Dwell Student Living – Your Complete Move-In Guide
Everything You Need to Know Before Moving into Dwell Student Living Accommodation
Moving into student accommodation is exciting, but before filling the car with everything you own, it's worth finding out exactly what your new room already includes.
Dwell Student Living provides purpose-built student accommodation across several major UK university cities, including Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham.
Accommodation ranges from rooms within shared student flats and houses to private studios, with room types and facilities varying between properties.
The major essentials are taken care of: dwell provides furnished accommodation, utility bills and Wi-Fi, while its properties have on-site teams and maintenance support.
However, there are plenty of personal essentials you'll still need to bring yourself.
dwell specifically advises incoming residents to bring their own bedding, kitchen equipment, towels, toiletries, laundry products and cleaning supplies.
This independent Loomz guide explains what's provided, what you'll need and how to prepare for move-in day.
Dwell Student Living at a Glance
🏠 Provider: Dwell Student Living
📍 UK locations: Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham
🎓 Universities: Accommodation serves students attending universities and higher education institutions across each city
🏢 Accommodation: Purpose-built student accommodation, including shared flats/houses and studios
🛏 Bedrooms: Furnished rooms with beds, storage and study space
🚿 Bathrooms: En-suite and non-en-suite options depending on property and room type
🍳 Kitchen: Shared kitchens with many rooms; private kitchen facilities with studios
💷 Utility bills: Included
📶 Wi-Fi: Included
🛡 Contents insurance: Included with eligible accommodation, subject to policy terms
🛏 Bedding: Students should bring their own
🍽 Crockery & cookware: Students should bring their own
📚 Study: Desk provided in every room
🧺 Laundry: Laundry facilities available at dwell properties
📦 Parcels: Parcel handling service available
🛠 Maintenance: In-house/on-site maintenance support
👥 Management: On-site property teams
🎉 Community: dwell Resi Life resident events and activities
Where Does Dwell Student Living Have Accommodation?
dwell currently advertises student accommodation across five UK cities.
Bristol
Dwell provides student accommodation in Bristol, including Hotwells House.
Bristol is home to major institutions including:
- University of Bristol
- University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)
- Other specialist higher education providers
Always check the journey between your particular accommodation and the campus where you'll actually be studying.
Liverpool
Dwell has a substantial student accommodation presence in Liverpool.
Properties include accommodation such as Cathedral Campus and Castle Gate Haus.
Liverpool's universities include:
- University of Liverpool
- Liverpool John Moores University
- Liverpool Hope University
- Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
- Other higher education institutions
Manchester
Manchester is another major dwell location.
Its properties include accommodation such as:
- Manchester Student Village (MSV)
- MSV South
- The Grafton
- Weston Court
These can serve students attending institutions including:
- University of Manchester
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- University of Salford
- Other Greater Manchester institutions
Newcastle
Dwell also operates student accommodation in Newcastle, including Garth Heads.
The city is home to:
- Newcastle University
- Northumbria University
- Other higher education institutions
Nottingham
Nottingham is part of dwell's current UK portfolio, including Archer House.
The city's major universities include:
- Nottingham Trent University
- University of Nottingham
Check your individual property location before booking because journey times to different campuses can vary considerably.
Room and Accommodation Types
Dwell doesn't use one identical accommodation model across every property.
Depending on the building, you may find:
- Non-en-suite rooms
- En-suite rooms
- Shared student flats
- Shared student houses
- Two-bedroom apartments
- Private studios
This means you should always use the specification for your exact property and room category when deciding what to bring.
En-Suite Rooms
An en-suite room gives you your own bedroom and private bathroom while sharing kitchen and living facilities with your flatmates.
A typical dwell en-suite room can include:
- Bed and mattress
- Wardrobe
- Shelving
- Under-bed storage
- Study desk
- Chair
- Private en-suite bathroom
You'll then share the kitchen and lounge with the other students in your apartment.
The number of students sharing varies by property and flat.
Non-En-Suite Rooms
Some Dwell properties also offer more traditional shared accommodation where bathroom facilities are shared.
These rooms still provide your own private furnished bedroom and study space.
Check:
- How many residents share the bathroom
- How many bathrooms are available
- Kitchen arrangements
- Flat/house size
before booking.
