What is build to rent?

Build to Rent is a real estate investment strategy in which an investor purchases a number of homes or lots in a neighborhood with the goal of renting them out and having them professionally maintained.

Unlike traditional single-family rentals, which typically begin as owner-occupied and pass through numerous buyers — and maybe foreclosures — before being bought and rented out, build to rent can offer something that renters rarely see: a brand-new home.

They also provide greater room and privacy than apartments. Build to rent delivers a single-family built environment without the need for a mortgage, which is always in great demand. Several build-to-rent homes are usually clustered together in a tract or neighborhood, and they’re designed specifically for renting. The neighborhoods have the feel of gated communities, with amenities and expert administration.

The number of owner-occupied properties has declined by 1.4 percent since the Great Recession (2006-2016). Meanwhile, from 2005 to 2015, single-family rental (SFR) dwellings accounted for more than half of the increases in rental housing supply. Following the downturn, private equity groups began buying large portfolios of single-family rental properties (SFRs).

Tenants will also benefit from living in custom-designed flats where maintenance needs will be promptly addressed, rather than having to deal with a private landlord who is unwilling to invest the money and typically opts for the least expensive option available. As a result, residents in Build to Rent housing will be living in a better product, paying a fixed rent that typically grows in pace with inflation, and not having to deal with landlords who reject or cannot afford to maintain the property.

What benefits do build-to-rent developments offer?

Tenants in Build to Rent buildings might expect lengthier leases than in traditional rental housing. These purpose-built communities provide a wide range of facilities, with some developments taking a more modern approach by incorporating apps that allow renters to contact on-site managers, report repairs, and provide greater transparency than most rental models can.

This approach appeals to developers and investors because of the financial benefits it can provide. The approach provides developers with a residual income in addition to the capital growth associated with owning property of this size, in addition to the government’s planned tax benefits.

Developers have the chance to increase the supply of homes while also improving the circumstances for tenants, all while profiting from a sector that is only expected to grow and demand. Rents rarely decrease with time, especially in metropolitan locations, because net profit is always determined by the extent of operational expenditures. As a result, with appropriate measurements, it should be able to forecast annual cash flow. As a result, there would be a steady income while capital growth was preserved.

What benefits are there to Build to Rent?

In comparison to rival Class A multifamily assets, the Build to Rent market has exhibited a unique potential to obtain Market Rate Premiums. Single-family rents are now climbing at 4.5 percent yearly, compared to 3 percent for multifamily apartments. Single-family rentals also have a lower turnover rate, and the rental market is less volatile than the house sales market.

Here are some of the major advantages of Build to Rent-

• BTR homes are designed to feel more like a community, and they frequently contain facilities and services that make living a little easier. Rooftop bars, gyms, pools, private movies, and other amenities are available, and some even provide laundry and cleaning services! In a nutshell, the goal is to make life as easy as possible for tenants.
• Build to Rent homes feature longer tenancy options, such as three years or more, and the rent will not increase unexpectedly. Aside from deposits and rents paid in advance, they don’t collect any upfront costs.
• Offering services such as a gym, pool, or theatre, which will be reflected in the rent, can be an honest approach for any developer to enhance their profits. Bartering a discount with local companies is frequently less expensive, as it can be supplied to residents at no expense to the landlord and allows for flexibility if circumstances change.

Build to Rent has an important role to play in delivering excellent, affordable housing to those who cannot afford to buy a home. As a solution to the housing shortfall, it has been shown to be sufficient. In addition, despite initial worries about financial sustainability, the number of large-scale Build to Rent ventures is expanding, particularly in major urban centers.

Why is it so expensive?

Built to rent is an expensive affair and there is definitely no doubt about it. However, there are valid reasons why build to rent is expensive, let’s study these. Build to Rent has a lot of advantages, but it also implies that the rentals charged every let will be much higher. Many vital community services and facilities are included in the price by the developers, operators, and management teams of these units.

• When various different amenities are offered at one place, all of this adds up to rent becoming higher, especially in metropolitan cities like London.
• Many build to rent spaces provide special lounges, sports corridors as well as workspaces. All in all, residents have their whole world inside of their build to rent space. All of this does add to the cost but at the same time, it is value for money too.
• They frequently include green outdoor spaces, gyms, laundries, and concierge services in addition to indoor lounges and event rooms.
• With all of these necessities so close at hand, as well as the benefits of a well-managed block and longer leases, it’s no surprise that this high-end living comes at a price.

