THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO CONTAIN INSIDE
INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU)
NO. 596/2014.
8
March 2024
Triple Point Social Housing
REIT plc
(the
"Company" or, together with
its subsidiaries, the "Group")
RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2023
The Board of Triple Point Social
Housing REIT plc (ticker: SOHO) is pleased to announce
its audited results for the year ended 31 December
2023.
Christopher Phillips, Chair of Triple Point
Social Housing REIT plc, commented:
"We are pleased to report a resilient set of
results for 2023, despite challenging macro-economic conditions.
The Group delivered strong rental growth, which along with the
continued growth in demand for Specialised Supported Housing,
helped to preserve the value of the Group's well diversified
property portfolio over the last 12 months.
Triple Point SOHO is
well positioned to continue to play a leading role in moving
the sector forward through the rollout of our new risk-sharing
clause and Eco-Retrofit pilot programme. These strategic
initiatives, along with our granular approach to risk
management, support our financial and operational performance, as
well as the long-term valuation resilience of our
portfolio.
Looking ahead, we take comfort
from the robust fundamentals of the sector which, together with our
inflation protection and fully fixed debt, positions the Group to
continue to deliver shareholder value through the fulfilment of our
long term strategy while providing good homes to people with care
and support needs throughout the UK."
|
31 December 2023
|
31 December 2022
|
Portfolio value
- IFRS basis
|
£678.4m
|
£669.1m
|
EPRA Net Tangible
Assets ("NTA") per share
(equal to IFRS NAV per
share)
|
113.76p
|
109.06p
|
EPRA Net Initial Yield
(NIY)
|
5.57%
|
5.46%
|
Loan to Value
|
37.0%
|
37.4%
|
Earnings per share (basic and
diluted)
- IFRS basis
- EPRA basis
- Adjusted earnings
|
8.81p
4.92p
4.61p
|
6.18p
4.78p
4.87p
|
Total annualised rental
income
|
£41.0m
|
£39.0m
|
Weighted average unexpired lease
term
|
24.3 yrs
|
25.3 yrs
|
Dividend per share
|
5.46p
|
5.46p
|
Financial highlights
·
Total annual return including dividends of 9.3%,
reflecting strong performance in a challenging year for the real
estate sector
·
Strong rental growth of 6.8% in 2023 (6.7% in 2022)
underpinned by government support for our residents. 100% of leases
linked to inflation or Government policy
·
Portfolio valuation of £678.4 million on an IFRS
basis as at 31 December 2023, representing an uplift of 14.0%
against total invested funds of £594.9 million
·
Growth of 4.3% EPRA NTA per share in 2023 driven
by EPRA earnings growth and an uplift in the value of the property
portfolio
·
Dividends paid in line with 5.46 pence per share
target, with dividend cover of 0.85x on an adjusted earnings basis.
Dividend cover increased in the latter half of the year and the
dividend is now covered on a run-rate basis.
·
Successful portfolio sale of four
properties for £7.6 million, principally in line with book value, demonstrating support
for the Group's property portfolio valuation
·
Completed a share buyback programme, repurchasing
9,322,512 shares for £5 million at 52.8% discount to EPRA
NTA
·
Maintained an Investment Grade Issuer Default
Rating from Fitch of 'A-' (Stable Outlook) with a senior
secured rating of 'A'
·
100% of debt is fixed price (weighted average
coupon of 2.74%) and long-term (9.6 years), offering strong
protection from increasing interest rates
Operational highlights
·
90.2% of rent due was collected during the
period, with material rental arrears attributable to only two out
of 27 Approved Providers
·
Progress was made with the two Approved Providers
in arrears:
o A
creditor agreement is now in place with Parasol, and was extended
post-period for a further six months while a longer-term agreement
that will see Parasol increase its rent payments over time is
finalised
o My Space has increased its rent payments and the Manager
expects to reach a creditor agreement in Q2 2024
·
Initiated the rollout of a new risk sharing
clause to help improve the governance and risk management of our
Registered Provider partners. The clause has been agreed with the
Boards of the Group's Registered Provider lessees, shared with the
Regulator of Social Housing and has been included in 28.3% of the
Group's leases to date
·
Commenced an Eco-retrofit pilot programme to
upgrade the Group's properties to an Energy Performance Certificate
("EPC") rating of C or above. The initiative aims to protect the
value of the Group's properties, reduce carbon emissions, and
support lessees and the individuals living in the Group's
properties. Four properties have been upgraded, with all works thus
far completed on time and within budget
·
Established a Sustainability & Impact
Committee to consider a range of sustainability activities and
outcomes, including the Eco-Retrofit Programme and the Group's Net
Zero plan
Outlook
·
Strong rental growth of 2023 is expected to
continue in 2024, with 64.6% of the Group's 2024 annual rent
increases linked to the September 2023 Consumer Price Index figure
of 6.7%
·
Rent collection is expected to continue to
improve as the Group enters into long-term operational solutions
with Parasol and My Space, which, in turn, is supportive of
increased dividend cover
·
Continued rollout of strategic initiatives such
as Eco-Retrofit programme and new risk sharing lease clause to
protect the long-term value of the Group's portfolio
·
Demand for Specialised Supported Housing
continues to grow, and the sector continues to enjoy cross-party
support due to its ability to provide independent homes to
individuals with care needs whilst ensuring they can remain within
their local community receiving the care and support on which they
rely
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE
COMPANY, PLEASE CONTACT:
Triple Point Investment Management
LLP
(Investment Manager)
|
Tel: 020 7201 8989
|
Max Shenkman
|
|
Isobel Gunn-Brown
|
|
|
|
Akur Limited (Joint Financial
Adviser)
|
Tel: 020 7493 3631
|
Tom Frost
|
|
Anthony Richardson
|
|
Siobhan Sergeant
|
|
|
|
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited
(Joint Financial Adviser and Corporate Broker)
|
Tel: 020 7710 7600
|
Mark Young
|
|
Rajpal Padam
|
|
Madison Kominski
|
|
|
|
Brunswick Group (Financial PR
Adviser)
|
Tel: 020 7404 5959
|
Nina Coad
|
|
Robin Wrench
|
|
Mara James
|
|
The Company's LEI is
213800BERVBS2HFTBC58.
