks pl Bury or paore town - why s li rts Visit www of Ches ke h .tfgm .com ire.

The City Centre is the thriving heart of Manchester. For those looking for culture you can visit John Ryland’s Library on Deansgate. You could visit the Manchester Art Gallery or one of the many museums.

VICTORIA PARK Leafy Victoria Park is home to a number of Halls of Residence and is a short walk from the University campus on Oxford Road. It is close to the shops and restaurants of neighbouring Rusholme. DID YOU KNOW? •V ictoria Park is a conservation area and is home to over twenty listed buildings. •L eader of the suffragette movement, Emmeline Pankhurst is a former resident of Victoria Park.

Then for a spot of sophistication, head down to the Palace Theatre or the Opera House or check out the vibrant bars and restaurants in the Northern Quarter. Manchester has an exciting music scene so whatever you fancy, from salsa to hip hop, we have it all here!

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STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

Pictured: Student Volunteers at the Community Fun Fest

MMU is committed to ensuring socially responsible graduates who participate in the community, raise aspirations and contribute to the success of the local area. This can include volunteering activities in the local community, such as environmental activities and engaging with local community groups, crime awareness operations and events encouraging students to get to know their neighbours. DID YOU KNOW? â&#x20AC;˘ 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 ÂŁ230,000!!

Manchester Metropolitan University and The Union MMU were one of 7 pilot institutions involved in Alcohol Impact, a national project funded by the Home Office and run by the NUS to promote a sensible approach to drinking both on and off campus. MSH was involved on behalf of MMU and were delighted to help achieve full accreditation for the project! For more information visit: www. alcoholimpact.nus.org.uk

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GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT VOLUNTEERING? IT’S A GREAT WAY TO MEET PEOPLE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AREA THAT YOU LIVE IN. Volunteering is a great way to develop skills and talents that complement and enhance your education. And it’s a chance to develop your CV while also making a real difference to people in your community.

Our volunteers have been involved in some great projects this year: • Creating a roof garden at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

There is a whole range of opportunities for you to choose from, as well as training and development to make sure you get the most out of the time you invest. At The Union we have a dedicated team here to help you find the right opportunity. What you’ll find on offer at The Union: • A whole range of opportunities for you to choose from on our online volunteering system.

• Supporting students in local schools who need a bit of extra encouragement and support. • The Fallowfield Secret Garden – an urban permaculture project that provides a beautiful space for the local community.

WHERE TO FIND US Visit: www.theunionmmu.org/ volunteering

• The opportunity to join a studentled project – or start your own. These projects are developed and run by students, with a little help and support from us when you need it.

Twitter: @VolunteeringMMU

• Training and development to make sure that you get the most out of the time that you invest.

Telephone Number.: +44 (0) 161 247 2211

Facebook: /theunionmmu Address: The Union, MMU, 21 Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester, M15 6AD

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GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY

INCORPORATING VOLUNTEERING WITH YOUR ACADEMIC STUDY MMU Futures is the University’s skills award, and is here to offer you amazing, fun and exciting opportunities, whilst allowing you to develop your skills, gain great experiences, and meet new friends from outside your course! The Award is a fantastic way of helping you to stand out in today’s tough graduate market, and also gives you recognition for many of the extracurricular activities you take part in - including volunteering and working in Student Union roles.

the year from learning languages, carbon literacy training, business bootcamps, Information Technology & computer workshops, leadership training and much more, you’re sure to find something of interest. Visit our website for a list of our current activities and to find out more: www.mmu.ac.uk/students/futures/ LIVE IN THE NOW, DREAM FOR THE FUTURE!

Our values are Employability, Community, Sustainability and Global Awareness, and with 100’s of activities on offer throughout

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LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS FIND A LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUP From Residents’ Associations to Interest Groups, you can find a local group or cause that interests you at: www.manchesterzoom.com or get in touch with Manchester Student Homes.

STUDENTS’ UNION The Union: MMU has a dedicated Community Officer who is elected to represent students in the local community. Manchester Student Homes works closely with the elected Students’ Union Sabbatical Officers. Visit: www.theunionmmu.org/

SOME LOCAL GROUPS/ ORGANISATIONS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Friends of Platt Fields – This group exists to promote and improve Platt Fields Park. They hold volunteering days, community events, fundraise and encourage people to use the park. Check out Friends of Platt Field Park on Facebook for more information. Birch Community Centre – This Rusholme based organisation works with the local community and other voluntary organisations to improve education, recreation and leisure opportunities for the local area. (www.birchcc.org) Brailsford, Moseley, Braemar and Balmoral Residents Group (BMBB) are based in the Fallowfield area, off Ladybarn Lane and hold events to welcome students to the area at the beginning of term. Last year they had a BBQ and a bouncy castle!

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MOVING IN CHECKLIST 1. Introduce yourself to your neighbours

2. Complete your inventory: take

photographs of the condition of your property and its contents

3. Check your eligibility for Council

ings Top 10 th ber m e m re to

Tax exemption by contacting Student Services at the University

4. Get a TV Licence – if you are on a

Joint and Several Tenancy then you will only need 1 licence for the whole property

WEBSITES TO FIND OUT…

5. Find out what day your rubbish and

recycling are collected & display the information somewhere visible in your house

…everything you need to know about council tax – www. manchester.gov.uk/counciltax ...your bin collection dates – www.manchester. gov.uk/ bincollections ...more about getting a TV Licence – www. tvlicensing. co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/ ...about other tips go to www. manchesterstudenthomes.com and click on House Hunting.

