An interesting press release from Catalyst Housing who are traditionally associated with the social housing sector. The release indicates they are looking to build up to 800 new dwellings in West London, targeting stations on the Crossrail line with locations up to ten minutes from tube or train stations.
Sadly we don’t know where exactly at this stage.
There are a couple of things I find interesting and I think there are some interesting pointers here for buy to let investors…
Although the area stated, ‘West London’ covers quite a wide area I can see them developing around Uxbridge, Hillingdon, West Drayton or Hayes and Harlington. As we know tenant demand is strong, especially near those transport hubs.
They are targeting one or two bedroom properties. Whether one bedrooms includes studios or not I don’t know but I would agree with their choice as this is the area where we see highest tenant demand.
Another interesting aspect is they intend investing in this area, because it’s the area they know best. Sensible advice there too.
For those thinking of investing in the area as private BTL landlords, I would see this as institutional vote of support rather than a threat. I am not materially worried about 800 new properties entering the rental market as the UK and London has high housing demand.
I welcome professional landlords in the private sector who aim to provide a good quality of housing.
