Landlords in the North West committed to investing in energy efficiency

25% of landlords in the North West say they're planning to spend between:- £200,000 and £500,000, to improve the energy efficiency of their portfolio according to new research from relationship bank Handelsbanken.

Polled for the bank's 2nd Professional Landlords Survey, 24% of them said they're planning to spend the money to improve energy efficiency ratings of properties, with a further 12% looking to spend over £750,000.

Nationally, most landlords plan to spend between:- £100,000 and £200,000.

With energy prices still volatile and the Government's energy price guarantee, rising to £3,000 in July, energy costs will factor into tenants' calculations when deciding where to live, something that landlords will be mindful of. They may also be looking to get ahead of any future changes to the regulations and making the investment sooner rather than later.

Landlords in the survey had an average of 29 properties worth a value of £14 million and were drawn from across the UK.

The survey found many landlords in the North West in bullish mood, with 59% planning to increase the size of their portfolio in the next year. These landlords were particularly interested in boosting the amount of student or house share accommodation they owned, while 47% were keen to invest more in commercial retail units.

Nationally, 57% of those looking to buy more properties also plan to diversify into new sectors, with offices (43%) attracting the most interest as investors.

The overwhelming majority of respondents (92%) expect the value of their portfolio to increase over the next 12 months, with 39% predicting it will grow by over 20%. Only 8% thought it would broadly stay the same.

The report highlights that professional property investors are cautiously optimistic and alert to opportunities but mindful of a sensitive market. Many are waiting for values to fall a little further, like for offices and commercial assets, (a general market prospect being forecast by the Bank).

Alan Bowers, North West and North Wales District Head at Handelsbanken said:- "Energy prices are becoming a factor for tenants and this survey shows many landlords in the North West are alert to that and to the importance of future-proofing their properties as regulations look set to change around Energy Performance Certificates. Despite volatility in the property sector, it's also encouraging to see that property investors in the North West are being pragmatic yet entrepreneurial. They are showing caution but are equally sensitive to the opportunities available in the current environment and are aware of the investment needed to make these energy efficiency improvements."

Landlords were also asked which Regions they think are the most attractive for property investors in the next 12 months. Naturally, the North West's landlords thought their home Region presented an attractive investment opportunity, with London their second choice.

Alan Bowers emphasised the importance of seeking specialist advice if you're thinking of investing in an area you are unfamiliar with:- "As a local relationship bank, with branches in communities across the UK, we are close to our customers and have in depth knowledge of their financial circumstances and needs and the local market in which they operate. We are therefore well placed to support our customers with their property investments and other financial needs for the short as well as long term."

To read further exclusive insights, download the Handelsbanken Professional Landlords Survey.

Merseyside School makes waves at national awards

AN important prize has been awarded to a School on Merseyside at the Tes Schools Awards, 1 of the biggest nights in the UK education calendar which was held, on:- Friday, 23 June 2023, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, on London's Park Lane.

Formby High School in Sefton has been awarded the prize for:- 'Inclusive School of the Year.'

Dubbed the 'Oscars of Education, the Tes Schools Awards' is now in its landmark 15th year. It celebrates the extraordinary commitment, quality and innovation shown by teachers and support staff across the UK.

Formby High School's passion for SEND inclusively has made it stand out already: the School has been declared a flagship School for inclusively by the Local Authority; a reputation that has been noticed by parents. The School's Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) cohort has grown 400% in the last 4 years, with 5.2% of students in Years 7 to 11 with an EHCP; double the national average.

SEND students really excel at Formby High. The most academically vulnerable students participate in the School's own Reaching High personalised curriculum, allowing students with:- severe dyslexia, dyscalculia and cognition difficulties to continue learning alongside their peers with all the specialist support they need to progress.

It has been celebrating neurodiversity with a series of events involving students with and without SEND, including choral and dance performances and a Walk for autism in support of International Autism Week.

The School is now preparing to embark on an exciting new chapter with the opening of SEND Resource Base in partnership with Sefton Council. The base will provide high quality provision to 40 children from Year 7 to 11, improving their life chances, independence and readiness for the workplace.

Judge Margaret Mulholland said:- "We were really impressed with how the curriculum isn't separated and segregated within the School; it's intertwined carefully throughout ensuring students continue to learn alongside their peers. Also, they've developed a brilliant life, living and employability element to their curriculum which really stood out."

Domenic Mackenzie, Head teacher from Formby High School said:- "We are very proud to have been recognised for the work we do at Formby with this award. We passionately believe that we have a duty to set students up for life after School too, and that's what we strive to do."

Samantha Warwick, Sendco at Formby said:- "Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. It is integrated into all parts of School life at Formby."

Tes editor and chief judge of the Tes Schools Awards Jon Severs said:- "With these awards we honour the education community, who we've served for nearly 113 years. This year has seen some incredibly high quality entries. These awards showcase just how vital our education professionals are to every facet of this country. Teachers, leaders and support staff all play such an important role in Schools: this is our chance to say thank you for all that they do."

To find out more, please visit:- TES.Com/En-GB/Schools-awards.

Frozen the Musical provided a spectacular opening to the Tes Schools Awards. Laura Emmitt performed Let it Go to the delight of the guests!