Hugely successful 10th ARL Rental Living Annual Conference highlights rental living sector strength, innovation and potential

As the membership body for all institutionally backed, professionally managed purpose-built rental living sectors, the Association for Rental Living champions a dynamic, innovative and inclusive rental living sector by driving standards, fostering community and creating homes where people thrive. Its annual conference, this year held at the iconic One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, brought this mission to life, bursting with insightful speeches, roundtables and deep dive breakout sessions. 

The opening keynote focused on moving the dial on building safety, forensically exploring how the Build to Rent (BTR) sector was overcoming challenges ranging from competence to insurance to viability. With expert contributions from Peter Clark of Ark Workplace Risk, Invesco’s Stacey Patten and Nicky Barker of KKR, Apache’s Ashley Perry moderated an insightful session which also featured a video message from Dame Judith Hackitt who led the post-Grenfell Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety and was instrumental in shaping the Building Safety Act, setting the tone for the day.  

Additional keynotes saw Dr Nero Ughwujabo of the King’s Trust focus on the value of equality, diversity and inclusion in business, culture and geopolitics, and Brendan Geraghty (Association for Rental Living), Alex Notay (Radix Big Tent Housing Commission), Rebecca Taylor (Long Harbour), Danielle Bayless (Quintain) and Kate Butler (BPF) discuss the Code of Practice. Sector leaders considered how to change attitudes among politicians, local authorities and the public towards BTR and the importance of that cultural change challenge. 

The Strategic Rental Living Conference also saw sessions on BTR in Scotland, new operational benchmark data, later living opportunities and how operators are igniting BTR development and investment. Placemaking and the Renters’ Rights Act were also key areas of focus. 

The inaugural NetxGen Pathways conference, which ran concurrently, saw sessions full to capacity throughout the day with topics covering procurement, mobilization, building a health and safety culture and career progression within BTR, along with a Q&A session with industry leaders.    

Discussions were interspersed with breakout sessions looking at everything from the impact of tech on rental living to how alternative uses can reduce residential voids. The hugely popular design charette returned, with the most innovative and influential designers and architects in the sector joining forces with delegates to undertake a unique design challenge. 

The Rental Living Annual Conference was supported by a wide range of sponsors, including Vertus, WTW, NHBC, Yardi, Touchstone, Greystar, Touch Right, Lette, LOFT, Abode Worldwide and Related Argent along with BTR News, Urban Living News, Show House and Tall Buildings Media as media partners. 

Throughout the day, the presentation of the three People Awards 2025 created a buzz of excitement. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Dan Batterton of L&G, while Shruti Patel of PLATFORM_ was recognised with the Rising Star Award. The Industry Shaper Award was won by Sowgol Zarinchang of Way of Life. 

Brendan Geraghty, CEO, the Association for Rental Living commented: ”With so many investors, operators, developers, suppliers and advisors from across the rental living sector ecosystem coming together to explore key issues, challenges and opportunities, the 10^th Annual Conference was a timely reminder of the strength, innovation and future potential of the sector. The inaugural NextGen Pathways Conference was also a superb opportunity for the sector’s future leaders to learn, network and engage, demonstrating the bright future of rental living.”