Manchester’s rental market is crazy, with rent prices still climbing ever-higher – but there are still some cheap flats to be found around the city centre.
According to Rightmove’s rental price data, the cost to rent a property has increased 11.6% across the north west from last year.
It means that the average rental price in Manchester is now a little over £1000 a month – ouch.
In fact, if you want to live in the city centre, you’ll struggle to find anything costing less than £800.
There are a few options left though, with one company advertising cheaper, more affordable flats from just £659 a month, right in the heart of Manchester.
ADVERTISEMENT
The properties listed with Manchester Apartments are geared towards students and professionals who are looking for a fairly high-spec apartment without paying the eye-watering prices you find elsewhere.
There is definitely a catch though. These pads might be modern and aesthetically pleasing, but they’re also on the compact side.
ADVERTISEMENT
As in, you will be sleeping in arm’s reach of your oven…
Manchester Apartments is advertising some of the city’s cheapest flats right now. Credit; Rightmove
But still, for those of us who hate the thought of shared accommodation – you know, fighting over who gets the middle shelf in the fridge, or whose turn it is to take the bins out – these seem pretty ideal.
They’re also priced along the same lines as shared flats in Manchester’s student halls (and anyone who remembers Oak House can vouch for a navy blue wall being a bit nicer than a mint green breeze block).
ADVERTISEMENT
There’s a range of studio flats up for rent in a few buildings in the city centre, so you could be calling Princess Street, Great Ancoats Street or Granby Row your new home.
Take this particularly good-looking studio, for example. Yes, you can fry and egg and make your bed while sitting in your dining room, but it looks like a pretty cosy den for £719 a month (and a damn sight cheaper than a similar home in London).
That one’s right by the canal in the heart of the Piccadilly and Ancoats area too, an area that was recently voted one of the coolest places to live by Time Out.
There’s also this Granby Row studio with massive windows at £797 a month, and this Princess Street pad where you might end up with beautiful views of the Kimpton Clocktower building.
Government announces homebuying overhaul to fix country’s ‘broken’ housing system
Emily Sergeant
The Government has announced what it’s calling the biggest shakeup to the homebuying system in this country’s history.
In a bid to ‘rewire a chaotic system which has become a barrier to homeownership for thousands nationwide, the Government has today (Monday 6 October) unveiled proposals that it says will speed up the long-drawn out and costly process of buying a home by four weeks.
The Housing Secretary says this will not only save people money, but unnecessary stress too.
The proposed new plans would see sellers and estate agents required to provide buyers with ‘vital’ information about a property upfront – including the condition of the home, leasehold costs, and chains of people waiting to move.
It’s hoped this will help end any last-minute chain collapses and ultimately give greater confidence to first-time buyers when they’re making one of life’s most important decisions.
The Government has announced plans to fix the country’s ‘broken’ housing system / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
Binding contracts could also be introduced to stop people walking away from agreements after buyers painstakingly spend months in negotiations to hopefully halve the number of failed transactions.
The new reforms are also proposing that prospective buyers are provided with side-by-side information on estate agents and conveyancers, including their track record and expertise, alongside new mandatory qualifications and Code of Practice to drive up standards and work to rebuild trust in the industry.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to Twitter this morning to address the proposed new homebuying overhaul, commenting: “I promised that my Government would fix the broken housing system.
“Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives. That’s national renewal.”
I promised that my government would fix the broken housing system.
Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives.
“Through our Plan for Change, we are putting more money back into working people’s pockets and making a simple dream a simple reality.”
Featured Image – James Feaver (via Unsplash)
Property
Inside the brand-new rental houses at Bolton’s landmark £35m development, Deansgate Gardens
Daisy Jackson
The first residents are in, and the launch of Deansgate Gardens – a landmark £35m development in Bolton town centre – is live.
This impressive new development has brought 167 high-quality rental homes to Bolton, creating a residential neighbourhood that features rooftop terraces, gardens, and stunning communal spaces.
The homes on Deansgate, Bolton have been built specifically for renters, with spacious layouts in an ideal location just a two-minute walk from Bolton Town Hall and a short commute to Manchester.
And, unusually for new rental developments, it’s not all about apartments here (though there are beautiful one- and two-bedroom apartments with rooftop gardens available).
It’s also somewhere you can rent two-bedroom townhouses, and have your very own yard.
Every home is built with energy efficiency in mind, with heat pumps and enhanced insulation, plus rooftop solar panels on selected homes, keeping those pesky bills down.
This pet-friendly development comes from developer Placefirst, and is a key moment in the wider £1bn regeneration masterplan for Bolton.
Inside Deansgate Gardens in BoltonInside Deansgate Gardens in BoltonA spacious bedroomThe rooftop terraceView from the rooftop terrace
Deansgate Gardens is located just opposite the former Beales department store, connected by the train station, bus interchange, and town centre within walking distance.
These stylish new homes are built around a central square and communal courtyards. The result? Somewhere residents can relax, socialise, and connect.
There’s even a dedicated Resident Service Manager and 24/7 maintenance support for peace of mind.
And just a short walk away you’ll find parks like Queen’s Park, plus beautiful routes along the River Croal.
Ready to make these houses your home? Book in for a tour around Deansgate Gardens today HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
21st July 2023 
