Our Build to Rent (BTR) team is at the heart of the private rented sector in Scotland, with almost £1bn in assets under management. We provide a range of BTR services and have the research expertise, experience and network to make Build to Rent work north of the border.
Our Build to Rent (BTR) team is at the heart of the private rented sector in Scotland, with almost £1bn in assets under management. We provide a range of BTR services and have the research expertise, experience and network to make Build to Rent work.
Build to Rent market insights, courtesy of the Rettie research department, Scotland's largest dedicated property research team.
Our forensic knowledge of the Scottish market means that we can pin-point sites that will make successful BTR projects. Our services include site sourcing and acquisition and the provision of granular market knowledge.
We can provide advice on the various different financing options available for BTR projects. We also have the contacts to help our clients lay down a firm financial foundation for their BTR projects.
Our in-depth knowledge of the Scottish development, rental and investment markets means that we can provide accurate input for the viability assessment and due diligence phases of our clients' BTR projects.
We know exactly what the nation's renters want. We can therefore provide clear guidance throughout the design phase of a BTR project to ensure that it embodies the lifestyle of its target consumers.
We are experts in Scotland's unique tenancy regime. We have proven experience of leasing up new builds for rent, to implementing marketing strategies for rentals, with our 'time to let' consistently exceeding KPIs. We also offer optional 'white labelling' for clients and 'deposit-free' for residents. Our referencing, through Canopy, provides more robust checks for clients, while protecting renters.
We manage risk for clients by taking full responsibility for the ongoing management of their property, whether inside the home, common areas, any onsite amenities or the wider estate. We create a welcoming environment for residents to live, and support and encourage communication between us and them, and between residents themselves to help build a thriving community.
Drawing on our successful track record with landlords, our BTR team provides a range of services that optimise the profitability and sustainability of our clients' investments.
We comply fully with the Letting Agent Code of Practice, and Letting Agent Register, and also offer optional 'white labelling' for clients and 'deposit-free' for residents. Our referencing, through Canopy, provides more robust checks for clients, while protecting renters, and our online rsidents portal through Engage is bespoke for each development.
Western Harbour, Edinburgh
Working as long-term retained Real Estate adviser to Forth Ports, Rettie are currently delivering a 2,000+ unit residential-led masterplan in the flourishing Leith Docks area of north Edinburgh. In April 2022, land for 118 private units was sold to CCG with construction now underway. Further land and funding opportunities are available, please get in touch with the team for more information.
Acting as exclusive acquisition agent on behalf of the fund, from 2019 to 2021 Rettie successfully acquired and Forward Funded 1,000+ Mid-Market Rent homes across the central belt of Scotland, deploying £170m+. Rettie are currently involved with a new fund raise which will aim to spend a further c. £65m aimed at providing affordable, brand new and professionally managed energy efficient homes.
Fountainbridge, Edinburgh
"Rettie's deep multi-layered understanding of Scotland's housing market was vital in supporting this deal. The firm's market leading position, strategic thinking and its understanding of the legislative and political context was vital in supporting such a major milestone for Moda Living and for Edinburgh's property market." - Tony Brooks
Western Harbour, Edinburgh
Our brief from the client, Forth Ports, was to help deliver a long-term rental-backed asset.
Our services included; project development on behalf of the landowner, sourcing funding streams for the construction and operational phases, 3,650 applicants for 96 properties, lease up, on-going management, and 10 year interest only funding. Rettie oversaw the delivery of the units over 2016 and are currently managing this MMR property on behalf of Forth Ports.
Harbour Point is fully occupied with a current void rate of <0.5%. The success of this project led to us being retained to develop a further 138 units, commenced in February 2017.
Western Harbour, Edinburgh
Harbour Gateway forms the second stage of community building at Western Harbour by Forth Ports and consists of two adjacent sites that provide Mid Market Rental homes.
The 138 homes were delivered under the NHT funding package Rettie arranged for Forth Ports and are managed and maintained by our BTR team as part of the wider portfolio of properties at Western Harbour.
The ambition for Western Harbour is to draw on exemplary placemaking to create a community attractive to both residents and visitors. Harbour Gateway forms the entrance to the new masterplan which will add parkland, shops, a new school and waterfront promenade to the existing amenities of sports centres, restaurants and shops.
Pitt Street, Glasgow
We worked with Moda Living Apache C.P. to deliver a a mix of Studios and 1-3 bedroom homes.
We conducted a review of Glasgow residential sales, lettings, student housing and serviced apartments markets, and analysed development options through site appraisals to inform on potential risk-reducing strategies.
Leith, Edinburgh
We worked on behalf of Teague Homes. Rettie lined up a £15.2m 10-year Interest Only debt package through the National Housing Trust to underwrite the construction of 145 flatted units.
The sale of the completed Investment Asset was pre-agreed in advance of construction commencing, and the project is now complete and fully let.
Edinburgh City Centre
We worked on behalf of Places for People for a site acquisition.
The project is on-site with construction well underway. Rettie maintain an on-going role assisting the developer with the arrangement and roll out of a rental re-financing package for 150 properties.
Southside, Glasgow
For the Wheatley Group, analysis and creation of financial models for client.
This award winning development is complete and fully let. Rettie have been retained to analyse and create financial models for 28 homes and 4 flats for mid market rent and a shared equity sale during the project appraisal stage.
West Edinburgh
On behalf of Dunedin Canmore we created a new model to release the potential of a moth-balled site.
Rettie co-ordinated a rental guarantee to unlock finance, through collaboration between local council, government and developers, delivering the client a long-term rental-backed asset.
Leith, Edinburgh
We were commissioned to manage a substantial BTR residential portfolio on behalf of the A H Hunter's Charitable Trust.
Our services included the provision of disposal advisory services to assist in the reallocation of the Trust's assets; managing and facilitating a successful investment asset disposal, as well as covering a high profile, sensitive portfolio, requiring careful reputational risk management.
Rettie were recognised for being the first in Scotland to introduce a new solution for referencing, through their work with the Canopy app.
Sponsored by Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL)
Best Supporting Organisation of the Year 2018
Rettie were one of only 5 organisations shortlisted for the award. Our submission focused on the breadth of our expertise in the residential property market, our dedicated BTR/MMR team, diverse client base and successful collaboration of the teams within Development Services.
Commendation for Affordable Housing Development of the Year
Mid Market rent project in Harbour Point, Edinburgh, led by Nick Watson, on behalf of Forth Ports. The success of this project led to us being retained to develop a further 138 units, commenced in February 2017, on behalf of the client.