Empty Homes Event
Good Landlord Charter Shares Best Practice at Greater Manchester Empty Homes Learning Network Event
The Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter recently joined colleagues from across Greater Manchester at the Empty Homes Learning Network Event, a day dedicated to sharing ideas, practical learning and innovative approaches to bringing empty properties back into use. The event brought together local authority empty homes teams, housing professionals, researchers and partners who are all working towards a common goal: increasing housing supply and reducing pressure on temporary accommodation services.
The event highlighted the scale of the challenge facing Greater Manchester. More than 12,800 homes across the city-region have been empty for six months or longer, while local authorities continue to face significant demand for temporary accommodation. The Learning Network provided an opportunity to showcase successful projects, discuss barriers and share lessons learned from boroughs that are already delivering positive outcomes.
Tom and Charlotte, representing the Charter, presented the principles behind the Charter and the support available to landlords who want to go beyond their minimum legal obligations. As a free scheme, the Charter recognises and supports landlords committed to achieving the highest standards in renting. When the GMCA announced its £11.7 million Empty Homes Programme in 2025, it confirmed that landlords participating in the Lease and Repair scheme would be required to sign up to the Good Landlord Charter. This reflects a shared ambition not only to bring properties back into use, but to ensure they are managed to a high standard once occupied.
Throughout the day, attendees heard inspiring examples of how councils are already transforming empty homes into much-needed housing. Presentations from Manchester, Rochdale, Wigan, Trafford and Tameside Local Authorities demonstrated how partnership working, landlord engagement, refurbishment funding and innovative leasing models are helping to return vacant homes to productive use while supporting households in need of accommodation.
A recurring theme across the event was the importance of quality. Whether delivering temporary accommodation, leasing former empty homes, or supporting vulnerable households, speakers highlighted the need to look beyond minimum compliance and focus on creating homes that provide safety, stability and dignity. This message strongly aligns with the Charter's mission and demonstrates why the Charter is an important part of Greater Manchester's wider housing strategy.
Greater Manchester is creating a stronger, more joined-up approach to tackling empty homes. The Good Landlord Charter is proud to be part of that conversation and looks forward to continuing to support landlords and partners as more empty homes are transformed into high-quality places for people to live.
If you are an investor or landlord who would like to know more about the Empty Homes scheme in your borough, please reach out to membership@gmgoodlandlord.org.uk, detailing the borough you are interested in, we can share a little more of the offer for that borough and how to stay updated going forward. As this project is being run by the Local Authorities, we will make sure you are connected to the relevant borough.
