The formation of a new ‘powerhouse’ organisation to represent the commercial property sector - including build-to-rent and co-living - is under way, it has been announced.

Three organisations are in discussions to join together into one ‘super body’. These are the British Property Federation (BPF), the Investment Property Forum and the Association of Real Estate Funds.

The three have told LandlordZONE they want to come together and “work collaboratively to represent the real estate sector across all asset classes through a single voice”.  

One of the BPF’s key activities is representing build-to-rent developers, investors and operators, as well as co-living providers, which the Government is hoping will one day become major providers of private rented homes in the UK. At the moment its market share is less than 10% but growing every year.

The trio of organisations also say they have a shared vision to build on the individual strengths of each organisation to create a new body that will be a single powerful convenor and voice for the sector.

Build-to-rent

They say the move has been prompted by the changing nature of the sector, including the emergence of new ‘asset classes’ such as build-to-rent.

Each organisation will be consulting with its members over the next few months, and it is anticipated that the Shadow Board will bring forward a formal proposal for members to consider during 2025.

BPF chair Jessica Hardman (pictured) says: “Our sector is changing. Whether that’s the different way in which many of us run our businesses, or the impact of digitalisation, or the emergence and growth of new asset classes such as single-family housing, co-living, life sciences and data centres.  

“In response to this change the BPF is already working hard to deliver a programme of continuous development and improvement, but the BPF Board I chair believes we can go even further working with the Boards of AREF and the IPF to deliver a new larger body building on the strengths of each individual organisation. I look forward to sharing further details with members over the next few months and hearing their views.”