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UK Property Investment Beyond Brexit

Categories:Reading and Research

In less than a year, the UK  will officially exit the EU. Here is an overview of the Brexit effect on the UK property market.

Recently, popular actor Sir Patrick Stewart joined Members of Parliament and business leaders in London for the launch of a campaign called The People’s Vote. The campaign calls for a second Brexit vote, and drew some 1,200 people, including representatives from all of Britain’s major parties.

The actor, who played Professor X in X-Men, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, had earlier said that both his iconic X-Men and Star Trek characters would have backed Remain. This provoked a retort from Boris Johnson, the British Foreign Secretary. Mr Johnson drew upon Star Trek’s famous line, saying that Brexit will enable the UK to “boldly go” to areas it has neglected in recent years as it seeks trade deals.

On 29 March 2019, the UK will cease to be part of the EU as per the terms of Article 50. Taking into consideration the time needed for ratification by both the EU and UK, negotiations need to be complete by the end of 2018, or both parties risk a ‘cliff edge’ scenario where ties are suddenly severed with no arrangement as to how to move forward outside World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

The UK has long been a global superpower with London as the world’s financial, education and cultural centre -- even before it became a member of the EU.
The UK has long been a global superpower with London as the world’s financial, education and cultural centre — even before it became a member of the EU.

Brexit and the property landscape

The UK has long been a global superpower with London as the world’s financial, education and cultural centre, even before it became a member of the EU.

Our position has always been that there will, undeniably, be risks and opportunities. And while uncertainty is bound to rock the housing and economic market, we are positive that the UK will adapt to changes caused by Brexit. The slowdown in the housing market is likely a short-term one as the lack of housing supply in the UK will not change overnight, thus there will continue to be opportunities for property investors.

CBRE, in its Brexit Guide for Real Estate Decision Makers released last month (March 2018), echoes the sentiment and concludes that Brexit is not likely to have a significant impact on the property market.

The British Prime Minister has said on many occasions that she would rather that no deal be made (in negotiations with the EU), than a bad one. CBRE calculates the probability of a no-deal Brexit scenario at around 25%. A no-deal scenario would mean the UK leaving on WTO rules, rather than continued preferential market access. Such an outcome could be damaging for the short-term confidence in the UK economy, especially if the UK is not well prepared.

What is significant for the real estate market are the current negotiations on future trade and migration arrangements.

Migration controls are likely to be tighter, but it is not clear yet to what extent the controls will be. In the 2017 General Election, the Government restated its target to cut nett migration to below 100,000 people per year. This will be challenging given that nett migration into the UK is currently more than double that amount, and added on to the fact that the Government wants to allow highly-skilled EU immigrants to continue to come to the UK.

The reduction in immigrants could very well cause labour shortages and inflation. A shortage in labour affecting the construction sector could mean the slowing down of on-going developments, inevitably causing real estate demand to rise. This was implicitly recognized in the Government’s November 2017 Budget, in which £34 mil was allocated to retraining the unemployed to work in this sector.

However, any attempt to tighten migration controls will not be made until 2021 at the earliest, given that the Government has made a commitment to import the entire body of EU law into domestic legislation, which will take a while.

This will also mean that regulatory legislation for the property market is likely to stay stagnant until after 2021 as well. Tax change is not likely to differ either. Most taxes have been nationally-determined, with the exception of VAT and customs duties where the EU has specific influence. Thus Brexit will not induce much change in that regard.

Residential Property

The residential property market is on the road to recovery, going up by 34% from the post-crisis sales rate, which was about 1.2 million sales in 2017.

First-time buyers have increased from the long-term average of 41% to 48%. This can possibly be attributed to the Government’s Help to Buy program, which provides more accessible financing for those looking to purchase residential property. Movers are hindered by a lack of stock coming onto the market, and this trend is most pronounced in London.

CBRE predicts that house price growth will slow to around 1.5% in 2018, but rally in 2019 and reach 17.1% in the next five years.

CBRE house price and rental forecast for 2018-2021
CBRE house price and rental forecast for 2018-2021

Commercial Student Accommodation

Commercial student accommodation is set to be a growth area, with or without a Brexit deal. Research from Cushman & Wakefield showed that the supply of studio rooms has more than doubled since 2014. In 2017 a record-breaking 30,000 bed spaces were provided.

However, supply is still not keeping pace with the growth of students in recent years. CBRE’s research shows that there still is much headroom for further provision of student accommodation in many cities in the UK.

CBRE’s valuation index of 65,000 bed spaces reached double-digits, with total returns at 11.9% in the 12 months to Sept 2017. This significantly outperformed the Investment Property Database (IPD) All Property Index at 9.5%, which provides an indication of investment performance for the entire real estate market as a whole.

Nett rental growth of the index reached 4.1%, which was pushing double the IPD ERV (Estimated Rental Value) growth, at 2.2%.

Future demand for student property is likely to increase as latest UCAS figures show that student applications have gone up. The number of applications by EU and international students for university places in the UK increased to over 100,000 for the first time in 2018, a rise of almost 8% compared to last year. From this it can be seen that Brexit is irrelevant to students looking to further their studies, and the UK remains a popular place due to the reputation it has for quality tertiary education.

