Property industry movers and shakers: James Maguire moves to new role at Housing Hand

Property industry movers and shakers: James Maguire moves to new role at Housing Hand

by Louise United Kingdom
  • Maguire will oversee strategic partnerships, alliances and sales
  • He joins just as Housing Hand launches revamped partner portal
  • Maguire’s 20 years’ experience, including at Rightmove and Reapit, will support Housing Hand’s growth strategy

Market-leading UK rental guarantor service Housing Hand has announced the appointment of James Maguire as its new Head of Sales and Business Development. Maguire will oversee the delivery of Housing Hand’s strategic sales focus for the UK and Ireland, including building key partnerships and alliances to support market demand, as well as managing the company’s overall sales function.

Maguire brings 20 years’ experience of digital sales and marketing to the role. He has spent the last decade working in the property sector, including at Rightmove and Reapit.

“We are delighted to welcome James to the Housing Hand team and to such an important strategic role for the company over the coming years. We have an ambitious growth strategy, designed to support even more students and professionals into rental accommodation that would otherwise not be open to them – or only available with a vast deposit. James will play a key part in turning that vision into reality.”

Terry Mason, Group Operations Director, Housing Hand

Based in London, Maguire’s new role will see him working with clients across the UK and Ireland. It will include building partnerships with a wide range of accommodation providers, including landlords, purpose built student accommodation providers, universities and letting agents.

“I am joining Housing Hand at a really exciting time for the business, with the launch of our innovative new partner portal, which will help accommodation providers have full visibility of the tenant journey through Housing Hand. This in turn will assist them letting properties quicker to students and working professionals, as well as giving them access to leads of active tenants looking for accommodation in their areas.”

James Maguire, Head of Sales and Business Development, Housing Hand

Maguire will oversee Housing Hand’s experienced field sales and account manager teams, which focus on long-term partnerships with clients, with Housing Hand supporting their growth in letting both student and residential accommodation.

“The pandemic has impacted the lettings market in multiple ways. One result is that an increasing number of tenants are in need of Housing Hand’s guarantor services, so I’m delighted to join the business at such an important time.”

James Maguire, Head of Sales and Business Development, Housing Hand

For more information, please contact Housing Hand today on +44 (0) 207 205 2625 or visit https://www.housinghand.co.uk/

Forget the Euros: will Spain, Portugal or the UK win the battle of the property champions?

Forget the Euros: will Spain, Portugal or the UK win the battle of the property champions?

by Louise Portugal Spain United Kingdom , ,
  • Portugal may be the defending European champion, but how does its property market stand up?
  • Will Spain’s second home credentials win out?
  • Or is UK property still holding its own?  

Euro 2020 excitement is reaching fever pitch, with the first match (Turkey versus Italy) due to kick off in Rome on Friday 11 June. In total, 51 fixtures will be played across 11 host cities. Both Spain and the UK will be hosting matches (in Seville and London, respectively), as defending champions Portugal seek to retain their championship title.

But enough about football. What about the contenders’ property credentials – does it make more sense to buy property in Portugal, Spain or the UK right now?

“Each country has its own merits when it comes to buying property there. Whether it makes more sense to buy in the UK, rather than Portugal or Spain, for example, depends entirely on what you plan to use the property for – and how long you intend to hold onto it before selling.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

Owning property in Portugal has plenty of appeal. The cost of living/holidaying there is a major draw. Numbeo reports that Portugal’s cost of living is lower than that of Spain, which in turn is lower than that of the UK. The Post Office Holiday Costs Barometer 2021, meanwhile, reports that Portugal’s Algarve is cheaper to visit that Spain’s Costa del Sol. And with property priced at €1,185 per square metre, Portugal’s homes are also cheaper than pretty much all of western Europe. Score one for Portugal.

Portugal also delivers an enviable lifestyle, particularly in the sun-kissed Algarve, with its stunning coastline, world-class golf and marine sporting facilities and its picturesque towns and villages packed with independent restaurants and cafés serving up the delicious local cuisine.

In terms of what you can get for your money in the Algarve, the homes at Amendoeira Golf Resort are a great example. Two-bedroom apartments cost from €285,000, while three-bedroom villas with private pools are priced from €490,000.

