"We can handle longer tenancies" says Build To Rent provider

Grainger says it’s ready to respond to the growing need for longer tenancies for families and older renters - the latter category highlighted by BBC research last week. 

Grainger says it has 9,000 homes across key cities like London, Birmingham and Manchester; many are part of an £850m investment programme creating Build To Rent schemes where blocks are created for rent by a single company and not sold individually. 

It says two of its latest schemes in London and Portsmouth cater for renters and particularly families in different ways.

In London, Argo Apartments, the new 134-home development in Canning Town, offers a laundry service and residents also have access to a gym, with virtual fitness yoga and spin classes available. There’s also a 24-hour concierge.

The 104-home Berewood development in Waterlooville, Hampshire is part of a wider regeneration, creating 2,550 homes at a range of price points. It is close to a primary school and is bordered by farmland.

In addition Grainger is offering flexible tenancies up to five-years, with what it describes as “no hidden fees and transparent yearly rent reviews.”

“Many people see renting as a tenure of last resort and we want to change that by offering certainty, service and quality. As a long-term investor, we can take a long-term view – which is not the same as many amateur buy to let landlords whose situation could change at any time” says Anish Thobhani, customer operations director for the firm.

“Many people wouldn’t think twice about leasing a car these days because of the excellent service and fully inclusive offers you get. We want to replicate this with home rental.”