More than half of all rented homes in Greater Manchester are now covered by the UK’s first ever Good Landlord Charter
Since it opened in April 2025, more than 100 social and private landlords have registered as Supporters of the Charter, covering more than 234,000 homes
Meanwhile Fines worth £1.47m issued from enforcement action against poor landlords the last two years will be reinvested to enforce against bad private rented housing.
The charter is a cornerstone of Andy Burnham’s ambition to make Greater Manchester a Housing First city-region, where everyone has access to a safe, secure, affordable and healthy home by 2038.
t is the first voluntary scheme of its kind across the UK, bringing together leading social housing providers and a growing number of private landlords who have committed to raising standards beyond the legal requirements.
Since 2024, Greater Manchester has led a crackdown on negligent landlords, increasing the number of enforcement fines for housing offences by 43%, totalling £1.47 million. This is being reinvested into local housing enforcement teams, helping to protect tenants against negligent landlords and poor housing.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Today we are entering a new era for renting in Greater Manchester. We’re making it clear that renting out sub-standard properties, which damage the health of our residents, will no longer be tolerated. This city-region is getting serious about driving up housing standards and delivering on the promise of a good home for everyone.
“We know there are many good landlords out there and the Charter will give them the recognition they deserve. It will also help isolate those who require further attention from our enforcement teams. The £1.47 million of civil penalties our local authorities have issued in the last two years show we’re holding the most negligent landlords to account.
“Together, we’re leading the way in how to build a fairer, stronger housing system and blazing a trail for the rest of the country to follow.”
Deputy Mayor and Greater Manchester Lead for Housing, Paul Dennett, said: “The housing crisis we face isn’t just about supply, it’s about quality, security, and fairness. The Good Landlord Charter sets a clear, ambitious standard for what good renting looks like in the 21st century. It reflects a true partnership approach, one that works with landlords who want to do better.
“Today also marks a major step forward in our journey to a city-region where everyone has a safe, secure and affordable home. The housing crisis we face cannot be solved by simply building more homes, it’s also about making the homes we already have better for the tenants that live in them.
“The Charter is about recognising and backing landlords who are committed to doing the right thing. Our message is simple: if you’re a good landlord, Greater Manchester wants to work with you. If you break the law, expect to be held to account.”
