House of Social – Your Complete Move-In Guide

Everything You Need to Know Before Moving into House of Social Manchester

Moving into student accommodation in Manchester is exciting, but there’s always plenty to organise before move-in day — from working out what your new room already includes to deciding what you actually need to bring.

House of Social is a student accommodation concept in central Manchester designed around shared living and student community.

Located on First Street, close to Oxford Road and Manchester city centre, House of Social is within walking distance of both the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Unlike traditional student halls built around corridors of individual rooms, House of Social puts shared living at the centre of the experience, with students living together in apartments designed for two, five or six residents.

There's also a Food Hall downstairs, alongside facilities including a gym, study spaces, laundry room and parcel room.

Whether you're moving to Manchester for the first time or returning for another year, this independent Loomz guide will help you get ready for life at House of Social.

House of Social at a Glance

🏠 Provider: House of Social

📍 Location: First Street, Manchester city centre

🎓 Universities: Particularly convenient for the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University

🏢 Accommodation: Shared student apartments designed for two, five or six residents

🛏 Bedrooms: Furnished student rooms with different room categories and specifications

🚿 Bathrooms: En-suite rooms

🍳 Kitchen: Shared kitchen and living spaces, with some room options offering additional private kitchen facilities

💷 Utility bills: Included

📶 Wi-Fi: Super-fast Wi-Fi included

🛡 Contents insurance: Included within the accommodation rent

🧹 Housekeeping: Regular housekeeping of shared kitchen and social areas

🏋️ Gym: On-site gym for residents

📚 Study: Bookable study spaces

🧺 Laundry: On-site laundry room

📦 Parcels: 24-hour parcel room

🔐 Security: CCTV, controlled access and on-site support

🍕 Food & drink: House of Social Food Hall downstairs, with resident discounts and benefits

Why Students Choose House of Social

House of Social takes a slightly different approach to traditional student accommodation.

Rather than simply providing bedrooms around communal corridors, the accommodation has been designed around students living and socialising together.

Shared apartments provide communal kitchens and living areas where housemates can cook, eat, study and spend time together.

Its central Manchester location is another major advantage.

House of Social is close to Oxford Road, First Street, Manchester city centre and the city's major universities, putting students within easy reach of campuses, shops, restaurants, entertainment and public transport.

Resident facilities include:

All bills included
Super-fast Wi-Fi
En-suite bedrooms
Shared kitchens and living spaces
Regular housekeeping of shared areas
On-site gym
Bookable study spaces
Laundry room
CCTV
On-site team
24-hour parcel room
House of Social Food Hall
Exclusive resident Food Hall benefits
Central Manchester location

Room and Accommodation Types

House of Social is designed around shared student apartments rather than conventional individual studio-only accommodation.

Students can live in apartments designed for two, five or six residents.

Different room categories and layouts are available, so always check the specification of the exact room you're considering before booking.

En-Suite Rooms

En-suite rooms provide your own bedroom and private bathroom while giving you access to shared kitchen and living facilities.

This can offer a useful balance between having your own private space and still being part of a shared student household.

Larger Room Options

House of Social offers different room categories, with larger options providing additional space and features.

Check the current room description carefully because room sizes, layouts and facilities vary.

Private Kitchen Options

Some accommodation options provide additional private kitchen facilities while retaining access to communal spaces.

These may suit students who want more independence without completely giving up the social side of shared accommodation.

Sharing an Apartment at House of Social

The shared-house concept is one of the biggest differences between House of Social and more conventional student halls.

Rather than simply sharing a large generic communal kitchen with whoever happens to live along the same corridor, students live within smaller shared apartments.

That means your kitchen and living area effectively becomes the heart of your student home.

Before moving in, it's worth speaking to your future housemates if possible.

Coordinate things such as:

Cooking equipment
Crockery
Cutlery
Cleaning products
Shared food basics
Kitchen storage
Small appliances
Bin bags
Washing-up supplies

There's very little benefit in five people arriving with five identical sets of communal kitchen equipment.

What’s Usually Included?

House of Social provides considerably more communal infrastructure than a traditional student rental.

Your accommodation includes access to facilities such as:

Furnished bedroom
En-suite bathroom
Shared kitchen
Shared living/social space
Wi-Fi
Utilities
Gym
Study spaces
Laundry facilities
Parcel room
CCTV
On-site team
Housekeeping of communal kitchen/social areas

However, accommodation being furnished doesn't mean every personal item you'll need at university is supplied.

You should still check your individual room information before buying anything.

In particular, don't automatically assume items such as these are provided:

Duvet
Pillows
Bed linen
Mattress protector
Towels
Cookware
Crockery
Cutlery
Personal toiletries
Laundry products
Personal storage accessories

Confirm exactly what's included before move-in day.