David Feeney, advisory associate at Cushman & Wakefield explains, “The UK is still a global education hub, attracting the best students from around the world. Even with Britain’s exit from the EU progressing, the relatively weak pound has attracted additional applications from non-EU students, with their numbers rising 5% over the last year. It is a key market, as 23% of the UK student population is now from overseas.”

Healthcare

Healthcare real estate investment hit record prices in 2017, reaching double (£1.4bn) that of the whole of 2016 (£720m) in just January to October. A majority of investments went into commercial care homes, far surpassing the rest of the healthcare sector.

Healthcare Investment Volumes for 2016 and 2017 (CBRE)
Healthcare Investment Volumes for 2016 and 2017 (CBRE)

The large disparity of care home supply and demand has driven investments in this area. The UK’s population is ageing rapidly and existing facilities are already unable to cater to the current demand. There is also a lack of support for sufferers of dementia, a demographic which is also increasing rapidly.

We can see more real estate investment trusts (REITs) starting to focus on this in 2018 and beyond. AXA’s acquisition of Retirement Villages and L&G’s acquisition of Inspired Villages and Renaissance Villages were all purchases involving established operators with development pipelines.

Conclusion

The current uncertainty in the air continues to dampen confidence and growth in the UK’s economy. Currency-induced inflation has not yet fully dissipated, slowing consumer spending. Yet, as we have said previously, the weak pound has attracted a good number of international real estate investors to the UK, increasing demand for property. The weak sterling provides investors with a great opportunity to get into the UK property market right now, and cash in later when the market regains its footing.

Certain sectors like commercial student property and commercial elderly care homes are Brexit-proof due to the high demand and low supply, regardless of whether the UK does or does not exit the EU with a deal. These sectors also have the advantage of being accessible to the individual investor and not just REITs, with their availability to be purchased in affordable units.

Article by Ian Choong
  • http://fortune.com/2018/04/16/patrick-stewart-brexit-second-peoples-vote/
  • http://www.irishnews.com/news/worldnews/2018/04/16/news/boris-johnson-draw-upon-star-trek-catch-phrase-to-defend-brexit-1305065/
  • https://www.ft.com/content/d0e520be-cf6b-11e7-b781-794ce08b24dc
  • http://valuedinsights.cbre.co.uk/uk-student-accommodation-storylines-applications-affordability-and-appetite-from-investors/
  • CBRE Brexit Guide for Real Estate Decision Makers
  • https://csiprop.com/brexit-uk-property-outlook/
  • https://csiprop.com/international-applications-to-uk-universities-hit-record-high/
  • https://csiprop.com/press-release-silver-lining-behind-brexit-for-malaysian-investors/
  • Feature image: offshorelivingletter.com

CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential and purpose-built student property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc); Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) and Thailand (Bangkok). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

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Liverpool: Hotspot for Economic & Population Growth

Categories:Reading and Research
A new survey on the UK’s 24 leading urban economies saw Liverpool rated as one of the top four hotspots in the UK for economic growth potential.

Liverpool’s economic growth rate, coupled with investments into the city’s development and infrastructure, is poised to create more jobs, further driving demand for housing and cementing its reputation as one the best-performing property investment locations for landlords.

The results of a survey on the UK’s 24 leading urban economies saw Liverpool rated as one of the top four hotspots in the UK for economic growth potential.

The study was executed by a global design and infrastructure consultancy known as Arcadis. To achieve the rankings, six key features of a prospering city were calculated and compared: workforce and skills, infrastructure, business environment, place, city brand and housing. Liverpool was ranked within the top four economic hotspots together with Edinburgh, Oxford, and Cambridge.

The report was welcomed by both City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and managing director of the Liverpool City Region LEP, Mark Basnett.

Mr Rotheram said: “This is an encouraging report but, in a sense, it tells what we already know. External validation is always useful and helps to signal to UK and international investors the huge opportunities that exist within the city and wider city region. Devolution gives us a huge opportunity to realise that potential by prioritising the areas identified in this report.”

The report revealed that Liverpool’s strengths were its brand, infrastructure, positive business environment and quality and affordability of housing supply — the latter has earned Liverpool a considerable number of titles as one of the UK’s best buy-to-let areas.

 

Not the First Time

A look at Liverpool’s economic history reveals that its position at the top of a list on economic growth is not some newfangled occurrence. In 2015, figures by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), revealed that Merseyside, a metropolitan county that comprises Liverpool among other cities, experienced an economic growth rate faster than London, Manchester and any other major British city.  Just last year, Liverpool was voted as ‘The UK’s Buy-To-Let Hotspot’ for property investment returns and capital growth. With this positive trend extending into 2018 along with major regeneration schemes, Liverpool and economic growth are set to be well-acquainted in the years to come.

Liverpool’s strengths were its brand, infrastructure, positive business environment and quality and affordability of housing supply.

