2020 Categories

In the past year, climate change has rocketed to the top of the agenda, fuelled by teenage activist Greta Thunberg, the activities of the Extinction Rebellion and the UK government’s target to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 – one of the most ambitious carbon targets in the world. The property industry is one of the biggest parts of the problem as a result of its carbon emissions, but that makes it potentially one of the most important parts of the solution. This year, for the first time, we want to celebrate the ground-breaking work the residential sector is doing to tackle the climate crisis and improve the sector’s environmental credentials. This new for 2020 award is aimed at companies and individuals working in the residential sector that have completed or committed to a transformative environment-focused scheme, strategy or initiative in the past 12 months.

You may have implemented a strategy to reduce your portfolio’s carbon to net zero or developed an exemplary environmentally friendly building or scheme. Perhaps you have improved the eco credentials or well-being of people in an existing building or scheme by embracing biophilic design, reducing carbon dioxide levels, reducing energy use or eradicating wasteful practices. Or maybe you have introduced an eco-initiative aimed at engaging or helping people in your organisation, another organisation or a community you are involved in.

This category is aimed at specialist property consultants (or departments of larger agency firms) that provide one or more of the following: valuation, rating, rent review and property/land and estate management. It is also open to building surveyors, firms that provide planning/development or environmental advice and practices that are strong in arbitration, claims, expert witness or legal services. It is not open to facilities management companies or other property advisers.

This award is for the company deemed to have managed its residential assets best. It is open to firms with large property portfolios (freehold or leasehold) in the UK, working independently or alongside a residential property management team. Are you a property owner or manager, investor, developer or housing association that has excelled in this area? We want to hear from you. You need to show in no more than 750 words what your organisation has accomplished in the past year (i.e. in the calendar year of 2019).

Which developer, agent, investor or funder pulled off the best residential property deal of 2019 in the UK? The emphasis here is on best, not biggest – and corporate deals as well as investment, development and lettings deals are eligible. What we’re looking for is a deal that really stood out from the crowd for some reason. Maybe it was the first of its kind in the sector. Maybe it was the most innovative or audacious. Or maybe it reaped surprisingly strong financial rewards. To be eligible, the deal must have been completed between 1 December 2018 and 1 December 2019. You need to show in no more than 750 words why this deal was the best of the year.

This award is for schemes or developments that have been completed or substantially developed in 2019. Do you know of a scheme with innovative features that give it the edge over competitors? Can you show how this has translated into exceptional financial performance? If so, then let us know. Perhaps your scheme shows your commitment to a top-quality design and innovative approaches to marketing. Or maybe it shows your commitment to green energy and regeneration. Whichever part of the residential sector you operate in, the judges want to know in 750 words or less what sets your scheme apart.

This category is open to all landlords with privately-owned property or registered social-owned property - so we expect competition to be fierce.

To stand out you will need to demonstrate how your approach to property management has driven impressive tenant retention rates and strong financial performance. Can you point to a flagship development, a stunning deal or significant growth? Let us know. You need to show in no more than 750 words what your organisation has accomplished in the past year (i.e. in the calendar year of 2019).

This award is open to all landlords with registered social-owned property, providing housing across the spectrum from social, affordable and private rent, shares ownership and private sale to homes for students, older and vulnerable residents and housing associations. We want to know any deals or flagship developments in 2018 that set you apart from the rest of the market. Can you demonstrate that kind of exceptional performance? If you have excelled then we want to hear from you. 

We’re looking for a developer that has really moved the dial in the past year. Have you developed a landmark scheme, significantly increased your development pipeline or pioneered new techniques, management systems or forms of funding? Have you been at the forefront of a scheme to regenerate an area? Have you developed and sold a large number of units? Then we want to hear from you. You need to show in no more than 750 words what your organisation has accomplished in the past year (i.e. in the calendar year of 2019).

*Please note to be eligible for the Large Developer of the Year award you must have created more than 1000 units in the past year.

We are looking to recognise top-notch agencies that can demonstrate an outstanding lettings record in 2018, while offering unrivalled consultancy services and helping to give the sector a good name. So what makes your organisation stand out from the crowd? We want hard data, but our judges are also interested in the consultancy, market knowledge and other specialist elements of your firm. You need to show in no more than 750 words what your organisation has accomplished in the past year (i.e. in the calendar year of 2019).

