Build To Rent firms say housing survey show need for new sector to grow

The findings of the most recent English Housing Survey, an annual report published by the Department for Communities and Local Government, shoiws the need for Build To Rent to grow rapidly, according to two firms operating in the sector. 

The survey reveals that 28 per cent of homes in the private rented sector failed to meet the government’s Decent Homes standards, which takes into account the levels of disrepair, electrical safety, the health effects of issues such as damp and a range of other indicators. 

While this represents an improvement from a decade ago when the figure stood at 47 per cent, it nonetheless exposes weaknesses, such as nearly one in five of those living in private renting lacking even basic fire protection such as smoke alarms.

The survey also highlighted roughly two thirds of private tenants asked to move out of their property - representing nearly 90,000 households - had to move because their landlord wanted to either use or sell the property.

“The issues across the private rented sector are often ones of security, from tenancy length to fire protection. Those in the Build to Rent sector have a vested interest in keeping hold of their tenants and ensuring that the homes we provide are to the highest possible standard. The continual growth of the private rented sector demands a change in approach, we need to see a shift towards professionally managed homes that provide what renters are really looking for, a secure place to live and grow” according to Jean Marc-Vandevivere, chief executive of BTR operator PLATFORM_. 

Meanwhile Johnny Caddick, managing director at Moda Living - another company delivering BTR units - says: “The many real concerns people have around renting are totally justified, but our aim is to address all of these with purpose-built developments that are managed 24/7 and which engender a real sense of community. We have a commercial imperative to do things properly, whereas traditional buy to let landlords have little incentive to maintain and upgrade knackered old properties.”