Further information on the Company
can be found on its website at www.triplepointreit.com.
NOTES:
The Company invests in primarily
newly developed social housing assets in the UK, with a particular
focus on supported housing. The majority of the assets within the
portfolio are subject to inflation-linked, long-term, Fully
Repairing and Insuring ("FRI") leases with Approved Providers
(being Housing Associations, Local Authorities or other regulated
organisations in receipt of direct payment from local government).
The portfolio comprises investments into properties which are
already subject to a lease with an Approved Provider, as well as
forward funding of pre-let developments but does not include any
direct development or speculative development.
The Company was admitted to
trading on the Specialist Fund Segment of the Main Market of the
London Stock Exchange on 8 August 2017 and was admitted to the
premium segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct
Authority and migrated to trading on the premium segment of the
Main Market on 27 March 2018. The Company operates as a UK
Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT") and is a constituent of the
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT index.
CHAIR'S STATEMENT
Introduction
Whilst 2023 was a challenging year for UK real
estate, the Specialised Supported Housing sector continued to
demonstrate its strong underlying fundamentals and we were able to
deliver resilient returns to our shareholders.
We continued to see challenging macro-economic
conditions during the year, with concerns over US banking and
commercial property together with the expectation that interest
rates would remain higher for longer putting sustained pressure on
property valuations. Nonetheless, the decline in inflation in
October and November provided some relief towards the end of the
year.
2023, like the two years before it, has proved
that we should not take anything for granted. Most notably, with
the tragic events unfolding in the Middle East and the ongoing war
in Ukraine, there remains the risk that increased geopolitical
tensions cause inflation to remain elevated.
Against this backdrop, we take considerable
comfort from the robust fundamentals of the sector in which the
Group invests. Demand for Specialised Supported Housing continues
to grow, and central and local Government continue to provide
financial support for individuals who need housing and care. These
two factors, combined with strong rental growth, have helped
preserve the value of the Group's property portfolio over the last
12 months. As we report a resilient set of results, we remain
focused on the Group's objective of providing good homes to people
with care and support needs throughout the UK.
Financial
performance
The Group has continued to perform well
operationally, delivering rental growth in 2023 of 6.8%. The Group
is in a strong position financially, 100% of our debt is long-term
and fixed priced with a weighted average term of 9.6 years and at a
weighted average fixed rate of 2.74%. In August 2023, for the
second consecutive time, Fitch Ratings Ltd reaffirmed the Company's
existing Investment Grade long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of
'A-', with a stable outlook and a senior secured rating of 'A' for
the Group's existing loan notes.
The Group's Net Asset Value has increased over
the course of the year to £447.6 million, or by 1.9%. This
represents resilient performance by the Group's portfolio,
especially when compared to the wider commercial property sector
which has continued to face pressure on property valuations. The
Group met its full year 2023 dividend target of 5.46p, having held
the target flat relative to 2022.The dividend was 0.85x covered on
an adjusted earnings basis. Dividend cover increased in the latter
half of the year and the dividend is now covered on a run rate
basis. The Group delivered a total return including dividends of
9.3% during the financial year, which reflects strong performance
in what was a challenging year for the real estate sector given the
persistence of high inflation and interest rates.
Managing the
Discount
The Group's share price has been a principal
focus of the Board in 2023, and in its 3 February 2023 Trading
Update, the Board set out how the Group could best deliver value to
shareholders over the following months. This included, amongst
other things, selling a portfolio of properties to provide a data
point that was supportive of the Group's portfolio valuation,
returning capital to shareholders through a share buyback
programme, and working with two of the Group's Registered Provider
lessees to increase rent collection. We are glad to report that we
have broadly delivered on each of these actions.
In August 2023, we completed the sale of a
portfolio of properties at a valuation principally in line with
their book value. In July 2023, we completed a £5 million share
buyback programme. Between 19 April 2023 and 12 June 2023, the
Group bought back 9,322,512 shares for £5 million at an average
price representing a discount to the prevailing published EPRA NTA
of 52.8%. Finally, we have made good progress with the two lessees
with material arrears (My Space and Parasol), rent collection
increased in the latter half of the year due to a creditor
agreement with Parasol and an increase in rent payments from My
Space. Further details regarding these actions and their outcomes
can be found in the Investment Manager's Report.
