Manchester, a world-class city in England, is one of the ideal destinations for the city. It is one of the best cities for sports lovers and organizes several sports events. Besides, the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, and other educational institutions in Manchester attract a wide range of international students.
When international students come to Manchester, they need an accommodation. Manchester has no shortage of student accommodations. But, a major challenge students face is housing scams. Housing scams can be found in every city today including Manchester. By taking little precautions, you can easily avoid housing scams.
| Key Strategy | Effectiveness (%) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Using trusted platforms | 85% | Platforms like University Living, Student.com, and Unite Students ensure verified listings and secure booking processes. |
| Avoiding advance non-refundable payments | 78% | Avoiding such payments significantly reduces the chances of financial loss. |
| Checking reviews of landlords/agents | 72% | Online reviews from trusted sources help in identifying legitimate property owners. |
| Utilizing university resources | 90% | On-campus accommodations and university-recommended housing options are highly secure. |
| Contacting potential housemates | 70% | Verifying details with current occupants of shared accommodations ensures authenticity. |
| Ignoring phishing emails | 82% | Being cautious about suspicious emails and links minimizes the risk of data theft and scam exposure. |
| Researching tenant rights | 88% | Awareness of rights, such as deposit protection, tenancy agreements, and government regulations, empowers students to avoid being exploited by fake landlords. |
Ignore Unknown Emails
Many scammers send unknown emails to students with phishing links. In these emails, you can find false information about student housing. In some of those emails, your personal details are also asked. Avoid all such emails and don’t click any phishing link in order to avoid housing scams in Manchester.
Avoid Renting Accommodations with Advance Non-Refundable Payments
Some scammers demand deposits or rent payments before allowing you to view the property. Once paid, they disappear with your money. You should also avoid any such non-refundable payments.
Use Trusted Platforms for Accommodation Search
Today, there are numerous online platforms, which are offering student housing in Manchester. Before using the platforms, you should be careful whether they are trusted or not. Universityliving.com, Unite Students and there are several other such platforms, which are trusted and from there, you can search for accommodation. Using such platforms automatically avoids scams. These platforms keep the alliance with authentic accommodation owners and landlords.
These platforms also allow you to book accommodation in advance. So, you can book accommodation from your home country. After reaching Manchester, you only need to shift to your accommodation without any scope of any scam.
Use University Resources
If you want to stay in an on-campus accommodation, then contacting university resources is the safest option. If you have already reached Manchester, you can visit the university office or contact the students’ union. If you are in your home country, you can visit the official website of the university to get on-campus accommodations. Some universities also help students find off-campus accommodation.
Research the Landlord or Letting Agent
One of the ways to avoid housing scams in Manchester is to research the landlord or letting agent. There are different ways through which you can do this research. You can take the help of online sources for this purpose. You can read the reviews of the accommodations. But, be cautious, some reviews may also be fake and may be written by the stooges of fraud landlords. So, you should check the authentic news websites to research the landlords through online sources.
Besides, you can also ask your seniors in Manchester or students in your home country who have already visited Manchester before you. They may have known about the landlord or letting agent whom you are thinking of contacting.
Check Shared Accommodation Already Occupied by Someone and Contact Your Potential Roommate/Housemate
Booking a shared accommodation can also be a way to avoid housing scams. In that case, you have the scope to contact your potential roommate or housemate. You can talk to him/her and know more about it. Also, research your potential co-resident to confirm if he/she is actually a resident and not the landlord’s stooge. If you find an accommodation with such a co-resident, you can be assured that it is not a housing scam.
Understand Your Tenant Rights
There are some tenant rights, which you should understand. A deposit should be protected by a government-authorized scheme (e.g., Deposit Protection Scheme). You receive the confirmation of this within thirty days of payment, which you should know.
Another thing, you should do is that you receive a formal tenancy agreement. This formal tenancy agreement outlines the terms of the rental, including rent amount, deposit, and duration of stay.
Conclusion
There is no shortage of student accommodation in Manchester, but there are some risks associated with it. One of them is the housing scam. Through a little care, you can avoid this risk. You should ignore unknown emails to avoid scams. Besides, avoid renting accommodations with advance non-refundable payments. Using trusting platforms and university resources is another way to avoid student housing scams in Manchester. Furthermore, you should research landlords or letting agents. If you book shared accommodation, it can also avoid student housing scams. Finally, you should also understand tenant rights.
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