Which are the best BTR property management companies in the UK? The HomeViews BTR Awards reveal the Top 10 for 2021. This year we’ve split the category into management companies with more than 2,000 units and those with less than 2,000. This is intended to better reflect the huge range of portfolio sizes managed by these operators. It also allows for a more accurate comparison of similarly-sized companies. These are the only awards for the UK’s Build to Rent industry that are based on resident reviews. This gives the most accurate picture of the highest-performing property management companies from the perspective of those who know best: The residents.
What is build to rent?
Build to Rent (BTR) describes a new build property development that has been designed and constructed specifically for renting. The idea behind this increasing widespread property development type is to create a community of renters who can enjoy a hassle-free rental experience with smarter service delivery and various perks.
What are the benefits of build to rent?
The main benefit of living in a build to rent property is that the development has been designed from the ground up for renters. BTR developments usually feature a range of well-maintained communal facilities, from gyms and swimming pools to shared gardens, rooftop terraces, on-site cafes and work-from-home spaces.
BTR developments will also generally feature an on-site management team. This may take the form of either a concierge, an on-call service provider, or both.
Another major benefit of the BTR approach is that it aims to provide renters with simple, flexible and convenient rental contracts. Maximum tenancy lengths on offer tend to be longer with BTR developments – over three years is not unusual.
Is build to rent popular in the UK?
Build to rent is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. This is due to a wide range of economic and social factors. Principally, the ongoing UK housing crisis means that a lot of young people are delaying owning their own home. Some are giving up on this ambition entirely.
With homeownership closed to so many, more people are looking for better rental options. Renting overall is becoming increasingly common in the UK, where one in five households rent privately – up from one in ten back in 2001.
How much is being invested in build to rent UK?
Back in 2020, a collaborative report between HomeViews and Knight Frank revealed record levels of investment into the UK’s BTR sector. The £41 billion of capital committed to BTR up until 2020 was up 17% from the £35 billion total in 2019. The latest figures from the (BPF / Molior / Savills – Q3 2021) show the expansion of Build to Rent is not slowing. July 2021 saw long-term planning for almost 210,000 BTR homes, with detailed applications in place for almost 180,000.
Why the increased appetite for investment in this sector? Investors are looking for secure yields in such uncertain times. In addition, buy-to-let landlords have been exiting the market for some time. This follows tighter legislation and more restricted tax breaks in recent years. Tenants are in need of new options.
Unique BTR benefits
The Slate Yard development run by our 2020 Top Property Management Company Urbanbubble
BTR operators are offering amenities and benefits that few private landlords can. Lockdown only served to highlight this, as residents took to HomeViews to praise their management companies’ responses to the pandemic. BTR review scores also remained largely constant.
As we reported in October, demand for pet-friendly rental homes hit record levels after the end of lockdown. As renters scrambled to find new homes to fit their new lockdown lifestyles, BTR was uniquely positioned to capitalise: Coworking spaces, communal areas, fitness facilities and a concierge to sign for every Amazon package – who could say no to that?
HomeViews Awards judging criteria
We decided to tailor the 2021 HomeViews Awards to better reflect this rapidly growing sector. We created two awards for property management companies rather than having just one. These new awards were presented to the best management companies of more than 2,000, and less than 2,000 units.
The 2021 HomeViews BTR Awards solely on reviews between 16th October 2020 – 15th October 2021. The Top 10 BTR Management Companies list below (made up of both Top 5 lists) was decided based on Verified resident ratings. Only companies with at least 50 Verified reviews were considered, and they had to have at least three developments with reviews on HomeViews.com.
Top 10 BTR property management companies
(Please note, the Star ratings shown below differ from the awards scoring as they also factor in historical reviews.)