As at 6 March 2024 the Group's share price had
increased by 37.0% from its 2023 low in March and the Board remains
focused on seeking to improve the share price and delivering
shareholder value in 2024. As at 31 December 2023 the Group had a
total cash balance of £29.5 million of which £10.7 million is
either restricted or allocated with a further £8 million held back
for working capital purposes, leaving net available cash of £10.8
million. Therefore, were the Company to undertake a further return
of capital with an equal corresponding paydown of the Group's debt
(to offset any resultant increase in Group leverage), any such
distribution to shareholders would be limited to around £5
million.
Any larger return of capital to shareholders
would be dependent on significant additional liquidity being
delivered through property sales. Given market conditions remain
challenging, and the Group's strong capital structure, the Board is
not actively considering selling more properties in the short term.
The Board remains committed to shareholder engagement and will
continue to consult with shareholders following the publication of
these results.
New
partnerships with leading Registered Providers creating
impact
The higher interest rates and inflationary
environment alongside the requirement to invest into existing
housing stock (to ensure compliance with the latest safety and
sustainability standards) continue to erode the development budgets
of Registered Providers. In turn, this promotes a growing reliance
on private funding to deliver new homes. Therefore, in this
environment, we are uniquely positioned to form partnerships with
the leading Registered Providers in the Specialised Supported
Housing sector, as demonstrated by our recent partnership with
Golden Lane. We have allocated £2.8 million to a 12 apartment
project in Chorley which we have developed in conjunction with
Golden Lane, one of the best and largest Specialised Supported
Housing focused Registered Providers. This is a market-leading
project and will provide further evidence of the positive impact
that private capital can deliver to the Specialised Supported
Housing sector.
Leading
position in the sector
Whilst focusing on financial performance and
delivering shareholder value, the Board is also keen to ensure that
the Group, as an institutional investor, continues to take a
leading position in moving the Specialised Supported Housing sector
forward.
We are the first institutional landlord to
roll out a new risk sharing clause in its existing portfolio of
leases to help improve the governance and risk management of our
Registered Provider partners. The clause has been agreed with the
Boards of the Group's Registered Provider lessees and shared with
the Regulator of Social Housing and has been included in 28.3% of
the Group's leases to date. As previously disclosed, JLL, the
Group's valuers, have reviewed the clause and confirmed that they
do not expect it to negatively impact the value of any leases it is
included in.
We are investing in the energy efficiency of
the Group's existing portfolio through the pilot phase of our
Eco-Retrofit programme to preserve the long-term value of the
Group's portfolio whilst enabling the Group to roll out a
sector-leading initiative to reduce carbon emissions and provide
residents with more efficient homes and lower utility
bills.
Following the Government's introduction of a
7% cap on social housing rent increases in 2023, we voluntarily
capped all of the Group's rent increases with Registered Provider
lessees at 7% not withstanding that the cap did not apply to the
Specialised Supported Housing Sector. This enabled our Registered
Provider partners to manage risk better in a high inflationary
environment and to limit rent increases during a cost-of-living
crisis, whilst still allowing investors to benefit from a healthy
rental uplift. In line with government policy, the cap has been
discontinued in 2024 meaning that rents will revert back to
tracking inflation.
Further information on these three initiatives
can be found in the Investment Manager's Report.
Governance
Recognising the link between value creation
and the quality of the homes we deliver, the Board has established
a Sustainability & Impact Committee (announced on 24 May 2023)
to ensure due consideration of a range of sustainability activities
and outcomes. To date, the Sustainability & Impact Committee,
led by Ian Reeves, has met three times since its establishment and
has reviewed a range of ESG matters including considering and
approving the roll-out of the pilot phase of the Group's
Eco-Retrofit programme and the Group's Net Zero plan (more detail
on which can be found in the Sustainability Report).
The performance evaluation of the Board and
its Committees for 2023 was conducted externally by Advanced
Boardroom Excellence, an independent consultancy. The review
confirmed that the Board and its Committees continued to operate
effectively in 2023, with some areas identified for further
enhancement, which are set out in the Governance section of the
Annual Report.
Social
Impact
Social Impact continues to be of central
importance to the Board when making decisions and is integral to
our business model. This set of results once again demonstrates our
conviction that financial performance and social impact are
mutually reinforcing. The independent Impact Report prepared by The
Good Economy identifies that our properties have delivered £3.08 of
Total Social Value for every £1.00 invested in the year to 31
December 2023. You can read more on the social value and impact
that our properties create in the Impact Report prepared by the
Good Economy, available separately on our website.
Outlook
We expect ongoing resilience in financial and
operational performance. The majority of the Group's lessees
continue to operate in line with expectations with only two (My
Space and Parasol) out of 27 lessees in material arrears. We
anticipate making further progress with My Space and Parasol and
for the wider portfolio to continue to perform well.
With 64.6% of the Group's 2024 annual rent
increases linked to the September 2023 Consumer Price Index figure
of 6.7%, we expect the strong rental growth of 2023 to continue in
2024.
