TfL in rental flats plan with homes above Tube stations, as it looks to raise money
Transport for London on Thursday unveiled audacious plans to debut in the rental flats market with 3000 homes that could allow tenants to live above tube stations.
The capital’s transport authority told the Evening Standard it has identified 10 sites (see box below) where it wants to create properties above existing and future stations and car parks, or on vacant land.
It has hired property agent Savills to find a joint-venture partner, likely to be a property developer or an investment fund, for the project. As part of any deal, the transport body would take a 49% stake and the investor 51%.
The move would create a long-term rental income stream for TfL, which has a near-£1 billion debt pile and has faced a catalogue of headwinds that have put its finances under pressure.
It is struggling after a government grant worth £700 million a year was axed, passenger numbers fell and a partial fares freeze was introduced by Mayor Sadiq Khan.
On top of that, Crossrail’s delay will mean TfL has to wait another year until it gets revenues from the new Elizabeth Line.
Graeme Craig, director of commercial development at TfL, said: “We are one of London’s largest landowners and our sites are in the best-connected parts of the capital. Build-to-rent provides us with an unrivalled opportunity to deliver affordable homes at pace while also generating money to plough back into the transport network.”
TfL has previously sold land and is developing homes in partnership with housebuilders. It has plans for thousands more private home sales in London. However, this is its first move into the rental market, and would provide it with a longer-term income.
At least 40% of the rental homes will be affordable, it added.
TfL is looking to secure a partner by the end of March 2019. Subject to planning consent, it hopes to start construction by 2020-21.
The new partnership company will establish individual property firms for individual sites which will appoint builders and management operators.
The transport operator joins a raft of investors that have entered the private rental market, attracted by huge tenant demand from Londoners who can’t afford to buy, and steady rents.
Legal & General recently bought a build-to-rent site in Woolwich and Invesco Real Estate has agreed to forward-fund a project in Hounslow.
Sites up for grabs
Nine Elms
Southall
Woolwich
Canning Town
Arnos Grove
Cockfosters
Hounslow West
Kennington
Newbury Park
Wembley Park