Citra Living, the private rental offshoot of Lloyds Banking Group, is being rebranded as the financial giant steps up its involvement in the sector.

Its latest deal has seen it acquire another 821 homes in existing Build To Rent schemes constructed by Gatehouse. This takes Citra’s portfolio up to some 5,000 rental units.

They are on nine sites in locations across the North West and Midlands. The acquired homes include a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes, as well as 72 low rise apartments. Occupancy of the homes currently stands at 99%, with EPC ratings of B or higher, putting them in the top 10% of UK homes for energy-efficiency.

Simultaneously, Citra is rebranding as Lloyds Living, with the black horse symbol on its logo. The bank says the new name reflects its long-trusted history.

The bank says its role as a Build To Rent player involves it “providing a stress-free and reliable service, and offering them a good value, high quality rental experience … [as] a trusted landlord, helping customers feel safe and secure in their homes, so they can put down roots and help communities grow.”

Across the country it is known that the Ascend and Lomond agency groups are involved in management of the Lloyds Living portfolio.