The Group has a secure financial position and
does not need to raise capital to refinance debt, or to meet
investor return targets. Our focus can therefore remain on ensuring
the continued performance of the property portfolio from which
stable, long-term financial performance should follow. These
factors, combined with the ongoing resilience of the portfolio
valuation, ensure that the Group remains well positioned to deliver
sustainable shareholder returns over the long-term.
Given current macro-economic conditions, and
the limited amount of capital that the Group has available, the
Board has decided not to commit to any further development projects
other than the Chorley scheme, at this time. We expect the progress
made with My Space and Parasol in 2023 to deliver an increase in
rent collection during 2024 which should in turn help to ensure
that the dividend is covered. The dividend is now covered on a run
rate basis and we are focused on putting the Group in a position to
resume its progressive dividend policy whilst maintaining a high
degree of sustainable dividend cover over the medium to long-term.
This is supported by the long-term, fixed priced debt the Group
benefits from, and the recent strong rental growth delivered
through the Group's inflation-linked leases.
The Board remains committed to addressing the
performance of the Group's share price, and to working to narrow
the share price discount to EPRA NTA whilst preserving the
long-term performance and fundamentals of the Group. The Board will
continue to engage with shareholders in 2024 around actions for the
benefit of the Group overall.
The Board and the Investment Manager will
continue to support the performance of the Group's portfolio by
working closely with the Group's Registered Provider and Care
Provider partners to roll out strategic initiatives such as the Eco
Retrofit programme and new risk-sharing lease clause, closely
monitor the granular performance of the Group's properties, and
address any issues in the portfolio quickly as and when they arise.
This granular approach to risk management supports the long-term
value of the Group's portfolio and helps to ensure long-term
operational and financial resilience.
Conclusion
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank
the Investment Manager and advisers for their continued hard work
and dedication. Most importantly, I would like to thank our
shareholders and other stakeholders for their continued support as
we work to evolve and execute our strategy to deliver good homes
and long-term sustainable returns.
Chris Phillips
Chair
7 March 2024
STRATEGY AND BUSINESS
MODEL
The Board is responsible for the Company's
investment objective and investment policy and has overall
responsibility for ensuring the Group's activities are in line with
such overall strategy. As noted in the Chair's Statement and the
Investment Manager's report, in 2023, most of the Group's leases
were subject to a one-off rental increase cap of 7%. The Group has
commenced the roll out of a new risk sharing clause throughout the
Group's portfolio of Registered Provider leases. The inclusion of
the clause in our existing leases will enable the Boards of the
Registered Providers that the Group has leases with to demonstrate
an improved risk management strategy to the Regulator of Social
Housing. As part of this clause, annual rent increase will be
linked to the lower of inflation or government social housing rent
policy (in so much as it applies to Specialised Supported Housing).
In addition, when applicable, annual rental uplifts in the Group's
leases (that contain this new clause) will be linked to September
inflation figures to align with wider central housing benefit
policy.
Investment
Objective
The Company's investment objective is to
provide shareholders with stable, long-term, inflation-linked
income from a portfolio of social housing assets in the United
Kingdom with a focus on Supported Housing assets. The portfolio
comprises investments in operating assets and the forward funding
of pre-let development assets, the Group seeks to optimise the mix
of these assets to enable it to pay a covered dividend increasing
in line with inflation and so generate an attractive risk-adjusted
total return.
Investment
Policy
To achieve its investment objective, the Group
invests in a diversified portfolio of freehold or long leasehold
social housing assets in the UK. Supported Housing assets account
for at least 80% of the Group's gross asset value. The Group
acquires portfolios of social housing assets and single social
housing assets, either directly or via SPVs. Each asset is subject
to a lease or occupancy agreement with an Approved Provider. The
rent payable thereunder is, or is expected to be, subject to
adjustment in line with inflation (generally CPI) or central
housing benefit policy. Title to the assets remains with the Group
under the terms of the relevant lease. The Group is not primarily
responsible for any management or maintenance obligations under the
terms of the lease or occupancy agreement, which typically are
serviced by the Approved Provider lessee, save that the Group may
take responsibility for funding the cost of planned maintenance.
The Group is not responsible for the provision of care to residents
of Supported Housing assets.
The social housing assets are sourced in the
market by the Investment Manager.
The Group intends to hold its portfolio over
the long-term, benefitting from generally long-term upward-only
leases which are, or are expected to be, linked to inflation or
central housing benefit policy. The Group will not be actively
seeking to dispose any of its assets, although it may sell
investments should an opportunity arise, that would enhance the
value of the Group as a whole.
The Group may forward fund the development of
new social housing assets when the Investment Manager believes that
to do so would enhance returns for shareholders and/or secure an
asset for the Group's portfolio at an attractive yield. Forward
funding will only be provided in circumstances in which:
(a) there is an agreement to lease the
relevant property upon completion in place with an Approved
Provider;
(b) planning permission has been granted
in respect of the site; and
(c) the Group receives a return on
its investment (at least equivalent to the projected income return
for the completed asset) during the construction phase and before
the start of the lease.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Group will not
acquire land for speculative development of social housing
assets.
