Gradually, the big players in property investment are beginning to dominate the Build to Rent sector. Despite being in its early stages, the BTR sector continues to draw in more and more investors. Thanks to its success, it is likely to continue attracting even more investing parties.
Competition is thriving in the BTR sector. And, with many key players already seriously investing – a monopoly is out of the question. Several investors took full advantage of the strength of BTR early on. Consequently, companies are in a healthy contest, investing, planning, constructing, completing & competing for the best locations to add to their already exemplar BTR portfolios.
This article will review the 5 companies currently holding the largest Build to Rent portfolios by unit number, in the UK.
Five companies holding the most units in the UK Build to Rent sector:
Get Living
Launched in 2013, Get Living started as one of the pioneer UK BTR companies. It is backed by investments from Qatar Investment Authority and Delancey – a real estate investment and advisory company. Get Living aims to markedly improve the standards of renting, evidenced from its major interest in the Build to Rent sector.
The company’s initial focus was on London and Manchester, with a target of 3,000 units. These developments were in areas like Elephant & Castle, London; East Village, London; and New Maker Yards, Manchester. Currently, Get Living is expanding its developments to other cities, such as Glasgow, Leeds, and more.
The number of completed Build to Rent units stands at 2,091, with 6,092 units under construction and in planning. Totalling Get Living’s interests in the sector to 8,183 units.
London & Quadrant
Next, we have London & Quadrant, a significant investor in the Build to Rent sector. L&Q is a leading charitable housing association that has been in existence close to six decades. To this day, it remains one of the most successful independent social businesses in the UK. The association takes pride in being the largest provider of new affordable housing in the country.
According to Bisnow, in 2019 London & Quadrant had completed a total number of 2,404 Build to Rent units. Most of which are located in London and the South East. The association has 185 units under construction. Additionally, 4,643 units are at different stages of planning. Soon, London & Quadrant is set to have an aggregate of 7,232 units.
Sigma Capital Group
The third biggest investor in the UK Build to Rent scene is the Sigma Capital Group. This investor is a leading provider of family housing focused on creating new communities. This is done through the provision of new, well located and quality family housing in the UK private rental housing market.
Since the inception of Build to Rent in the UK, Sigma Capital has been taking big strides in the sector. Recognising its latent genius, Sigma Capital builds and owns single-family homes rather than large blocks of apartments. These homes are located mostly in London in areas such as Barking Town Centre and Havering.
Sigma Capital is targeting the construction of 20,000 units. However, with the 2019 round-up, it has only completed the construction of 2,150 Build to Rent units. It has 1,749 and 2,150 units still under construction at various stages of planning respectively. This brings Sigma Capital’s aggregate to 7,173, marginally less than the figure for L&Q.
Quintain
Quintain is a 27-year-old private developer, and the third-largest residential developer in Ireland. However, it is the regeneration of Wembley that gives them their mark on the sector. Quintain’s Wembley Park is currently on track to be the largest Build to Rent scheme in the UK. Providing 3,000 Build to Rent units.
The number of Quintain’s completed BTR units stands at 553, while 5,492 units are under construction and in various stages of planning. The brings Quintain’s aggregate to 6,044 units.
Grainger
Established in 1912, Grainger is the UK’s largest listed residential landlord. They have been a big influence on the UK rental housing sector. With a portfolio of over 9,000 homes worth over 2.9bn, they are still planning to create more.
Grainger’s Build to Rent schemes are located mostly in London, with a new BTR development scheduled to be constructed in Lewisham. The company has 1,656 units completed and 3,359 units under construction and in the planning process. Totalling 5,015 units for Grainger.
Conclusion
Currently, Build to Rent is a focal point of property investors’ attention. BTR continues to attract more investors as it shows continued solid growth in the UK rental market.
And, with the continued and rapid growth of the sector, it will be interesting to see whether the 5 companies investing the most today, will remain the same.
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