Manchester stays top UK city for buy-to-let as North West investors remain resilient

A Handelsbanken survey of North West property investors found strong confidence in the market despite new landlord legislation and wider economic volatility. Ninety‑three percent expect portfolio values to rise, 84 % plan to expand holdings, and only 1 % intend to leave the sector. Investors are also upgrading properties for energy efficiency and seeing opportunities in build‑to‑rent.

At the same time, Aldermore’s Buy‑to‑Let City Tracker ranked Manchester as the best UK city for buy‑to‑let investment for the second consecutive year. The city leads on average rent, low vacancy (0.8 %), and house‑price growth (6.3 %), with 32 % of its population in the private rental market and short‑term yields around 7.2 %. The report notes that, even with tighter regulation, fundamentals such as demand outpacing supply keep returns attractive.