All Bills Included

One advantage of House of Social is that bills are included within the accommodation rent.

That means you don't need to divide the main household utility accounts between your housemates in the way you might when renting a traditional private student house.

Wi-Fi is also included.

This makes budgeting considerably simpler because your major accommodation costs are combined rather than arriving as separate household bills.

Always check your booking agreement for the precise terms applying to your tenancy.

Housekeeping

House of Social provides regular housekeeping for communal kitchen and social areas.

This is unusual compared with a traditional privately rented student house, where residents would normally be entirely responsible for cleaning communal areas themselves.

However, housekeeping doesn't mean you can ignore everyday cleaning.

You and your housemates should still:

Wash up after cooking
Wipe down surfaces
Dispose of rubbish appropriately
Keep food stored properly
Clean spills
Keep shared areas reasonably tidy
Respect your housemates' belongings

A cleaner isn't a substitute for being a considerate housemate.

House of Social Food Hall

One of the most distinctive features of the development is the House of Social Food Hall downstairs.

The Food Hall contains independent food operators and provides somewhere for residents to eat, drink and socialise without having to travel across Manchester.

Residents also receive exclusive Food Hall discounts and benefits.

It's a useful option when you don't feel like cooking, but having a Food Hall downstairs doesn't mean you won't need your own kitchen essentials.

Your shared kitchen will still be an important part of everyday student life — particularly if you're trying to keep food costs under control.

Gym and Study Spaces

Residents have access to an on-site gym, meaning you don't necessarily need a separate commercial gym membership unless you want facilities beyond those available in the building.

House of Social also provides bookable study spaces.

These can be particularly useful when you want to work somewhere other than your bedroom or when your shared apartment is busy.

Your own bedroom remains useful for everyday studying, so it's still worth bringing the basic equipment you need to create a comfortable personal study setup.

Preparing for Move-In Day

A little preparation will make your first few days at House of Social considerably easier.

1. Check your exact room type

House of Social has different room categories and layouts.

Check precisely what's included with yours rather than relying on general building information.

2. Confirm your bed size

Before ordering sheets, a mattress protector or other fitted bedding, confirm the mattress dimensions for your particular room.

3. Check what's provided in the kitchen

Find out exactly which appliances and kitchen items are already supplied.

Don't assume that a fully equipped shared kitchen necessarily includes all the cookware, crockery and utensils you'll personally want to use.

4. Coordinate with your housemates

If you know who you'll be sharing with, start a group chat before moving in.

Decide which communal items make sense to share.

5. Plan your arrival

Check your booking information for your move-in date, arrival arrangements and any documents you need to bring.

6. Pack a first-night bag

Keep your immediate essentials somewhere easy to reach:

Bedding
Towel
Toiletries
Medication
Phone charger
Change of clothes
Important documents
Basic food and drinks

That way you don't have to unpack everything immediately after arriving.

Living at House of Social

House of Social is deliberately designed to encourage interaction between residents.

That can be a big advantage if you're moving to Manchester without already knowing many people.

However, good shared living still depends on respecting the people you live with.

Agree some basic expectations around:

Cleaning
Cooking
Noise
Guests
Shared food
Kitchen storage
Rubbish and recycling
Using communal areas

Being social doesn't mean everybody wants to socialise all the time.

Respecting each other's private space can be just as important as making use of the communal areas.

Parcel Deliveries

House of Social provides a 24-hour parcel room, which is particularly useful for students ordering things online.

Before placing your first order, check the precise delivery address and any instructions House of Social provides for addressing parcels.

Make sure you use:

Your full name
Correct building address
Room or apartment information where required

Following the correct addressing format reduces the risk of parcels being delayed or difficult to identify.

Laundry

House of Social has an on-site laundry room.

You therefore don't need to find an external laundrette or arrange your own washing machine.

You'll still normally need everyday laundry items such as:

Laundry detergent
Laundry basket or bag
Stain remover
Delicates bag if required
Drying or clothing-care products

It's also worth learning when the laundry room tends to be busiest rather than discovering everyone else has chosen Sunday evening to wash their clothes too.

Sharing a Kitchen

Your shared kitchen is likely to be one of the busiest parts of your House of Social apartment.

A few simple habits can make communal living considerably easier:

Agree which cupboards belong to whom
Label food if necessary
Don't leave washing-up indefinitely
Keep communal surfaces clear
Clean up after cooking
Agree how shared basics are purchased
Empty bins regularly
Don't borrow somebody else's food without asking

Before buying kitchen equipment, coordinate with your housemates.

Some things make sense to own individually, while larger or less frequently used items can often be shared.

What Should You Buy Before You Move In?

House of Social provides many of the major facilities you'll need, so don't buy everything on a generic university packing list without first checking what's already supplied.

Once you know what's missing, these Loomz collections can help.