 

 

Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter: Catalyst of Economic & Student Population Growth

What will further catapult Liverpool’s economic progress is the Knowledge Quarter, a £2bn vision to establish  the city as one of the world’s leading districts for science, technology, innovation and education.

For this goal to be actualized, it is crucial for well-resourced and world-leading universities to take the lead due to their resources and conducive environment. What is usually forgotten is that labs and classrooms are the birthplace of pretty much all the latest technology. AI and deep learning, automation and predictive analytics have all, in some form, started in an educational institution and not a traditional software development environment. The Knowledge Quarter is a perfect example of the UK’s progress towards this major goal, marking its transition into the next digital revolution and cementing Liverpool’s position as one of UK’s core cities taking part in it.

With several universities already residing in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, a growing student population is bound to follow — Liverpool is home to a whopping 67,000 students!

Worth noting is the rising demand for proper accommodation  in the undersupplied student property market. Found below are figures that illustrate the dire shortage of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in Liverpool as of late 2017:


Student Population: 67,000
Amount of Housing Available Through University: 4,500
Amount of Total Student Housing Available: 17,857
Potential Yields: Approx. 8% per annum

 

This shortage, a burgeoning student population and the relevance of the Knowledge Quarter as a one-stop education and technology centre, make PBSA in Liverpool the ideal investment.

Opportunities for investment are also found in the residential property sector as high house rental values have given Liverpool’s city centre some of the highest rental yields in the UK. According to latest research, Liverpool and Nottingham were the best performing property investment locations for landlords with average nett rental yields of 6.2%, no doubt greatly credited to the education sector. With Paddington Village, a massive regeneration scheme within the Knowledge Quarter, poised to create up to 10,000 jobs and fuel demand for housing, we see this trend continuing into the future.  

With Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter and education centres in mind, it would be a good idea to dip your toes into the pool of Liverpool’s looming success as soon as possible! 

Feel free to contact the team at CSI Prop for more information about how to get involved with Natex and how to build an impressive property portfolio.

By Nimue Wafiya 
Additions & edits by Vivienne Pal

Sources:

http://lbndaily.co.uk/liverpool-one-top-four-hotspots-growth-potential-new-report-says/

http://www.finsmes.com/2018/03/new-report-reveals-liverpool-is-one-of-the-top-hotspots-for-growth.html

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/uk-cannot-compete-digital-age-without-top-universities

http://www.primesite-developments.com/5-best-student-towns-invest/

www.movecommercial.com/12439-2/

https://www.propertywire.com/news/uk/liverpool-nottingham-top-buy-let-investment-rankings-uk/

www.csiprop.com/uk-property-outlook-2018/

www.resolutionfoundation.org/media/press-releases/merseyside-grew-fastest-in-a-strong-year-for-britains-major-city-economies/

www.csiprop.com/liverpools-knowledge-quarter-world-class-innovation-district/

www.csiprop.com/properties/natex/

—
CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential and purpose-built student property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc); Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) and Thailand (Bangkok). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

 

 

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Investment Opportunities in UK’s Youngest Cities

Categories:Reading and Research
A younger population can bring advantages such as attracting businesses, which will have a larger pool of working age residents to draw from.

While recent data by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the UK is facing an aging population, key cities remain a hub for the young. What difference does the age of a city make?

With its beautiful, calming scenery and rich history and culture, the UK is home not just to the native Brit, but also millions of immigrants.

Over the past 20 years, younger people have increasingly chosen to live in the urban areas of the UK, while the share of older residents has fallen. Statistics show that the UK’s edgy and lively cities remain a favourite among the younger generation with 62% of people aged 18 – 34 living in cities in 2016 compared to 58% in 1996. In contrast, the share of people aged 65 or older fell from 51% to 46% during this period.

A recently released study by the Centre for Cities reveals some of the youngest cities in the UK, with  Slough as the clear winner at the youngest average age of 33.9. London, popularly assumed as the city with the youngest population, comes in at sixth place, with the average youngest age of 36.5. Here is a list of some of the youngest cities in the UK, with average ages of under 40:

Oxford   34.4
Luton   35.1
Cambridge   35.4
London   36.5
Bradford   36.7
Birmingham   37.6
Bristol   37.7
Manchester   37.8
Reading   37.8
Liverpool   38.2
Plymouth   39.4

Investment opportunities  

What draws the younger population to these cities? Job opportunities and expansion, good infrastructure, facilities and educational institutions — these are the essential pull factors. On the other hand, a younger population can bring advantages such as attracting businesses, which will have a larger pool of working age residents to draw from.

Among the cities which have been getting younger, Oxford, Cambridge and Brighton have large shares of high-skilled, high-paying jobs, and all offer good access to quality schools.

Manchester, the UK’s fastest-growing city, is Europe’s second largest creative tech hub with 70,000 people now working in the city’s creative, digital and tech industries. Like Liverpool, it is also home to some of the world’s leading universities, offering a huge cache of thinkers to future employers.

It is in cities like these that purpose-built student accommodation are at high demand, offering commercial property investors opportunities to grow their wealth in this high-yielding and unique sector. 

