The key to long-term success in the BTR sector

While BTR properties are designed with a distinct purpose, they are still exposed to many of the same challenges faced by the wider residential sector. Whilst our portfolio of over 90,000 homes is incredibly diverse, the ultimate management goals are the same: to keep people safe, to ensure homes are well maintained in the long-term and to provide a high-quality, professional service. 

Through our scale and expertise, we have been able to develop a number of specialist teams that can support our clients through the full lifecycle of their developments, from the early planning stages via development consultancy through to full occupancy.  Our specialist teams support our property management teams, for example our clients dealing with the Building Safety Act, cladding replacements and keeping all abreast of the evolving requirements around managing fire safety. 

Community is critical

From communal spaces to social calendars, the sense of community offered by Build to Rent developments can be a key driver for many residents choosing to live in BTR homes. Not only does a more stable community lower the turnover costs for investors, but it also  improves the experience of residents. As a result, developing and maintaining community cohesion is a critical requirement for those operating in the sector.

As the face of the business, on-site teams are instrumental in developing that sense of community and shaping the day-to-day experience of residents. Through our asset management services, we support on-site teams looking to deliver the best for residents, sharing insights from across the BTR sector and beyond that can raise standards or overcome challenges. With events and activities key aspects of a strong resident engagement strategy, our Community Engagement Manager is also on-hand to support with idea generation and logistics as required. 

Delivering cost-efficiency

While the costs associated with maintenance, compliance and community building are all necessary for BTR developments to operate effectively, we understand that all expenditure ultimately detracts from investor profits. A key challenge for BTR operators is therefore how to deliver resident satisfaction whilst remaining cost-conscious. As a large managing agent, we leverage economies of scale, negotiating the best deals possible for our clients. This means that our clients have access to more competitive prices in areas such as lift and utility contracts, insurance, M&E, window cleaning, pest control and landscaping, than would be achievable if operating independently in the market.

Catherine Riva, Co-CEO of Rendall & Rittner comments: “Through our white-labelled services, we support our clients' operations. We act as an extension of our client's teams whilst our forward-thinking approach ensures our developments will remain compliant and well-maintained for years to come. Operating at scale Rendall & Rittner delivers added value, providing access to both specialist teams and the procurement of competitive costs.”

Claire Malkinson, Area Director at Rendall & Rittner