Residential lettings agent says inquiries hit a third quarter record

A Manchester residential agent has reported the highest level of rental enquiries in its history.

Manchester Apartments has handled more than 21,000 direct queries into its Oxford Road office during July, August and September – with in excess of 10,000 of these being in September alone.

It says this huge number of enquiries is a welcome statistic for the city, illustrating an increasing demand for rental homes in the city centre.

Manchester Apartments not only records numbers, but can also see that enquiries are coming from a more varied location across the UK and world, including enquiries from China being particularly high, but also Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, London, the South East and South West UK.

Director, Jonathan Griffiths, said: “We do see an increase in enquiries during the summer months before the academic years begins, but the enquiries this year are not just from students.

“We’re speaking to a large number of young professionals who wish to make, or continue to call, Manchester their home. We feel this is a great reflection for the demand for city centre living; but do believe the housing stock required for these enquiries is still limited.”

Manchester Apartments is the lettings arm of the residential developer Beech Holdings, which currently has more than 1,000 apartments located in the city. The developer has a further 1,000 apartments in construction or planning for the city, and Newcastle.

Griffiths added: “These statistics tell us that there is an upward demand for quality homes – and this is the important factor.

“We know there is a glut of empty properties around the main city zones, but that’s only down to the quality on offer. High specification, sustainable and fully furnished properties is what we’re being asked for.

“In order to meet the demand, developers need to really consider the calibre of the products being delivered,” he said.