Fused to think FEK renting was a stopgap

PHOEBE JOBLING MEETS A YOUNG WOMAN WHOSE PERSPECTIVE ON BUYING A HOME HAS CHANGED

WITH energy bills, interest rates and house prices soaring, it has never been so tough for aspiring first-time buyers to get a foot on the property ladder.

With the average age of a first-time buyer in the UK now 34, many young people nowadays have no choice but to rent until they have managed to save up enough for a deposit.

But for some like Sophie Hinton, renting is more than just a stopgap as she says it gives her the freedom and flexibility she needs without having to worry about a mortgage.

The 27-year-old rents a one-bed apartment at Salford's canal-side neighbourhood New Makers Yard, for which she pays £1,011 a month.

Product manager and content creator Sophie, who is from North Wales, moved to Manchester for a fresh start during lockdown. She had previously rented with a friend, but after her friend bought a house, she decided to rent somewhere on her own.

"I wanted a fresh start as it was coming towards the end of lockdown. I'd never lived on my own so it was an exciting time and Manchester is a great city so it was a good place to start," Sophie told the Manchester Evening News.

Renting was initially a short-term plan for Sophie as she wanted to save up and buy her first home.

"After my friend bought a house, I had to find somewhere quite quickly.

At the time it was just a short-term thing as I wanted to buy a house, so I was looking for somewhere I could stay for around six months," she said.

"I viewed lots of different places but when we drove past here I fell in love with it. The flat was fully furnished already which is great when you're not exactly sure what your next move is as you don't want to be buying loads of furniture.