Relocating to Manchester
Overview
The University offers relocation assistance to eligible employees when moving their main residence to take up a post with us. The amount offered is broadly based on the distance of your relocation, determined by the University of Manchester's defined zones for different countries of residence.
If you have been offered a relocation allowance to help you with moving to the Manchester area to take up your new job, this will be confirmed in your offer of appointment letter and contract of employment.
Our professional relocation services are provided by Sterling Lexicon. Their knowledge and expertise in helping employees and their families to relocate worldwide, will ensure that you to receive the information, advice and support you need, whether relocating from within the UK or internationally.
A Sterling Lexicon consultant will be assigned and will contact you to discuss your requirements and to provide detailed information, advice and support on the options available to you. You can tailor the relocation package to suit your own needs, by choosing which services or expenses to use your allowance on.
Your Sterling Lexicon consultant will be your contact for all matters connected with your relocation allowance.
The Policy changed with effect from 1 September 2024 and a new version is currently being updated. A summary of the changes can be found here which details who is eligible and what the funds can be spent on.
Who is eligible
The relocation assistance programme is for newly appointed employees who meet the following criteria:
- appointed in a role at grade 6 or above, and
- the contract of appointment is for 2 years or more in duration, and
- they are relocating their main residence to take up the post and the purchase or rental of a new
main residence must involve moving from outside of 40 miles to within 40 miles of The University
postcode location
What the relocation allowance can be used for
The allowance you have been awarded can be used to cover the cost of your move for services provided by Sterling Lexicon. They will invoice the University directly, so you will not need to cover these costs upfront unless you chose to spend more than your allowance, and then you will only need to pay the difference.
You can also use your allowance to claim reimbursement of costs that you have incurred in connection with:
- The sale of your old main residence (more than 40 miles from the University)
- The purchase of your new main residence within 40 miles of the University postcode (M13 9PL)
- Associated travel and subsistence costs
We have prepared an FAQ which may assist you to plan and manage your relocation allowance.
Expenditure is generally tax free in line with HMRC regulations, but there are limits to the amount that can be offered tax free and the type of costs that are eligible. Further advice will be given by Sterling Lexicon and can be found on the HMRC Relocation website.
How to make a claim for reimbursements
Reimbursement claim forms can be downloaded here, and claims must be submitted within three months of incurring the cost.
How long the relocation allowance is available for
The allowance is available for use up to the end of the tax year after the one in which an employee takes up their post at the University (e.g. claims for posts taken up in the 2024-25 tax year must be submitted before the end of the 2025-26 tax year).