Growth in the UK Market

According to the British Property Federation’s newest data, the build to rent boom has continued to produce significant new housing supply across the UK (BPF). By the end of March 2020, the UK had 157,512 builds to rent homes – new, high-quality, professionally managed homes built for renters – completed, under construction, or in the planning stages. This is a 12% increase over the same period the previous year.

By March 2020, the number of BTR homes finished in London had climbed by 29% to 20,770 units. 16,823 units are now under development, with another 37,299 in the planning stages. During the first quarter of 2021, more than £1.2 billion was invested in UK Build to Rent, which was the largest first quarter on record.

The start of the year has been aided by two significant portfolio deals. QuadReal completed the acquisition of Project Harmony in January, which included six BtR holdings totaling over 1,000 rental residences. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs completed the purchase of Project Thistle in the North West, which consists of over 900 suburban residences.

This means that operational deals now account for a higher share of capital deployed than forwarding transactions, accounting for 66 percent of the total investment for the first time since 2015. The most popular approach for investors to get into the business is through forwarding finance arrangements.

During the first quarter, nine fundraising deals were completed, with Core Cities continuing to be a popular target for investors. This quarter, Ridgeback was very busy, being engaged in three deals in Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool.

THE FUTURE OF BUILD-TO-RENT

It’s unsurprising that the Build to Rent strategy is quickly becoming a market leader in the private rental industry, despite its youth. Commuter towns on the outskirts of London are quickly following suit, creating enormous demand for regeneration. Counties like West London, Buckinghamshire, and the Thames Valley region give developers advantageous investment options due to their strong transportation connections and closeness to London.

With more than $40 billion estimated to be invested in the sector over the next five years, and starts expected to quadruple to more than 120 thousand units each year, innovation is critical for the build-to-rent industry. Build to Rent’s manufacturing procedures and financial models make it an ideal sandbox in which to experiment with new profitable strategies during the early phases of this boom.

According to new data, residential renters are willing to pay more for energy-efficient premises. The study expands on previous research that has shown that green-certified properties are rented for more than non-certified properties. Tenants who live in energy-efficient dwellings are more likely to stay or find new ones. Tenants, particularly millennials on the cutting edge, are looking for energy-efficient houses and are aware of specifics and the environmental benefits.

Builders, developers, and investors have a huge chance for expansion, but a one-size-fits-all approach will not work. The unique characteristics of the market and neighborhood in which the homes will be built must be carefully considered.

Single-family home rental projects provide an excellent chance for builders, developers, and tenants to use net-zero building principles that will have a positive influence on the environment by reducing carbon emissions. If you park an electric vehicle in your garage, you can live a carbon-free lifestyle. Renters will profit from little or free energy expenses, while builders will be able to reach high rentals for their pro formas.

Will Build to Rent make things better for renters?

Yes, and here is why-

• One of the cost advantages of Build to Rent is having access to amenities that would otherwise be too expensive. Many midscale to affluent apartment complexes include amenities like an in-ground pool and a fitness center at no additional cost to tenants.
• A homeowner would have to spend thousands of dollars on installation and maintenance if they desired access to these advantages. Condo owners aren’t immune to these expenses, either.
• Renters do not have to pay property taxes, which is one of the key advantages of renting over owning. Real estate taxes can be a significant financial burden for homeowners, and they differ by county. Property taxes can be expensive in some locations, costing thousands of dollars each year.
• Homeowners are limited to regions where they can afford to buy, whereas renters can live almost anyplace. Most house buyers will not be able to afford to live in a costly city like London, but renters will be able to do so. Despite the fact that rents might be high in regions where home values are similarly high, renters are more likely than home buyers to find a reasonable monthly payment.

Is There a Build-to-Rent Revolution Happening?

It can be said that the Build to Rent revolution is happening, here are reasons why-

• Build to Rent properties appeal to a wide range of people. They appeal to elders, individuals, and families all at the same time. Seniors like BTR because it allows them to downsize, cash out their equity, and avoid the headaches of homeownership.
• Singles who prefer the seclusion of a single-family home but still want to be part of a community would like to Build to Rent.
• Finally, Build to Rent houses are ideal for families because each one has its own private backyard, giving each family plenty of room to grow their children.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has led apartment dwellers in cities to seek single-family houses in the suburbs, Build to Rent is particularly well-positioned for success in 2021. According to an UpWork poll conducted in October 2020, as many as 23 million people in the United Kingdom expect to relocate in the future months from large metro regions to suburban locations with reduced living costs because they can now work remotely.

Given that so many renters are working from home and thus spending a larger amount of time at home, stand-alone homes offer a considerably more spacious and comfortable living experience than apartments and are thus highly tempting to potential tenants in 2021.