Owned and operated by Kronos Homes, Amendoeira Golf Resort presents buyers with a range of additional facilities, including golf, tennis, a gym, communal pools, a sports bar, a restaurant and a stunning new clubhouse. For those currently fixating on the Euros, there’s a natural grass football field built to FIFA’s standards, along with two AstroTurf five-a-side football fields.

So, what does Spain have to offer? Like the Algarve, southern Spain offers a superb outdoor lifestyle, with 300 days of sunshine per year. It also provides a wealth of golf and other sporting facilities, along with a wonderfully scenic coastline. Spain’s coast is on the Mediterranean, so it wins out over Portugal when it comes to sea temperatures (as Portugal sticks out into the Atlantic).

For those who like to treat themselves while on holiday, Spain is also the place to be. From designer clothes to yachts, the country’s southern shores are awash with high-end goods and upscale beach clubs (far more so than that Algarve, which tends to deliver luxury in a rather more laid-back fashion).

“Spain has long been a favourite destination for British holidaymakers and second home buyers. Its vibrant towns, superb gastronomy and cosmopolitan atmosphere are ideally suited to relaxation and enjoyment.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Spain also wins out over its Iberian neighbour when it comes to flight times – just. Flying from London to Alicante takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, while London to Faro is closer to 2 hours and 50 minutes.

In terms of properties, the Costa del Sol has a wealth of options available. Leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España offers everything from golf apartments to stunning beachfront homes.

A property at Sun Valley, for example, provide residents with all the benefits of living at the prestigious La Cala Golf Resort. Priced from €251,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, the south and southwest facing homes enjoy panoramic golf and sea views and come with a communal pool and infant splash pool. The individual apartments all feature large terraces and spacious interiors.

Where does all this leave the UK? Well, while Portugal and Spain are winning big with second home buyers, investors looking for passive income are turning to the UK, according to property investment firm Fabrik Invest. The company cites the UK’s stability as an investment destination as a key part of its appeal

Owning a rental property in the UK certainly comes with plenty of earning potential. The Exchange in Preston is an excellent example. It offers contemporary urban apartments within one of the city’s key redevelopment zones – Stoneygate. On-site amenities include a gym, residents’ lounge, elegant rooftop garden, concierge and bike storage. Not only are the homes set to benefit from the impact that the Stoneygate masterplan has on the local area, but the North West region is projected to lead the UK in terms of property price growth. Savills predicts that prices in the North West will increase by 28.8% in the five years to 2025.

So… which country wins? It seems the answer really does depend on what you want to own the property for. And as for who will win Euro 2020, only time will tell!

For full details of Amendoeira Golf Resort, please email realestate@amendoeiraresort.com, call (+351) 282 320 820 or visit https://www.amendoeiraresort.com/en/

For more information on Taylor Wimpey España, call 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

For more information on Fabrik Invest, call 020 8175 9891, email enquiries@fabrikinvest.com or visit www.fabrikinvest.com

Taylor Wimpey España reports strong demand for Mallorca homes as new Sa Galera development launches

Taylor Wimpey España reports strong demand for Mallorca homes as new Sa Galera development launches

by Louise Spain ,
  • Balearic property reservations up 37% compared to 2019
  • New seafront homes launch at Sa Galera, overlooking the Bay of Palma
  • Spain’s islands lead the way for property price growth, with rise of 4.6%

Leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España has reported strong demand for its properties in Mallorca in May. Reservations across the company’s Balearic properties are up 37% when compared to 2019, with German, British, Austrian and Swiss buyers all racing to pick up second homes. The company’s Las Villas de Dalt de Sa Rapita development is now fully sold across all four of its phases, while details of new site Sa Galera have just been revealed.

“It’s good to feel such energy back in the property market once more, with Mallorca leading the post-lockdown recovery. May has been particularly busy for Spain’s islands and we’re seeing prices rising and properties being snapped up as buyers look to secure their homes in the sun. It’s the ideal time to share details of our lovely new townhouses in Cala Estancia. With just eight homes available, this is a development that we expect to sell out particularly quickly.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Sa Galera’s eight townhouses are just 300m from the beach in Cala Estancia, delivering stunning views of the Bay of Palma, Bellver Castle and the cathedral from their solarium terraces. Each home has large terraces and private gardens, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The properties face south-west and west and come with landscaped grounds and a communal pool. Prices start from €725,000 plus VAT.