In addition, the Group may engage third party
contractors to renovate or customise existing social housing assets
as necessary.
Gearing
The Group uses gearing to enhance equity
returns. The Directors will employ a level of borrowing that they
consider prudent for the asset class and will seek to achieve a low
cost of funds while maintaining flexibility in the underlying
security requirements and the structure of both the Company's
portfolio and the Group.
The Directors intend that the Group will
target a level of aggregate borrowings over the medium-term equal
to approximately 40% of the Group's gross asset value. The
aggregate borrowings will always be subject to an absolute maximum,
calculated at the time of drawdown, of 50% of the Group's gross
asset value.
Debt will typically be secured at the asset
level, whether over a particular property or a holding entity for a
particular property (or series of properties), without recourse to
the Group and having consideration for key metrics including lender
diversity, cost of debt, debt type and maturity
profiles.
Use of
Derivatives
The Group may use derivatives for efficient
portfolio management. In particular, the Group may engage in full
or partial interest rate hedging or otherwise seek to mitigate the
risk of interest rate increases on borrowings incurred in
accordance with the Investment Policy as part of the Group's
portfolio management. The Group will not enter into derivative
transactions for speculative purposes.
Investment
Restrictions
The following investment restrictions
apply:
·
the Group will only invest in social housing assets located
in the United Kingdom;
·
the Group will only invest in social housing assets where the
counterparty to the lease or occupancy agreement is an Approved
Provider. Notwithstanding that, the Group may acquire a portfolio
consisting predominantly of social housing assets where a small
minority of such assets are leased to third parties who are not
Approved Providers. The acquisition of such a portfolio will remain
within the Investment Policy provided that at least 90% (by value)
of the assets are leased to Approved Providers and, in aggregate,
all such assets within the Group's total portfolio represent less
than 5% of the Group's gross asset value at the time of
acquisition;
·
at least 80% of the Group's gross asset value will be
invested in Supported Housing assets;
·
the maximum exposure to any one asset (which, for the
avoidance of doubt, will include houses and/or apartment blocks
located on a contiguous basis) will not exceed 20% of the Group's
gross asset value;
·
the maximum exposure to any one Approved Provider will not
exceed 30% of the Group's gross asset value, other than in
exceptional circumstances for a period not to exceed three
months;
·
the Group may forward fund social housing units in
circumstances where there is an agreement to lease in place and
where the Group receives a coupon (or equivalent reduction in the
purchase price) on its investment (generally slightly above or
equal to the projected income return for the completed asset)
during the construction phase and before entry into the lease.
Forward funding equity commitments will be restricted to an
aggregate value of not more than 20% of the Group's net asset
value, calculated at the time of entering into any new forward
funding arrangement;
·
the Group will not invest in other alternative investment
funds or closed-ended investment companies (which, for the
avoidance of doubt, does not prohibit the acquisition of SPVs which
own individual, or portfolios of, social housing
assets);
·
the Group will not set itself up as an Approved Provider;
and
·
the Group will not engage in short selling.
The investment limits detailed above apply at
the time of the acquisition of the relevant asset in the portfolio.
The Group will not be required to dispose of any investment or to
rebalance its portfolio as a result of a change in the respective
valuations of its assets or a merger of Approved
Providers.
Investment
Strategy
The Group specialises in investing in UK
social housing, with a focus on Supported Housing. The strategy is
underpinned by strong local authority demand for more social
housing, which is reflected in the focus on acquiring recently
developed and refurbished properties across the United Kingdom. The
assets within the portfolio have typically been developed for
pre-identified residents and in response to demand specified by
local authorities or NHS commissioners. The existing portfolio
comprises investments made into properties already subject to a
fully repairing and insuring lease with specialist Approved
Providers in receipt of direct payment from local government
(usually Registered Providers regulated by the Regulator), as well
as forward funding of pre-let developments. The portfolio will not
include any direct development or speculative development
investments. Following the amendments to the Company's investment
policy in May 2022, the Group expects to enter into more flexible
lease structures in the future. These more flexible lease
structures may include entering into leases for shorter terms and,
in certain cases, the Group may selectively take on the cost of
funding planned maintenance on some properties.
In addition, as noted in the Chair's Statement
and the Investment Manager's report, we have commenced the roll out
of a new risk sharing clause in the Group's existing Registered
Provider leases. The aim of this clause is to protect Registered
Providers if factors beyond their control, such as a change in
government policy in relation to Specialised Supported Housing
rents, reduce the amount of rent they are able to generate from a
property or properties that they lease from the Group. In some such
circumstances the clause allows for the Registered Provider to
agree a new rent level which is reflective of the revised
circumstances. Should the new rent level not be acceptable to the
Group, the Group has the ability to re-assign or terminate the
lease.
Business
Model
The Group owns and manages social housing
properties that are leased to experienced housing managers
(typically Registered Providers, which are often referred to as
housing associations). The vast majority of the portfolio and
future deal pipeline is made up of Supported Housing homes which
are residential properties that have been adapted or built such
that care and support can easily be provided to vulnerable
residents who may have mental health issues, learning difficulties
or physical disabilities. Whilst we have acquired operational
properties, we have tended to focus more on acquiring recently
developed or adapted properties in order to help local authorities
meet increasing demand for suitable accommodation for vulnerable
residents (the drivers of this demand are discussed in the
Investment Manager's report). Local authorities are responsible for
housing these residents and for the provision of all care and
support services that are required.
