SQUATTING
Squatting is still legal! Squatting, in England and Wales is not a crime. With a few exceptions, if you can get into an empty building without doing any damage, and can secure it, you can make it your home. You will almost certainly be evicted eventually, perhaps very quickly, but you have many of the same rights as other householders: e.g. the right to privacy, rubbish collection, postal delivery, social security and essential services like water and electricity. Manchester has a fine history of squatting from the infamous Crescents in old Hulme to political social centres like the OKasional Café.
For more information get the brilliant Squatters Handbook for £1 from the Advisory Service for Squatters (020 7359 8814).

HOUSING CO-OPERATIVES
Most people have had some bad experiences with landlords. Joining a housing co-op means that you can take the control away from those money-grabbing, penny-pinching profiteers, and become your own landlord.
A housing co-op is formed when a group of people join together to form a co-operative limited company that can buy property to live in. Money borrowed to buy the property is paid off with rent from co-op members. Some housing co-ops exist purely to provide good, affordable housing for their members, however others have more radical political objectives. ‘Radical routes’ is a national network of co-ops that provides money to radical co-ops working for social change.

Contact Radical Routes on 0113 262 9365/3536 or Equinox (a Manchester Radical Routes co-op) at mail@equinox.freewire.com.

YOUR RIGHTS AS A TENANT
It is worth finding out what your rights are as a tenant in a rented property - If you know where you stand, then you and your friends are less likely to get burned. The following is a few important tips, but for a complete guide, see Manchester Student Homes at www.msh.man.ac.uk/frameindex.html
1. The landlord can’t enter your house(legally) unless you tell them they can, and then only with at least 24 hours notice. They can’t use a key but must knock like all the rest.
2. Your landlord cannot legally evict you without a court order, no matter what the circumstances, e.g. if you owe them 6 months rent - this is still not acceptable.
3. You should be given an inventory of what the landlord claims to be in the house. Check it as soon as you move in, and if it isn’t right, get the landlord to change it. This is important in the event that the landlord decides to try and do you out of your deposit at the end of the year.
4. Get a receipt for everything you pay, or your landlord might start to demand money you’ve already paid. Cheques are also handy because they record the transaction, where cash does not.
5. The landlord is responsible for the structure and the exterior of the house, installation and maintenance of gas, water and electricity, and also sanitation and heating.