Industry News

industry news Love To Rent Launch Uk’s First Build To Rent Awareness Week

While the industry has been talking about build to rent (BTR) for years, the many benefits of renting in a professionally managed, purpose-built development are not necessarily well known by consumers. To help raise the profile of BTR and demonstrate what sets it apart from renting from the traditional private landlord, the UK’s first BTR customer awareness week – www.LoveToRentWeek.co.uk – takes place 24-28 May. The campaign is supported by the British Property Federation and the UKAA as well as a host of operators; including Allsop, Simple Life, Folio, Greystar and Fizzy Living.

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ove to Rent is the only online portal exclusively designed to market build to rent developments and aims to create an established marketplace for rental homes that customers can have confidence in. A dedicated website has been created for Love to Rent Week creating a hub of information about build to rent as well, as giving BTR operators the opportunity to promote their developments and feature case studies, incentives and events.

The tenant agenda is in the spotlight currently with the government promising a better deal for renters in the recent Queen’s speech and announcing longer notice periods will be preserved[1] as Covid restrictions ease. The narrative around tenants’ rights has focused on protecting renters in the private rented market, but there is a big opportunity to change perceptions of renting and Love to Rent Week aims to highlight a different side of the market that promises security, flexibility and high levels of service. The recent HomeViews National Build to Rent Report[2] found sentiment remained strongly positive in 2020 with tenants rating the BTR experience higher than BTS in every category. Strong community, excellent management, considered design and facilities were key to sustaining the overwhelmingly positive experience enjoyed by BTR residents.

Commenting on behalf of the British Property Federation, Ian Fletcher said: “Renting is about people. It is about giving customers a great experience through inspiring and conscientious employees and good suppliers. The Build to Rent sector has happy customers. We know from customer feedback that people love their Build to Rent homes, the range of services they offer, sense of community, and great customer service. With an ever-increasing number of homes being delivered for a variety of needs and budgets access to the Build to Rent has never been easier. We hope the sector will therefore illustrate and celebrate what it can offer to its customers during Love to Rent week.”

Peter Sloane, Chair of Love to Rent comments: “The build to rent sector has been gathering momentum for years but now with over 50,000 units now occupied and record investment into the sector last year, we have reached a tipping point where it has become a mainstream consumer market. Love to Rent Week aims to make build to rent more customer friendly, providing a platform to engage and create a positive buzz around renting, so people have a better understanding of what is on offer and feel comfortable and secure when looking to rent a home.”

“The key selling points of build to rent including great customer service, longer tenancies, on-site amenities and a sense of community are what set this type of living apart. Renting has never managed to shake off that image of a slightly unreliable private landlord, but we want to dispel those myths and show there is a different way to rent.”

Lesley Roberts, President of the UKAA and Partner at Allsop, comments: “We’re excited to be involved in Love to Rent’s Customer Awareness Week 24-28 May and wholeheartedly support the ethos of raising awareness of choice and quality in the rental sector. We look forward showcasing quality places to rent with superb service, great amenities and friendly communities.”

Jamie Ratcliffe, Executive Director of People and Partnerships at Network Homes said: “2020 was a terrible year from which I’m sure we’ll draw many lessons. One of them will undoubtedly be the importance of flexibility and space in your home. Love to Rent is showcasing quality and real choice to people in choosing a home to rent. Their customers can be assured that the developments on Love to Rent are managed by reputable landlords who deliver high-quality homes with great services. “

Visit the dedicated Love to Rent Week www.LoveToRentWeek. co.uk website for case studies, videos and much more, and check out #LoveToRentWeek across social media for all the latest updates.

industry news Elica launches WiFi-connected cooker hoods for use with Amazon Alexa

Elica has launched three new WiFi-connected extractors that can be controlled via the Elica App on a smartphone or tablet or using “voice assistants” like Alexa.

The new facility enables homeowners to remotely control extraction speeds and lighting functions, whilst the extractors themselves can advise homeowners when grease filters need cleaning or high-performance charcoal filters needs regenerating.

The new connected models include Super Plat, an ultra slim wall-mounted cooker hood with multi-directional fume capture. Designed in keeping with the trend for minimalism and clean lines Super Plat perfectly fits the linear kitchen style. It is available in two distinctive material finishes: cast iron and grey glass, and black glass. Its Multi-d Capture function ensures extraction takes place from all round the hood’s perimeter and gives it a maximum airflow of 730 m3/h. Super Plat is also equipped with a dimmer to adjust the lighting to create the optimum environment in the cooking area.