In Bristol, for example, the number of students needing accommodation is projected to grow to 44,000 by the 2018/19 academic year. The growth can be attributed to the city’s two notable universities, the University of Bristol and the University of West of England, which make up a total of 40,000 full-time students. Little wonder that student property is a top investment in Bristol.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s £2bn vision to develop a world-class Knowledge Quarter will further reinforce its status as one of the best student cities in the world. The Knowledge Quarter represents an opportunity for significant future investment and regeneration, and will ultimately create more high-skilled jobs in the city. By attracting investment and creating jobs, people’s lives are improved and opportunities are created, thus attracting a greater number of young settlers and driving housing demand. 

Private Finance and Savills have now placed Liverpool and the overall Northwest as the top hotspots for buy-to-let investors with some of the highest comparative returns.  Does this pique your interest to grow your wealth in cities with a youthful population? Speak to us and find out more. Or send us a comment below!

Next week, we talk about cities with an ageing population and the opportunities they hold. Stay tuned.

Source:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43316697

csiprop.com/the-top-investment-in-bristol/

csiprop.com/liverpools-knowledge-quarter-world-class-innovation-district/

csiprop.com/uk-property-outlook-2018/

csiprop.com/manchester-original-modern-city/

 

By Marzatul Ruslan

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential and commercial property including student accommodation and carehomes, in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc) and Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

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Where is the Best Place to Invest in UK Student Property?

Categories:Reading and Research
While the final numbers have not yet been released, Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL) had projected the total investment volume of UK student property in 2017 to be in excess of £5 billion as demand remains high. Image taken from Priestley Lettings UK

UK student property continues to provide rewarding returns to investors over the years. While the final numbers have not yet been released, Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL) had projected the total investment volume of UK student property in 2017 to be in excess of £5 billion as demand remains high.

Recent data reveals that annual returns for student property between 2012 and 2016 reached an impressive 11.8%. Comparatively, in the same period, residential property was at 7.8% and commercial property, as a whole, at 7.4%.

According to data gleaned from the ONS & UK HPI rental growth index, CBRE student accommodation index and IPD quarterly property index, UK student property delivered 10.2% total returns —  a combination of 5.4% rental income and 4.8% capital growth.

Annual returns for student property between 2012 and 2016 reached an impressive 11.8%, a far better performance compared to residential property and commercial property as a whole. Image credit: Property Partner UK.
Annual returns for student property between 2012 and 2016 reached an impressive 11.8%, a far better performance compared to residential property and commercial property as a whole. Image credit: Property Partner UK.

There was approximately £3.1bn invested in the UK purpose-built student accommodation market in 2016, making it the second highest year on record after the exceptional 2015, when 74,500 beds were traded at a total value of £5.9bn. While the final numbers have not yet been released, JLL had projected the total investment volume of UK student property in 2017 to be in excess of £5 billion as demand remains high.

More students than ever are studying away from home, meaning the demand pool for accommodation continues to grow. In 2016/17 the number of students living in private accommodation increased to 141,210, a growth of 6.4% compared to the previous year. This trend is predicted to continue, fueled by the inability of university-managed accommodation to keep pace with student numbers, and a more discerning and affluent student population.

A chart by Cushman & Wakefiled on the growth of studio bed spaces from 2014- 2017. Image: Cushman & Wakefield UK Student ccommodation Report.
A chart by Cushman & Wakefiled on the growth of studio bed spaces from 2014- 2017. Image: Cushman & Wakefield UK Student ccommodation Report.

UK universities continue to recruit an increasing number of students from outside the UK, with EU students growing by 48% and international students by 70% over the last decade. There are now over 397,000 students from outside the UK, making up nearly one quarter, or 23% of the student population.

Dan Gandesha, founder of investment platform Property Partner, said that during tough economic cycles where it’s harder to secure a job, people are more likely to go to university and extend their studies. This, he said, increases demand and while the number of places does not spike, it does help underpin the demand for student property.

“Having those counter-cyclical characteristics is quite unusual for an investment class. It’s very different to (other) commercial property. Residential property to some extent isn’t affected in the same way, but it doesn’t have the same attributes of student property, whereby the numbers and the demand go up (in a downturn),” Gandesha added.

 

UK student property hotspots

To get the best returns, investors of UK student property should pay attention to cities where universities have plans to grow and relocate campuses, as well as look at cities where the supply and demand balance is favourable. Better value investments can be found in historic and emerging regional locations that have good quality infrastructure and institutions with excellent track-records in education.

For instance, the University of Bristol is planning to invest £300m over the next five years in its brand-new Temple Meads campus, which will be able to accommodate an additional 5,000 students, boosting the demand for student property in the city.

Liverpool’s £2bn vision to establish a 450-acre Knowledge Quarter will further reinforce its status as one of the best student cities in the world. The Knowledge Quarter will encompass Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Liverpool, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool Science Park, the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital, and will transform the area into one of the world’s leading innovation districts. These new innovations will prove to be a draw to students and working adults alike, fueling opportunities for investors of buy-to-let and purpose built student accommodation.

