New Build to Rent deal to deliver homes for private rent

A new deal will deliver newly-built homes specifically for private rent in six different towns, housing minister Kris Hopkins has announced.

The minister welcomed this third deal through the government's £1 billion Build to Rent scheme, which is on track for work on 10,000 new homes for private rent to be underway by 2015.

Under the terms of the latest deal, the Mill Group will receive £8.7 million to work alongside Bovis Homes to deliver 190 homes for private rent.

The team will build 110 houses and 80 apartments across six different sites. They are:

• Wickhurst Green, Horsham - 46 homes

• Charlton Hayes, Filton, Bristol - 43 homes

• Coopers Edge, Brockworth - 31 homes

• Oak Tree Place, Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire - 30 homes

• Great Kneighton, Trumpington, Cambridge - 27 homes

• Aspen Park, Hemel Hempstead - 13 homes

The Build to Rent fund is designed to help developers build large scale, quality homes specifically for the private rented sector. By demonstrating the viability of the large-scale market the government is laying the foundations for future private investment in the sector. Construction has already started in two round one projects, in Manchester and Southampton and 17 more are either in the final stage of due diligence or the contracting stage.

And through round two, a further 36 projects have been shortlisted which could deliver up to 6,500 homes - meaning the government is well on track to have work underway by 2015 to deliver up to 10,000 newly built homes for private rent.

Hopkins said: Millions of people use the flexible option of renting in the private sector. I want to ensure tenants have a choice of high-quality homes, rented under reasonable terms. So I'm pleased that this deal is complete to build 190 homes across six sites specifically for private rent. And with more sites being considered for a share of our £1 billion Build to Rent fund, we're well on track to have work underway on 10,000 homes for rent by 2015.

David Toplas, chief executive at Mill Group, said: This new joint venture forms a key part of our strategy to build a significant private rented sector portfolio and demonstrate our commitment to structure, source, finance and invest in the right opportunities.

There is a significant, well recognised shortage of homes and an ever-growing need for good quality, affordable rental accommodation, and this deal will help tackle that. We are delighted to play our part to encourage greater institutional investor participation, ultimately helping spur an increase in supply of private rental homes.