Have you set up in the last three years? Are you experienced in residential development, ownership, rental management or property search? If so, we want to hear why you should be named newcomer of the year. Our winner will be able to point to landmark deals, major growth, financial innovation or something else that helps them stand out in a crowded marketplace. Perhaps you can point to times when you have gone beyond the call of duty for clients; or kick started the regeneration of an unloved area. We want to hear in no more than 750 words what your organisation has accomplished.

This award is for organisations that have developed effective property management strategies and customer service initiatives that benefit both tenants and landlords. Have you taken an innovative approach that has delivered strong financial returns to clients or helped tenants? Can you show a strong record in financial management, asset management and an understanding of the demands of this changing industry? Have you pioneered initiatives to help clients go green? Let us know. You need to show in no more than 750 words what your organisation has accomplished in the past year (i.e. in the calendar year of 2019).

Who pulled off the best deal in the PRS sector in the UK in 2019? The emphasis here is on best, not biggest — and investment, development and lettings deals all qualify. We’re looking for a deal that really stood out from the crowd in this emerging part of the sector. Maybe it was the first of its kind in the PRS sector. Maybe it was the most innovative or audacious. Or maybe it reaped surprisingly strong financial rewards. To be eligible, the deal must have been completed between 1 December 2018 and 1 December 2019. You need to show in no more than 750 words why this was the best PRS deal of the year.

This category isn’t just about transactions – it’s about the quality of the consultancy advice practices offer clients. Whether you’re a one-man band or a large group, shortlisted candidates need to display unparalleled market knowledge and a strong track record of delivering first rate consultancy services both in the area of sales and/or development land. Is your company the cream of the crop when it comes to offering advice on affordable housing projects and section 106 agreements? Are you instrumental in making projects happen?

This award is for the company deemed to have carried out the best residential finance deals of 2019. We will be rewarding the banks, investment houses and other property finance specialists who fund the key players in the UK residential property market (national house builders, institutional and residential landlords, developers and student accommodation providers). Can you show how your understanding of the UK residential market enabled you to do deals that have driven your clients forward? Then let us know. You need to show in no more than 750 words what your organisation has accomplished in the past year, and we are looking for activity in the year to December 2019.

This category acknowledges the achievements of companies in the burgeoning retirement living sector. Modern day retirement living operators are creating schemes that are of such a high spec that they rival the finish offered by some boutique hotel group operators. As well as creating schemes that are aesthetically pleasing, they’re also implementing intelligent design principles to make accommodation that’s more adaptable and flexible to meet the growing needs of people as they age. Does your company meet these criteria?

The winner will be announced on the night, and will be chosen by an anonymous ballot of all the judges who take part in the category judging.

Are you a UK or International sales agency? Has your team completely sold out a development? Do you offer clients unrivalled strategic and marketing support? Is your team the ‘go to’ agency for new UK instructions? We’re not just looking for agencies that have churned out impressive deal volumes here. In addition to hard and fast sales data, we also want to recognise those agencies that have put in place innovative ideas and marketing plans for their clients and in doing so have delivered the best value.

Has your team generated significant international sales into the UK in 2018 whilst also offering unrivalled consultancy services and market reach? We’re not just looking for agencies that have churned out impressive deal volumes here. In addition to hard and fast sales data, we also want to recognise those agencies that have put in place innovative ideas and marketing plans for their clients and in doing so have delivered the best value.

Size isn’t everything, and we’re looking for a developer who proved that this is the case over the last year. We want to hear from you if you know a niche or up-and-coming developer that has punched above its weight with a flagship scheme; can show significant growth in its pipeline; or has pioneered systems and approaches that bigger rivals cannot match. Maybe you have developed a small scheme that has kick started the wider regeneration of an unloved area? Whatever your successes, we want to hear in no more than 750 words what your organisation has accomplished in the past year (i.e. in the calendar year of 2019).

*Please note to be eligible for small developer you must have created fewer than 1000 units in the past year.

Do you stand out in the UK’s crowded student accommodation sector? We are looking for a firm that has really moved the dial in the last year. Have you made major investments in the sector, or seen major growth in your portfolio? Maybe you launched technological innovations in your properties? Or perhaps you are offering a standard of accommodation that beats the rest? Let us know.