Studios
Studios provide more independent living.
Instead of sharing a kitchen and lounge with several other students, your bedroom, bathroom and kitchen facilities are contained within your own accommodation.
Studio layouts and facilities vary by property.
If you've booked a studio, check its inventory carefully before buying kitchen equipment.
What’s Usually Included?
Your Dwell room is furnished, so you don't need to bring furniture.
Depending on your room type, you'll normally find major items such as:
- Bed
- Mattress
- Wardrobe
- Shelving/storage
- Desk
- Chair
- Kitchen facilities
- Major kitchen appliances
dwell also includes the major utility bills and Wi-Fi within your accommodation cost.
However, furnished accommodation doesn't mean all your personal household equipment is provided.
That's where your packing list becomes important.
Bedding — What Do You Need?
Dwell specifically advises residents to bring their own:
- Bedsheets
- Duvet
- Duvet cover
- Pillows
- Pillowcases
A mattress protector is also a sensible addition.
Before ordering fitted bedding, check the bed size in your particular room.
Many dwell rooms use small double beds, but room types vary and you shouldn't assume every dwell property has the same mattress dimensions.
Your basic bedding setup might therefore include:
- Mattress protector
- Fitted sheet
- Duvet
- Duvet cover
- Pillows
- Pillowcases
- Optional blanket or throw
Your Kitchen
Dwell provides the major kitchen appliances needed for student living.
Its move-in guidance specifically mentions appliances such as:
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Microwave
Other cooking appliances and facilities vary according to the property and accommodation type.
However, dwell tells residents to bring their own:
- Plates
- Bowls
- Mugs
- Glasses
- Pans
- Cutlery
- Cooking utensils
- Tin/bottle opener
- Tea towels
- Oven gloves
- Washing-up liquid
- Dishcloth
- Scrubbing brush
So kitchen equipment should be one of the main things on your move-in list.
Sharing a Kitchen
If you're living in a shared flat or house, don't necessarily buy every possible kitchen item individually.
If you can contact your future flatmates before moving in, coordinate larger shared items.
Things that may make sense to share include:
- Larger pans
- Baking trays
- Cleaning products
- Washing-up equipment
- Food-storage items
- Some cooking utensils
Other things — such as your favourite mug, plate, bowl and everyday cutlery — are often easier to keep as your own.
A few simple shared-kitchen rules can also prevent arguments:
- Agree cupboard space
- Agree fridge/freezer space
- Wash up after cooking
- Keep worktops clear
- Empty bins regularly
- Ask before borrowing food
- Replace communal items when you finish them
All-Inclusive Bills
Dwell includes utility bills within the rent.
This makes budgeting considerably easier than renting a conventional private student house where you may have to organise and divide utilities between several housemates.
Wi-Fi is also included.
Check your individual booking agreement for the precise terms and any fair-usage provisions that apply to your accommodation.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is included across dwell accommodation.
Internet specifications can vary between properties and over time, so check your particular building for current speeds and connection arrangements.
You'll still need your own:
- Laptop
- Phone
- Tablet if required
- Chargers
- Headphones
- Course-specific technology
Contents Insurance
Dwell provides contents insurance cover for residents under its group insurance arrangements.
The policy has terms, limits and exclusions, so don't assume every possession is automatically covered in every situation.
If you're bringing valuable items such as:
- Expensive laptop
- Camera
- Bicycle
- Musical instrument
- Specialist university equipment
check the current insurance documentation and decide whether you need additional cover.
Your Study Space
Dwell provides a desk in every bedroom.
That means you have somewhere to study privately without having to work exclusively in the university library or communal areas.
dwell recommends bringing your own study equipment, including things such as:
- Laptop
- Desk lamp
- Stationery
- Notepads
- Paper
- Folders
A few carefully chosen accessories can make a small student desk considerably easier to use.
Bathroom Essentials
Whether you have an en-suite or share your bathroom, you'll need your own personal bathroom products.
Dwell recommends bringing:
- Bath towel
- Hand towel
- Shower basket/caddy
- Toilet roll
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Soap/body wash
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Other toiletries
If you share a bathroom, a shower caddy or basket is particularly useful because you can keep your toiletries together and take them back to your room.