Lullaby@ is a range of ceiling hoods from Elica that is ideal for islands or peninsulas in contemporary in kitchens and, unusually for a ceiling hood, that can also be installed in duct-out or recirculating mode without additional outlets. With its natural oak or soft white finish, it works especially well in kitchens featuring materials such as wood, brick or natural stone. The large, illuminated panel has 30 watts of dimmable LED lighting to illuminate the cooking and surrounding area which, thanks to Elica’s “Tune White” feature, enables the warmth of the light to be matched with other lighting in the room. air flow is 770 m³/h in the duct-out version with a noise level of only 53 dB(A).

All features can be operated from Elica’s slim remote control, that is easy and intuitive to use, or via the Elica app and Voice Assistants using WiFi connectivity.

Those who prefer their cooker hoods built-in to a cabinet should consider new SLEEK2.0@. The latest version of Elica’s Sleek models is now Energy Efficiency Class A but has an increased maximum airflow of 700 m³/h. Its elegantly simple design offers a beautiful aesthetic, and being a single piece, there are no joints to impede a perfect flush installation. SLEEK2.0@ also has a dimmer and Elica’s “Tune White” feature.

More at elica.com

industry news GMI appointed on major new 604-bed student scheme in Leeds

Building will be 15 storeys high at its highest point and is designed to provide affordable student living within an environment to support health and well-being.

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MI Construction, a leading main contractor to a growing portfolio of public and private clients throughout the UK has announced that it has been appointed as the main contractor to construct a new 604-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme in Leeds.

The development situated on Carlton Hill in Leeds will see the demolition of a 20 year-old, 239 -bed student accommodation block to make space for the new development.

The new building, which will be 15 storeys at the highest point, has been designed to provide affordable living, with a strong emphasis on an environment to support students’ mental health and well-being.

It is planned for students to move into the new building during September 2023. •6•

The £40M project is the culmination of several years of planning and dialogue between Pickard Properties and Unipol Student Homes who will lease the building for exclusive use by students attending the University of Leeds.

It will incorporate several fully landscaped three-storey “sky gardens”, allocated to clusters of apartments. The open-air theme also extends to ground floor level with its own courtyard, providing a combination of natural and interactive spaces for student studying and socialising.

Commenting on the project Lee Powell, Divisional Managing Director of GMI, said: “This is a significant project win for GMI and we are looking forward to working with Pickard Properties, Fox Lloyd Jones and the rest of the team in changing the landscape of the Leeds City skyline.

“The scheme enables GMI to enhance its successful track record of delivering student residential living and we are proud to be involved in a groundbreaking design that caters for students’ mental wellbeing.”

Also talking about the project Miles Pickard Director of Pickard Properties said: “We recognise there has been a huge change to students’ needs, and therefore a considerable amount of thought has been given to the design, social circulation and interaction for the wellbeing of students.

“We are really looking forward to developing Carlton Hill for the students of Leeds to enjoy this modern, cutting-edge addition to the accommodation available to them in the city.

Martin Blakey of Unipol added: “We are looking forward to 2023 when we will take delivery of what will be an exciting new living environment, available at an affordable rent providing value for money, for students of the university.

“Everyone involved in this development has worked hard to ensure this building will be a home from home and a great place to live.”

industry news Domus Ventilation’s Latest CPD Course Covers Important Changes to Residential Ventilation

Domus Ventilation, part of the Polypipe group, is pleased to announce the arrival of its newly updated and revised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited course on “Residential Ventilation Principles and Building Regulations”.

The CIBSE accredited course from Domus Ventilation focuses on the importance of ventilation in the residential new build industry, and lays clear the considerable changes to Part F - Ventilation of the Building Regulations. The aim of the short course is to clearly explain why ventilation is so important, not only for the health of the occupant but also for the fabric of the building. Topics covered include why ventilation is necessary, with an increased emphasis on pollutants and indoor air quality; the types of ventilation available, along with supporting ductwork and installation practices; and the pertinent regulations / directives. New Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) guidelines and best practice also features within the course.

As well as featuring changes to Part F - Ventilation of the Building Regulations, the revised CPD course looks at Part B - Fire Safety for the first time. It addresses the changing requirements, which differ across the nations, when it comes to the use of combustible material in cavities.

