Every review we hold for the Manchester office, from every platform, shown as written. First names only.
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleAvoid. This company are incompetent, and the areas they cover aren't worth living in. We were with Mcr life far too long, originally moved into their Cotton Field Wharf block in 2019 and moved out of Smiths Yard last month.. Essentially the only way to "affordably" rent in Ancoats, they own most of the flats in the area and new islington, possibly the reason they don't give a toss about you once you're in, theres little choice if you want to stay in the area. (which is a bit of a dump now compared to a few years ago).
The main issue is with money, They are for ever saying "you owe us this and that". First they claimed we missed £300 off our deposit, yet paid what they asked in their office and got the key? and despite proof of what we paid demanded we pay the extra £300. Then secondly thought our tenancy at both properties they would claim we missed a whole months worth of Rent... again despite proof of a direct debit we hadn't. They can never be wrong despite them making so many mistakes.
The other issue was, we initially did try and renew our tenancy for 12 months, this meant the rent increase (yes they increase it every year without reason) wouldn't be the maximum and would be under the 4% they were allowed... they conveniently "missed" our renewal form and automatically put us on a monthly rolling contract and the absolute maximum rent increase that was actually well over the limit they were allowed.
Also ach time you move out they will charge you for anything and take as much of your deposit as possible. We had our places professionally cleaned and they charged us £100 for cleaning fees and couldn't prove that they had actually used the money for a cleaner.
This is just a few of the things that aren't good enough, If I listed everything this would be a novel.
Will · 12 July 2022
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleI’m looking for an apartment to rent. I found this company advertise well on there properties. I sent emails many times to ask the price and availability but no one replied to me. I called them many time. They finally pick up the phone call but they just tell me no apartment available very impatiently. If you have no apartments available, stop advertising.
I can’t image how hard to communicate with them if I rent with them. Suggest not renting with them
Yunzhang · 7 June 2022
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleJess’ events are gr8! Have lived here and loved it since day 1
Maria · 15 October 2025
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleWe have just moved out of Cotton Field Wharf, a beautful building situated just off the canal in New Islington. After 2.5 years, we have really enjoyed the apartment, spacious, good value and supported by a management team who I think have had some fairly innapropriate feedback on the review section of this site. Any issues we had over our tenancy (and these were minor) were addressed immediately and kindly by the MCR Life maintenance team.
The letting steams have also been really helpful throughout the duration of our tenancy, to the point we have decided to purchase a MCR life property. Special mention to the people working in these teams because we have been renting for over 10 years in London or Manchester and from our experience, the team have been the best we have experienced as renters.
The apartments, communal areas and gym have been excellent additional facilities you may not always find in a rental complex.
Special thanks to the concierges who have been nothing short of excellent and take a real interest in the welfare of their residents, particualrly during the lock down periods.
No issues or disputes getting the deposit back in full and much more quickly than in previous rental contracts.
The issues mentioned around the car park are not to be blamed at MCR Life but the inconsiderate people who park in others spaces. We personally never experienced this issue. I note there are only 23 google reviews, and this is out of several hundred apartments MCR Life are operating so would take these with a pinch of salt.
The developments MCR Life are building are re-shaping this area of Manchester into one of the best areas to live in the country.
Jonathan · 7 June 2021
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleWe moved into our first apartment with Manchester Life around two years ago, it was the best thing we have ever done, the staff are always so supportive and friendly and willing to help with anything. The maintenance team are exactly the same, always willing to help out.
The locations are perfect as you get to have the quietness of being just outside the centre of town but be only a stone throw away from the centre to enjoy.
To come home and enjoy a contemporary styled living space with high ceilings,high quality lighting, bathroom etc..and generously sized rooms to breathe in. The prices are fair considering how close you are to the centre and how much you would actually pay if you was in the centre and what you would get for your money.
Always offering events ranging from fitness to craft nights which are amazing for anyone looking to expand their social circle and get to know their neighbours, creating a nice sense of community.
I would definitely recommend Manchester Life
Lee · 7 June 2020
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleAvoid avoid avoid. Manchester life deliver an absolutely awful service. They're letting staff have lied, breached data protection and caused nothing but stress, significant delays and unnecessary complications. They take no responsibility for their incompetence and diabolical ability to manage a letting agency. Manchester has come a long way in developing affordable housing for young professionals but this is ruined when the buildings are managed by companies like Manchester Life. I would not recommend this letting agent to anyone and I would urge them to employ a reliable and competent team to prevent any further stress to current tenants.
Jen · 7 June 2020
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleI lived in Smiths Yard for a year. I loved the flat. It was spacious and well proportioned with an equal space given to both bedrooms, which is perfect you are two sharing. The location was great, being a 15-20 minute walk from most of the city centre transport hubs makes a great central location, but without the madness that comes from living in the City Centre.
My experience of the staff involved with the running of the business was extremely different and of a much lower quality.
Three weeks in there was a double failure which caused the entire 4th floor to flood. My flat was under an inch or more of water. The response was slow and I was disappointed in the aftercare which they gave. Manchester Life outright refused to take any responsibility and refused to entertain the thought of claims for our damaged or ruined belongings.
I paid for a parking space for my motorbike in Sawmill Court. Within 3 months my bike had been stolen. They checked CCTV footage for the wrong car park so didn't see anything, then failed to contact me to tell me they had found nothing. I had to ask four times to speak to someone about the theft and waited over two months before I finally spoke to their Head of Front of House. He refused to acknowledge their communication was terrible but did offer to replace the spare lock and chain which they had moved and subsequently lost. Three months later I haven't heard anything from them.
