Tenant demands in UK rental property shift following the effects of the pandemic
With millions of people having to vastly shift their lifestyle and living/working routine over the past twelve months as a result of the pandemic, tenant demands from rental property have shifted radically. Here are some of the main priorities and demanded features from modern tenants looking for apartments and homes in the UK currently.
Green space
It will likely come as no surprise to learn that outdoor space and gardens have quickly become the main priority for tenants looking to find new homes. With lockdown restrictions making work-from-home routines a normalcy, and holidays cut short due to travel restrictions (many of which are still in place at the time of writing), people want to be able to sit outside and get some respite from their screen-led lifestyle shift.
Offering green space to tenants within city centre properties is a difficult task, save for providing ease of access to local park facilities and similar communal outdoor spaces, but some developments do have efficient solutions to answer the call for much-needed fresh air. RWinvest are one of many companies offering investment properties with rooftop garden areas, providing those living in apartments somewhere to go and unwind while socialising and networking with others in their building.
High-speed internet
Fast broadband connections have always been up there as a priority among young tenants with internet-driven jobs, but the always-online and video conferencing-led workflow of late has made a solid network connection an absolute necessity for most people. Options for fibre optic broadband as well as access points throughout is an expected component.
As an extension of this, smart technology is also a growing trend, and something that attracts young people to apartments and luxury properties within cities. Having efficient fixtures built-in to accommodation – such as smart lighting or heating, for instance – allows the modern tenant to live a more efficient lifestyle, with their home melding around their routine rather than getting in the way.
Eco-conscious features
While many are likely desperate to escape the drab restrictions of the city at the moment in search of more rural accomodation following the pandemic, statistics still show that an increasing number of people are moving towards city-centre living each year, looking to take advantage of both the social and career benefits that they can afford.
With cities around the world swelling in terms of growth and population, pollution is a growing concern, and so many property developers and construction companies are looking to integrate eco-friendly solutions into their building’s designs to prepare for a more carbon-neutral future. Element Developments, for instance, a company based in the North West, are introducing low carbon technology into their city developments from the get-go, with features like air source heat pumps for renewable energy a stand out to tenants looking for something different.
The average young professional moving to a city (or graduating out of a nearby college/university into the city) will likely look to these features when making their decision on where to live, so it’s within an investors best interest to at least keep these factors in mind when marketing their offering going forward.