Laundry
Dwell accommodation provides access to laundry facilities.
You'll still need your own:
- Laundry bag or basket
- Laundry detergent
- Stain remover if required
- Delicates bag
- Clothes-drying equipment where permitted/useful
Check your property for the current laundry system, charges and operating instructions.
Cleaning
You're responsible for keeping your accommodation reasonably clean.
dwell recommends residents bring:
- Cleaning products
- Laundry supplies
- Suitable drying equipment
Its move-in guidance also notes that vacuum cleaners may sometimes be available to hire or borrow from reception, subject to availability.
Before buying bulky cleaning equipment, ask your property team what's already available.
Parcels and Deliveries
Dwell provides a parcel handling service.
If a delivery arrives while you're out, the property team can accept parcels according to the site's current procedures.
dwell advises that deliveries should include:
- Your registered name
- Your flat number
You can then collect parcels from reception using photo identification.
The dwell app can also provide updates when parcels have arrived.
Always check your particular property's current parcel instructions before ordering.
The dwell App
Dwell provides an app designed to make everyday accommodation management easier.
Features can include things such as:
- Reporting maintenance issues
- Receiving parcel notifications
- Accessing resident information
- Keeping up with accommodation updates
It's worth downloading and setting this up once you've moved in.
Maintenance
dwell provides property management and maintenance support.
If something supplied as part of your accommodation stops working, report it rather than attempting significant repairs yourself.
This includes problems with things such as:
- Heating
- Water
- Major appliances
- Furniture
- Lighting supplied with the room
- Locks
- Building facilities
Use the appropriate reporting system or speak to your property team.
Dwell Resi Life
Living in student accommodation isn't only about the room.
dwell Resi Life provides resident events and activities designed to help students meet people and make more of their time in the accommodation.
This can be particularly useful if you're moving to a new city without already knowing anybody.
Keep an eye on your dwell communications and app for upcoming events.
Preparing for Move-In Day
1. Check your exact room
Find your property and exact room category.
Check whether you've booked:
- En-suite
- Non-en-suite
- Shared apartment
- Shared house
- Studio
2. Confirm your bed size
You need to bring your own bedding.
Before buying fitted sheets and mattress protection, confirm your mattress dimensions.
3. Check the kitchen inventory
Major appliances are supplied, but dwell expects residents to bring much of their own cookware and crockery.
Check exactly what's provided before shopping.
4. Speak to your flatmates
Where possible, coordinate communal kitchen and cleaning products before everyone arrives.
5. Bring photo identification
Dwell advises residents to bring valid photo ID such as an in-date passport or driving licence for key collection.
6. Read your arrival instructions
Check:
- Move-in date
- Arrival slot
- Property address
- Parking/unloading instructions
- Key collection
- Documents required
7. Pack a first-night bag
Keep these accessible:
- Bedding
- Towel
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Phone charger
- Change of clothes
- Important documents
- Food/snacks
That means you don't need to unpack every box before you can go to bed.
Parking on Move-In Day
Parking arrangements differ between dwell properties.
Dwell currently identifies parking at selected locations including MSV, MSV South and Cathedral Campus, with move-in arrangements applying on arrival day.
Don't assume parking is available at every property.
Check your particular site's instructions before driving.
International Students
International students can make moving easier by separating essential documents from their main luggage.
Keep accessible:
- Passport
- Visa documentation where applicable
- University confirmation
- dwell booking information
- Insurance documentation
- Medication/prescription information
- Emergency contacts
The UK uses Type G electrical sockets.
If you're bringing electrical equipment from overseas, check that it's compatible with the UK electricity supply rather than relying only on a travel adapter.
Short-Term and Summer Accommodation
Dwell also offers short-term and summer accommodation at selected properties.
Availability varies by city and time of year.
This can be useful for:
- Semester stays
- Placements
- Summer courses
- Internships
- Students requiring accommodation outside a standard academic contract
Check the current options directly for your chosen city.
What Should You Buy Before You Move In?
Dwell provides your furniture and major appliances, but its own packing guidance makes clear that residents still need many everyday essentials.
Bedroom Essentials
Your biggest priority is bedding because you'll need to bring your own.
Kitchen Essentials
dwell specifically tells residents to bring their own plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, pans, cutlery and cooking utensils.
