Reproduced in part from Manchester City Councils’ 2008 Student Information Pack.
As a Tenant, you expect to be treated fairly, but you also have to keep your side of the bargain, and that means showing consideration, not just for your landlord and neighbours, but also for the property that you’re renting and the local environment.
Take Care
It’s up to your Landlord/Managing Agent to carry out most repairs, but you still have a legal to duty to ensure that your house , it’s fixtures and fittings are treated with care and kept in good condition (don’t worry about everyday wear and tear that is allowed). As a tenant you’re also responsible for day to day maintenance like replacing light bulbs and defrosting fridges/freezers etc. If you fail to do any of this, or if your visitors cause deliberate damage to the property, you will (in most circumstances) be held responsible for repair or replacement – and it is worth remembering that your landlord can deduct the cost from any deposit that you’re due to be paid back at the end of your tenancy, subject to the rules of the tenancy deposit scheme.


Don’t be a nuisance
Avoid activities that cause a nuisance or disturbance to neighbours and other people in the locality, for example; playing loud music, vandalism, rubbish dumping or offensively drunken behaviour. Your tenancy contains clauses about specific activities, but it’s about exercising a general sense of respect for other people and the neighbourhood you share. Common sense really.


Pay up on time
Pay your rent as and when stipulated in your Tenancy Agreement and let Around Town Flats know if you are having difficulty making a payment on the due date. If you regularly pay your rent late or fall into arrears, you risk your landlord starting possession procedures against you and may find yourself liable to extra charges. You’ll also be responsible for paying all utility bills (gas, electricity, water, telephone) for the period of your tenancy.


Council Tax
Full-time students are exempt from paying council tax as long as they provide the council tax unit with proof of their student status. Properties inhabited by full-time students will be exempt from council tax once this has been provided for all of the students in the property. Manchester University students only need to phone or email the council tax unit with their names and student numbers of all of the students in the property and exemption will be awarded. Other students must get a student certificate from their admissions office that confirms their full-time status and the dates of their course. Students sharing with non-students will have no personal liability for the council tax on that property so long as they provide the necessary proof of their status.

Council Tax Unit: 0161 907 9400
Email: ctax.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk