Birmingham’s build-to-rent sector under spotlight

May 8, 2024

The future of the booming build-to-rent (BTR) sector and its impact on the Birmingham rental market will come under the spotlight when property experts gather in the city this month.

Leading national property specialist Centrick is hosting an Association of Rental Living (ARL), formerly the UKAA, seminar entitled ‘Bullish on Birmingham: BTR in the UK’s second city through the investors’ lens’ on May 16.

Situated in the heart of England, Birmingham already boasts 2,862 completed BTR homes across 10 schemes with a pipeline of around 17,500 new homes, the strongest outside London. The panel of speakers will address the question – What is the outlook for BTR investment in the city?

Jane Morcom, group business director at Centrick, said: “Birmingham is a leading light in the growth of the build-to-rent sector in the UK and the prospects for future growth in the city are outstanding. We are excited to be hosting this unique ARL Midlands Hub event, to focus on the latest investor sentiment and current BTR market trends for Birmingham as well the wider region.

“We will be seeking answers to questions such as what sets Birmingham apart in the eyes of investors, what can the city learn from others in the UK and internationally, and what is the outlook for the rental living sector in the wider region?”

She added: “I’m hoping we will be joined by as many property people as possible at this in-person ARL event to gain expert market insights on how the Birmingham and wider Midlands market is performing and to hear candid opinions from a panel of leading UK and European investors.”

Brendan Geraghty, ARL CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing together ARL members and non-members to share insight and opinion around Birmingham’s BTR market. The Midlands Hub is growing significantly and it’s vital to bring the sector together to shape the future of BTR in Birmingham.”

Centrick’s recent Love Where You Live report on BTR development and resident attitudes within key cities across the UK identified Birmingham as one of the UK’s key BTR centres. With a young population, thriving culture and opportunities which are pulling people away from the capital and towards the West Midlands, it’s no wonder Birmingham has attracted an abundance of interest from developers and industry bodies like ARL.

New BTR schemes are beginning to take shape across the city with upcoming developments at Great Charles Street, Snow Hill, Broad Street, Digbeth and in the Jewellery Quarter.
The event, which includes a light lunch, will take place from 12.00noon to 2.00pm on May 16
at the Centrick Academy, the new state-of-the-art training facility, at The Exchange, Newhall Street, Birmingham, B3 3PJ.

Speakers include representatives from Centrick, Savills, London property developer Telford Homes, specialist real estate investment, development and management firm Long Harbour and Heimstaden, the company behind Birmingham’s Soho Wharf BTR development. Tickets can be booked via the ARL website.

Located at Centrick’s Birmingham headquarters, the new academy promotes excellence in across the property management sector from BTR and PRS to Building and Estate Management. The new initiative is part of the company’s £1 million investment in both people and technology solutions and is designed to build on the company’s existing digital learning platform.

Birmingham-based Centrick, which also has offices in London, Manchester, Sheffield, Gerrards Cross and Fareham has grown consistently since its inception by successfully prioritising innovation, expertise, and building trusted relationships with its clients to deliver high quality service and results. First opening its doors in 2005, the agency now has over 26,500 properties across the UK on its books and manages over £4 billion in client assets. Visit www.centrick.co.uk for more information.

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