Bathroom Essentials
Bring towels, toiletries and your everyday bathroom products.
Study Essentials
Your desk is already provided. Add the tech, lighting, stationery and organisation you need to make it work for you.
Helpful Student Guides
Not sure where to start?
Loomz has created practical guides specifically for students moving into UK university accommodation:
- UK University Packing Checklist
- University Move-In Checklist
- Bedroom Essentials Guide
- Kitchen Essentials Guide
- Bathroom Essentials Guide
- UK University Move-In Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does dwell Student Living have accommodation?
dwell currently lists UK accommodation in:
- Bristol
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Nottingham
Properties and availability can change, so check your chosen city directly before booking.
Are Dwell Student Living rooms furnished?
Yes.
Rooms include the main furniture you need, such as a bed, storage, desk and chair.
The exact contents vary by property and room type.
Does Dwell offer en-suite rooms?
Yes.
En-suite rooms are available at a number of dwell properties.
There are also non-en-suite rooms and private studios at selected locations.
Does Dwell have studios?
Yes.
Private studio accommodation is available at selected properties.
Check your particular building for current room types.
Are bills included?
Yes.
Utility bills are included with dwell accommodation.
Check your contract for the precise terms applying to your booking.
Is Wi-Fi included?
Yes.
Wi-Fi is included.
Is contents insurance included?
Dwell provides contents insurance under its resident group scheme, subject to the policy's current terms, limits and exclusions.
Check the insurance documentation to make sure the cover meets your needs.
Do I need to bring bedding?
Yes.
Dwell tells incoming residents to bring:
- Bedsheets
- Duvet and duvet cover
- Pillows and pillowcases
Confirm your bed size before purchasing fitted bedding.
Do I need to bring kitchen equipment?
Yes, you'll need a number of personal kitchen items.
Dwell tells residents to bring things including:
- Plates
- Bowls
- Mugs
- Glasses
- Pans
- Cutlery
- Utensils
- Tea towels
- Oven gloves
Major kitchen appliances are provided.
Do I need to bring a kettle, toaster or microwave?
Dwell states that it provides essential appliances including a kettle, toaster and microwave, so you shouldn't need to bring these.
Check your particular property inventory before purchasing any appliance.
Do I need towels?
Yes.
Bring your own bath and hand towels.
Is there a desk in my room?
Yes.
Dwell states that it provides a desk in every room.
Does dwell accept parcels?
Yes.
Dwell provides parcel handling.
Make sure deliveries contain your registered name and flat number and follow your property's current collection procedure.
Does dwell have an app?
Yes.
The dwell app can be used for functions including maintenance reporting and parcel updates.
Does dwell have laundry facilities?
Yes.
Laundry facilities are available, although systems and charges vary by property.
Can I bring a car?
Parking availability varies.
Some dwell properties have parking, while others don't.
Check directly with your accommodation before bringing a car.
Does dwell offer short stays?
Yes.
Short-term and summer accommodation is available at selected properties and times of year.
What should I bring on my first day?
Make sure you can immediately access:
- Bedding
- Towel
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Phone charger
- Photo ID
- Important documents
- Change of clothes
- Basic food and drinks
Everything else can wait until you've settled in.
Why Students Choose Loomz
Loomz is a UK-based online store built around the practical things students actually need when moving into university accommodation.
For Dwell residents, that's particularly useful because while your furniture and major appliances are already supplied, you still need to organise many of the everyday essentials yourself.
Loomz offers:
- Bedding and bedroom essentials
- Kitchen equipment
- Crockery and cooking essentials
- Bathroom products
- Laundry and cleaning essentials
- Storage and organisation
- Lighting and study accessories
- Student-friendly tech
- Free UK delivery
Whether you're moving into Dwell accommodation in Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle or Nottingham, Loomz can help you get your room ready without buying things your accommodation already provides.
Ready to Move into dwell Student Living?
Start with the essentials dwell tells residents they'll need themselves.
Bedding. Towels. Crockery. Cutlery. Pans. Cooking utensils. Toiletries. Laundry supplies. Study equipment.
Then check your exact room inventory and make a list of anything else that's missing.
Check your room. Make your list. Get uni-ready with Loomz.
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