Supported Living: Challenges and Rewards for Investors

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Supported Living: Challenges and Rewards for Investors

Supported living offers a unique blend of financial returns and social impact, making it a compelling strategy for property investors. At the forefront of this sector is Agiri Property Solutions Ltd, a NAPSA-approved business led by the inspiring Iyabo. Her commitment to ethical practices and dedication to improving lives stands out as a beacon in this growing niche.

If you’re contemplating adding supported living properties to your portfolio, we would recommend watching our recent interview with Iyabo who goes into detail on the strategy’s challenges and rewards. We also uncover why working with a trusted partner like Agiri Property Solutions Ltd. can make all the difference.

The Appeal of Supported Living Investments

Supported living properties cater to individuals who need help to maintain an independent lifestyle, such as those with disabilities or mental health challenges. The demand for such housing remains high, as more focus is placed on creating inclusive communities that prioritise dignity and quality of life.

For investors, the benefits are multifaceted:

  • Long-Term Stability: Supported living is often underpinned by long-term leases, with funding typically backed by local councils or housing associations, offering steady income streams.
  • Social Impact: Beyond financial returns, investing in supported living contributes to societal well-being by providing safe, secure housing solutions for vulnerable individuals.
  • Low Voids and Maintenance: Properties in this sector often have tenants supported by care providers, reducing tenancy turnover and ensuring proper upkeep of the accommodation.
  • Government Backing: Initiatives encouraging supported living help to secure this sector’s place in the property investment landscape.

Understanding Lease Types in Supported Living

A key aspect of supported living property investment is how leases are structured. As Iyabo explains, “the leases are with the housing associations. So the housing associations are basically there to actually manage the scheme. So they deal with the maintenance and the repairs.” This arrangement offers several advantages:

  • Long-Term Leases: Leases in supported living can range from 10 to 30 years, providing stability and predictable income. As Iyabo notes, “I’ve heard of leases that run for 30 years because you need to realise these people have lifelong conditions and it’s considered to be their forever home.”
  • Full Repairing and Insuring (FRI) Leases: Investors typically have lease agreements with housing associations, who take responsibility for maintenance and repairs. This is known as a full repairing and insuring lease, reducing day-to-day management for landlords.
  • Tenant Agreements: The actual tenants – those living in supported housing – sign tenancy agreements with the housing associations, not with the property investor. This separates tenancy management from the investor’s obligations.
  • Security and Predictable Income: These long-term arrangements mean that once tenants are settled, there is little risk of frequent vacancy, and the rental income is often indexed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with opportunities for annual rent reviews.
  • This leasing structure not only supports the long-term needs of vulnerable individuals but also reinforces the resilience and attractiveness of supported living as an investment strategy.

Invest Ethically, Reap Rewards

Supported living represents an opportunity to invest whilst giving something back. With high demand, reliable income potential, and the satisfaction of making a difference, this strategy checks all the right boxes for forward-thinking investors.

Iyabo reassures investors with her perspective:

“There’s a lot of reassurance there. I think the number one thing is that obviously you’re doing something socially very good to help people. There’s huge demand for this type of accommodation. And it also helps the public purse because I’ve seen some figures that mention about how much it costs to keep people in hospitalised care or in residential care. It’s about three or four times the amount it would cost if they were living independently in their own home with some support. So that is a big advantage. And also this is government backed. I’m not going to say it’s government guaranteed, but it’s as close to what we would term a recession proof type of property income as you can get because these people are not going anywhere.

Iyabo continues regarding the potential long-term stability of this strategy:

They’re going to be living in their own homes with support and it’s all backed by the government and the local authorities. So that’s a major, there’s some reassurance there I think for many investors and as I mentioned the leases tend to be quite long as well. So I would say that’s quite a major benefit and to the investor. And the rental income is consumer price index linked as well. So there’s a review every year with the Housing Association and yeah, know, the rents tend to, the rents are at, I’m not going say the, you know, I’m not going say specific rents, it just depends, but the rents are quite competitive and there’s the opportunity for rent reviews every year as well.”

To ensure your investment thrives in this arena, it’s essential to work with professionals who share your values. Agiri Property Solutions Ltd. combines business acumen with compassion, making them an invaluable partner in this space.

Visit Agiri’s NAPSA profile page to learn more about their work and get in touch. Whether you’re new to supported living investments or looking to expand your portfolio, Iyabo and her team are ready to help you every step of the way.

Agiri Property Solutions Ltd – Setting the Standard

Iyabo, the driving force behind Agiri Property Solutions Ltd., illustrated in our recent interview about the ethos that guides her company. At Agiri Property, ethical investment practices are embedded in every step:

“Anything that needs to be done to help needs to focus on the need of the individual first before anything else. Anything that follows on by way of financial benefit, that’s fine, fantastic, that can happen. But the focus should be on making sure that we help people first. And that’s so, so important.”

Her passion for creating impactful housing solutions comes from years of direct experience:

“There was always an alignment with what I was doing professionally with my enjoyment in terms of property and what you could achieve from property.”

Agiri Property Solutions Ltd. not only identifies opportunities that align with supported living but also ensures that all properties meet the necessary standards for both investors and residents. This unwavering commitment is reflected in Iyabo’s rigorous approach:

“I’m very much process and procedure driven. I’ve got systems in place and I make sure I stick with them. I don’t just create these systems and procedures and that’s it. I always look at them, look for signs of improvement to make sure that I’m kept up to date and it just works how it should work, not only for my own business, but by way of how I actually provide a service to my clients as well. That’s so important. So I would say, yeah, making sure that you are organised, good planning, and also making sure you’ve got the right systems and procedures in place are vitally important.”

This approach positions Agiri as a trusted partner for those keen on making a socially responsible, income-generating investment.

Why Trust NAPSA-Approved Sourcing Agents?

When investing in property, one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is choosing the right sourcing agent. NAPSA (National Association of Professional Sourcing Agents) is dedicated to ensuring investors work with compliant and credible professionals.

NAPSA-approved agents like Agiri Property Solutions Ltd. are a cut above the rest – and with an estimated 10,000+ sourcing agents or businesses offering sourcing / acquisition services in the UK – it’s important to make sure you are selecting from agents who share Iyabo’s ethos, compliance credibility, as well as professionalism:

  • Rigorous Compliance Checks: Every NAPSA member undergoes detailed checks to confirm adherence to national minimum standards, safeguarding investors from potential risks.
  • Transparency and Accountability: NAPSA membership signals a commitment to honesty and openness, empowering investors to make informed decisions.
  • Credibility: Compliance with industry-wide governance provides reassurance that your sourcing agent operates with integrity.
  • Investor Support: NAPSA-approved agents understand the market, offering guidance and expertise that aligns with your investment goals.

About NAPSA

At NAPSA – the National Association for the Property Sourcing and Deal Packaging Sector – we take compliance and professionalism seriously. NAPSA carries out stringent compliance checks and focus on national minimum standards, we elevate the industry to ensure every investor is protected where possible. By working with NAPSA-approved sourcing agents, you can invest with confidence, knowing your partners are credible, qualified, and committed to your success.

Protect your portfolio and explore trusted sourcing solutions today by visiting our website.

Investors can also register for free here to receive a copy of our sourcing agent guide.

Sourcing agents and deal packagers can register for free here to receive our compliance checklist.