The UK Apartment Association (UKAA) launches

Homes that were designed and built specifically for the rental market used, generally, to be called council houses. Not any more, councils gave way to housing associations who do indeed still build properties specifically for the rental market but the new Build to Rent sector has a broader remit – homes designed for Generation Rent – and for the future. Now, the first cross-industry organisation dedicated to driving the professionalisation of the sector has been launched. The UK Apartment Association (UKAA) will focus on driving up standards of customer service and delivery to ensure that all renters are given the best possible experience. Its creation has been championed by Housing Minister Brandon Lewis, who is calling on the industry to work together to deliver more homes for rent and better standards for residents. The UKAA says that its aim is to differentiate the multi-family housing market from the amateur ad hoc rental service provided by small-scale landlords that currently make up the bulk of rentals. This is bad news in the longterm for traditional private landlords but it has to good news for tenants, especially those, says UKAA, who are making a lifestyle choice by choosing high quality, branded purpose…