Property prices across the Spanish islands rose by 4.6% in the year to May, according to the latest figures from Tinsa, meaning the islands are leading the country in terms of growth. The second highest rise – of 3.2% – was seen along the Mediterranean Coast, while Spain as a whole saw prices increase by 1.3%.

New build homes continue to attract considerably more interest than previously owned properties, with both key-ready and off-plan homes performing well, according to Taylor Wimpey España.

“Spain has seen a notable shift in favour of newly built homes recently as buyers seek out modern interiors, contemporary layouts and better sustainability credentials than older properties can deliver. The pandemic has pushed some buyers towards wanting a property immediately, to provide them with greater flexibility should there be further lockdowns. Others prefer to ‘wait it out’ and purchase off-plan now in order to start enjoying their new property once life has returned to a more normal state of affairs. So we’re seeing interest from both of these buyer types right now.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

A number of airlines are now ramping up their flights to Spain. Finnair resumes flights to Mallorca from June, while the first Ryanair flight to depart from the revamped Teeside Airport was headed to Palma.

“Foreign tourism is increasing and we’re expecting a busy summer so far as our Mallorca properties are concerned. The island has so much to offer families who own second homes here, from its beautiful beaches and outstanding sporting and leisure facilities to the superb local cuisine. It’s the perfect antidote to the stresses of the past year.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

What has the stamp duty holiday done for property investment in the UK?

What has the stamp duty holiday done for property investment in the UK?

by Louise United Kingdom
  • Fabrik Invest reports increased activity due to stamp duty holiday
  • Investors in Chatham Waters save over £100k in just over 3 months
  • First-time landlord numbers swelled by chance to save

As the stamp duty holiday draws to a close, property investment firm Fabrik Invest reports that the policy, which was introduced in July 2020, has done much to support investment in the UK property market. That investment is sorely needed; Hamptons reveals that the UK rental sector now has 250,000 fewer rental homes than it did at its peak back in 2017.

“The stamp duty holiday has delivered on a number of fronts after nearly a year of operation. It’s not just families seeking homes with more space who have been spurred into action – many investors have also seized on the opportunity to make a substantial saving.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

The savings certainly have been substantial. Under the stamp duty holiday, anyone who buys a property and completes by 30 June 2021 doesn’t have to pay tax on the first £500,000 of its value. Fabrik Invest has seen investors rushing to take advantage of this. In a little over the past three months, investors in one development alone have saved more than £100,000 in stamp duty that would otherwise have been due.

The development in question is Chatham Waters in Kent. Just over half an hour from London by train and completed in November 2020, the one, two and three-bedroom homes offer waterfront living with a range of high-specification on-site amenities.

“In the last six months, our Chatham Waters investors have saved over £60,000 thanks to the stamp duty holiday. The biggest savers were first time buyers, with some having saved more than 50% of the stamp duty that they would otherwise have had to pay. The holiday has definitely supported more activity in the buy-to-let sector and encouraged some first-time landlords to get involved.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

Interestingly, Hamptons has also noted the prominence of first-time landlords, with Head of Research Aneisha Beveridge noting that, “The stamp duty holiday has tempted more small and first-time landlords into buy-to-let, reversing a shift towards portfolio investors.” Low interest rates have also played a role in attracting new landlords to the sector – a shift that many see as vital to buy-to-let’s long-term appeal.

