NEWS & INSIGHTS
Our SAY
Budget 2026: What does it mean for UK residential property?
Budget 2026 brings targeted support for UK housing, from higher property income tax for individual landlords to new funding for affordable homes. Caspar Courage, Managing Director, looks at what it means for the property market.
Why defect management is more than fixing problems
Discover why defect management sits at the heart of compliance, cost control and resident trust, and how a structured process protects owners, leaseholders and residents alike.
Should we rethink the 25% gross-to-net standard?
For years, 25% gross to net has been treated as the gold standard in residential investment. It's comfortable, it's comparable, and it slots neatly into an underwriting model. But is a single benchmark still the right way to judge an operating asset shaped by its size, location, and amenity offering?
Why resident surveys are no longer optional for BTR
Minimum tenancy lengths are gone, and with them, guaranteed retention. Discover how purpose built resident surveys help BTR operators understand what residents actually think, and turn that insight into stronger retention, sharper capex decisions, and evidence investors trust.
Is commonhold the best model for the Later Living sector?
The Government has put commonhold back in the spotlight as the future of residential ownership. But later living is not a single product, and a tenure model built for an apartment block may not suit a service-intensive retirement community.
Management fees under the 2026 RICS code: Where the opportunity lies for agents
The 2026 RICS Code no longer dictates how managing agents set fees. We explore the models now open to you, and where the new flexibility creates real opportunity.
How are BTR rents and incentives shifting under renter's reform?
We tracked advertised BTR rents across London, Manchester and Cardiff to assess how pricing and incentives shifted as operators responded to the Renters' Rights Bill, revealing a mixed picture across key markets.
Incentives in a more regulated rental market
Now that the Renters' Rights Act is in place, the UK rental living sector has entered a more regulated phase. Tighter control over rent increases, greater scrutiny of landlord behaviour, and a growing expectation that pricing decisions can be justified and evidenced are no longer a direction of travel, they are the current reality.
What the 2026 Residential Management Code update means for service charges in mixed-use developments
The 2026 Residential Management Code raises the bar for service charge management in mixed-use developments, with greater emphasis on transparency, governance, record-keeping and building safety.
New towns bring new responsibilities: Defining stewardship for Mixed Use developments from the start
The UK’s new town programme signals a return to large-scale placemaking—but delivery is only part of the story. As responsibility for long-term management shifts, early clarity on stewardship, governance, and funding is becoming critical to creating places that truly endure.
The behaviours behind high performing Build-to-Rent leasing teams
What sets high-performing Build-to-Rent leasing teams apart? We explore the behaviours, disciplines, and cultural drivers that turn enquiries into leases and buildings into thriving communities.
A practical guide to the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill
The UK leasehold system is undergoing major reform, from changes to ground rent rules to renewed momentum behind commonhold. We explore what the latest proposals mean for homeowners, investors and the wider residential market, and what could come next for the future of property ownership in the UK.
The year ahead in property: Insight, partnership, and practical progress
As we look to the year ahead, we share our perspective on the property sector, from regional growth and local insight to practical, data-led decisions that help our clients move forward with confidence.
Budget 2025: A Turning Point for the UK Property Market
Budget 2025 marks a structural reset for the UK housing market, aligning planning reform, fiscal signals and delivery. Our analysis looks beyond headlines to show how the mansion tax, shifting land liquidity, new towns and rising operational liability will shape underwriting, design and performance in residential and mixed use assets.
Seeing behind the numbers: Why operational clarity matters when buying or selling stabilised BTR assets
The level of transactional activity for stabilised assets continues to be strong in the UK BTR market, and with more coming to market, investors are increasingly focusing on how to differentiate between assets that are genuinely strong performers and those that simply look good at first glance.
Renter’s Rights Act: why relationship quality is now a core operating risk for rental living operators
The Renters’ Rights Act introduces a materially different regulatory environment for renting in England, bringing a wide range of implications for how homes are managed, decisions are documented and conversations with residents are held.
What Does a Seamless Mobilisation Look Like?
Mobilisation is more than handover—it’s the foundation for long-term success. Done well, it means early engagement, clear deliverables, shared vision, and momentum that never stalls. The result? Confident owners and a seamless experience for residents from day one.
What’s Next for Coliving?
Coliving is evolving - but what does it really mean today? At a recent SAY roundtable, industry experts debated the future of coliving, from planning challenges to rising renter expectations. Backed by data from the hereSAY Lead-to-Lease: Coliving Benchmark Report, this article explores how the sector is shifting and why a clearer definition is key to its growth.
Could the resident experience be the real asset?
The resident experience is emerging as the true value driver in residential asset management. At our recent roundtable, industry leaders explored how transparency, trust, and responsiveness are reshaping expectations. It's time to shift from a B2B mindset to one that puts residents at the heart of every decision.
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Our 5 Key Takeaways from UKREiiF
The SAY team returned from UKREiiF 2025 with fresh ideas and meaningful reflections. From navigating the Building Safety Act to embracing authentic leadership and sustainable regeneration, key themes stood out across panels and informal conversations alike. In our latest article, we share the five insights we’re taking forward and why the conversation shouldn’t end here.
