Apartment block

The development of apartment blocks has seen considerable change in recent years, driven by increased demand in the private rental sector. With one in five UK households now renting, increased appetite for longer tenancies and professionally managed apartment blocks has seen impressive growth in the Build to Rent and Co-living sectors.

Initial growth in the Build to Rent sector was largely confined to London, with the regions presenting some challenges for developers in terms of pricing and planning. However, schemes have begun to appear outside of London, particularly in Birmingham and Manchester, and more are in the planning pipeline. Rent collection showed itself to be broadly robust in 2020 despite the Covid-19 pandemic and is predicted to increase in 2021.

A large proportion of build-to-rent tenants are of working age and the sector is potentially vulnerable to post-pandemic unemployment, but if it can weather that storm there seems little reason not to anticipate continued growth. This would seem to be borne out by investment volume data published by Savills, which suggests that volumes achieved by October 2020 had already matched those for the whole of 2019.

Demand for Co-living spaces also looks set to continue, with CBRE reporting high occupancy levels despite the pandemic and healthy new booking levels even during lockdown. The difficulties associated with maintaining social distancing in communal spaces might have been expected to impact the viability of the model, but in the longer term demand is likely to be bolstered by wider lifestyle trends; a desire to increase connectivity with neighbours and establish collaborative communities.

We see one key feature of build-to-rent and Co-living schemes – the incorporation of technological and design solutions to meet the environmental, social and lifestyle aspirations of their tenants – as a catalyst to their ongoing success.

How can we help you?

Find out how we can help you. Get in touch with one of our real estate lawyers or register for updates to stay up-to-date.

Contact us

Explore the map further

Our buildings and communities are being redefined and repurposed. Working with clients from across the real estate sector gives us a viewpoint on the new trends evolving. On our map we look at the important changes affecting the real estate industry today and in future and offer insight on the challenges and opportunities for our sector across a range of assets and key themes. Please click on the links in the map to discover more.

View map in full screen

Apartment block

How can we help you?

Explore the map further

Further reading

Building safety: Applying for a building assessment certificate

Building Safety: Principal Designer and Principal Contractor

What is the Biodiversity Net Gain regime?

Aisle be staying – Sainsbury’s defeats landlord’s redevelopment ground

Building safety: Applying for a building assessment certificate

Building Safety: Principal Designer and Principal Contractor

What is the Biodiversity Net Gain regime?

Aisle be staying – Sainsbury’s defeats landlord’s redevelopment ground

Existing clients

Staff

Apartment block

How can we help you?

Explore the map further

Further reading

Building safety: Applying for a building assessment certificate

Building Safety: Principal Designer and Principal Contractor

What is the Biodiversity Net Gain regime?

Aisle be staying – Sainsbury’s defeats landlord’s redevelopment ground

Building safety: Applying for a building assessment certificate

Building Safety: Principal Designer and Principal Contractor

What is the Biodiversity Net Gain regime?

Aisle be staying – Sainsbury’s defeats landlord’s redevelopment ground