“The UK is struggling with a fundamental shortage of homes. Government policy has driven down the number of available rental properties over the past four years, despite continuing growth in the number of renters. It is our hope that those attracted to buy-to-let investment for the first time as a result of the stamp duty holiday will now remain within the sector and further increase the number of homes available to the UK’s renters.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

For more information, please contact Fabrik Invest on 020 8175 9891 or enquiries@fabrikinvest.com, or visit www.fabrikinvest.com

Only My Share flags up growing concern, as 1 in 5 guarantors baulk at rent responsibility

Only My Share flags up growing concern, as 1 in 5 guarantors baulk at rent responsibility

by Louise United Kingdom
  • 1 in 5 guarantors walking away from signing due to joint liability for rent in HMOs
  • 38% month-on-month sales uplift for Only My Share’s solution to this issue
  • Agents saving time and headaches by promoting rent arrears protection

Rent arrears protection service Only My Share has reported a 38% month-on-month uplift in sales, as confidence returns to the student rental market once more. Students confirming that they will be renting for the 2021/22 academic year have also driven a 48% uplift in sales compared to the same period last year.

However, the company has also flagged up a growing area of concern. Student letting agents are reporting that around one in every five guarantors is now disputing the element of the tenant’s guarantor agreement that holds them jointly liable for the rent.

“Many students rent in Houses of Multiple Occupation, known as HMOs. Under a joint and several liability clause in a tenancy agreement, if one tenant doesn’t pay their rent, everyone else becomes liable for it. With awareness of this growing, along with a fragile economic backdrop, there is an increasing reluctance by many individuals to sign up as guarantors.”

Edmund Fulford, Relationship Manager, Only My Share

Agents are reporting having to spend hours on the phone explaining joint and several liability clauses to potential renters and their guarantors. Others have been forced to remove such clauses from tenancy agreements altogether.

Only My Share, which is part of the Housing Handfamily, has been working closely with agents to deliver a solution. The company’s rent arrears protection offering means that the tenant – and their guarantor – will not be liable for a housemate’s unpaid rent. It is a game-changer for many renters as it delivers peace of mind. For the agents seeking to house them, it means more contracts being signed and a faster process of doing so.

“We’re really happy to be working with Only My Share. We have been able to offer our student tenants and their guarantors an extra service which provides peace of mind.

“The service is especially helpful for tenants moving into HMO properties. Some tenants and their guarantors can be nervous about signing joint and several liability contracts due to the potential financial risks if another housemate defaults on their rental payments – and OMS is a brilliant solution to this problem.”

Ryan Hough, Head of Marketing, studenttenant.com

Only My Share’s partnership with studenttenant.com, the UK’s largest online student letting agent, is one of a number of arrangements that has opened up rental arrears protection to renters across the UK in the past few years. In the past year in particular, agents have noted an increasing number of guarantors who are keen to sign up for Only My Share’s service when signing the guarantor agreement.

“There are two key factors at play here. One is the wider economic picture that has resulted from the pandemic. Income insecurity is giving many people pause, whereas previously they would have just signed on the dotted line. But we are also working hard to raise awareness about joint liability. We’re working with universities and student unions in order to make students – and their guarantors – more aware of what it is that they are signing up to when they rent rooms in HMOs.”

Edmund Fulford, Relationship Manager, Only My Share

For more information please contact Housing Hand today on +44 (0) 204 579 5891 or visit https://www.housinghand.co.uk/

Sustained interest in sustainability supports demand for new builds in Spain

Sustained interest in sustainability supports demand for new builds in Spain

by Louise Spain ,
  • Taylor Wimpey España reports environmental matters continue to attract attention
  • Solar panels and energy cost savings are buyers’ main focus
  • New builds continue to out-perform second-hand homes in Spain

New build properties in Spain are winning over buyers thanks to their eco-friendly credentials, according to leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España. The company reports that solar panels and energy cost savings top buyers’ priority list when it comes to sustainability.

“All of our new homes achieve at least a B energy rating in terms of their sustainability and efficiency. It’s something that we’re increasingly talking to our buyers about – our virtual catalogues now have a dedicated sustainability section that outlines each development’s environmental credentials.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

The Taylor Wimpey España team believe that this is playing into new build properties’ continuing out-performance of older homes in the Spanish market. Pre-pandemic, new builds were enjoying higher price gains than second-hand homes. And while the Colegio de Registradores’ 2020 report shows a 16.7% overall contraction in market size due to the pandemic, the new build sector shrank by just 7.3%.

