
THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW
Highlighting best practice
24 | B2B PROPERTIES
For some students and tenants it is
the first time leaving home. Having to
take care of themselves, accommodate
themselves to a new environment
and often studying is a lot to take
in. Moreover, if the tenant is from
overseas, this can be the first time
away from their country, which is yet
more pressure – along with day-to-day
cultural issues.
To study or work effectively is
important, so the environment has
to be comfortable, safe and one that
works. Basics such as high-speed wifi,
secure buildings and clean common
areas are now expected and provided.
Beyond material concerns, tenant
welfare plays a hugely important
role. For students, universities are
now recognising this area and the
importance of it. It adds value to the
learning and enhances the experience
for the individual. Our reputation
as landlords is unique: knowing, for
instance, that we can offer help in areas
such as health – including mental – we
feel encourages the student-tenant
relationship and long-term satisfaction.
B2B Properties is the first property
company to link with the local
university in this way. We embrace
ways to promote an innovative
university pastoral care service called
“Sort-it”. The service is free and open
to all, not just students, so staff are
also welcome. Its guiding principles
are “speak up, stand up” and it is
designed to give a voice to students
experiencing problems of whatever
nature. I have personally been involved
with the expansion of the service to
include the property sector, and take
this message to the tenants.
Here’s one example of how we’ve
worked with our tenants to illustrate
how we put this philosophy into
practice. I came to know a civil
engineering undergraduate from Jordan
when the huge Victorian bay windows
in her studio were replaced last winter.
Even though the task took a couple
of days, and it was bitterly cold and
disruptive to her study programme,
she remained positive and disarmingly
polite throughout. Fatima shared with
us that she was frustrated at difficulties
in securing a job placement in civil
engineering to support her studies.
Thanks to our business relationships,
we introduced her to a leading
building services company who was
pleased to offer a suitable role.
When a current fundraising round
has been completed later this year,
B2B Properties will be replicating this
business model and expanding into
carefully targeted locations in the
UK. One of the challenges will be to
maintain this quality of service across a
broader geographic area: a challenge
we relish.
It’s been a steep learning curve.
It required disposal of a batch of
properties which generated below
target yields, and buying, then selling,
a hotel that offered managed services
to the same sector. Throughout
this journey our adherence to the
core principles of close hands-on
management, coupled with clear
communication with all stakeholders,
means we truly do fulfil Churchill’s
words for each of our tenants.
Tenant
welfare plays
a hugely
important role
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