We paid full year of rent up front to secure a flat

Couple went to great lengths to secure property amid fiercely competitive rental market, writes Phoebe Jobling

THE RENTAL market in Greater Manchester is nothing short of a nightmare for most tenants these days.

Not only have rent costs gone up by a staggering amount over the last few years, taking the average rent in Manchester to £1,600 per month, but securing a rented home seems to be somewhat impossible.

As demand for rented properties continues to outweigh supply across the region, anyone who wants to be in with a chance of getting a rental has to fight off fierce competition. Tenants who are desperate to rent are having to do whatever it takes to win the battle - including signing up to rent without even viewing their new home, and paying a big chunk of money upfront.

Matt and his partner George are currently renting a flat in the soughtafter area of Didsbury in south Manchester, but getting there was far from easy. Matt, 34, who is originally from Bath, works as a volunteer manager and over the last decade he has worked and lived all over the country from London to Manchester as well as internationally.

Matt moved to Dubai for two-anda-half years during the pandemic for a work opportunity where he managed to save up 'tax free' cash in the hopes of one day putting it towards his own home.

But after his job contract came to an end, the 34-year-old said he was ready to return to the UK.