PRESS RELEASE: Leading agent reports rocketing numbers of Chinese student tenancy enquiries signalling residential market recovery

Manchester’s leading residential agent has reported a 400 per cent increase in enquiries for the month of May from international students.

This huge number of enquiries for May is an indication that the international student accommodation market is on the road to recovery despite travel restrictions. Pre-pandemic, the Chinese student community brought £500 million a year to the Greater Manchester economy – Manchester Apartments is now reporting over 3,000 residential requests of which 50 per cent are international enquiries.

Jonathan Griffiths, director at Manchester Apartments, said: “Clearly it’s not unexpected to have an increase in enquiries and tenancy agreements as we come out of the pandemic, but this is significantly higher than projected figures. It’s brilliant news for Manchester, this is a true indication that we should see an influx of Chinese students specifically in the autumn term.”

Manchester’s university sector plays a huge role in the success of the local economy and, with one in eight of the City’s student population being Chinese, the impact of not having this community has hit the economy hard during the pandemic.

Griffiths continued: “We cannot underestimate the importance that all international students play in the success of the City – and this is a clear indication that interest is extremely high for the coming academic year. Manchester Apartments has long recognised trends from the volume of our enquiries and contracts, now we’re optimistic that a full recovery is in the near future. Interestingly there is an increase in enquiries from the Middle East too. We hope Manchester welcomes all international students back in its uniquely warm and enthusiastic way!”

Manchester Apartments has over 1000 high specification apartments within the City centre for the student and young professional markets, over the pandemic, the company has managed to retain a 97% occupancy level, with certain projects, like Westpoint in Trafford, completely full. With over 1000 apartments under construction in Manchester alone, these sales enquiries demonstrate the under-supply of high quality and well managed affordable homes for young tenants in the region.

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For more information see mapartments.co.uk.