The Supported Housing properties owned by the
Group are leased to Approved Providers which are usually
not-for-profit organisations focused on developing, tenanting and
maintaining housing assets in the public (and private) sectors.
Approved Providers are approved and regulated by the Government
with the majority through the Regulator (or in some instances,
where the Group contracts with care providers and charitable
entities, the Care Quality Commission and the Charity Commission,
respectively). The majority of the Group's existing leases with
Approved Providers are linked to inflation, have a duration of 20
years or longer, and are fully repairing and insuring - meaning
that the obligations for management, repair and maintenance of the
property are passed to the Approved Provider. The Group may take
responsibility for funding the cost of planned maintenance and
improvements to the property in order to improve a property's
energy efficiency rating under the Eco-Retrofit programme.
Typically, the Government funds both the rent of the individuals
housed in Supported Housing and the maintenance costs associated
with managing the property. In addition, because of the vulnerable
nature of the residents, the rent and maintenance costs are
typically paid directly from the local authority to the Approved
Provider on behalf of the individuals living in the property. The
rent paid by the local authority to the Approved Provider on behalf
of the residents is then paid to the Group via the lease. Ultimate
funding for the rent of the individuals living in the properties
owned by the Group typically comes from the Department for Work and
Pensions in the form of housing benefits.
The majority of residents housed in Supported
Housing properties require support and/or care. This is typically
provided by a separate care provider regulated by the Care Quality
Commission. The agreement for the provision of care for the
residents is between the local authority and the care provider. The
care provider is paid directly by the local authority. Usually, the
Group has no direct financial or legal relationship with the care
provider and the Group never has any responsibility for the
provision of care to the residents in properties the Group owns.
The care provider will often be responsible for nominating
residents into the properties and, as a result, will normally
provide some voids cover to the Approved Provider should they not
be able to fill the asset (i.e. if occupancy is not 100%, it is
often the care provider rather than the Approved Provider that will
cover the cost of the rent due on void units). Under the terms of
its lease, the Group is owed full rent regardless of underlying
occupancy, but monitors occupancy levels and the payment of voids
cover by care providers, to ensure that Approved Providers are
appropriately protected.
Many assets that the Investment Manager
sources for the Group have been recently developed and are either
specifically designed new build properties or renovated existing
houses or apartment blocks that have been adapted for Supported
Housing. The benefit of buying recently developed or adapted stock
is that it has been planned in response to local authority demand
and is designed to meet the specific requirements of the intended
residents. In addition, it enables the Group to work with a select
stable of high-quality developers on pipelines of deals rather than
being reliant on acquiring portfolios of already-built assets on
the open market. This has two advantages: firstly, it enables the
Group to source the majority of its deals off-market through
trusted developer partners and, secondly, it ensures the Group has
greater certainty over its pipeline with visibility over the
long-term deal flow of the developers it works with and knows it
will not have to compete with other funders.
As well as acquiring recently developed
properties, the Group can provide forward funding to developers of
new Supported Housing properties. Being able to provide forward
funding gives the Group a competitive advantage over other
acquirers of Supported Housing assets as it enables the Group to
offer developers a single funding partner for both construction and
the acquisition of the completed property. This is often more
appealing to developers than having to work with two separate
funders during the build of a new property as it reduces practical
and relationship complexity. As well as strengthening developer
relationships, forward funding enables the Group to have a greater
portion of new build properties in its portfolio which typically
attract higher valuations, are modern and have been custom-built to
meet the needs of the residents they house, helping to achieve
higher occupancy levels. The Group benefits from the Investment
Manager's long track record of successfully forward funding a range
of property and infrastructure assets and is uniquely positioned to
partner on projects with the most respected organisations in the
sector. The Group will only provide forward funding when the
property has been pre-let to an Approved Provider and other
protections, such as fixed-priced build contracts and deferred
developer profits, have been put in place to mitigate construction
risk.
Since the Company's IPO, the Group has set out
to build a diversified portfolio that contains assets leased to a
variety of Approved Providers, in a range of different counties,
and serviced by a number of care providers. This has been possible
due to the Investment Manager's track record of over 15 years of
asset-backed investments, its active investment in the Supported
Housing sector since 2014, and the strong relationships it has
enjoyed with local authorities for over a decade. These
relationships have enabled the Group, in a relatively short space
of time, to work with numerous Approved Providers, care providers
and local authorities to help deliver Supported Housing that
provide homes to some of the most vulnerable members of
society.
KEY PERFORMANCE
INDICATORS
In order to track the Group's
progress the following key performance indicators are
monitored:
KPI AND
DEFINITION
|
RELEVANCE TO
STRATEGY
|
PERFORMANCE
|
COMMENT
|
1. Dividend
|
Dividends paid to shareholders and
declared during the year.
