The housing crisis continues to be one of the most important topics, especially in London. Crucially, councils in the city are spending over £5.5m every day to provide temporary emergency accommodation. Sadly, housing starts are also down at the moment with the construction sector struggling. So, how can we fix the problem? Centre for Cities recommends increasing urban densification with smaller projects. We want to have a closer look here, then if you want to arrange guaranteed rent in Croydon, you can trust us.

The proposal

In a recent report, think tank Centre for Cities recommends using suburban house building strategies to deliver more homes on smaller plots. A key thing here is to replace large detached homes with a higher number of properties, including flats and houses. The idea is to increase density on these sites.

The proposals are certainly interesting. The estimate is adoption across London could see housebuilding on smaller sites more than double. In unit terms, this would increase the number of homes delivered from 4,500 to 10,200 each year. Hitting this target would require developing as few as 1,000 sites in suburban areas in London. This would be a drop in the ocean, with over half a million suitable sites.

Case study

The think tank’s recommendation highlights the success Croydon had with these policies in the past. It was part of their Suburban Design Guide for three years from 2019 to 2022. During that period, the number of small sites redeveloped to increase the amount of housing doubled. If you’re thinking about investments and want guaranteed rent in Croydon, rely on us.

Small plot redevelopments in Croydon during the period had some notable designs. Many were traditional styles, respecting similar properties in the areas. In some cases clever site usage allowed delivery of flats and houses behind them. There were also a few more contemporary designs.

Chief Executive of Centre for Cities Andrew Carter said it would be wise to follow Croydon’s example. He said their success with a Suburban Design Guide shows “rules based planning reform works”. As a result, they recommend the Mayor of London work with boroughs to introduce similar SDGs for smaller plots and increase densification.

It will be interesting to see if we do get a significant response to the recommendations. We could see more London boroughs creating SDGs, action from the Mayor of London, and other reforms. However, there is also potential for a negative response to the proposals. Sadly the idea of increasing density often leads to a backlash.

Discuss guaranteed rent in Croydon with us

Croydon is one of the best parts of London if you want a suburban area with a lot to offer. It ticks the right boxes for many people, offering great homes, fantastic commercial hubs, good transport links, and open space. Additionally, the potential for new homes is very attractive too.

If you’re an investor, it would be a really good idea to keep an eye on suburban developments. We’d love to help. Crucially, you can rely on us if you want to arrange solutions like guaranteed rent in Croydon for assets. We’re happy to offer advice and explain why it is a great decision. We can also compare with what you could expect as a private landlord to show why it is a good alternative.

So, get in touch today and let’s find the perfect strategy for you.