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Living Sectors

Our in-house Living Sector experts provide a range of bespoke services to investors, housebuilders, developers and operators. We have genuine and extensive experience across the entire Living Sector lifecycle, enabling us to maximise efficiency and return on investment for our clients.

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Call 07776 470858

Overview

The UK’s later and alternative living sectors - encompassing Build-to-Rent (BTR), retirement living, care homes, student accommodation, and co-living - are poised for a dynamic 2025.

With demographic shifts, changing housing preferences, and strong investor demand at their core, these sectors are set to deliver resilience and opportunities despite broader market challenges.

Key insights into the Living Sector

Build to Rent (BTR) schemes attract different demographics depending on their location and typology. Large, city-centre multi‑family BTR developments are typically home to young professionals and mature students. As the sector has grown, investment has increasingly focused on single‑family housing in suburban areas, which appeals more to families and slightly older renters who value outdoor space and the benefits of living in a house rather than an apartment.

Assessing demand and value within the Living Sector requires a data‑led, long‑term view. We analyse a range of local market indicators, including housing supply pipelines, current rental demand, population and employment growth, and the evolving shape of the rental market. To value a scheme, we establish market rental levels using local comparables, factor in operational costs to calculate net operating income, and apply an appropriate yield to determine an informed market valuation.

Lee Richards

Partner, Head of Living Sectors

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Lee Richards
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Sectors We Cover

  • This image showcases a modern, design-led interior featuring a sleek reception or café-style counter with contemporary bar stools and soft ambient lighting. The curved wooden ceiling slats and warm pastel flooring create a welcoming, architecturally sophisticated atmosphere. Lush indoor plants and minimalist furniture enhance the sense of calm, making the space ideal for community living, shared amenities, or premium residential developments.

    Build to Rent (Multi-family)

    In city centres with universities, strong transport links and many young professionals, schemes range from high‑amenity buildings to simpler blocks, supported by on‑site community events.

  • This image showcases a modern, design-led interior featuring a sleek reception or café-style counter with contemporary bar stools and soft ambient lighting. The curved wooden ceiling slats and warm pastel flooring create a welcoming, architecturally sophisticated atmosphere. Lush indoor plants and minimalist furniture enhance the sense of calm, making the space ideal for community living, shared amenities, or premium residential developments.

    Suburban Build to Rent (Single family housing)

    Often individual houses or low‑rise suburban flats, these schemes are less dense but share BTR’s strong community focus, offering flexible tenancies, high service levels and sustainable living.

  • This image presents a modern residential development with clean architectural lines, large windows, and a warm-toned exterior. The landscaped surroundings and spacious driveway enhance the sense of privacy and community living. The contemporary design, paired with natural greenery, highlights the appeal of newly built homes and high‑quality urban housing.

    PBSA (Student housing)

    Professionally managed, high‑quality student accommodation, owned by institutional investors, offering cluster flats or studios with shared social areas and strong onsite management.

  • This image showcases a contemporary high-rise residential tower viewed from a low angle, emphasizing its height, clean brick façade, and modern architectural detailing. The large windows and private balconies highlight premium urban living, while the bright blue sky adds a sense of openness and quality.

    Co-living

    Co‑living is a fast‑growing rental sector between PBSA and Build to Rent, offering shared amenities and activities that build community. It appeals to students and young renters in major cities.

  • This image showcases a bright and welcoming communal lounge designed for later‑living or assisted‑living residences. Featuring comfortable armchairs, warm wooden flooring, large windows with garden views, and soft neutral décor, the space creates a calm, homely environment. Thoughtful lighting, bookshelf displays, and cosy seating areas highlight comfort, community, and high‑quality residential care.

    Later living (Retirement rentals)

    Flexible retirement renting is expanding through modern retirement rental villages, offering extensive amenities and strong onsite management to foster vibrant communities.

  • This image captures a stylish London street lined with historic architecture, featuring a beautifully maintained white building adorned with lush green climbing plants and neatly shaped hedges. The ornate balconies, period detailing, and contrasting red‑brick buildings create a sophisticated urban setting that reflects heritage, prestige, and high‑value property assets.

    Institutional portfolios

    Residential portfolios remain attractive to institutional capital and deliver long‑term returns despite market headwinds. We provide specialist advice, research and management for investors and developers.

Solutions We Deliver

  • Living Capital Markets

    We support Capital Markets and investment needs across the Living Sectors, providing transaction, advisory and alternative capital services and handling complex forward‑funding deals.

  • Living advisory & consultancy

    We provide research, underwriting, viability and local area analysis across the Living Sectors, supporting the cycle from planning and design to leasing, mobilisation and better results too.

  • Operational living

    Living Sector operational support and management with hands‑on experience in leading UK BTR portfolios. Our award‑winning team deliver mobilisation, handover, leasing and community services.

Meet the Team

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  • Est. 1855

    Leading the property industry for over 160 years

  • 700+

    Property experts working across the UK

  • 9,500+

    Active registered buyers and tenants on our database

  • 99.6%

    of asking prices achieved

Why choose us

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