The Build to Rent (BTR) sector is growing in Scotland, providing professional managed private rented accommodation funded by institutional investors.
There are now close to 17,000 homes operating or in the pipeline across the country.
Rettie have produced individual reports, providing the latest updates on BTR delivery in each of Scotland’s main cities.
GLASGOW
Glasgow provides around half of BTR operating or pipeline homes.
The strong growth of pipeline in Glasgow can be attributed to a number of key factors.
There is a young, professional, and economically active population
There is a strong and active private rental sector (PRS)
There is an availability of development opportunities for residential development, particularly in the City Centre, with the Council looking to encourage the re-occupation for residential use.
Read more about BTR in Glasgow here.
EDINBURGH
In Edinburgh, the delivery picture is positive and compelling, with BTR rents being achieved among the best performing in the UK.
Recent highlights include:
The scheme formerly known as the development Skyliner has now broken ground under the new name of Dockside.
Construction of PLATFORM_ and Heimstaden Bostad AB’s scheme in Bonnington is also well underway, with a 2024 launch date.
Redevelopment of the former RBS site on Dundas Street in Edinburgh’s New Town will deliver prime residential units for sale and rental as well as office space, amenity & civic space and parkland.
Sigma Capital’s partnership with Lovell will deliver 185 single family BTR units as part of the wider development at The Crossings in South Queensferry.
Read more about BTR in Edinburgh here.
ABERDEEN
Aberdeen is home to the one of the first operating BTR schemes in Scotland (Forbes Place in Dyce) and the city now has two active schemes with over 630 homes.
Schemes have been delivered in the city despite average advertised rents have fallen from a peak of over £1,100pcm in Q4 2014 to a low of under £700pcm in 2020/21, although they have recently started rising into the mid to high £700spcm range again over 2022/23.
Read more about BTR in Aberdeen here.
DUNDEE
Dundee has yet to see the delivery of its first BTR homes, despite schemes being proposed as far back as 2017. Challenges for BTR delivery have mainly revolved around viability, with relatively affordable rents within the city and a smaller target population.
That is not to say that BTR in Dundee is not viable. Rents have been rising within the city and, at the top end of the PRS rents, values could underpin a quality BTR offering. Positively, Dundee City Council believes that BTR is a key component for reviving the City Centre.
Read more about BTR in Dundee here.
The BTR sector has much untapped potential across Scotland, but particularly in its main cites, where there is a clear demand/supply imbalance for private rented housing that is illustrated by sharply rising rents for advertised properties as well as historical low time to let periods. The Scottish Government’s emergency legislation, which has brought in rent caps as well as eviction bans, and the prospect of a longer term set of rent controls have knocked some of the wind out of the sails of the sector. BTR is able to provide additional new housing at scale and speed. Legislating against such provision would seem foolhardy in the current climate and we are working with others in the sector to get this message across to Government.
If you would like to find out more about BTR in Scotland you can reach out to us at research@rettie.co.uk