Guidance for moving out of halls
Find out everything you need to know about moving out of halls.
Key return
Before you leave, please return your room/flat keys or swipe card following the steps below:
Prepare and return your keys:
- Place your keys or swipe card in an envelope or small bag.
- Clearly label the envelope/bag with your University ID number (UID).
- Remove any other personal keys before handing them in.
- Hand them in at your local reception, or if you are returning them outside of reception hours, use the designated key drop box.
Important Reminders:
- Do not leave your keys in your room/flat or give them to a friend.
- You are personally responsible for returning them and failure to return keys/swipe cards may result in charges, including the cost of lock replacement.
- Lock all doors securely as you leave.
If You Take Your Keys Home by Mistake:
- Send them back immediately via registered mail in a padded envelope.
- Include your UID number so we can identify your return.
If you have any questions about key returns, email us at accommodation@manchester.ac.uk.
Transporting your things
Once you’ve planned your living situation for next year and the contracts are signed, make a note of the end date of your current tenancy and the start date of your new one.
If the dates overlap, decide how you’ll transport your belongings between University halls and your new home, such as through a removal company or help from family and friends.
If there is a gap, you’ll need to organise the transportation and storage of your belongings while you wait to start your new tenancy. Most storage companies can also pick up and drop off your items at an additional charge.
Packing tips
- Give yourself plenty of time to sort through your belongings and pack.
- Use suitcases or bags for clothes, and pack valuables and fragile items with extra care. Place them in the centre of a cardboard box and surround them with scrunched-up paper or towels for protection.
- You can get cardboard boxes from local shops or supermarkets, order them online, or use ones provided by moving or storage companies. Be sure to label each box with your contact details and where it should go in your new place, for example, “Kitchen” or “Bedroom.”
- If you already know who you’ll be living with next year, have a chat with your future housemates to avoid doubling up on things like kettles, toasters, or cookware. Any spare items can be donated.
Removal of items
If you leave anything behind, we’ll contact you and give you a reasonable amount of time to collect your items. However, please note that you will be charged for each day your room still contains belongings. If your items aren’t collected within the given timeframe, we reserve the right to dispose of them.
Please note that, as Oak House and George Kenyon Hall will be immediately handed over to contractors at the end of the licence agreement, there will be no possibility of collecting any forgotten personal belongings. Any items left after the end of your agreement will be removed and disposed of.
Please remove all rubbish from your room and report any maintenance faults before you leave. Additional clear bags will be left in the kitchen for general rubbish
- Remove all personal belongings, including duvets and pillows.
- Take all rubbish out of your bedroom and kitchen/common areas.
- Ensure the fridge, freezer, and cupboards are completely empty.
- Report any maintenance issues before you go.
- Use the clear rubbish bags provided in the kitchen for general waste.
- If needed, you can borrow a vacuum cleaner from the housekeeping team.
Room inspection
Your room will be inspected and checked against the inventory completed when you moved in. Under the terms of your licence agreement, your room must be left clean, tidy and in the same condition that you found it upon arrival.
Items found damaged and areas left in an unacceptable and untidy condition may be charged for. The charge for this will not exceed the costs incurred by the University to repair, replace or clean areas.
- Please ensure all areas are left clean and tidy
- Turn all taps off properly
- Ensure all electrical appliances and lights are switched off
- Close bedroom windows, especially if you live on the ground floor
- Make sure that all furniture is present and returned to its original position
- Ensure the desk lamp and cable are left in your bedroom
- Please remove all Blu-Tac/Sellotape or similar adhesive items from walls and doors
- Please remove any LED wall/ceiling lights that you have put up
Donating items
When moving out, make sure to donate your unwanted items or food. There are several charities that you can donate to, such as Manchester Central Foodbank, for donations of tins or packets (unopened and non-perishable). These can be given using donation bins located at the following reception areas:
- City campus: Whitworth Park (Grove House) and George Kenyon Hall reception.
- Victoria Park: Hulme Hall reception and Dalton Ellis reception.
- Fallowfield campus: main reception.
The British Heart Foundation accepts donations of clothes, shoes, books, handbags, DVDs, small electrical appliances, furniture, pots, pans, and crockery. The bins in our halls hold these donations.
British Heart Foundation Bin Locations (including what 3 words location)
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City Campus
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Victoria Park
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Fallowfield
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Use Give It Don’t Bin It for donations of large furniture or pots/pans. Place any clean, unwanted items in the containers marked ‘Give It Don’t Bin It’ across campus from the end of May.
Give It Don’t Bin Donation Points
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| Victoria Park |
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| Fallowfield |
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Changing your contact information
When you move home, you must update your personal information, such as:
- your registered GP
- banks you hold an account with
- insurance providers
- HM Revenue and Customs
- Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority
- the electoral roll and local authority
- TV Licencing
- Online accounts, such as Amazon.
All students need to update their contact information at the end of their Licence Agreement, even if you will be returning to halls in September.
We are unable to redirect or store your mail, which means all mail delivered after your Licence Agreement has finished will be returned to the sender. We don’t any accept responsibility for parcels or letters delivered and signed for in error after the end of your Licence Agreement.
Storage and international shipping
The University recommends Flexistore for storage of belongings and international shipping.
The halls do not have storage areas and belongings are not covered by the insurance policy either before or after the dates covered by your accommodation licence agreement.