They issued Section 21 'No fault eviction' notices to *all* tenants when they approached the end of their tenancy. This was often the first communication from them regarding the end/renewal of a lease, and for some people the only communication.
Their maintainence teams are often needed to do a job multiple times because they dont do it properly in the first place. Their conceirge team is not 24 hour, with many of them beingf temp workers who are rude or poor at their job.
I would not recommend renting from under any circumtstances. I caused a great deal of trouble for them and as a result they treated me softly when it came to moving out. Others had trouble getting their full deposits.
Mark · 7 June 2020
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleMCR life are only interested in gaining a profit and taking advantage of young professionals. We moved out over 2 months ago and STILL have not received our deposit back.
The staff are rude (excluding concierges) and unprofessional, as well as ignorant.
They have tried to charge us for things that aren't our fault and have done the same with MANY other tenants. I don't know anyone that has a good word to say about MCR life.
I have never complained about anything online before but people deserve to know what they are like before they choose to rent with them. NOT WORTH IT! Wish I could put 0 stars.
Charlie · 7 June 2020
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleManchester life has by far been one of the best companies my partner and I have been with for renting a property. The flat we lived in to start with was amazing such high finishes and just set in such a great location, we then moved with them to one of there other properties which is just as nice if not better. Its nice to have support from the MCRlife team. They have not given us any false promises or anything, all they have been is upfront about everything.
Adam · 7 June 2020
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleCome live in the wonderful hell of Manchester Life! You’ll have 6 days a week of constant building noise, courtesy of all the other flats being built right next door to you. Other benefits include; electric water heaters with completely inappropriate timer clocks which are impossible to understand and could cost you thousands of pounds; a ‘24’ hour concierge who is always magically absent; lashings of fruit flies; and when it’s time to leave, don’t worry, they’ll let you know with a nice Section 21 Eviction notice.
Seriously - it’s your dream torture chamber generic overpriced white box flat.
Ashley · 7 June 2020
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleGreat event organised by Jess!
Ellie · 15 October 2025
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleIf you are from overseas, namely North America... they will ask you for the 12 months of rent upfront. I am not kidding. Even if you have excellent landlord references and have never in your life defaulted on rent - they ask of 12 months up front. Do not waste your time with this letting agency. Crooked and greedy.
Nuvochic · 3 May 2023
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleDo not recommend staying with Manchester Life. The rooms are nice but the actual agency is a complete and utter shambles. They're terribly organised so good luck getting them on the phone or an email response when you need it. They tried to …
Ad · 15 April 2024
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleAvoid renting with Manchester Life at all cost. They will do everything to get your signature on the dotted line and then will just simply treat you like you don't exist. Concierges do their best but the management are incompetent and have no concept of customer service, genuinely the worst property management company i have ever encountered, wouldnt wish the experience on my worst enemy.
Martin · 7 June 2022
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleOverpriced, non-existent concierge service for the most part (never there when they should be), terrible response to issues, and don’t expect a reply to complaints. Will shaft everyone at the move-out inspection even if the place is …
Daniel · 15 April 2024
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleWe reserved a flat in Cotton Field Wharf a week before lockdown. Three months later, they're still apparently trying to complete "referencing checks" on us, never seem to have any idea what's going on when we call and consistently fail to communicate with us proactively. Today we decided to pursue a property with a different agent, who confirmed a move in date within three hours flat.
Izy · 7 June 2021
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleNice flats but its impossible to get hold of anyone to speak to. I've been emailing the rentals email address, phoning in and trying to get in contact via social media for two weeks and haven't had any response to my queries yet. It should only take 5 minutes to respond to my email but unfortunately they just don't bother or seem to care.
Jessica · 7 June 2021
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleJust one snippet of our year with MCR life, the last month the whole building (Sawmill Court) has been infested with flies and no one responds to emails or maintenance requests about this issue.
The entire time we were living there there was constant building works around the building 6, or sometimes 7 days a week, a very stressful noisy environment to attempt to live and work in.
Suzanne · 7 June 2020
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleAbsolutely impossible company. No one eve gets back to you if you email and if you try to call it just rings and rings! We’ve been told 3 times now we’ll get a reply / response tomorrow and then another WEEK passes with no response. The …
Samina · 15 April 2023
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleAwful landlord. Insufficient maintenance and totally disorganised; people have moved out in droves. Completely overpriced and not worth the money. The lettings team have been very difficult to engage with. On three occasions they let themselves into our apartment without permission - on one occasion I was in the shower. So many more issues but I shall leave it there. All in all, a terrible experience!
Faye · 8 June 2019
★★★★★ 4/5
GoogleLived there for a year, it was pretty good, apart from the car parking situation (but it's the centre of manchester what do you expect). The staff work hard and are clearly stretched between the 4-5 buildings they manage so sometimes things …
Nik · 15 April 2023
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleManchester life management are completely useless. They are great until you've moved in and then on average take three weeks to answer an email (if you're lucky). Moving out and replacing my tenancy was an absolute nightmare, taking over a …
Freya · 15 April 2023
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleAVOID AT ALL COSTS - terrible landlords who dont care much for the tenants once they have their signature on the contract. False promises are often used to acquire this and cheap materials used throughout which often need maintenance were they appear to have free reign into your flat when they need it! Rating would be lower if possible.
Jack · 7 June 2020
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleGarbage employee, the guy is really stubborn, 0 service, 0 politeness
Manchester life doesn’t care about nothing but money. …
Eggsyy · 15 April 2024
Where the same review appears twice we show it once. We leave out reviews that name another agent or another of the brand's offices.
