Build-to-rent boom pays off for national developer

A national developer has benefited from a growing demand for rental accommodation across the UK.

In its results for the half-year ending May 18, the firm has forward-sold 715 rental properties in its developments across the country, including 216 in Hove, 184 in Leicester and 159 in Crewe.

According to the company, all of its remaining FY21 developments (one BtR scheme for 184 apartments in Leicester and two PBSA schemes for 1,121 beds in Glasgow and Wembley) are on track for completion this month.

Richard Simpson, chief executive officer of Watkin Jones, commented: “Since our interim results we have continued to make good progress across the business.

“Our delivery teams have performed strongly, with the majority of our developments for delivery in the current financial year already completed.

“We have been active in acquiring high quality sites, securing planning and also forward selling to a broadening range of institutional investors, enhancing our development pipeline.”