Voted ‘Most Liveable City in the UK’ in 2013, Manchester’s growing popularity shows no signs of slowing down. So why is it that demand for property in Manchester is so high? And more to the point, should you be getting involved with buy-to-let property in Manchester? The Landlord Link takes a look to help make up your mind.
One major draw for investors is the rise in average house prices in the area. Greater Manchester and Salford saw an increase of 12% in average house prices last year, almost double that of the 6.5% national average. In parts of the region, housing prices are still 40% below the housing peak of 2008 whilst those in London are up to 40% above; this gap can only be expected to shorten in the coming years.
The economy in Manchester is also expanding at an immeasurable rate. The creation of Media City at Salford Quays has not only generated a blossoming entertainment sector but brought with it an influx in bars, restaurants, cafes and a range of other industries.
Manchester has the largest travel-to-work area of any region in the UK, outside of London – seven million people live within one hour’s drive of the city centre. With HS2 developments linking the North & South further still, and the infrastructure in Manchester being grown from within, Manchester continues to establish itself as one of the UK’s major economic powerhouses.
For buy-to-let landlords, possibly the most crucial factor of all is the average rental yield of around 8%. Occupancy in the city currently stands at 96% and agencies across Manchester are reporting that the rental market is operating at a maximal level. The population of the Greater Manchester region is rising year-on-year at a rate not matched by property development.
There are other factors which ensure that demand for rental property will always be high; three large universities and one of the biggest international student populations in the UK, two of the country’s most successful football teams and a far-reaching airport are just a few of the attractions that will keep tenants flocking back to Manchester.
With everything very much on the up and no indications that this is likely to change in the immediate future, it is certainly an exciting time for those investing in buy-to-let property in Manchester.
Read our guide to the best areas for buy-to-let in Manchester