Further information is set out in
Note 27
|
The dividend reflects the
Company's ability to deliver a low risk
income stream from the portfolio.
|
Total dividends of 5.46 pence per
share were paid or declared in respect of the year ended 31
December 2023.
(31 December 2022: 5.46
pence)
|
The Company has declared a
dividend of 1.365 pence per Ordinary share in respect of the period
1 October 2023 to 31 December 2023, which will be paid on or around
29 March 2024. Total dividends paid and declared for the year are
in line with the Company's target.
|
2. EPRA Net Tangible Assets (NTA)
|
The EPRA NTA is equal to IFRS NAV
as there are no deferred tax liabilities or other adjustments
applicable to the Group under the REIT regime.
Further information is set out in
Note 3 of the Unaudited Performance
Measures.
|
EPRA NTA measure that assumes
entities buy and sell assets, thereby crystallising certain levels
of deferred tax liability.
|
113.76 pence as at 31 December
2023.
(31 December 2022: 109.06
pence)
|
The IFRS NAV (equivalent to EPRA
NTA) per share at IPO was 98 pence.
The EPRA NTA of 113.76 pence represents an increase of 16.1% since
IPO, driven primarily by yield compression at acquisition and
subsequent annual rental uplifts.
|
3. Loan to Value (LTV)
|
A proportion of our portfolio is
funded through borrowings. Our medium to long-term target LTV is
35% to 40% with a maximum of 50%.
Further information is set out in
Note 20.
|
The Group uses gearing to enhance
equity returns.
|
37.0% LTV as at 31 December
2023.
(31 December 2022: 37.4%
LTV)
|
Borrowings comprise two private
placements of loan notes totalling £263.5 million provided by
MetLife Investment Management and Barings.
The undrawn £160.0 million
revolving credit facility with Lloyds and NatWest was cancelled in
the prior year.
|
4. EPRA Earnings per Share
|
EPRA Earnings per share (EPRA EPS)
excludes gains from fair value adjustment on investment property
that are included in the IFRS calculation for Earnings per
share.
Further information is set out in
Note 36.
|
A measure of a Group's underlying
operating results and an indication of the extent to which current
dividend payments are supported by earnings.
|
4.92 pence per share for the year ended 31 December 2023, based on
earnings excluding the fair value gain on properties, calculated on
the weighted average number of shares in issue during the
year.
(31 December 2022: 4.78
pence)
|
EPRA EPS has slightly increased
despite the expected credit loss (relating to two Approved
Providers not paying full rent) due to the increased rental income
for the year which was driven by annual rent increases capped at
7%.
|
5. Adjusted Earnings per Share
|
Adjusted earnings per share
includes adjustments for non-cash items. The calculation is shown
in Note 36.
|
A key measure which
reflects actual cash flows supporting
dividend payments.
|
4.61 pence per share for
the year ended 31 December 2023, based on earnings after deducting
the fair value gain on properties, amortisation and write-off of
loan arrangement fees, and the movement in lease incentive debtor;
calculated on the weighted average number of shares in issue during
the year. In prior years the movement in the lease incentive debtor
has not been adjusted for in the adjusted earnings as it was not
material. The comparative has been restated for
consistency.
(31 December 2022: 4.87 pence
restated)
|
This demonstrates the Company's
ability to meet dividend payments from net cash inflows. It
represents a dividend cover for the year to 31 December 2023
of 0.85x.
|
6. Weighted Average Unexpired Lease Term
(WAULT)
|
The average unexpired lease term
of the investment portfolio, weighted by annual passing
rents.
Further information is set out in
the Investment Manager's Report
|
The WAULT is a key measure of the
quality of our portfolio. Long lease terms underpin the security of
our income stream.
|
24.3 years as at 31 December 2023 (includes put and call
options).
(31 December 2022: 25.3
years)
|
As at 31 December 2023, the
portfolio's WAULT stood at 24.3
years.
|
7. Exposure to Largest Approved Provider
|
The percentage of the Group's
gross assets that are leased to the single largest Approved
Provider.
|
The exposure to the largest
Approved Provider must be monitored to ensure that we are not
overly exposed to one Approved Provider in the event of a default
scenario.
|
29.5% as at 31 December
2023.
(31 December 2022:
29.5%)
|
Our maximum exposure limit is
30%.
|
8. Total Return
|
Change in EPRA NTA plus total
dividends paid during the period.
|
The Total Return measure
highlights the gross return to investors including dividends paid
since the prior year.
|
EPRA NTA per share was
113.76 pence as at 31 December
2023.
(31 December 2022:
109.06)
Total dividends paid during the year ended 31 December 2023 were
5.46 pence per share.
Total return was 9.32% for the
year ended 31 December 2023.
(31 December 2022:
5.7%)
|
The EPRA NTA per share at 31
December 2023 was 113.76 pence. Adding
back dividends paid during the year of 5.46 pence per Ordinary Share to the
EPRA NTA at 31 December 2023 results in an increase of
9.3%.
The Total Return since IPO
is 47.7% at 31
December 2023.
|
EPRA PERFORMANCE
MEASURES
The table shows additional performance
measures, calculated in accordance with the Best Practices
Recommendations of the European Public Real Estate Association
(EPRA). We provide these measures to aid comparison with other
European real estate businesses.
