When to start looking for a student house in Manchester?
When is the best time in first year to start looking for a student house in Manchester? It’s a question we get asked a lot. Although there isn’t just one month to start, we believe the best time to look for a student house in Manchester for your second or third year is between October and January of your first year. If you pinned us down for a month, we’d say October and November often give you the best mix of choice and location.
It’s smart to treat student house hunting as part of uni life. If you rush at the end of the year you run a big risk of being disappointed.
Why you shouldn’t rush in September
In your first few weeks of university life, everything is new. Your course, your friends, and even the city, if you’re not from Manchester. If you’re in year 1, it’s tempting to jump straight into a housing decision early, but you won’t yet know who you actually want to live. You’ll also not know the area you want to live in.
Why don’t you use the first half of term to get to know Manchester’s student hotspots, even if for a day or so before you return home. Fallowfield, Withington and the city centre are all great student areas, but one area over another might feel like home. We’d advise this because when the student house hunt really gets going, you’ll have a much more informed view of where you want to be. You’re then making decisions with confidence, not anxiety. You’ll know what’s available and won’t miss out. FOMO and big decisions are not a good mix!
October to January: the prime window
From October, most student houses and apartments, for the next academic year, start appearing on the market. We’ve seen over many years that demand then steadily increases. We see some of our properties let straight away in October.
If you begin viewing properties in November and December, maybe October, you’re looking at that sweet spot where you’ll find availability, but you’re also early enough to secure more popular homes in popular locations.
We’d advise that you can compare different types of accommodation. Do you want a classic shared house, or something more modern. Do you need every amenity going, or something that matches your budget?
It also gives you and your parents time to read contracts properly. Please ask as many questions as you can. You should avoid rushing into a tenancy agreement that isn’t right for your circumstances.
Starting later in the year
If you wait until February or March, you can still find good quality student homes in Manchester. The reality is, though, that the best locations and most spacious student houses will in all likelihood have gone by now.
If you are in a group, you should expect to have to make compromises, at least a little. You might not all completely agree on the exact street, number of bedrooms or extras such as parking and outdoor space. Don’t compromise too much, but the point is that if you start early, you probably won't need to compromise as much. You’ll see that the more popular student homes in Manchester are also right for your group.