Birmingham has seen a record rise in the supply of student last year and is now home to 21,000 bed spaces, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s UK Student Accommodation Report. Birmingham is second-largest student city in the country after London, with a student population of around 65,000. The University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, Aston University, University College London and Newman University are all situated in the city, keeping demand for student accommodation high.

With a current demand ratio of 1 student to 3 beds, UK student property is poised to remain a top investment asset class in the commercial property sector for some time to come. The counter-cyclical nature of this unique asset class, coupled with the UK’s world class education system (and the currently lower pound due to Brexit) will keep the flow of international students coming.

Source:

https://www.buyassociation.co.uk/2018/02/20/purpose-built-student-blocks-can-provide-healthy-returns-investors/

https://realassets.ipe.com/real-estate/sectors/alternatives/student-housing-market-revision/10018850.article

Cushman & Wakefield UK Student Accommodation Report

https://resources.propertypartner.co/invest-purpose-built-student-accommodation/

By Ian Choong

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc) and Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

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UK Commercial Property Investment Rose 66%

Categories:Reading and Research
Natex, a new-build student property investment located strategically in the Liverpool city centre, is a commercial property investment with 9% returns p.a. with 5 years assurance.

Unlike residential property investors, commercial property investors benefit from certain tax exemptions (T&C apply), allowing for higher returns on investment.

According to prominent research outfit Savills, investments in UK commercial property has risen 66% to £4.2 billion in February 2018 compared with the same month last year.

Savills states in its February Market in Minutes report that despite economic pressures from Brexit, investor appetite for UK property remains strong. In 2017, total investment into UK real estate reached £65.4 billion, representing a 26% increase on 2016’s annual total.

Unlike residential property investors, commercial property investors benefit from certain tax exemptions (T&C apply), allowing for higher returns on investment.

CEO of Savills UK and Europe, Mark Ridley, commented: “January’s volumes demonstrate that investors are still looking beyond Brexit and are happy to commit to the UK to secure prime property with secure income characteristics. Based upon current projections, driven by a downward shift in equivalent yields, we expect total returns for average UK commercial property to be around 7% this year.”

In its latest report, the Investment Property Forum (IPF) said the outlook for 2018 has improved over the three months since its last survey was conducted, with average rental and capital value growth rates increasing in virtually all sectors.

Its UK Consensus Forecasts report, which surveyed 23 property consultants and fund and investment management houses, showed that the rental value growth average forecast had risen to 0.8% from 0.4% three months ago.

Student property sector stays robust

Student property, as a subset of the commercial property sector, remains a popular investment, boasting a low requirement of capital but yielding high returns.

According to CBRE’s student accommodation index, between 2012 and 2016, annualised returns for the sector totalled an impressive 11.8%. This can be compared to the residential sector at a still respectable, but lower 7.8%, and commercial property as a whole, at 7.4%.

Places at UK’s higher education institutions remain in demand worldwide. EU and non-EU students are the fastest-growing segment, bringing a net benefit of £2.3 billion per annum to London’s economy supporting 60,000 jobs in the capital.

In 2015-16, there were almost half a million non-EU students in the UK, about one-fifth (19.2%) of the 2.3 million total. In the 2017/18 academic year, non-EU applications had risen by 2.2% even while EU applications had fallen ostensibly due to Brexit.

To date, there is a total of 1.7 million full time students in the UK. Of this number, 23% are foreign, bringing the growth of international students in the UK to a whopping 70% from 2006 to 2016.

Largest International Student Nationalities in the UK (Cushman & Wakefield)
23% of the 1.7 million fulltime students in UK are foreign. Above, HESA charts the largest international student nationalities in the UK over the past decade (Cushman & Wakefield).

The Government’s recent removal of the student cap will provide more spaces for the large number of foreign students applying to study in the UK, increasing demand for quality student accommodation.

New-build student developments like Natex in Liverpool and Bristol City House in Bristol continue to provide opportunities for the savvy investor thanks to their strategic location in the city centre and proximity to top universities.

UK care homes: fast-growing segment in commercial property sector

Care homes are another fast-growing segment of the commercial property sector. The UK is facing an aging population, with the threat of dementia becoming increasingly prevalent among the elderly. Patients suffering from dementia require specialized care, and living at a care home can ensure they have the best possible quality of life.

Julian Evans, Knight Frank’s Head of Healthcare said that the UK care homes market faces an imminent crisis due to a national shortage of beds. However, this crisis and acute undersupply of care homes has created opportunities for investors, and will continue to drive investor appetite in the coming years.

“The disparity of care bed supply and demand presents increasing opportunities for investors, and, combined with the fall in the sterling, has generated a truly global appetite for the sector.”

Research by ONS revealed that 1 in 4 people will be aged 65 years old in less than 30 years. Alzheimer’s Research states that 850,000 people live with dementia in the UK today. This figure is expected to balloon to two million by 2050. However, the supply of beds at care homes in the UK are not enough to meet this burgeoning demand.

