Manchester Renters Face Soaring Costs

0:00On March 18th, renters and Manchester are now spending 44% of their pre-tax income on rent, the highest rate in greater Manchester. The average cost for a single room has climbed to 691 pounds a month, more than double the 483 pounds it was in 2020. Two bedroom flats go for around 1,343 pounds. Experts jumped 43% over the past five years, though they dipped 3.7% from 2024 to 2025. As demand soften, experts point to new luxury builds pushing prices higher in hot development spots, despite an overall shortage of homes. Counselors are worried this could turn Manchester into a pricier version of London, squeezing out artists, musicians, and essential workers. Some call for rent controls like those in New York or Berlin, while others note the city center remains a working-class hub where many pay a big chunk of their earnings to landlords without owning property. The government's new renters rights act kicks in on May 1st, banning no faulty evictions

1:04that fuel over 20% of local homelessness cases, limiting rent hikes to once a year at market rates, and allowing pets. Manchester Council is rolling out a major awareness campaign for its 90,000 renting households, and gearing up inspectors to check standards. With goals to build 10,000 affordable homes by 2032, the council is doubling down on housing fixes, urging renters to know and use. Their new protections as these changes take hold.