BTR – a toddler still learning to walk?

July 19th 2018 - Posted by

Just a few years ago build-to-rent (BTR) was a rarely used phrase in the UK. Now it is one of the hottest real estate sectors around. Our panel of leading experts discuss the extent to which BTR has matured, the challenges it still faces and where the sector will go from here …

Panellists

  • Andrew Cook – investment manager, M&G Real Estate (AC)
  • Lora Salomidou – product owner, The Collective (LS)
  • Rebecca Taylor – investment director, Long Harbour (RT)
  • Katherine Rose – director of data & advisory services, Prsim (KR)
  • John Dunkerley – chief executive and co-founder, Apache Capital (JD)
  • Russell Markou – head of PRS operations,Tipi (RM)
  • James Pargeter – projects director, Greystar Europe (JP)
  • David Parsley, contributing editor, Property Week – Chair (DP)

 

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Is Ireland’s affordable student accommodation strategy failing?

July 18th 2018 - Posted by

Private companies are failing to build affordable student accommodation in Ireland, despite its National Student Accommodation Strategy seemingly going well.

In a report released last week, the Government of Ireland announced 2,900 new student beds have been completed with a further 7,257 in development.

This means the government’s target to create 7,000 beds by 2019, as outlined in the 2017 National Student Accommodation Strategy, is well on-track – or so it seems …

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Rent caps for purpose-built student accommodation to be introduced – Ireland

July 18th 2018 - Posted by

New legislation that will seek to prevent steep rises in rent paid for purpose-built student accommodation is to be introduced by the Government.

The move comes after both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin introduced private members’ motions in the Dáil seeking to cap rent for purpose-built student accommodation.

Student accommodation prices in certain areas have seen increases of as much as 15 per cent, and there has been controversy over the high levels of rent paid in newly built student accommodation in Dublin and other cities …

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UA92 advances plans for student accommodation

July 17th 2018 - Posted by

In a departure from previous office-to-residential proposals, an updated planning application has been submitted for Warwick House featuring 201 student flats under the UA92 Student Living brand, while plans for Charlton House are set to go before Trafford Council’s executive next week.

The 39,200 sq ft Warwick House office, bounded by Talbot Road and Warwick Road, was previously planned for an office-to-residential conversion by Beech Holdings, which had submitted proposals to convert Warwick House into 80 apartments.

However, a fresh planning application has now been put forward to extend the five-storey building by three storeys to house 201 student apartments to provide accommodation to the nearby UA92 University, which will open in the former Kelloggs office opposite Old Trafford Cricket Ground …

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KKR teams with Round Hill for student housing debut

July 17th 2018 - Posted by

Investor KKR has formed a partnership with Round Hill Capital to target the student accommodation sector and seeded the joint venture with the acquisition of a 7 acre site in the Netherlands.

KKR and Round Hill, along with their partners on this acquisition, Stadium Capital Partners, plan to build two towers for 577 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds at the site in Utrecht by converting the dilapidated Oudenrijn hospital building and developing a new 23-storey building. In addition, 173 residential apartments will be built on the site targeted at young professionals as well as commercial space and dedicated amenities and common areas for the students.

On completion, the PBSA will be managed by The Nido Collection, Round Hill’s student accommodation specialist brand. The deal marks the first investment in European student housing for KKR which has pledged to use resources from its recently closed $739m Real Estate European Partners Fund to further invest in the sector …

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A Leeds site occupied by a Chinese restaurant set to be redeveloped to provide 400 student beds

July 13th 2018 - Posted by

A Leeds site currently occupied by a Chinese restaurant is set to be redeveloped to provide 400 student beds following its acquisition.

Gregory Property Group has exchanged contracts to purchase a one-acre site on Bingley Street, which is currently occupied by Maxi’s Chinese restaurant.

The restaurant plans to relocate within the area if a suitable opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, it will focus on the 300-seat Maxi’s York, in Nether Poppleton …

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Physical activity holds key to improving student mental health

July 10th 2018 - Posted by

University students who take part in regular physical activity say they perform better, are more employable and enjoy better mental wellbeing, according to the biggest study of its kind.

With students in higher education under more pressure than ever to balance studies, finances and social lives, reports of mental health issues are on the rise, particularly feelings of loneliness and isolation. Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics suggest 95 students took their own lives in England and Wales in the 12 months to July last year, leading the Government to introduce an awards system to recognise universities achieving excellence in mental health care.

Now, a joint-report from ukactive, British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS), Precor and Scottish Student Sport (SSS) – called the ‘British Active Students Survey’ – has found that promoting physical activity, including sports participation and gym membership, improves student’s personal wellbeing, mental wellbeing, social inclusion, and perceived academic attainment and employability …

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Student.com partners with Student Minds to run mental health training

July 4th 2018 - Posted by

The new training program for landlords of student accommodation will help prioritise student mental health

The training will be delivered as an online webinar and an offline session hosted at Student.com’s London office. Ahead of the training session, Student.com and Student Minds will survey landlords to gain additional insights into the mental health-related challenges they currently face …

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“TigerLime were engaged by the joint administrators of a large student accommodation property in the centre of Lancaster, on short notice and in difficult circumstances. TigerLime maintained regular communication on matters important to us and liaised closely with us and our appointed property agents towards a successful sale of the property.””

Nick Reed (Director), PwC and joint administrator of Cable Street Investments Limited