Guidance for moving out of halls

Find out everything you need to know about moving out of halls.

Key return

Place your keys or swipe card into an envelope or a bag and label this with your University ID number (UID). Hand your room/flat keys or swipe card into your local reception. There are drop boxes for out-of-hours key returns.

  • You will be charged if your room/flat keys or swipe cards are not returned. You are responsible for handing them in; don't leave them in your room/flat or with a friend. If keys aren't returned, locks may need to be changed. If this happens, you will be charged
  • Remember to remove any other keys before handing them in
  • If you accidentally take your keys home, please return them to us immediately by registered mail in a padded envelope. Don't forget to include your UID number so we know who's sent them
  • Remember to lock all doors as you leave

If you have any questions about key returns, please 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 transport 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 time to sort through your items and pack – don’t wait until the moving van arrives.
  • Clothes are best packed in suitcases or bags.
  • Pack valuables and delicate items carefully – place them in the middle of a cardboard box, using scrunched-up paper or towels as cushioning.
  • Cardboard boxes can be salvaged from shops or supermarkets, ordered online or provided by moving/storage companies.
  • Label your boxes with your contact information and where they belong in your new home, for example, the kitchen.
  • If you know who you’re living with, talk to your soon-to-be housemates and check who’s planning to bring appliances and items, any spares can be donated.

Removal of items   

If you leave any personal belongings in your Accommodation, we will notify you of this and give you a reasonable period of time to collect them. Any days where your room has items in it will be chargeable. If you do not collect your belongings within that reasonable period, you agree that we can dispose of those belongings.

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  

  • Ensure that all rubbish is removed from the kitchen/common areas and bedroom 
  • Make sure you have cleared the kitchen and check that the fridge, freezer and cupboards are empty 
  • Ensure that you have all personal belongings, as any items left will not be kept 
  • Don't forget to remove your duvets and pillows 
  • You can borrow a vacuum cleaner from the housekeeping team if you need it  

Room inspection

Your room will be inspected and checked against the inventory completed when you moved in. Under the terms of your license agreement, all rooms must be left clean, tidy and in the same condition that you found your room 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 put back in its original position 
  • Ensure the desk lamp and cable are left in your bedroom   
  • Please remove all blutac/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.

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.

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.