While solar panels tend to be the sustainability poster boy, creating more environmentally friendly holiday homes goes much further than this. New Taylor Wimpey España developments are built using materials and equipment with high percentages of recycled material. They feature low consumption lighting, appliances with the highest energy rating and aerothermal and solar photovoltaic energy to reduce CO2 emissions. There is also a ventilation system for indoor air renewal and an Airzone system to regulate the temperature in ducted air conditioning. Homes include a thermal break in the exterior carpentry and double glazing with air chamber.

Communal areas, meanwhile, include charging points for electric vehicles, community recycling facilities, programmable drip irrigation for landscaped areas and sensors, presence detectors and/or timers for lighting in common areas.

“We are committed to adapting all of our processes and supply chain to fight climate change, be more sustainable and contribute to improved health and wellbeing. It’s great to see that our buyers are thinking about this too and that we can respond so confidently and proactively to their queries around sustainability. And, of course, if we can save them money on their energy bills then so much the better.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

One B energy rated development that is attracting keen interest at the moment is Ikat, located in the town of Ses Salines on Mallorca’s south-eastern coast. The two-bedroom/two-bathroom homes include ground floor apartments with private gardens, penthouses with direct access to their own solarium terrace and duplex homes with both garden and solarium terrace. Prices start from €260,000 plus VAT.

Ikat is located just metres from the centre of Ses Salines. Owners have easy access to the restaurants and renowned wine cellars of the town, with the option to explore at their leisure and then return home to relax by the pool or on their terraces. The beach is around 5 km away, while Ses Salines is also surrounded by many spectacular cycling routes. Perfect for holidaymakers looking to enjoy Mallorca’s stunning natural environment.

Also B-rated is Emerald Greens, located at the prestigious San Roque Club in Cadiz, just 18 km from Gibraltar – one of just 12 countries currently on the UK government’s green list. The apartments and penthouses at Emerald Greens have the most effective thermal and acoustic insulation available on the market. The development also has some beautiful outdoor space, including corn oak meadows with footpaths crisscrossing them and benches for sitting quietly in the shade in the midst of the abundant greenery.

Emerald Greens will have a large leisure area for communal use, roughly the size of three football pitches. The first phase of 24 homes and a communal pool (one of three that the finished development will have) is due for completion by September, with a second phase recently released to keep up with demand.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

Preston showcases the potential of the North, as Fabrik Invest reveals details of The Exchange

Preston showcases the potential of the North, as Fabrik Invest reveals details of The Exchange

by Louise United Kingdom
  • 200 stylish homes launched, as Preston rents rise at one of fastest rates in UK
  • Investors seek to capitalise on £434 million worth of public funding
  • Exchange residents to benefit from host of amenities and on-site neighbourhood creation

Property investment company Fabrik Invest has revealed details of its newest development: The Exchange, in Preston. It is the second development that the company is offering in the rapidly growing northern city, following in the wake of the hugely successful Bishopgate Gardens.

“There’s so much dynamism in the property sector in the North right now and Preston is really showcasing that. Not only are property values rising rapidly, but so are rents, and there’s strong, sustained demand for well-located homes with the right amenities.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

Developed by respected local firm The Heaton Group, The Exchange will include rooftop gardens, a gym, a residents’ lounge, bicycle storage and a concierge. Commercial units on the ground floor, with carefully procured tenants, will deliver neighbourhood creation as well as the homes themselves. The 200 apartments will be split across three buildings. They range from one to three bedrooms, with prices starting at £136,000. Construction is already underway and completion is due in 2023.

In 2019, rents in Preston rose faster than in any other city in the North West and by Q1 2020, the city had made it into Zoopla’s index of the top ten cities with the highest annual rental growth in the UK.

The picture is certainly a positive one for the UK’s northern cities. JLL reports a 57% increase in northern letting activity so far in 2021, when compared with Q1 2019. And Savills has pegged the North West as leading the UK for projected property price growth, forecasting increases of 28.8% across the region in the five years to 2025 (versus 21.1% nationally).

The Exchange is poised to allow investors to take full advantage of this regional growth, as well as of the funds being channelled into Preston itself. £434 million worth of public funding has been allocated to regeneration work in the local area, along with £19.9 million from the Towns Fund, as announced in March.

