Build to Rent - When Build, Design and Operation collide! Five critical areas you need to consider if you are developing a Build to Rent Scheme. www.wellfieldassociates.co.uk

1.You are selling a Lifestyle! Amenity areas need to be part of the Marketing Suite, not delivered last. Your Marketing Suite needs to be ready at least 3 months before first move in CGI’s are no substitute! The ‘sales pitch’ needs to include a tour of the Scheme – if there’s a gym, get them to lift some weights! Ideally, the Customer needs to view their apartment. Things like having a great view matter. 1.You are selling a Lifestyle!

2. It’s more than a few cushions! Amenity space needs to be designed with its specific use in mind. It’s helpful to have an anchor point like a coffee machine. Design what your tenants will like & use, not what you like! Amenity space is even more valuable if it can have multiple uses. Think about how easy they will be to keep clean and maintain – swimming pools a very expensive!

3. Everything needs to flow… Your Scheme design needs to be efficient – location of key areas such as Reception needs to be right. Walk the Scheme as if you were living there – do this multiple times – you’ll discover all sorts! Even little things, like having too few cleaning cupboards, or too few plug points in the corridors will add costs into your Scheme, which could have been designed out You need to think about how the Facilities Management elements of the Scheme will work – little things like access control, meter readings and emergency access. Ensure that you internal & external signage is correct.

4. It’s nothing personal! This is someone’s home! Research shows that people who make an emotional connection with their home will stay their longer. Personalisation of homes is a good thing! Some people like pink.. Furniture or no furniture – I might hate the sofa! Consider move in’s and out’s in terms of apartment interiors.

5.Style over substance Durability is key as well as style. Putting a slightly higher specification in up front, may pay dividends down the line. Consider replacement items – especially things like mattresses. Interior design of apartments needs to be canvas like, so that people can personalise their own homes. How many people could be living in the apartment? In a 3 bedroom apartment, you could go from having 1 occupant to 6 – the design needs to be clever to cater for this.

Above all else, you are dealing with someone choosing a Home. This is rarely a transactional purchase. You can only create a community if people enjoy living in your Scheme, and chose to keep living there. This increases your profitability & reduces your costs. And a good reputation for your Scheme is worth its weight in gold! Home Sweet Home!