Care home investments can offer up to 8% net-yield per annum for up to 25 years, as well as provide an exit clause or contractual buyback.

Got questions? If you’re interested in investing in UK commercial property, send us a comment or message below and we will get in touch with you!

Sources:

http://www.savills.co.uk/_news/article/72418/228196-0/2/2018/savills–uk-investment-rose-66–y-o-y-in-january

www.buyassociation.co.uk/2018/02/20/purpose-built-student-blocks-can-provide-healthy-returns-investors/

https://realassets.ipe.com/news/uks-2018-commercial-property-outlook-improves/10023400.article

http://www.ipf.org.uk/resourceLibrary/investment-property-forum-uk-consensus-forecasts–winter-2017-18–full-report.html

https://www.propertyfundsworld.com/2017/03/07/249343/crisis-uk-care-home-sector-provides-opportunities-developers-and-investors-says-kn

csiprop.com/the-top-investment-in-bristol/

csiprop.com/care-homes-investment-stand-asset-class/

UK Student Accommodation Report 2017/18, Cushman & Wakefield

By Ian Choong

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential and commercial property including student accommodation and carehomes, in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc) and Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

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UK Student Property: Favourite Investment of Institutional Investors

Categories:Reading and Research
UK Student property is regarded as one of the strongest investment platforms today (Img source: http://bit.ly/2EhQLnQ)

This month, a Scottish property developer signed a £500m joint venture with a US company to build student accommodation across the UK. The Glasgow-based Structured House Group (SHG) said the agreement with Harrison Street Real Estate would lead to 5,000 apartments being built over the next five years, with potential sites already identified in the northwestern cities of  Manchester and Liverpool, and Scotland. Many institutional investors, both private and state-owned, are pouring money into UK student property, also known as purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), today.

According to latest figures by the IE Business School in Madrid, sovereign wealth funds have quadrupled their investment in student housing in both Europe and the US, from under 4% a year between 2011 and 2015 to more than 15% in 2016. The sharp increase in investment in the sector is based on the potential growth of wealthier middle classes in emerging economies looking to send their children to study abroad.

In 2015 and 2016, Malaysia’s Felda Investment Corp Sdn Bhd (FIC) launched two investments in the student accommodation market in London worth £168 million.

And from Singapore down south, Mapletree and GIC spent a combined £1.2 billion on student housing in the UK in 2016, in cities like Leicester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Oxford, Edinburgh, Manchester and Lincoln. Singapore holds the title of being the largest investors in student property in UK (and beyond) in recent years.

UK Student Property: Most Favoured Investment

UK student property is regarded as one of the strongest investment platforms today, surpassing other traditional real estate classes. There an acute undersupply of student housing in the UK due to restrictions in building permissions, a challenging planning environment and the government’s support for housing development. This limits the existing residential housing stock that is available for students to rent.

Universities face many of the same problems with building student halls. Students are typically only guaranteed their first-year of accommodation, and left to seek a room of their own after that. Purpose-built student accommodation, thus, are designed to not only solve the dual problems of inadequate university-managed accommodation and residential housing to let, but to go further, and provide a higher standard of living for the discerning student.

In 2016-17 the number of students living in private accommodation increased to 141,210, a growth of 6.4% from 132,720 last year. This trend is predicted to continue, fuelled by the inability of university-managed accommodation to keep pace with student numbers, and a more discerning and affluent student population. Unite Group reports that 85% of second year undergraduates are now looking for quality, purpose-built student homes that fulfill all their needs (including peace and quiet and access to night-life). CBRE statistics shows that student accommodation generally has occupancy rates of about 99%, and, for investors, tenancy is virtually assured.

By 2017, the UK student accommodation market was estimated by Knight Frank to be worth some £46bn and growing. James Pullan, Knight Frank’s head of student property said that there are more investors in the sector now than there has ever been.

“It is one of the few sectors in the property world that has delivered consistent rental growth every year since the economic downturn. More than 70% of investment is coming from overseas buyers, from sovereign wealth funds and ultra high net worth individuals (people with investable assets of more than $30m) and private equity,” he said.

UK student property used to be the sole domain of the institutional investor. In recent years has it been packaged to be accessible by the individual investor, adding to the appeal of this investment class. Its price points are affordable at approximately £65K onwards per unit, which is a steal compared to the price of a London apartment which easily costs more than £500K — and which cannot fetch annualised returns that come close to the 8% that UK student property can. 

UK student property is a sought-after investment due to its returns. Image" CSI Prop
UK student property is a sought-after investment due to its returns. Image” CSI Prop

Student Arrivals Fuel UK Student Property Demand

Meanwhile, students continue to enrol into UK’s higher education institutions. The Government’s removal of the student cap will maintain a steady stream of foreign students applying to study in Britain, buttressing demand for proper accommodation and providing opportunities for investors.

