Housing affordability has received a lot of media attention of recent years. It typically refers to the relationship between expenditure on housing (prices, mortgage payments or rents) and household incomes. The ability to live in a stable housing arrangement is fundamental to well-being and contributes to wider social and economic benefits as tenants are better able to establish themselves within a community.
The sharp and steady rise in property prices, particularly since 2007, has contributed to an increasing number of Australians finding it difficult to get into or remain in the housing market. Rental availability has decreased while prices have increased dramatically, particularly in Australia’s capital cities. As a result, State governments have been obliged to evaluate other housing options. A common housing model in the UK and USA is build-to-rent housing. In this arrangement, a developer develops multi-unit housing (mostly in a vertical format), with the express intention of continuing to own the building indefinitely at the end of the construction period. Benefits for the developer include the ability to attract higher quality tenants, less tenant turnover and downtime between leases (as lease terms are longer), depreciation and taxation benefits (the latter depending on local laws).
Benefits for tenants include greater security of tenure, more flexible lease arrangements, ability to upsize and downsize within the same complex, living in a community not just a building, and better amenities. In order to attract tenants, developers may include communal facilities such as pools, shared outdoor spaces and BBQ areas, gyms, yoga studios, communal working spaces, community gardens and even cinemas. Cleaning and maintenance services may also be provided in some facilities.
The long-term nature of the investment means build-to-rent developers need to consider materials choices which will offer them the best value for money in terms of initial spend, ongoing maintenance and likely serviceable life. In this respect Agrob Buchtal German-manufactured tiles make an excellent choice for facades, internal and external common areas, swimming pools and other public facilities and the apartments themselves. These products are manufactured with longevity in mind and come with credible long-term warranties. Agrob Buchtal have been in business for over 250 years utilizing German manufacturing techniques, so in the event of “stage 2”, building extension or replacement due to wear and tear, Agrob Buchtal will still be in business to match in situ products.
Agrob Bucthal has sustainability at the forefront of their manufacturing processes with the natural material clay as the main ingredient (sourced locally to the plant), and the inclusion of titanium dioxide in a patented surface called Hytect. This surface offers an anti-bacterial effect without chemicals, neutralizes unpleasant odours and air pollutants and is extremely easy to clean. The Hytect surface is hydrophilic meaning water spreads evenly as a thin, flat film over the tile. Dirt is washed down by the water film and can then be easily removed. Hytect thus significantly reduces the use of cleaning chemicals and cleaning effort contributing to lower running costs.
Agrob Buchtal products are the perfect products for developers seeking to create a long-term investment utilising high quality products which look attractive, stand the test of time and contribute to lower operational costs.
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