6. Take meter readings for your gas

& electricity (+ water if you have a meter) and contact the supplier to register your details

7. Arrange contents insurance for your belongings – student houses are often targeted by burglars!

8. If you have paid a deposit you

should receive the information regarding its protection within 30 days of the start of your tenancy – more information on deposits can be found on www. manchesterstudenthomes.com

10. Sign up with a GP in your local

area. This may save you having to travel back home to get a doctor’s appointment. To register visit www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/GP/ LocationSearch/4

9. Register to vote! Have your say

in Local and General Elections. Registering to vote is easy – you can now do it online! www.gov.uk/ yourvotematters

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WASTE AND RECYCLING RECYCLING BINS:

You can donate any unwanted items in order to raise even more money for The British Heart Foundation:

Put your waste items straight in. Don’t put them in bags first.

What can I donate? Clothes, paired shoes, bed sheets, pots and pans, crockery, DVDs, books, small working electrical goods (toasters, hairdryers, straighteners, radios etc). Duvets and pillows cannot be recycled or donated.

BROWN BIN OR BOX • Glass jars and bottles, plastic bottles, tins and cans, foil and takeaway trays. BLUE BIN OR BOX

How can I donate?

• Any type of paper, card, food or drink cartons.

Simply bag them in British Heart Foundation bags (which can be delivered to your door or collected from The Union and Manchester Student Homes) and donate them to any of the BHF Banks which are located around the City Centre, Rusholme, Fallowfield and Withington. Further details will be delivered to your door nearer the end of term in May.

GREEN BIN OR BOX • All cooked or raw food waste including bones, and most ‘green’ garden waste.

WHAT DAY? •F ind out what day your bins are collected, or order new ones at: www.manchester.gov.uk

How long would I have the opportunity to donate?

•M MU work closely with the British Heart Foundation. You will find their donation points around campus!

Between May and September, British Heart Foundation Banks are available within your local area for you to donate unwanted items.

•A LWAYS wheel your bin back to your property after collection – It will cost you £27 if it goes missing!

For further information on The British Heart Foundation, please visit www.bhf.org.uk

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HOW TO HAVE FUN RESPONSIBLY 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 be different to your neighbours. Don’t forget the people who live near you may be elderly, have children, or even health problems. They may even be students themselves with important deadlines to meet. We want you to enjoy your time in Manchester, after all you are now an adopted Mancunian. Please don’t let this be at the expense of your neighbours right to enjoy their lives. Constant parties can be extremely disruptive and damaging to the community. MMU takes very seriously complaints about students in the community, and works closely with partnership agencies to respond to these.

NOISE COMPLAINTS Manchester Student Homes runs a neighbourhood helpline which can be used to report any complaints about student issues in the community, such as loud parties. This service is open to all members of the community including long term residents and students themselves. If a complaint is made about a student house the Off Campus Student Affairs Officer will visit the property with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council to explain the impact of the incident, the possible repercussions and to give a formal warning if appropriate. If complaints continue, a Noise Abatement Notice can be served and your noise-making equipment can be seized and result in upto a £5k fine.

MANAGING NOISE: • Keep your windows and doors closed to stop noise from travelling. • Remember noise nuisance can happen any time of the day or night. • Make sure any speakers are not against the wall and turn the bass down. • Be careful about noise outside of the property. Don’t forget you are responsible for your guests’ behaviour! • I f 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.

0161 275 1863 14

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TOP 10 ENERGY TIPS 1. Save money by turning off lights

8. Set your washing machine to

2. E nergy efficient light bulbs: using

9. Turn off your boiler: During

and appliances: switching off unnecessary lights and appliances which have been left plugged-in/ on standby can save you up to £80 a year. low energy light bulbs reduce energy consumption by 90%.

30°C: 90% of a washing machine’s energy is spent on heating the water, therefore washing at a lower temperature will save you a lot of money. spring/summer holidays turn off the boiler if no one is around, however during Christmas break set the heating to a low temperature so pipes don’t freeze.

3. Only boil the amount of water you

need when making a cuppa: don’t fill your kettle up, use coffee mugs for example as a guide for the amount of water you need.

10.

4. Dual fuel: receiving your gas

and electricity from the same company, many offer a discount if you select this option.

G et ahead and reduce pressure: Using a water-efficient shower head and reducing water pressure could reduce your hot water usage up to £65 pound a year.

5. F ixed 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. L ayer 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!

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

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KEEP YOURSELF, YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR HOME SAFE

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 closely with Greater Manchester Police on campaigns to educate 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!).

• Have an alarm? Use it! Your contents insurance may be invalid if you don’t! • 1/10 students fall victim to crime during their time at university. • Don’t forget, you can register any valuable property (e.g. laptops, tablets, smart phones) on www. immobilise.com free of charge. This will assist the police to return lost or stolen items to their rightful owners and also acts as a deterrent to offenders.

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KEEP YOURSELF, YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR HOME SAFE

FIRE SAFETY Manchester Student Homes works closely with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue on campaigns to educate students about fire safety.

your life at risk but also invalidates the landlords insurance.

Manchester Student Homes also works with accredited landlords, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue and Manchester City Council to ensure fire safety requirements are met in accredited properties.

Cooking food after returning home from nights out, and tea light candles are the biggest cause of house fires.

The fire service recommends that battery fire / smoke alarms are tested on a weekly basis. Batteries should be changed as required. Smoke alarms should never be disconnected â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this not only puts

DID YOU KNOW?

chester now? Man Did you k t Homes works Studen the Police and h closely witices to carry out Fire Serv ns of student inspectio erties prop

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LOVE YOUR STUFF? WHAT ARE YOUR GADGETS WORTH?