In 2015-16, there were almost half a million non-EU students in the UK, about one-fifth (19.2%) of the 2.3 million total. In the 2017/18 academic year, non-EU applications had risen by 2.2% even while EU applications had fallen ostensibly due to Brexit.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) reports that entrants to full-time first-degree, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research courses have increased considerably in the past 10 years (by 31.2%, 30.5% and 25.7%, respectively), and the proportion of 18-year-olds applying and entering higher education were at record levels.

London’s full-time student population alone is expected to rise by 50% in the next 10 years, whilst regional cities, particularly where there is a Russell Group university, is expected to see dramatic increases in student numbers. EU and non-EU students are the fastest growing segment, bringing a net benefit of £2.3 billion per annum to London’s economy supporting 60,000 jobs in the capital.

Ultimately, investors are in it for the returns: UK student property can fetch yields of more than 8% annually. Additionally, PBSAs are categorized as commercial property and, thus, benefit from tax exemptions that residential property does not qualify for. This allows the return on investments to be higher than other classes of real estate. In 2017, market transactions exceeded that of 2016 at £3.61 billion, but , with a further £1.05 billion under offer (unlike 2016) and £1.5 billion in the market, double the totals for 2016.

What makes PBSA such a property hotspot, at the end of the day, is the combination of internationally respected higher education, structural undersupply and steady rental growth. It has proven to be recession-proof and will be Brexit-proof, too. This offers investors a safe and stable place to put their money.

Hiew Yoon Khong, chief executive of Temasek’s real estate arm Mapletree, Singapore, sums it up best: “Student accommodation is a big business and relatively low risk.”

 

Article by Ian Choong

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc) and Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

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The Top Investment in Bristol

Categories:Reading and Research

The number of students needing accommodation in Bristol is projected to grow to 44,000 by the 2018/19 academic year.

Growth can be attributed to the city’s two notable universities, the University of Bristol and the University of West of England, which has a combined total of just over 40,000 full-time students. These two institutions have driven Bristol’s continued demand for student accommodation, providing a prime opportunity for developers and investors.

The University of Bristol, in particular, is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of Universities, which represents 24 leading universities in the UK. Ranked 9th in the UK according to the Times Higher Education League Tables, the university has long experienced high student demand and seen a 20% increase in applications since 2012. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has named it the 6th most oversubscribed university n the UK — demand for places at the university exceeds even that of the world-famous King’s College London or Queen Mary University of  London!

Adding to the allure is the value a University of Bristol degree holds in the working world. A research by Savills has shown that British universities boasting high graduate salaries see a bigger increase in applications over the past five years, compared to the rest. The research reports that graduates from the University of Bristol  are most likely to go on to jobs that pay £2,700 above the average in the UK.

The University of Bristol is currently embarking on an ambitious expansion of its facilities, which includes plans for a brand-new £300m Temple Quarter Campus situated next to Bristol Temple Meads train station. Image credit: http://bit.ly/2Fsk1Zb
The University of Bristol is currently embarking on an ambitious expansion of its facilities, which includes plans for a brand-new £300m Temple Quarter Campus situated next to Bristol Temple Meads train station. Image credit: http://bit.ly/2Fsk1Zb

The University of Bristol is currently embarking on an ambitious expansion of its facilities, which includes plans for a brand-new campus right in the city. The £300m million Temple Quarter Campus will be situated next to Bristol Temple Meads train station,  in the centre of the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, one of the largest urban regeneration projects in the UK. Once completed, it will provide study places for 5,000 new students, which will starkly increase the city’s demand for student accommodation. The new campus is expected to open in time for the start of the 2021/22 academic year.

 

Savills: Bristol is Top 12 in PBSA investment

Currently there is a significant demand for student accommodation in the city.

Savills puts the city of Bristol in its first-class tier, or top 12 cities in the UK for investment in the commercial purpose-built student accommodation sector, based on the current and future projected supply of student property, demand, affordability and potential for rental growth.

Backing up Savills’ research is a study by Sellhousefast.uk, which places Bristol in the top 20 cities in the UK by demand for student accommodation, at a ratio of about 1 bed to every 2 students (1:1.93).

Investors who invest in Bristol student property can expect favourable returns on their investments. According to the Cushman & Wakefield Student Accommodation Tracker 2017/18, en-suite rents in Bristol went up by 4%, tying with Birmingham as the highest increase of all cities in the UK. En-suite bed spaces represent 56% of the student property market, whilst studios account for 12% of all beds.

James Pullan, head of student property at Knight Frank, says Bristol is structurally undersupplied.

“As is apparent from the figures, Bristol needs purpose-built accommodation. It doesn’t have enough. If you look at the university projections, it still needs more. The market would not be saturated if another 4,000 beds came to market,” he says.

 

And Much More

There’s much more to Bristol than top-notch universities, which makes it a great place to live and work in.

Bristol has been voted the best place to live in the UK by the Sunday Times in 2017. It was announced as the Green Capital of Europe for 2015 and has numerous eco-friendly projects, from fish farms and tidal generators to the infamous ‘poo bus’ — a bus powered by methane generated from the Bristol Sewage Treatment Works.