“There is some real game-changing regeneration work taking place in Preston right now. That’s exciting from an investment perspective, as the work that’s underway has the potential to drive up property prices substantially. Investors who choose Preston therefore have a lot to look forward to over the coming years.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

For more information, please contact Fabrik Invest on 020 8175 9891 or enquiries@fabrikinvest.com, or visit www.fabrikinvest.com

Spain is back in business as alarm status ends and restrictions ease

Spain is back in business as alarm status ends and restrictions ease

by Louise Spain ,
  • Fewer travel restrictions and longer restaurant opening hours as life gets back to ‘normal’
  • Taylor Wimpey España welcomes positive impact on Spanish property market
  • Summer season spending to relieve some of pressure on tourism sector

As one of the world’s most visited countries, Spain relies heavily on its tourism sector to keep the economy ticking over. Like many sun-kissed hotspots, it was hit hard by the pandemic. But hopes are now high for the summer season, as the end of Spain’s ‘alarm status’ on 9 May signals a return to something akin to normal.

“The ending of the alarm status in Spain means a reduction in travel restrictions and an easing of the rules imposed on hospitality venues such as restaurants. People can go out at night again and generally enjoy a quality of life that is much closer to the pre-pandemic days than we have seen here in quite some time.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Kyero.com reports that sales to international buyers account for 13.97% of all property transactions in Spain (as at Q4 2020). The figure tends to be significantly higher in coastal areas. In the Balearic Islands, that figure stands at 32.89%, while in Malaga province it is 32.23%. In Alicante, foreign buyers made up 40.73% of all transactions.

Leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España has been serving international buyers in Spain for over 60 years. The company sees the ending of the alarm status as a major step forward in terms of supporting buyer confidence.

“We have many enquiries at the moment from potential buyers who are just waiting for a little more ‘normality’ before they commit to purchasing a second hone. The end of the alarm status is a significant step in the right direction, just as the easing of international travel restrictions in the UK will be on 17 May. The combination of these factors spells good news for the Spanish tourism sector and the country’s property market.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Taylor Wimpey España has continued to build throughout the pandemic. One of the company’s most recent launches is Port Blau in Mallorca. Consisting of 10 three-bedroom apartments with spacious private terraces, the development provides a communal pool and pretty gardens for residents to enjoy. Port Blau also delivers direct sea access, while the southeast orientation means buyers can enjoy plenty of sunshine. Prices start at €425,000 plus VAT.

Over on the Costa del Sol, meanwhile, Taylor Wimpey España had just launched the second phase of Sun Valley, located in the renowned La Cala Golf resort. With the course winding its way around the homes and a variety of golf, pool and garden views available, buyers can enjoy the serenity of the stunning natural environment, with apartments priced from €251,000 plus VAT.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

Universities reach out to rental guarantor services as in-person learning resumes

Universities reach out to rental guarantor services as in-person learning resumes

by Louise United Kingdom
  • Housing Hand sees increase in universities exploring commercial arrangements
  • Universities being asked to do more with less, creating financial pressure points
  • Imbalance between returning students booking accommodation and first-years hesitating

UK rental guarantor service Housing Hand has reported an increase in the number of universities enquiring about commercial arrangements, as Covid-related pressures continue to impact the UK’s higher education sector. The increase speaks to the difficulties that universities are facing as they seek to do more with less, welcoming all students back to in-person learning from 17 May.

Universities have spent the last year in crisis mode. They have had to deal with multiple lockdowns, set up widescale home/virtual learning and manage the impact of students who have tested positive for Covid. All while dealing with the economic fallout of a lower intake of students for the 2021/22 academic year as Covid fears persist (mainly fewer EU and other international students, but also those from the UK).

“Universities being overworked and under-resourced is nothing new. Budget cuts were already biting, even before the pandemic. However, Covid has exacerbated the financial difficulties that universities and their students face. Increasing rent relief bills are taking their toll and many universities are now seeking alternative ways to support their students to remain in their accommodation should they experience financial hardship.”

