The ULI UK Young Leaders and expert speakers were back together to explore key issues in Build to Rent due to popular demand. With a panel of experts crossing the entire lifecycle of Build to Rent development, the whistle stop run though of issues facing the sector provided some interesting insight on opportunities to overcome them despite the early start to the day.

With Adam Challis Head of Residential Research, JLL providing an outline to the sector and the appeal to investors and policy makers, the group were taken through development and funding, through to costing and viability before looking in detail at managing and operating developments; including lessons learnt from other sectors such as hotels.

Following a short Q&A, we were split into groups to discuss some key areas which may encourage greater development in the sector. Each group were fortunate to spend time with the panel members and develop their ideas before reporting back to the wider group.  Areas covered included:

• Developing policy to encourage Build to Rent as a tenure and a genuine choice of tenure threw out some interesting possibilities including planning policy amendments such as designations and how to incorporate affordable housing into developments without isolating them.

• Branding for the sector was an interesting topic depending on the panel members position in the development stage. With those in research and funding focusing on how the sector is framed for policy and decision makers at funding organisations; those involved in the running and management were focused more on how the sector is perceived by residents within developments providing contrasting views in places.

• Innovation in the sector is key to make it attractive and a choice for people. Use of technology to enhance the experience and finding new  ways to provide  services  and facilities in developments that can facilitate a community would be crucial to attracting renters to new developments.

With a lot crammed into a short  period of time and contrasting views, the conversations continued as people headed off to work; I suspect Alex Notay as moderator would consider that to be a successful session.

Words by Philip Schmid, JLL