First Time Renter, moving to Manchester.

Renting is a popular choice in densely populated cities like Manchester. It seems like the obvious solution considering the expensive housing and living costs. In fact, it would be difficult to find a Mancunian who didn’t live in a rental.

However, just because it is popular doesn’t mean everyone is familiar with it. If you are moving to Manchester for university or moving out of your childhood home, you’ll need to navigate the renting scene.

So Why Manchester?

Manchester has a long industrial history, and while the factories are gone, it is still a hub for innovation. If you are interested in science and engineering, jump-starting your career in Manchester is not a bad idea.

The city boasts the most number of patent applications per head than any other city in the UK. Its top school, the University of Manchester, is home to famous alumni like J.J Thomson, Ernest Rutherford, John Dalton, and Alan Turing, among many others. It’s like saying, “What Manchester does today, the rest of the world does tomorrow.”

Even if you aren’t interested in the sciences, you have to acknowledge that there is a vibrant energy that just draws you in!

Here are some moving essentials that will ease your transition to this bustling city:

Manchester Removal Company

While it might seem easy to pack up your things, load your car, and make your way to your new place, you’ve got another thing coming. When you start emptying the cabinets and shelves, you’ll realise that there are layers of stuff you have to go through. It can be very overwhelming. Most individuals pack over the course of weeks to avoid creating a mess.

When you hire a Manchester removal company from sites like house removals you can do the same amount of work in a day. These moving professionals come in teams and know how to pack up all your belongings systematically. You don’t have to solicit the help of unwilling family members or friends.

But if you have a tight budget, then look for a man with a van in Manchester. You can do most of the move by yourself and have them step in for the tough part. You might be fit, but if you have to make frequent trips up and down your flat building, you’ll wear yourself out, and you aren’t on the road yet! A man with a van service can help you transport all your belongings. They will carry your boxes and bins to the curb and drive them over to your new place.

If you have a full schedule or need extra assistance, these moving services will handle all the rough work.

Self Storage Unit in Manchester

When you start looking for a place to stay, you might consider a flatshare or a house share. Roommates might be unpredictable, but there are big savings when you split the rent. And in a city like Manchester, you’ll want those savings.

Since the built-in storage like closets, cabinets, and shelves need to be shared, you may want to look into storage solutions. Self storage units in Manchester come in a variety of sizes. You can rent a large unit to store furniture and appliances while waiting for a solo room to pop up or a small locker and have it double as a second closet. Space is a commodity you can never have too much of.

Additional Security Features

Some rental properties will have built-in security features like multiple locks, smart doorbell cameras, and CCTV. However, this is not guaranteed. For every nice and responsible landlord, there are 5 who are the complete opposite. You’d be lucky to spot a place with effective security measures.

As a renter, it would be safer to assume that you are in charge of your personal safety. Here are some adjustments you can make to your home:

Replace the screws on your door hinge. Instead of the usual ½ to 1-inch screws, replace them with 3-inch ones. This will hold your door better.
Replace your door lock. Even though the previous tenant surrendered their copy doesn’t mean they don’t have a spare.
Install a smart doorbell camera if your place doesn’t have one already so you can monitor the people who stop by.
Replace the batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors so that they stay fully functional. If you don’t have these detectors, install them. These are silent killers, so you can never be too prepared.

Renter-Friendly Renovations

All rentals require a security deposit. It’s easy to pay but difficult to reclaim. Landlords have a way of spotting damages when there are none. Protect yourself by taking photos and videos of your place. So you know which issues came with the rental and which ones are yours. Try to leave a paper trail as well by emailing this to your landlord. Don’t give them the wiggle room!

While you live in your rental, make sure to follow the contract to the letter. If they say no nails and screws, stick to command tape. If they don’t allow you to paint the walls, then use decals or easy to remove wallpaper. There are plenty of renter-friendly ways you can spruce up your place.

With these 4 things, you are sure to have a smooth rental experience!