Build to Rent growth in the North East showcased at the inaugural Association for Rental Living Newcastle and Sunderland Study Tour
- Study Tour on 8th and 9th October will shine a spotlight on NE regional economics
- Delegates will visit Multi-Family and Single-Family developments in Newcastle and Sunderland
- City Councils will lead discussions on regeneration and housing needs in the North East
The Association for Rental Living, the membership body for all institutionally backed, professionally managed purpose-built rental living sectors, has announced its first Study Tour in the North East.
The Newcastle and Sunderland Study Tour will take place on 8–9th October, from 09:00–18:00, providing extensive insights to investors, developers, consultants and suppliers across the rental living sector. The event will build on the success of previous Association for Rental Living Study Tours, with visits to operational Build to Rent (BTR) schemes in Newcastle and Sunderland. It will also provide a deep dive into regional economics, with detailed discussions with local City Councils on regeneration and housing needs.
BTR has flourished in the UK over the last decade, growing to fulfil a crucial role in the country’s national housing mix. The Association for Rental Living has been the vocal advocate for the BTR sector’s vital ability to provide much-needed homes at scale and at pace, welcoming the specific inclusion of BTR in the Government’s Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out earlier this year. With institutional investment, mixed-tenure communities and long-term stewardship unlocking rapid and sustainable housing delivery, BTR can play a clear role in helping solve the housing crisis, as part of a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
In the North East, the Association for Rental Living’s dedicated North East and Yorkshire Hub focuses on local advocacy, government engagement, and raising awareness of BTR’s role in addressing the region’s housing challenges. The Hub supports the sector through networking and business development, actively promoting BTR’s economic and social value, including through political engagement, campaigning, and practical events such as the forthcoming Study Tour.
The Newcastle and Sunderland Study Tour will present an exclusive programme of expert briefings, guided site tours and networking opportunities with local authorities, developers and operators. It will focus on the rapidly evolving rental living sector in Newcastle and Sunderland, which is fuelled by active regeneration strategies, increasing tenant demand and strong investment returns.
In Newcastle, where the BTR landscape is becoming well-established, the Study Tour will visit landmark projects such as Grainger’s The Forge and Pottery Lane from Olympian and Hines, which is poised to become the city’s largest purpose-built rental development.
Taking in developments at different stages, to present varied insights, the Study Tour will also visit Vistry’s Freight Village in Gateshead and Sigma’s West Park Quarter in Sunderland. Sunderland continues to attract investors thanks to its affordability and strong rental appetite, with demand consistently outstripping available stock. The city’s strategic positioning and ongoing regeneration are driving confidence in its long-term investment potential.
Association for Rental Living NE & Yorkshire Hub Chair, Paul Beattie, comments: “Newcastle and Sunderland demonstrate the considerable opportunities emerging in the North East for rental living investment. Both markets offer a dynamic environment for future growth, with strong and growing demand for high-quality rental living schemes underpinning the sector’s robust evolution. Yet the full Build to Rent potential in the region has not yet been unlocked. We are delighted to be showcasing this dynamic market at the forthcoming Study Tour, which will reveal detailed regional insights, firsthand examples of market-leading schemes and essential networking opportunities.”
With input from Bidwells, HomeViews, Sunderland City Council, Vistry, Sigma, Avison Young and more, the Study Tour will provide a uniquely valuable opportunity to understand rental living in the North East, its regional economic context and the opportunities for future growth. Both Association for Rental Living Members and non-members can attend the event, with a limited number of places available. Online bookings are now open.