If you’re finding your home a bit too big to manage or paying for space you no longer need – Manchester City Council could help you make a fresh start. A new incentive programme is offering up to £2,500 to tenants in Council, Housing Association, or social rent homes who want to move into a smaller, more manageable property.
The scheme, known as Rightsizing, helps people living in larger properties relocate to homes that better fit their needs. Whether you’re getting older, dealing with higher bills, or simply don’t use all your rooms, the Council’s dedicated Rightsizing team can offer financial and practical support to make moving easier.
Manchester City Council is offering financial help for people in a social rent, Council or Housing Association homes
Rightsizing isn’t just about saving money – though smaller homes often mean lower rent, cheaper energy bills, and less upkeep. It’s also about making better use of Manchester’s housing stock.
Right now, around 20,000 households are on the city’s housing register, many waiting for larger family homes. However, around a third of all social rented family homes are believed to be under-occupied meaning they have spare bedrooms that others could use.
By choosing to rightsize, tenants can help free up much-needed homes for families while moving into a property that’s more comfortable and affordable to manage.
£2,500 cash payment for those who decide to rightsize
Residents who decide to rightsize could receive a £2,500 cash payment, which can be spent however they choose plus additional help with moving costs. The process is flexible, too: tenants can remain in their local community close to family and friends or relocate elsewhere in the city if they prefer.
The Council’s specialist Rightsizing team offers free advice, answering questions and guiding residents through every step of the process with no obligation to move if they decide it’s not right for them.
Last year, 109 households successfully downsized through the scheme, supported by Council officers, while more than 400 others have expressed interest in doing the same.
Speaking about the initiative, Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development, said rightsizing can be a “brilliant option” for older tenants or those paying for spare rooms they don’t need.
“Often a barrier to moving is the cost, but the Council will take care of the financial burden to help residents move into a new home,” he said. “The benefit for the city is that we can free up larger homes for people waiting for properties that better meet their needs.”
Cllr White added that while new social housing remains a priority, using existing homes more effectively is just as important and rightsizing offers a practical way to achieve both.
You can learn more about the Rightsizing Incentive Scheme and see if it could work for you:
- Visit Manchester Move
- Read about the Rightsizing Service
- Explore the Manchester Housing Providers Partnership (MHPP)
If you think rightsizing might suit your situation, contact the Rightsizing team for advice with up to £2,500 and practical support available, it could be the perfect step toward a smaller, simpler home.