Having attended the Conference over the last three years, it is plain to see that, in that time, the Sector has established itself as a separate asset class in Scotland.  Having previously discussed barriers to the Sector, then pipelines of projects, this year we were able to discuss projects in construction and nearing their completion. 

City Outlooks

The strong (and continually rising) rental market in both Edinburgh and Glasgow has attracted the attention of both operators and investors alike, making both cities places where people want to do business.  Equally the professional building management provided by operators makes them an attractive offering for the cities themselves.   

There was a strong message from Glasgow City Council that it is open for BTR business and will work with developers to deliver projects.  With a growing population, land availability and ambitious new homes targets, it is plain to see that Glasgow is making all the right noises when it comes to placing BTR investment.

It was acknowledged that Edinburgh has had to overcome more issues in bringing BTR projects to fruition due to the different residential market that it enjoys.  More restricted land availability and a much greater need to focus on affordable housing delivery have been challenges; but the Council now has a model which is working for developers, operators and investors. 

It was interesting to hear that 70% of Edinburgh households fall within the mid-market rent (MMR) income eligibility bands and so the need for affordable homes in the City has never been greater.  However, the policy to deliver 25% affordable homes through its planning framework (and the requirement to transfer those homes to the Council or a RSL) simply didn’t stack up for private BTR operators.  A model where the delivery of affordable homes as part of the overall BTR rental mix has been the accepted solution; where the operators themselves are agreeing terms with the Council to become long term providers of affordable homes.

With the possible exception of Aberdeen, there has been less interest in the other Scottish cities and towns as a result of their own rental markets and lesser demand making the largescale projects unprofitable without the economies of scale that they bring.  It is difficult to see how these challenges will be overcome in the short term and so, for now, it looks like BTR (certainly outwith the affordable part of the sector) is likely to remain focused on Glasgow and Edinburgh.    

Role of Central Government

It was also clear that the toolkit provided by the Scottish Government has given a clear message to the industry that BTR is seen as an important addition to the delivery of new homes in Scotland.  The speakers praised the Government's initiative, openness and agility in moving with the Sector to overcome perceived barriers.  The investment that the Government has made through the Places for People Capital MMR Fund and the loan to support the Sigma Capital PRS Fund through the Building Scotland Fund, have both given an investment boost to the Sector. 

The LBTT tax relief from the Additional Dwellings Supplement which is provided through the Multiple Dwellings Relief has been welcomed and is seen as setting Scotland apart from the rest of the UK.  The Rental Income Guarantee Scheme (RIGS) has not (yet) attracted any applications, that itself is a statement that the Government is willing to put its money where its mouth is where attracting BTR investment is concerned.  It was also heartening to know that other measures taken by the Scottish Government to protect tenants' interests through Security of Tenure, Rent Deposit Schemes and Rent Pressure Zones, are not causing undue concern for the market.            

When asked "what more could the Government do?", Planning Reform was high on the agenda, as was the more practical issue of resourcing within local government planning and building control teams (although those are not criticisms restricted to BTR). 

Although it didn't feature in the discussion at the Conference, I might add to this list a potential review of the "20 Year Rule" which prevents leases of residential property for more than 20 years.  In our experience of the purpose built student accommodation PBSA and BTR markets, it can cause problems when structuring some of the more innovative investment models.  As a result of pressure from the PBSA market, the Scottish Government considered the issue in 2017, but did not take the consultation forward because it did not appear to be a priority at that time. This is something that remains on their radar and they are committed to revisiting the issue if the demand is there.  This would allow longer term finance and greater security to be granted to investors.               

Key to Delivery

With tangible experience under their belts, there were also some key messages from operators about how to deliver a successful project. 

Sustainability, technology and resident experience are key to getting it right.  In an increasingly competitive market these are all things that will set a development apart when attracting tenants.  With an increasingly mobile population, it is also likely that brand loyalty will start to play a part, where tenants will move between cities, or indeed countries, seeking out certain operators.  We heard about the latest technology being provided by Yardi which includes facial recognition tools, Google Home Assist being linked to the property management app and key fob technology allowing ease of access for repairs.  

For the PFP MMR Fund it is all about location, location, location, with transport links being a key driver to picking the right sites for the MMR tenant. 

Costs remain challenging, as they are across the construction sector.  However, with BTR this is not just limited to the original construction costs, but extends into the operating phase.  In order to deliver the resident experience expected, continual investment is needed in technology and professional management tools to set your development apart and to maximise tenant retentions. 

Well thought out placemaking design allows the residents an opportunity to build a community which ultimately attracts and retains customers.  Operators can help with this through dynamic pricing, especially in the early operational stages, ensuring high occupancy levels creating the required buzz around the development.  This all needs to be built into the financial model from the outset.   

What will be on the agenda next year?

So, given the progress that we have made so far, what can I expect to see on the agenda at next year's conference? My guesses:-

• An increased focus on the down sizing market and how to cater for those in later life, including the provision of accessible units.  The brand loyalty that I touched on earlier might play a part in this where a single operator could be a cradle to grave landlord.   
• Co-Living, with more shared spaces (such as kitchens and bathrooms) was being recognised as something which might be attractive in the future.  This would need a review of space standards and the engagement of planners and building control.  It strikes me that this model might be particularly well suited to the Aberdeen market where there is still a considerable number of off-shore workers for whom these units would cater well. 
• Increased construction costs and the increased use of modular construction techniques to drive efficiencies, whether that is through discrete pods, such as kitchens and bathrooms, or whole units, being manufactured off-site.

I'm looking forward to it already…maybe the sun will even shine!