Land and property expertise: Education sector

Land and property expertise: Education sector

Education Support

We know the education sector. Are you looking to expand, acquire, review your property assets or maximise and stabilise your property related income? We will help.

Emily Halpin

Planning

Business

Building

Property

Energy

Geospatial

Lease

Our aim is to help you focus on educating

bright young talent.

Andrew Bridge Managing Partner

Institutes

We are a firm of 800 property professionals, with a national network of 26 offices. This gives our clients the confidence that they can make informed property decisions because of the:

• Depth of the skills and experience of their Fisher German advisors

• Fact that our recommendations are based on a profound understanding of national trends and the legislative/regulatory framework, as well as a deep knowledge of local market conditions

• Honesty and impartiality ingrained in our advice and the integrity of our advisors

In addition, we are at the forefront of the ‘Green Property’ revolution. We advise clients on everything from Delivering Net Zero, to carbon offsetting, green energy and sustainability. This enables us to help clients future proof their property interests - be it helping them implement short term tactical plans, or make longer term strategic decisions.

Listening to clients; understanding their goals and ambitions; developing smart, practical and achievable results; being responsive, accountable and flexible, this is why clients appoint us and retain us – in many instances, for decades.

Asset & Portfolio Valuations

Faced by a combination of profound economic and financial challenges, consolidation and expansion of ‘school groups’, the increasing acquisition of UK independent schools by overseas buyers and property investors, accurate valuations of educational assets and portfolios have never been so critical.

Our specialist valuers value assets or portfolios for:

• Acquisitions purposes

• Disposals

• Mergers

• Sale and lease backs

• Ground rent transactions

• Statutory accounts

• Charities Act

• Secured lending

• Landlord and tenant

• Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax

The experienced national team of RICS Registered Valuers has earned a reputation for providing accurate and impartial valuations of both operational and non-operational property, which are underpinned by a robust valuation process.

Every Valuation Report we produce:

• Complies fully with RICS regulations

• Is undertaken by an RICS Registered Valuer

• Is peer-reviewed by an RICS Registered Valuer

• Complies with the RICS approved professional indemnity policies

Whether valuing an asset or portfolio for statutory accounts, secured lending or for new capital projects each Valuation Report is tailored, designed to meet the Client Team’s unique reporting protocols and produced in a timely manner to meet (often tight) deadlines.

But above all, our Valuation Reports allow clients to make informed financial and strategic decisions.

“Our experienced national team of RICS Registered Valuers has earned a reputation for providing accurate and impartial valuations.”

Emily Halpin Associate Partner

Planning Consultancy

Are you considering:

• Extending, replacing or altering an existing building

• Works relating to a listed building or other designated heritage asset

• Building a new structure on land the school already owns

• The possibility of disposing of a surplus building or unwanted land to a developer and you want to sell it with planning permission (as this will add a premium to your ‘asset’)

• Acquiring a building or piece of land that may require a change of use?

Our experienced team of Planning Consultants can help you review your options and decide on the best strategy to achieve your school’s strategic, financial and occupational goals.

We can:

• Advise you on the opportunities and risks, as well as the most viable strategy for your ‘Planning Appraisal’ - to help you make informed decisions

• Develop appropriate strategies to adopt for public consultation and pre-application discussions, as well as prepare and submit a planning application

• Monitor and manage the progress of your application through the planning process

Our team has a 97% approval rate on planning applications and, when asked, our clients have told us that they would use us again – and they do.

Scott O’Dell Associate Partner

case study

Project

Input into investment strategies

Facilitating the refurbishment of listed buildings, including thermal efficiency improvements

Replacement of boarding facilities

Creation of a house for day pupils

Solution:

Minimising planning risk during the development of strategies

Early engagement with Conservation Officers

Pre-submission consultation with key stakeholders including the Local Planning Authority and Town Council

Collaborating with a project team to prepare planning and listed building consent applications

Benefits:

Favourable consents obtained within tight timescales on constrained sites

Creating positive working relationships with stakeholders

Diversification of school places with greater accessibility locally

Delivering high quality learning environments

Ready to turn your vision into reality? Find out how else we can help. /education

Business Rates Advice

Business Rates are an operational cost which are not set in stone.

We know from experience that the Valuation Office’s (VO) records are occasionally wrong and can therefore be successfully challenged.

We also know that, because this is a specialist area, a number of schools have overlooked the fact that they can also apply for reliefs they are entitled to - which would reduce their rates bill.

Having successfully and repeatedly challenged Valuation Office’s Business Rates demands for over 30 years, we have a proven track record in the education sector. This is underpinned by the fact that, in the last five years alone, we have saved our clients over £30m in total across all sectors.

Our team of Business Rates specialists adopt a three-step strategy when helping schools. They:

Check if the asset information held on the VO’s database, is correct (eg floor areas)

Challenge the VO if the information and therefore the Rateable Value is wrong

Appeal to the Valuation Tribunal if a resolution with the VO cannot be reached. We prepare and submit an accurate, cogent and well evidenced case.

