‘None of Manchester Life’s homes are affordable, and the developer does not pay any subsidies for local amenities, known as section 106 payments. ‘Rivals say the partnership has created an uneven playing field for developing the lucrative east Manchester corridor next to the Etihad. “This is a sweetheart deal between the council and Abu Dhabi,” said one. “They get the land without any fair competition process, they can build apartment blocks, and when the blocks start earning millions the council gets no rental income. They don’t even have to make section 106 payments, like lots of other developers. The whole thing stinks.” ‘Manchester Life was launched with a promise “to rebalance the relationship between landlord and tenant to one of equals”. Just a year after the opening of a rental apartment block in Smiths Yard, residents received section 21 eviction notices. These allow landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason, even if the rent has been paid on time and the property kept in good condition.’ thetimes.com/business/articl…