PLACEMAKING, DESIGN, & CONSTRUCTION
BtR homes can be apartments or houses. As the name suggests, is a residential offering that is purpose-built for rent rather than sale, thus contributing to the number of homes in the UK. Its ability to facilitate placemaking, and its construction and design processes and features can often be unique.
PLACEMAKING
BtR developments invest in wider communities and places, facilitate community engagement through resident events, and encourage business investment in developments. BtR developers have previously regenerated tired local areas by investing in large community and commercial spaces, benefitting both residents and local economies.
DESIGN
A focus on customer service is a defining feature of BtR and underpins its emphasis on resident satisfaction and long-term occupancy. Developments are designed to encourage a sense of community, with shared and semi-private spaces, where people can meet and build connections, including gardens, terraces, play areas, and allotments. Co-working hubs and event spaces are also frequently provided, supporting social interaction and the demand for flexible work environments.
As the sector grows, there is an increasing number of architects who focus exclusively on the sector, designing flexible spaces for residents.
CONSTRUCTION
There are currently 51,216 BtR homes under construction.
Who constructs BtR homes, and how, can differ significantly from the build for sale market; given the sector relies on rental income, there is an incentive on Build to Rent schemes to complete as quickly as possible. This has resulted in a sector that delivers homes 30-60% faster than other forms of housing, according to MHCLG. The sector lends itself well to innovative techniques like modern methods of construction factory-built techniques, with more predictable volumes, speed and quality control.
Buildoffsite provides a range of information materials and events on the offsite construction sector.
There is also PRISM – an open source app which accelerates the design process for precision manufactured housing (PMH) for London. It is free and easy to use and combines the Mayor of London’s spatial planning rules with precision manufacturer expertise to help quickly determine viable PMH options for development.