Jeremy Robinson, Group Managing Director, Housing Hand

 
Many students struggle to provide a qualifying UK rent guarantor when renting in the private sector. Housing Hand partners with universities in order to help alleviate this issue for their students. The award-winning company acts as a rental guarantor service for students from the UK and overseas, covering rent, damages and dilapidations.

The university model enables higher education institutions to partner with Housing Hand as a white label service. The university promotes the service to its students, while Housing Hand provides integration, co-branded application pages with an affiliate link and marketing materials. Students pay a reduced fee for the Housing Hand service, while the university doesn’t need to worry about the admin side of the process.

“The way we work with universities provides a win-win. Students can access the rental guarantor service they need at a lower cost, while the university takes on no financial risk. The risk sits with Housing Hand, and is backed by quality and financially rated insurance products. With some unusual fluctuations in the usual student rental patterns due to Covid, this no-risk approach is inspiring increasing numbers of universities to investigate the role of rental guarantor services.”

Terry Mason, Group Operations Director, Housing Hand

Although UK universities expect to re-open for in-house lessons this month, many students are hesitant to enrol for the 2021/22 academic year while Covid remains a threat. This is compounded for European students by Brexit for all international students by the current difficulties in moving between countries.

We can see this playing out across houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), where returning students have provided a steady stream of bookings. However, the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector has been a very low uptake of rooms by its traditional cohort of first years.

“As the UK’s vaccination programme progresses and confidence improves, it’s likely that there will be a last-minute dash for places. This will create a flurry of activity in the accommodation sector, as students rush to secure rooms with far less planning than would usually occur. With costs spiralling and high levels of debt, UK universities are already under significant pressure. They need to do all they can to accommodate a rush of last-minute enrolments, including helping students to find the accommodation they need.”

Terry Mason, Group Operations Director, Housing Hand

For more information please contact Housing Hand today on +44 (0) 207 205 2625 or visit https://www.housinghand.co.uk/

75% of property investors are focusing on lower value properties

75% of property investors are focusing on lower value properties

by Louise United Kingdom
  • Fabrik Invest finds 3 in 4 buyers are seeking properties below £160k
  • Suburbs and tertiary cities are the big winners
  • Investors also looking for lower deposits

The property investment specialists at Fabrik Invest have highlighted another pandemic-driven change to the UK property market. Conscious of the wider economic backdrop, property investors are increasingly seeking out properties that offer both lower entry points and lower deposits.

“We’re seeing a growing trend towards properties priced between £80,000 and £160,000, with 75% of our investors now seeking out these homes. This is driving a shift in the locations being sought, with tertiary cities and suburbs of larger cities attracting particular interest.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

Fabrik Invest’s Dale Anderson cites Preston in Lancashire as a case in point. Apartments there at Bishopgate Gardens, priced from £120,000, have seen strong, sustained demand from both UK investors and those from overseas. Dudley in the West Midlands is another example, with investors being drawn away from higher priced Birmingham city centre properties in favour of commutable homes in Dudley, some 17km away.

Nor is it just property prices that investors are scrutinising so carefully. Many are also being drawn towards investment properties with lower deposits. While a 25% deposit is fairly standard across the buy-to-let property market, investors are increasingly searching for properties with deposits as low as 10%.

“The buy-to-let market is still very busy, but we’re definitely seeing signs of the longer-term influence of the pandemic on investor behaviour now. Lower value homes with lower deposits and those nearing completion are selling very well.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

Bishopgate Gardens completes later this year, in September. The site is currently a hive of activity, with kitchens going in and plasterers and plumbers hard at work. The finished apartments will be complemented by shared social spaces and retail units on the ground floor, all designed to offer an exceptional living experience. The 24/7 concierge will deliver drinks to residents enjoying the roof gardens on the eighth and eleventh floors, while a stylish lounge area, coffee pod café and shared working space cater to residents’ various needs.

Fabrik Invest is working closely with clients to provide opportunities such as this, with the right entry point to suit buyers’ changing requirements. The company is also running a monthly educational webinar, looking at market trends, specific locations and property investment more broadly.

For more information, please contact Fabrik Invest on 020 8175 9891 or enquiries@fabrikinvest.com, or visit www.fabrikinvest.com