From experience we know that Business Rates are a ‘forgotten’ cost which often evades most cost audits undertaken by schools – probably because it is perceived to be a ‘government levied tax’ and therefore immune to any challenge.

We are proof that it is a cost which can be challenged and has saved schools money.

“We know that many organisations like yours are paying more than they should be.

With potential exemptions, reliefs, and allowances available we can help you save money.”

Jonathan Young Head of Business Rates Consultancy

Explore how we can help you save money

Find out how else we can help. /education

Building Consultancy

RAAC, which affects less than 1% of UK schools and colleges, has raised public awareness and interest in the condition of the fabric of school buildings and the subsequent risks to pupils, employees and visitors.

What the issue has also highlighted is the importance of comprehensive and scheduled condition surveys for all school buildings.

In addition to undertaking full condition surveys (for acquisition and reporting purposes) and prioritising deficiencies which have to be addressed, our experienced team of Building Consultants also implement tailored services such as:

• Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPMs) which helps reduce unplanned operational interruptions, lowers repair costs in the long run and reduces safety risks

• Providing decision makers with professional building regulations advice

• Helping to plan and manage occupational reconfigurations to meet the changing operational requirements of a school in order to ultimately improve the learning environment

• Undertaking repairs and maintenance work

• Acting as the ‘Employer’s Agent’ - an agent acting on behalf of the client as the contract administrator for design-bid-build contracts

• Project managing construction projects to ensure that the work is completed on time and within the agreed budget

• Undertaking building insurance valuations and reinstatement cost assessments

• Heritage consultancy work to lead the design process for alterations, repairs, refurbishment and change of use of heritage buildings

• We prepare Heritage Impact Assessments to explain the designs, how the solutions place conservation at the centre of our plans and explain any impact on special heritage value. These get submitted with applications for planning permission and listed building consent

• We work closely with supply chain consultants in the ‘heritage sector’ including engineers and archaeologists

• We design, tender and contract administrate works to specialist contractors and oversee the implementation of our designs

But ultimately, we add value by combining our technical skills with creative problem solving and an unremitting focus on meeting agreed budget and delivery schedules.

We will help you future-proof your assets and portfolio.

“We add value by combining our technical skills with creative problem solving to help future-proof your assets.”

Tom Barton Senior Associate

Looking to start a project?

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Property Management

To us, Property Management focuses on ensuring that the school:

• Is a safe place to learn, work and visit

• Complies with all applicable property laws, regulations and guidelines

• Is optimising its property assets

• Operates efficiently – in terms of operational, occupational and energy consumption

We know this because our experienced Property Management team understands the education sector’s unique operational requirements and occupational cycles.

The team’s proven combination of technical skills includes:

• Strategic advice - our senior counsel includes:

• Ensuring the short and medium-term property strategy is aligned with the school’s strategic, occupational and financial goals

• Advising on options for diversification and alternative uses for non-core assets to generate new income which can be re-invested in the school

• Understanding the property and land portfolio in detail allows us to identify potential operational efficiencies, savings and/or potential income streams and help decision makers to make informed strategic decisions

• Property management:

• Selecting, appointing and managing contractors

• Advising on access and rights matters effecting the school and its portfolio whether that be boundary disputes, rights of way or wayleaves and easements.

• Managing third-party occupation arrangements and day-to-day tenant relations

Our role, as Property Managers, is to complement the school’s maintenance team by focusing on the more strategic aspects on property ownership - issues which go beyond the day-to-day maintenance plan.

Molly Skinner Associate

case study

As part of our

continued

partnership with the Independent School we advised how the additional land they required to enhance their sports offering could be made available.

The schools non-core assets were subject to a secure Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 tenancy agreement–which granted the tenant lifetime rights to occupy the land at a lower than market rent.

Following a review of assets suitable we identified some tenanted land that fitted the school’s requirements. We reviewed the tenancy and advised the school on options to move forward, each with their own benefits to provide the optimal outcome.

Explore your property potential with us.

Unlocking the potential of non-core assets:

Independent school in the Midlands, now able to utilise land, previously in a secure tenancy, in connection with their sports offering.

Project outcomes:

Transformation of asset for greater use to the school

Increase in capital value

Increased income–the asset could be relet to the previous tenant when not in use.

Unlocked asset for future use

Maintained relationship between tenant and the school

Acquisition & Disposal

Acquiring or disposing of buildings or land requires a unique combination of experience and expertise, underpinned by deep local knowledge and understanding of national trends.

Our team of Acquisition & Disposal experts will:

• Review what is/about to come to market to ensure we know and understand current competitive and pricing trends

• If disposing of an asset, our integrated marketing strategy will include a multi-tiered marketing campaign which will include leveraging our extensive network of contacts and a targeted digital marketing campaign

• If acquiring an asset, we will interrogate and understand your occupational requirements, financial objectives and geographic specifications before we start reviewing all appropriate on and off market opportunities

• Liaise closely with your team at every stage of the transaction

• Negotiate the best terms

• Work seamlessly with your legal and financial advisors to ensure the process is efficient and timely

Our technical skills are complemented by our understanding of how to work with a client team whose core focus is on educating bright young talent, not managing property transactions.

