SGM.L Regulatory News (SGM)

16 May 2019

AIM: SGM

SIGMA CAPITAL GROUP PLC

("Sigma" or the "Company")

The private rented sector ("PRS") and urban regeneration specialist

1,000th Home Completed for The PRS REIT plc

Sigma, the PRS, residential development and urban regeneration specialist, is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sigma PRS Management Limited, has confirmed the delivery of the 1,000th new rental home for The PRS REIT plc ("PRS REIT") in its capacity as Investment Adviser.

The milestone comes some 23 months after Sigma launched the PRS REIT, which has first right of refusal to development opportunities within the Company's PRS property platform. Supported by key housebuilding partners, as well as Homes England, Sigma's sophisticated PRS delivery and management platform has enabled the PRS REIT to rapidly become a leading UK provider of high quality, family homes for private rental. Sigma has now delivered over 2,500 PRS homes constructed through its platform since commencing this activity in November 2014. In excess of 3,200 homes are currently under construction.

Launched on 31 May 2017, the PRS REIT is a closed-ended real estate investment trust established to invest in new build, private rented sector homes. As Investment Adviser, Sigma PRS Management Limited sources investments and manages the assets of the PRS REIT, and advises it on a day-to-day basis in accordance with its investment policy.

Graham Barnet, CEO of Sigma, commented:

"I am delighted that the PRS REIT has reached this significant milestone, with Sigma and its partners helping to bring it about. Currently, there are another 3,200 or so homes under construction for the PRS REIT, with some 5,600 new homes being the total target as we continue to deliver the PRS REIT's £900m of gross expected funding."

A copy of the PRS REIT's announcement is provided below.

Enquiries:

The PRS REIT plc

(the "Company" or "PRS REIT")

1,000th home built for The PRS REIT

The PRS REIT, the closed-ended real estate investment trust established to invest in new-build homes for the Private Rented Sector ("PRS"), is delighted to announce the completion of its 1,000th new home, approximately 23 months after the Company was launched. 

This milestone underlines the PRS REIT's rapidly emerging position as the leading provider of new-build, family rental homes, a severely undersupplied sector of the UK housing market. Tenants are typically middle-income, families and young couples.

The 1,000th home is located at the Company's Prescot Park development in Prescot, Merseyside. The development comprises 140 homes, offering a choice of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties. It fits the PRS REIT's model of developing new homes close to good primary schools and major transport links. Homes are let under the 'Simple Life' brand, which is seeking to set a new standard of customer care in the rental market, providing amongst other things a twenty-four hour customer service phone line and promoting community events. 

Earlier this year, the PRS REIT met its initial target of committing all of its expected funds of £900m (gross) to new developments. This should fund the delivery of approximately 5,600 new rental homes and yield an estimated rental value of £57m per annum upon completion.

Sigma PRS Management Limited, part of Sigma Capital Group plc, is Investment Adviser to the PRS REIT, and responsible for sourcing and managing the PRS REIT's assets.

Steve Smith, Chairman of the PRS REIT, said:

"We are delighted to report that the 1,000th home for the PRS REIT has now been completed, and to welcome our new tenants. The PRS REIT has been a trailblazer in the private rental sector, and a further 3,200 or so new homes are currently under construction through our partners. Family rental housing remains critically short of current and projected demand, and we are pleased to be playing a part in delivering a high quality solution."

For further information, please contact:

NOTES TO EDITORS

About The PRS REIT plc(www.theprsreit.com)

The PRS REIT is a closed-ended real estate investment trust established to invest in the Private Rented Sector and to provide shareholders with an attractive level of income together with the potential for capital and income growth. It has raised a total of £500m (gross) through its Initial Public Offering, on 31 May 2017, and a subsequent placing in February 2018. Both fundraisings were supported by the UK Government's Homes England with direct investments.

LEI: 21380037Q91HU97WZX58

About Sigma Capital Group plc(www.sigmacapital.co.uk)

Sigma Capital Group plc is a private rented sector, residential development, and urban regeneration specialist, with offices in Edinburgh, Manchester and London. Sigma's principal focus is on the delivery of large scale housing schemes for the private rented sector. It has a well-established track record in assisting with property-related regeneration projects in the public sector, acting as a bridge between the public and private sectors. Its subsidiary, Sigma PRS Management Limited, is Investment Adviser to The PRS REIT plc.

About Sigma PRS Management Limited

Sigma PRS Management Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AIM-quoted Sigma Capital Group plc and is Investment Adviser to The PRS REIT plc. It sources investments and manages the assets of The PRS REIT plc and advises the Alternative Investment Fund Manager ("AIFM") and The PRS REIT plc on a day-to-day basis in accordance with The PRS REIT plc's Investment Policy. The Investment Adviser is an appointed representative (reference number: 776293) of the AIFM.