About Us

About Manchester Student Homes

Manchester Student Homes (MSH) is the free university housing service for students. We provide advice and support for students looking for and living in private accommodation. We want to empower you to make the best housing decisions during your time studying in Manchester. We’re here to help you find safe, high-quality accommodation, and to support you to navigate resolving issues when things go wrong. We work with responsible landlords through our accreditation scheme. We focus on supporting you to be a good neighbour, helping to build strong relationships between the Universities and the communities where our students live in Manchester. 

Some of the ways we can support you include: 

  • Helping you to find approved private accommodation from our accredited providers 
  • Checking your accommodation contract before you sign it (whether you find your accommodation through us or elsewhere) 
  • Advice on how to resolve issues with your house or accommodation provider 
  • Helping you to make the most of living in our local neighbourhoods 

Manchester Student Homes is jointly funded by The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University and has Service Level Agreements with UCEN and Spirit Studios. We work closely with Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police, and other partnership organisations, through the Manchester Student Strategy Partnership. 

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Meet the Team

Cooper Healey Manager David Barrington Off-campus Student Affairs Officer Penny Chan MSH Coordinator Debbie Houghton Student Neighbourhood Coordinator Simon Pau Housing Caseworker Abi Chaplin Receptionist Luana Ivan Receptionist Student Neighbourhood Ambassadors  

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Accommodation Providers

Manchester Student Homes is a department of The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. We help students find privately rented accommodation, provide housing information, advice and guidance, and raise awareness of off-campus issues. 

Accreditation Scheme 

We run a voluntary accreditation scheme which sets out our management and property standards for student accommodation. Accommodation providers who wish to join the accreditation scheme and advertise on the Manchester Student Homes website must agree to manage their properties in line with the Manchester Student Homes Code of Standards.  

Why join the scheme? 

Accredited landlords, agents and private halls have exclusive access to advertising on the Manchester Student Home website. Manchester Student Homes is the only service recommended to students by the universities and colleges we work with and we help thousands of students find accredited accommodation each year! We also offer free, impartial advice to our accommodation providers, alongside opportunities for continuous professional development and updates on housing legislation. 

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Supporting the Wider Manchester Community

Manchester Student Homes (MSH) is a university-backed housing service committed to fostering safe, respectful, and well-managed accommodation throughout Manchester’s diverse neighbourhoods. While our primary role is to support students in their search for quality housing, we also work closely with long-term residents, local communities, and housing providers to maintain harmony and high living standards across the city. 

We understand that students and long-term residents often share the same streets and spaces — and we believe that positive, well-informed relationships are key to thriving, inclusive communities. We believe students and permanent residents alike deserve to live in safe, welcoming environments. By acting as a bridge between the student population and the wider community, we help ensure Manchester remains a vibrant, respectful, and enjoyable place for everyone. If you're a local resident, you can learn more about this work on our Community page. If you'd like to raise a concern, please get in touch — we’re here to listen and help. 

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Mailing List Sign Up

You can now sign up to our newsletter and receive exciting updates, upcoming events and volunteering opportunities.

 

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