Australia: US fund manager Sentinel has launched a property management platform, Kinleaf, dedicated to its BTR communities in Australia.
The Australian arm of Sentinel Real Estate Corporation currently has a BTR portfolio of 1,300 units under various stages of development and operation. The new platform will be rolled out across existing and future communities.
Sentinel president Michael Streicker said: “We’re proud to have been the first organisation to establish a purpose-built institutional Build-to-Rent community here in 2019, introducing Australians to a new way of renting. Now, our focus is on continuing to grow a national portfolio of premium and well-located rental communities that deliver greater housing choices for more Australians and strong, long-term returns for investors” he said.
The Kinleaf portfolio has offerings in Perth and a project underway in West Melbourne. In line with the launch of Kinleaf, Sentinel’s 172-apartment Build to Rent community in West Melbourne will be named The Briscoe by Kinleaf. Sentinel’s operational Element 27 Build to Rent apartment community in Subiaco, Perth, will also see its name change to The Elements by Kinleaf later this year.
In January this year, Sentinel announced the acquisition of a site in Robina on the Gold Coast. Development on the 1.4-hectare location is expected to deliver approximately 300 rental apartments which will also be managed by Kinleaf.
Kinleaf apartments buildings target sustainability benchmarks for the Australian built environment including carbon neutral certification, a minimum 5 Star Green Star rating, and a minimum 8-Star average NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) rating.
“Kinleaf’s offering is grounded in providing a living experience that is focused on the renter, prioritises sustainability outcomes, and supports the creation of vibrant and engaged communities,” said Streicker.
“Our experienced on-site management and maintenance teams, streamlined leasing process, and thoughtfully curated lifestyle and wellness amenities are just some of the ways we’re delivering an overall more refined rental experience,” he added.
In August last year, Sentinel teamed up with Dutch pension fund asset manager PGGM to develop and manage BTR assets in Australia.