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This independent property consultancy strives to have a people focused approach. The success of Allsop has built up over 100 years’ experience in commercial and residential property consultancy, investment and also management. Developments The Trilogy in Manchester, Duet in Manchester, Vox in Manchester and The Keel in Liverpool are all developments managed by Allsop currently […] Read more about Allsop Letting and Management
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“name”: “Vertus”,
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Vertus is a part of the Canary Wharf Group – an integrated property development, investment and management group of companies. It is a build-to-rent operator, solely focused on rental properties in the Canary Wharf Estate. Vertus apartments are ready to move into, offering residents a simple registration process, flexible tenancies and exclusive events. Service is […] Read more about Vertus
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“name”: “Way of Life”,
“description”: “Gain valuable insights from tenants, owners and visitors about Way of Life’s properties on HomeViews.com”,
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Way of Life lays the foundations for renters to make a home. With ready-to-move-in, accommodation, no-fuss tenancy management and an in-house team there when you need them. Way of Life see your home “as an extension of yourself. Where you rest, play, work and create relationships. But also where you find a sense of belonging. […] Read more about Way of Life
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“name”: “Essential Living”,
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Essential Living is a Build to Rent property developer based in London. Its hallmarks are premium apartments in well-connected locations. Essential Living developments There are many Essential Living developments on HomeViews: Berkshire House in Maidenhead, Vantage Point in Archway, Islington, and Dressage Court in Bethnal Green. In addition, Union Wharf, Essential Living’s newest development is […] Read more about Essential Living
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“name”: “Fizzy Living”,
“description”: “Gain valuable insights from tenants, owners and visitors about Fizzy Living’s properties on HomeViews.com”,
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Fizzy operates eight buildings in and around Greater London, providing almost 1,000 apartments for rent. Renting a flat around London should be simple. So Fizzy make sure it is. In December 2021, Fizzy was acquired by Greystar, a global leader in the investment, development and management of high-quality rental housing properties. The Fizzy Living brand […] Read more about Fizzy Living
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“name”: “Dandara Living”,
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Founded in 2016, Dandara Living is one of the UK’s leading designers, developers and operators of largescale Build-to-Rent property. Their aim is to offer “great places to live in great locations”. With over 5,800 apartments across the UK, they pride themselves on offering a wide range of amenities and great customer service. Dandara Living was […] Read more about Dandara Living
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“name”: “Legal & General”,
“description”: “Gain valuable insights from tenants, owners and visitors about Legal & General’s properties on HomeViews.com”,
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Legal & General is one of the UK’s leading financial services groups and a major global investor, with international business in the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Established in 1836, Legal & General have invested over £19 million in direct investments such as homes, urban regeneration, clean energy and small business finance. Legal & […] Read more about Legal & General
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“name”: “Get Living”,
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Get Living is a Build to Rent property developer. They are leading the charge for a better way of renting, with no deposits, no fees and longer tenancies for its residents and is pet friendly. The Get Living team aims to help tenants feel at home from the moment they move in. All Get Living […] Read more about Get Living
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“name”: “Greystar”,
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Greystar is a global leader in rental housing. With over 29 years’ experience in the US. Greystar have also expanded to the UK and Europe, particularly The Netherlands, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Paris, Ireland and Madrid, with a number of purpose-built rental communities. These offer premium quality apartments with exclusive resident amenities. It continually strives to provide […] Read more about Greystar
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“name”: “Simple Life Homes”,
“description”: “Gain valuable insights from tenants, owners and visitors about Simple Life Homes’s properties on HomeViews.com”,
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Simple Life Homes offer new homes to rent, with support from housebuilding partners, the government and investment. In previous years, people looking to rent have had a limited choice of high standard homes teamed with a professional service and long term options, particularly when looking to rent a house. Simple Life Homes provide the perfect […] Read more about Simple Life Homes
HomeViews National Build to Rent Report 2022
The 2022 HomeViews National Build to Rent Report is out now.
Drawing on detailed review data covering 64% of completed BTR stock in the UK, the report provides the most comprehensive insights available on the Build to Rent sector.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
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