Understanding those nuances dictates how we manage our relationship with the Client Team.

“We will help you make an informed decision and ensure your property plan complies with and delivers your strategic, financial and occupational ambitions.”

Oliver Deme Associate

Energy Sustainability

Energy sustainability is a multi-benefit concept.

It can help your school:

• Save money

• Create potential new income streams

• Be a differentiator in a highly competitive market in an era when net zero carbon emissions and ‘being green’ dominates almost every agenda

How energy efficient are your buildings? Highly efficient buildings offer significant fiscal benefits and create better working environments.

If you are thinking about assessing and improving the efficiency of your buildings, as well as considering how to reduce your energy costs, talk to our green energy and sustainability specialists.

Clean energy generation could also prove a valuable income opportunity and enhance your environmental credentials. However navigating that path does require informed counsel from specialists who know and understand that:

• Choosing the correct technology solution and most appropriate installation partner is critical

• Agreeing suitable contract and payment terms can prove complex

• Ensuring appropriate servicing and maintenance agreements are in place – which is key to longevity and productivity

Our recommended starting point would be:

• Undertake a feasibility audit

• Consider all alternative solutions

• Produce a tailored cost/benefit analysis

This will allow your decision-making team to ascertain if a green strategy is appropriate for your school.

“Our focus on highly efficient buildings not only yields financial rewards but also fosters healthier work environments.”

Darren Edwards Head of Sustainable Energy

Looking to start a project?

Find out how else we can help. /education

Geospatial Data Solutions (GDS)

Defining a school’s boundary is critical to help prevent conflict and disputes, as well as avoid encroachments, trespassing and overlapping claims with adjacent landowners.

Accurate geodata has also proved a critical part of the acquisition/merger due diligence process.

Our capability includes profiling neighbourhoods in terms of demographics such as population stats (ie households with children) within a school catchment area, or certain drive or walk times from the schools. If required, the report can also include a review of planning applications within a defined distance from the school – to help our clients’ strategic planning.

We know from experience that even straightforward boundary disputes can often lead to contentious and expensive legal proceedings.

Our data-rich maps can help you make critical decisions early, or deal with Land Registry compliant plans to support any development or transactional (acquisition or disposal) projects you might have.

The team combines experience and expertise with proven technical skills in geospatial mapping and data evaluation.

We will provide you with accurate and validated data to help you reach an early agreement, as well as avoid any potential expensive, disruptive and time-consuming (boundary related) activity.

Explore your property potential with us.

“Our data-driven maps are your strategic advantage.”

Joanne Ziemelis Senior Associate

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Lease Advisory

Whether you are a landlord or tenant; contemplating renting or letting a building (or part of one), you might find that the world of ‘commercial’ leasing presents a wide range of potential challenges and uncertainties.

If so, we can help because we know that mistakes can prove expensive – financially, as well as reputationally.

Sometimes the nuances of lease renewals, lease extensions, lease restructures, “Inside the Act”* and “Outside the Act”* can prove daunting for the uninitiated. That is why our team of Lease Advisory specialists advise a wide range of education providers – from private schools, academies and nurseries to universities.

Equitable and sustainable are our watchwords, which is why our focus is on:

• Providing a smart, strategic and responsive service

• Securing the best terms

• Negotiating firmly but equitably, be it

• New leases

• Rent reviews

• Lease renewals

• Restructuring/regearing leases

• Advising on education lease terms and surrenders

Our expertise lies in a combination of the depth of our market knowledge and our:

• Understanding of the law

• Technical skills

• Clear and regular communications with our clients

*The Landlord & Tenant Act (1954)

“The priority for us is to seek to minimise your risks and liabilities, whilst optimising costs and returns for you.”

Richard Beaumont Partner

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Telecoms

The Government’s plan to roll out the installation of telecoms infrastructure across the country could result in unintended consequences for landlords and property owners who have been approached to accommodate such apparatus.

Recent legislation strengthens operators’ rights to install, inspect, upgrade and maintain telecoms apparatus, as well as adopt a ‘no-scheme’ approach to valuation in terms of rents to be paid for such sites.

Our team of telecoms property specialists has advised over 6,000 organisations like yours, nationwide. Because we know and understand the legislation, we can help you:

• Evaluate any proposal submitted by an operator to ensure it is aligned with your strategic and financial goals

• Seek to ensure (where required), such approaches are rebuffed when they are not welcome

• Understand the long term value of a contract – beyond the price

• Negotiate with operators to secure the best terms for you

• Manage the contract to ensure that leases, licenses and wayleave agreements are complied with

“Our experienced team of Telecoms Property Specialists has negotiated over 10,000 leases, licences and wayleave agreements on behalf of land and property owners across the UK.”

Chris Hicks Head of Telecoms

Explore your property potential with us.