Bedroom Essentials

Your bedroom is still your main private space, even in accommodation designed around social living.

Think about bedding, mattress protection, storage, lighting and practical items that make your room more comfortable and organised.

Kitchen Essentials

You'll have access to shared kitchen facilities, but you may still need your own cookware, crockery, cutlery and everyday kitchen equipment.

Check what's provided first and coordinate larger purchases with your housemates.

Bathroom Essentials

Having an en-suite means you'll need to organise your own everyday bathroom essentials.

Think about towels, toiletries, bathroom storage and other practical items.

Study Essentials

House of Social provides bookable study spaces, but you'll still spend plenty of time studying independently.

A well-organised bedroom study setup can make lectures, assignments and revision much easier.

Helpful Student Guides

Not sure what to pack or how to prepare?

Loomz has put together practical guides specifically for students moving into UK university accommodation:

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is House of Social?

House of Social is on First Street in central Manchester, close to Oxford Road, the city centre and Manchester's major universities.

Which universities is House of Social close to?

House of Social is particularly convenient for students at the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, both of which are within walking distance.

Students attending other Manchester institutions should check the journey from the building to their particular campus.

Is House of Social part of Vita Student?

Yes. House of Social is a sub-brand of Vita Student and forms part of Vita Group.

It has its own distinct accommodation concept and House of Social identity.

Who can live at House of Social?

House of Social states that its accommodation is for full-time students aged 17 or over, including undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Check the current eligibility and booking conditions before reserving a room.

Are bills included?

Yes. Household bills are included in the accommodation rent.

Check your booking agreement for the full terms applying to your particular tenancy.

Is Wi-Fi included?

Yes. House of Social provides super-fast Wi-Fi for residents.

Does every room have an en-suite bathroom?

House of Social offers en-suite accommodation, giving residents their own bathroom rather than requiring them to share one with their housemates.

Check your individual room specification when booking.

Does House of Social have a gym?

Yes. Residents have access to an on-site gym.

Are there study spaces?

Yes. House of Social provides bookable study spaces in addition to the study space available within individual bedrooms.

Is there a laundry room?

Yes. House of Social has an on-site laundry room.

Laundry use may involve separate charges, so check the current arrangements rather than assuming laundry cycles are included within your rent.

Does House of Social accept parcels?

Yes. Residents have access to a 24-hour parcel room.

Check the building's parcel-addressing instructions before ordering.

Is there a cleaner?

House of Social provides regular housekeeping for shared kitchen and social spaces.

Residents remain responsible for keeping their own rooms and en-suite bathrooms clean and for dealing with normal everyday mess in shared spaces.

Is there food available in the building?

Yes. House of Social Food Hall is located downstairs and contains independent food operators.

Residents receive exclusive discounts and benefits at the Food Hall.

Do I need to bring bedding?

Don't assume bedding is supplied.

Check the contents of your particular room and confirm your mattress size before buying sheets, a mattress protector, duvet and other bedding.

Do I need pots, pans, plates and cutlery?

Check exactly what your shared kitchen contains before buying anything.

Even where major kitchen appliances are provided, students may still need their own cookware, crockery, cutlery and smaller kitchen essentials.

Coordinate shared purchases with your housemates wherever possible.

What should I bring on my first day?

Keep the immediate essentials accessible:

Bedding
Towel
Toiletries
Phone charger
Medication
Important documents
Change of clothes
Basic food and drinks

That means you can settle in without having to unpack everything immediately.

Why Students Choose Loomz

Loomz is a UK-based online store built around the practical things students actually need when moving into university accommodation.

Rather than filling your room with things you won't use, we focus on useful products for student bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, studying, storage, laundry and everyday university life.

Loomz offers:

UK university accommodation essentials in one place
Practical products selected with student living in mind
Bedding and bedroom essentials
Kitchen and cooking essentials
Bathroom and laundry products
Storage and organisation
Lighting and study accessories
Student-friendly tech
Free UK delivery

Whether you're starting at the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University or another Manchester institution, Loomz can help you get your House of Social room ready for university.

Ready to Move into House of Social?

Before you start shopping, check your particular room specification and find out exactly what's already included.

Then make a list of everything you still need.

From bedding and kitchen basics to bathroom essentials, storage, lighting and student tech, Loomz makes it easy to get your House of Social accommodation ready for move-in day.

Check your accommodation. Make your list. Get uni-ready with Loomz.

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Disclaimer

The accommodation guides published by Loomz are independent editorial resources. Loomz is not affiliated with, endorsed by or acting on behalf of any accommodation provider featured on this website. Company names are used solely to help students identify their accommodation provider and prepare for university life. Room layouts, facilities and services vary between properties, so always refer to the information supplied by your accommodation provider before making purchasing decisions.