Bristol also has the reputation of being England’s first “cycling city”, with a report stating that 24,000 cars are kept off the streets everyday, thanks to cycling. 

Named the Green Capital of Europe for 2015, Bristol is also England's first "cycling city". Image credit: http://bit.ly/299HZdv
Named the Green Capital of Europe for 2015, Bristol is also England’s first “cycling city”. Image credit: http://bit.ly/299HZdv

Economy-wise, Bristol performed strongly in 2016, recording a 2.4% increase in YOY economic growth and moving into 10th place in a league table for city growth, according to a study by the Centre for Business & Economic Research (CEBR). The report projects Bristol’s economy to grow 15.7% by 2026.

Jobs are also being created in the city, and accessibility, increased.

The Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, a 70-hectare enterprise zone in the city is expected to draw talent from the creative, high-tech and low-carbon industries. Since 2012, over 3,000 people have come to work in the Enterprise Zone. The target is 22,000 jobs over the lifespan of the project.

The Temple Meads railway station, which is being redeveloped by Network Rail to be a brand-new transport hub, will improve access to surrounding neighbourhoods and the city beyond.

In conclusion, there is a significant market for the commercial student property sector in Bristol, and investors can capitalize on that. The student population is set to increase over the next few years, and the current lack of supply of student beds gives great potential for growth in this sector. The residential property sector, meanwhile, looks to benefit from increasing jobs created in the city.

Article by Ian Choong

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc) and Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

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Demand for Purpose Built Student Accommodation to Rise

Categories:Reading and Research
Demand for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in the UK, like One Islington – the latest student accommodation project in our portfolio – is set to rise. Find out more about One Islington from us.

Savills reported a 17%  increase in student accommodation investment in the UK this year, and expects investments in the sector  to reach £5.3bn by the end of the year, surpassing the £4.5bn spent in 2016. Meanwhile, Knight Frank’s UK Student Housing Rental Update reports that headline rental growth for the sector increased by 2.55% for the 2017/18 academic year.

Demand for Purpose-built Student Accommodation (PBSA) or UK Student Property is expected to rise as students continue to flock to the UK to study. Unlike residential property, this sector is seen to be a rock-solid investment in the face of global and domestic challenges.

Savills reported a 17%  increase in student accommodation investment in the UK this year, and expects investments in the sector  to reach £5.3bn by the end of the year, surpassing the £4.5bn spent in 2016. Meanwhile, Knight Frank’s UK Student Housing Rental Update reports that headline rental growth for the sector increased by 2.55% for the 2017/18 academic year.

While some of the younger UK population prefer to seek apprenticeships instead of applying for university, the latest analysis by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) shows that demand for higher education among 18-year-olds remains strong. In addition, the Government’s removal of the student cap will continue to see an increasing number of international students applying to study in Britain. In the 2017/18 academic year, non-EU applications had risen by 2.2% even while EU applications had fallen ostensibly due to Brexit.

The provision of good quality student accommodation was traditionally the responsibility of universities, but in recent years, most new accommodation has been provided by private investors and developers.

International students can be very profitable for landlords and letting agents, as many are prepared to pay higher rents for superior quality accommodation.

David Feeney, Head of Student Analytics at Cushman & Wakefield said: “More students than ever are demanding a bed in purpose-built accommodation. This, coupled with pressure on local housing markets, means that demand for purpose-built accommodation should remain strong. However, micro-market knowledge is essential to investment success.”

Mike Mitchell, Partner in Cushman & Wakefield’s Student and Residential Investment team, commented: “Across the UK, the PBSA market continues to be one of the most attractive asset classes in real estate for investors. Despite applications to Universities falling by 3.7%, the sector has witnessed year-on-year rental growth. Due to the value of foreign currencies against the Pound, there has been an influx of capital from overseas buyers in 2017 who are now competing with UK purchasers.”

The UK overtook the US as the largest student property market for the first time in 2015 after reaching a record £6.56bn in investment volumes.

Article by Ian Choong

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc); Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) and Thailand (Bangkok). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

No Comments

Most Resilient Asset Class in the UK Property Market

Categories:Reading and Research

The UK property market has been mentioned in the news quite a fair bit. One of the issues that has consistently been bandied about is the UK property market and how it will augur in the face of the political upheaval that the country is going through, namely Brexit and the UK snap elections.

Over the years, what’s clear is that the UK property market — which suffered at the global financial downturn — has become a tougher nut to crack. UK’s property market has remained resolute, with prices continuing to climb skyward.

Underpinning this spiraling price hike is the critical undersupply of housing — a condition that is not just prevalent within the residential real estate sector, but also the student accommodation sector.

One of the students we interviewed who is currently a VITA Student resident in Liverpool. Student property is currently the top investment asset within the UK property market.

Student property is now one of the most — if not the most — resilient asset class in the UK property market. Over the years, more investments have been made into this sector, making it a popular investment among astute investors. Institutional investors like Temasek & GIC have invested heavily into this sector. Watch this video  above to know why student property is now the UK’s Most Resilient Asset Class in the UK property market.

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc); Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) and Thailand (Bangkok). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260