Greater Manchester mayor wants to tackle ‘profiteering landlords’
9:44 AM, 3rd June 2025, 10 months ago
14
Greater Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, has slammed the region’s housing system which is facing a £75 million temporary accommodation bill for families facing eviction.
Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester’s ‘Mayoral Hotseat’, Mr Burnham called for a comprehensive restructuring of housing policies, pointing to a sharp rise in households requiring temporary homes.
He targeted ‘profiteering landlords’ who, he claims, exploit public funds through the benefits system while neglecting property maintenance.
Mr Burnham said: “Too many [landlords] have been profiteering, collecting public money from the benefits system for renting out properties and not reinvesting a penny of it into the upkeep of those properties.
“You go around Greater Manchester, and you can see streets where that is the case.”
He also told the interviewer that the authority’s Good Landlords’ Charter will be extended to the social housing sector.
71% rise in temporary accommodation
A report from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) last year revealed that 5,000 households, including 7,000 children, are currently in temporary accommodation across the region.
This marks a 71% surge in such households since 2020, far outpacing the 26% increase seen across England.
The report warned that annual spending on temporary housing could soon reach £75 million, as councils struggle to meet their legal obligations to house evicted families.
Mr Burnham says the crisis is down to a shortage of council-owned homes, forcing local authorities to rely on costly private rentals.
He said: “The 10 councils of Greater Manchester are spending £75 million a year on temporary accommodation for families who have been evicted, because they have a duty to house them.
“But they’re often forced to go to the most expensive part of the private rented sector because there’s not enough council housing.”
Rise in social housing complaints
The mayor’s comments come amid growing concerns about the state of social housing, with the Housing Ombudsman last week reporting a near 500% rise in complaints over poor living conditions in the past five years.
Issues such as damp, mould, asbestos, electrical faults, fire safety risks, pest infestations and leaks have plagued tenants, many of whom live in properties managed by councils and housing associations.
However, Mr Burnham argues that the root of the problem lies in housing policies dating back to the 1980s, particularly the Right to Buy scheme, which he believes set the sector on a misguided path.
To address the crisis, he wants the government to empower local authorities to build more council housing, giving them greater control over the sector.
Tags:
Andy Burnham, council housing, Greater Manchester housing, housing ombudsman, profiteering landlords, social housing, temporary accommodation, UK Housing Crisis
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Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1575
9:50 AM, 3rd June 2025, About 10 months ago
Burnham makes a valid point. There are landlords that let dreadful properties to vulnerable tenants. They are often old, terraced properties built cheaply for workers in the 20th Century. The landlords see LHA as setting the minimum rent that they should charge.
However, he should also look at his government’s role in forcing rents higher and profits lower. Unfair taxation and over-regulation are soon to be followed by the Renters Rights Bill. Every line of the Bill increases rents for private tenants,
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 3
12:47 PM, 3rd June 2025, About 10 months ago
When will LAs and Government realise that Landlords have had enough .Year after year that is now over regulated and the most Unlawful Section 24.Name one other business you cannot deduct your business expense at 100%.
Been in the sector for over 30 years and gladly reducing my portfolio to the demise of some very nice tenants.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
4:10 PM, 3rd June 2025, About 10 months ago
Mr Burnham says the crisis is down to a shortage of council-owned homes, forcing local authorities to rely on costly private rentals.
Full acknowledgment that it is NOT a PRS landlords problem then at all!
He should be happy there are some LL’s that are still willing to even consider CHOOSING to let their properties to councils for temp accommodation purposes.
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 24
6:42 PM, 3rd June 2025, About 10 months ago
We will one day get sanity back when Reform becomes our next Mayor/ess
The faaarrr left has taken over all institutions.
Completely sick of them.
Member Since October 2019 - Comments: 391
7:15 PM, 3rd June 2025, About 10 months ago
I just can’t see why the government can’t see the reason for the many homeless is many LLs have scarpered is due to over regulations plus £30,000 fines with more to come!
Member Since October 2024 - Comments: 188
8:42 PM, 3rd June 2025, About 10 months ago
Mr Burnham talks about more council housing. Is there any space. We have built up towns and cities. Neither any government officials or Mr Burnham have talked about buying existing properties by going to estate agents or directly to the landlords in their constitution.
Landlords are selling, so those properties are available at market price. They can repair them, raise the EPC to a B or C. Show the landlords how much responsibility you can take and see how much tax payers money it costs. The new built will not last they are prefabricated temporary homes and 10 years later will need more maintenance. Prove that you are capable of maintaining them rather than rent out the landlords properties which you cannot maintain, even if you reassure to do so.
Government needs to take a greater responsibility towards the vulnerable tenants. Their job b so they should not pass it on to the landlords.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 47
9:29 AM, 4th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Maybe he should take the 75m borrow 225m (75% LTV) and buy a few thousand properties..
Member Since November 2020 - Comments: 51
8:22 AM, 7th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Mark C at 04/06/2025 – 09:29
Not sure where you could buy a ‘few thousand’ properties for £300m ??? Maybe 1500 in MCR : – wouldn’t make much of a dent in demand …
Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 14
9:04 AM, 7th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Another self serving leftie who wants to blame everyone except himself and his administration.
Awab comes under Greater Manchester and council houses sublet in Wythenshawe comes under this guys remit. Instead of calling landlords attend to your own failings in office .
Member Since October 2024 - Comments: 11
11:04 AM, 7th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 03/06/2025 – 19:15I don’t know if anyone else has seen the online advert advertising no win no fee solicitor “service” to tenants wishing to sue their landlords.
This could absolutely destroy any landlord facing this.