17 Nov 2021
New home rental brand Casa by Moda to launch in Yorkshire next year
The home rental brand, Casa by Moda, is set to change the way people live in the UK, starting in Yorkshire. Setting a new bar for rental housing in the UK, Casa aims to address the nationwide housing shortage, providing much-needed high quality 1-4 bed family homes at an accessible price point for renters.
Casa will deliver an initial 5,000 new family homes for rent in target suburban markets by 2025, which will have a combined value of £1bn. Some 200 Casa homes are already planned in the Yorkshire region, with the first set to start on site in Dean Beck, Bradford, next April and the first residents to move in before the end of 2022.
The neighbourhoods will be designed, developed and operated by Casa, which is part of Yorkshire-based leading build-to-rent brand Moda Living. The new proposition will deliver much needed and price accessible housing across the UK, designed around Moda’s core principals of leading technology, strong ESG credentials and a focus on delivering outstanding health, wellbeing and service to its residents.
Unlike traditional rental, residents won’t need to pay deposits and pets are more than welcome. With a technology-first approach, all residents will have access to an app that enables them to contact the virtual concierge and access on demand services from logging maintenance issues to booking a dog walker. Casa by Moda will also provide true security of tenure on long-term renewable leases for up to three years.
Casa aims to create social, integrated and safe neighbourhoods. Organised resident events such as community barbeques, food and drink pop ups and mental health workshops will allow people to mix with their neighbours. In addition, community-led groups will bring like-minded people together. From running clubs or book clubs to baking and board game groups, Casa’s teams and technology will enable residents to access and engage with the community around them.
Technology will also enable Casa homes to give a strong environmental performance, through its partnership with Utopi. All new homes will be fitted with environment sensors that will monitor the performance of the buildings, measuring everything from room temperature to air quality and light pollution. The technology serves the dual purpose of making sure homes are at the optimum living conditions for residents, and ensuring the building is performing as efficiently as possible.
Moda’s parent company, Yorkshire-based Caddick Group, is responsible for the construction and delivery of the homes, as well as co-investing alongside leading global institutional capital.
With secured capital from a leading institutional investor behind it, Casa is actively looking for further sites across the UK, targeting areas in need of new housing with space for 50 homes or more.
Moda is one of the UK’s most pioneering property brands, with its portfolio of ‘Next Generation Neighbourhoods’ spanning the UK, from Edinburgh to Brighton. With a pipeline of 18,400 homes worth a combined value of £6bn, Moda Living is the largest privately owned developer operator in the UK rental living market.
Rob Gill, Head of Acquisitions at Casa, said: “Casa by Moda has been years in the making, and we are thrilled to be able to share this terrific new venture with the public. Work is already underway at a number of sites so we can start delivering new homes as soon as next year.
“Our Casa locations are well connected, close to good schools, leisure and retail, as well as being just 40 minutes from key cities across the UK. Because we’re backed by a leading investor we are able to quickly progress new site opportunities with the aim of growing the Casa brand cross the UK.”
Richard Greenwood, Director of Housing at Caddick Construction said: ““We are delighted to be the preferred construction partner for Casa by Moda. We start on the first site in spring next year, and will soon be delivering high quality family houses for rent. With a growing land pipeline, there are loads of really exciting opportunities for us and our supply chain, in creating jobs and homes across the UK.”
Lydia Eustace, Marketing Director and Head of Wellbeing at Casa, said: “Casa by Moda will raise the bar for rental in the region, creating beautiful new family homes for rent. Our aim is to address the shortage of high-quality homes and improve the experience of residents let down by the current market.
“Changing the way people live for the better, all our residents will be offered on demand mental health services, access to wellbeing workshops and the opportunity to regularly connect with their neighbours. We know that 61% of renters feel lonely and that doesn’t need to be the case. By connecting our communities together and offering secure tenancies of up to three years, we’re able to create long-term, integrated neighbourhoods.”