Given the high level of demand for property in Greater Manchester, and the UK in general, you would think that all property would be snapped up. This isn’t the case though and government figures suggest that there are over 11,000 homes in the Greater Manchester area lying empty. These homes are unfurnished and many could be put to good use such is the level of demand for property but it seems as though this isn’t the case,
Wigan is the area with the largest problem in Greater Manchester as figures suggest that there are 1,644 “long term vacant” properties in the area. A long term vacant property is one which has been empty for a minimum of six months and is predominantly unfurnished.
Stockport has over 1,000 long term vacant properties
Other areas in Greater Manchester with have empty long-term properties include Bolton, which has 1,637 suitable properties, Oldham has 1,219 properties and Salford has 1,121. Next in line is Stockport, which has a recorded total of 1,059 long term vacant properties. Other areas with a notable level of long term vacant properties include Tameside which has 1,042 properties, Rochdale with 1,008 properties, there are just over 1,000 long term vacant properties in Bury and Trafford holds 637 properties which can be classed as long term vacant.
While Manchester itself has a total of 1,599 empty properties, this is significantly down on the figure for a decade ago. This is because there were over 10,000 properties of this nature lying empty in Manchester. This shows that there has been a change in focus when it comes to empty properties and it also indicates that the increased level of demand is having a big impact on the city with respect to longer term changes.
Yes, it would be ideal if there were a much smaller level of long term vacant properties in Greater Manchester but there have been big improvements over the years. There is still a need to keep working hard to ensure the property stock is used in the most effective and appropriate manner but in the grand scheme of things, this is an area where there has been marked improvement in Manchester.
In England, there were a total of 203,596 long term vacant properties at the end of October 2015 which is a fall from a level of 205,821 at the end of October 2014. While Greater Manchester has fewer long term vacant properties compared to West Yorkshire, which holds 12,292; areas like the West Midlands and Merseyside recorded lower figures than Greater Manchester.
This is clearly an issue that is on-going for the Greater Manchester property market and you can guarantee that we’ll continue to focus on this topic in the months to come.
For all your property needs, please contact Spencer Harvey Estate and Letting Agents on:
0161 480 8888
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