Private renting is now “a future-forward choice, seen by many conscious consumers to be a cool and connected way of accessing a covetable lifestyle without costing the earth.”
That’s the view of Build To Rent operator Quintain Living, which has issued a list of ‘on trend’ rental characteristics that it expects to see grow in prominence in 2021, notwithstanding the pandemic.
This include ‘cool’ facilities like a concierge, in-block cinemas, private open space and clubhouses, say the firm.
“People’s expectation for service and support have been accelerated and we expect that that growing band of Build To Rent residents who have benefitted from concierge-led living will find it hard to return to life without it. And why should they?” states the firm.
“Time-poor young professionals just want to move in without hassle and time delays in getting essential services sorted, there is a much greater expectation from renters to have everything ‘ready to go’ in the apartments they choose to live in. This applies to all ages – from 20-something flat sharers and young families to more mature residents who instantly want to access the benefit of connected urban living” Quintain continues.
The company also makes much emphasis on its willingness to allow tenants to have pets – a point of great debate amongst buy to let landlords.
Quintain says: “2020 saw a boom in lockdown-pet demand with Google reporting record number of pet-related searches. As office workers slowly gear up to blended home and office working, we predict more enquiries from people who want access to parks and trails, as well as ancillary pet-friendly services like doggy daycare and grooming. In response to the demand, Quintain Living has ensured all of its buildings are pet-friendly, and is pioneering new amenities to be top dog for pets in 2021.”
Amongst the other trends it anticipates featuring this year, the operators expects more demand for larger homes.
“Work-from-homers are stretching their needs beyond the more obvious demand for super fast broadband or modular, open-plan living. We’re seeing increasing demand from single occupancy residents looking to boost their space, with a notable rise in three-bedroom apartment leases amongst this group” it concludes.