The Domus Ventilation “Residential Ventilation Principles and Building Regulations” CPD course runs between 45-60 minutes, and can be conducted on a customer’s premises or at one of Domus Ventilation’s two training centres. To book a course, contact megan.bennett@domusventilation.co.uk

Our experienced team of architects and designers will work closely with you and your client to translate your drawings into one of our timber-frame or SIPs designs. We offer an Architects’ Pack to make your life easier, which includes SAPs, thermal calculations, fire calculations, and fire mitigation reports alongside the timber-frame drawings and structural calculations. Once the planning phase is complete, we will give you a full quotation of the full build system and carry out the structural engineering. Our expert Contracts Managers will be on hand throughout the build to supervise all stages of our construction process.

The offsite nature of our timber-based systems’ construction allow speedy build times of just a handful of weeks and excellent dimensional precision. This will also slashes your client’s labour costs and allows them to set out a much more accurate build schedule. Our marketleading insulation technologies allow our build systems to attain exceptional levels of thermal performance, and our SIP build system can even be designed to reach the Passivhaus Standard. Our build systems frequently outperform the requirements of Building Regulations for both thermal and fire performance. In fact, we use 12.5mm plasterboard rather than the 15mm industry standard, which is not only a more economical alternative but also frees up more internal space for your clients.

We also now offer a Weathertight Package, so we can take on all the responsibility of organising the right trades at the right times to deliver a build to that crucial stage. This entails all the windows, external doors and roof fittings, meaning your internal fit out can begin earlier too.

Click here for more information. When you choose to work with Kingspan Timber Solutions, you’ll experience the benefits of more than 50 years of our experience with timber-frame and structural insulated panel (SIPs) build systems.

Timber frame construction brings many benefits to the housebuilding industry, including quicker build times, quieter assembly, fewer deliveries to site, cost savings and a reduction in defects. Underpinning these advantages, Norbord’s engineered wood-based panel products are an integral part of many timber frame systems. They are regularly seen as the number one choice for all aspects of home building, be it the structure, flooring or interior.

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orbord’s high quality boards are available in a wide range of grades and, with minimal finishing required, speed up construction. The products are incredibly versatile, offer value for money and have good environmental credentials with a low carbon footprint as all are made in the UK. In fact, all Norbord panel products are net carbon negative and so can help the builder achieve sustainability targets.

Ideal for structural applications and offering great value, Norbord’s SterlingOSB Zero is stronger and tougher than ply, with no knots, voids or de-lamination. It is the first OSB product to be made in the UK with zero added formaldehyde, so it is a ‘greener’ board that meets all standards with ease. The range comprises panels specifically designed to fulfil the full range of timber frame applications, including structural use in dry or humid load-bearing conditions.

When it comes to dry lining applications, SterlingOSB Zero StrongFix is precision engineered with a custom groove for metal C-studs at 600mm centres. The consistent density of OSB means fixtures and fittings of up to 400kg can be attached anywhere on the panel and achieve secure anchorage.

Fire protection during the construction phase is a crucial area where Norbord products can help. SterlingOSB Zero Fire Solutions builds on the inherent benefits of the company’s other OSB products. Its development was in response to the Structural Timber Association’s guidelines for reducing fire spread in large timber frame buildings when fire resistant dry lining finishes are not yet in place. •10•

For flat roof decking and flooring applications, SterlingOSB Zero Tongue & Groove is the go-to solution. Advanced, high-strength flooring is provided by the CaberFloor system, the most specified moisture-resistant P5 flooring.

Versatile, stable, durable and designed to be easy to lay, the CaberFloor range includes CaberShield+ and CaberDek. CaberShield+ offers a permanent waterproof coating on both sides while CaberDek has a strong, waterproof and slip-resistant peelable film that, when removed, leaves a clean, finished floor. They are enhanced by CaberFix, a range of specially developed powerful sealing and fixing systems.

When it comes to quality finishing and architectural details, CaberWood MDF is the ideal solution. This versatile range is designed as an economical alternative to hardwood but without the inherent defects of knots or grains. The boards are engineered with consistent density for multiple uses, including mouldings. As with other Norbord ranges, there are products for all applications.

Norbord strives to offer the panel products required to meet the exacting needs of timber frame construction. Support on a product and technical basis is provided as and when required through dedicated product support and technical advice teams.

Samples of SterlingOSB Zero, and Norbord’s other construction panels, can be ordered on the website, www.norbord.co.uk. Head to the housebuilder page on the website to download a selection of tools including a fully-interactive guide to all Norbord products and a checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your build.

Timber frame construction the Norbord way