The UK’s BtR stock now includes, according to Savills, 53,750 completed homes with a further 37,000 homes under construction. The future pipeline currently stands at 89,000 homes, including those in the pre-application stage. This brings the total size of the sector to 180,000 homes once built out.

The sector has seen a momentous amount of growth making it an extremely exciting asset class for property investors and operators. This level of growth naturally comes with more jobs being created in the property sector. What makes build-to-rent different is the focus on service, with build-to-rent developments typically offering professional on-site management, and amenity, with shared spaces such as residents’ lounges, workzones and fitness centres typically provided inside the buildings along with the homes.

The focus on customer service in the sector has been attracting candidates from the hospitality sectors who are finding that their skills are readily transferable to this maturing sector. Our Head of Build to Rent James Housden spoke with George Diamantopoulos to understand what attracted him to Build to Rent. George began his professional career in the hospitality sector in South Africa before moving to the UK and joining the UK’s largest hotel chain Whitbread Premier Inn. George has now worked in the Build to Rent sector for over 2 years and progresses to managing multiple schemes in London.

As the BtR sector continues to grow we expect to see more and more talent migrate from the hospitality sector, especially with the difficulties many individuals have faced during the C19 pandemic.