Full reconciliations of EPRA Earnings and NAV
performance measures are included in Note 36 of the consolidated
financial statements and Notes 1 to 3 of the Unaudited Performance
Measures, respectively. A full reconciliation of the other EPRA
performance measures are included in the Unaudited Performance
Measures section.
KPI AND DEFINITION
|
PURPOSE
|
PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
1. EPRA Earnings per share
|
|
|
EPRA Earnings per share excludes
gains from fair value adjustment on investment properties that are
included in the IFRS calculation for Earnings per share.
|
A measure of a Group's
underlying
operating results and an indication of the extent to which current
dividend payments are supported by earnings.
|
4.92 pence per share for the year to 31 December 2023.
(4.78 pence per share as at 31
December 2022)
|
2. EPRA Net Reinstatement Value (NRV) per
share
|
|
|
The EPRA NRV adds back the
purchasers' costs deducted from the IFRS valuation.
|
A measure that highlights the
value of net assets on a long-term basis.
|
£489.6 million/124.43 pence per share
as at 31 December 2023.
£480.7 million/119.31 pence per share as at 31 December 2022.
|
3. EPRA Net Tangible Assets (NTA) per share
|
|
|
The EPRA NTA is equal to IFRS NAV
as there are no deferred tax liabilities or other adjustments
applicable to the Group under the REIT regime.
|
A measure that assumes entities
buy and sell assets, thereby crystallising certain levels of
deferred tax liability.
|
£447.6 million/113.76 pence per
share as at 31 December 2023.
£439.3 million/109.06 pence per share as at 31 December 2022.
|
4. EPRA Net Disposal Value (NDV)
|
The EPRA NDV provides a scenario
where deferred tax, financial instruments, and certain other
adjustments are calculated as to the full extent of their
liability.
|
A measure that shows the
shareholder value if assets and liabilities are not held until
maturity.
|
£503.7 million /128.02 pence per
share as at 31 December 2023.
£510.1 million /126.63 pence per share as at 31 December 2022.
|
5. EPRA Net Initial Yield (NIY)
|
Annualised rental income based on
the cash rents passing at the balance sheet date, less
non-recoverable property operating expenses, divided by the market
value of the property, increased with (estimated) purchasers'
costs.
|
A comparable measure for portfolio
valuations. This measure should make it easier for investors to
judge for themselves how the valuation of a portfolio compares with
others.
|
5.57% at 31 December
2023.
5.46% at 31 December
2022.
|
6. EPRA "Topped-Up" NIY
|
|
|
This measure incorporates an
adjustment to the EPRA NIY in respect of the expiration of
rent-free periods (or other unexpired lease incentives such as
discounted rent periods and step rents).
|
The topped-up net initial yield is
useful in that it allows investors to see the yield based on the
full rent that is contracted at 31 December 2023.
|
5.72% at 31 December
2023.
5.51% at 31 December
2022.
|
7. EPRA Vacancy Rate
|
|
|
Estimated Market Rental Value
(ERV) of vacant space divided by ERV of the whole
portfolio.
|
A "pure" percentage measure of
investment property space that is vacant, based on ERV.
|
0.33% at 31 December
2023.
0.00% at 31 December
2022.
|
8. EPRA Cost Ratio
|
|
|
Administrative and operating costs
(including and excluding costs of direct vacancy) divided by gross
rental income.
|
A key measure to enable meaningful
measurement of the changes in a Group's operating costs.
|
20.60% at 31 December
2023.
21.09% at 31 December
2022.
|
INVESTMENT MANAGER'S
REPORT
Specialised
Supported Housing Market
Whilst operating conditions have been volatile
during this recent period of high inflation, as they were
throughout the COVID pandemic, one constant of the sector is the
structural excess demand for more Specialised Supported Housing. We
see this on a daily basis through a requirement for funding for new
developments brought to us by Local Authorities, and our Registered
Provider and Care Provider partners. Similarly, the Government
estimates that demand for more Specialised Supported Housing homes
is set to increase by over 100,000 by 2030, or almost double
relative to the number of Specialised Supported Homes occupied
today1. A growing prevalence of disability, combined
with the requirement to move people out of institutional care
settings and provide independent community homes, is driving this
increase in demand.
Demand for more Specialised Supported Housing
properties underpins the performance of our Registered Provider and
Care Provider partners and, in turn, the performance of the Group.
Demand drives high levels of occupancy at the Registered Providers
the Group works with and has helped ensure that the occupancy of
the Group's portfolio has continued to increase as it matures. In
addition, it supports our ability to address any issues within the
Group's portfolio, such as if a new care provider needs to be
brought into a property or an alternative Specialised Supported
Housing use needs to be sought, thereby adding resilience to the
portfolio's performance.
This year, the Group's Registered Provider and
Care Provider operating partners have had to navigate the risks
posed by persistent high interest rates and inflation, which have
impacted a wide range of costs including maintenance and repairs
and heating communal spaces. In addition, over the last 12 months a
small number of Local Authorities have issued Section 114 notices
requiring expenditure limits, which have served as a test for how
the Specialised Supported Housing sector performs in times of
market stress.2
As expected, the financial strains of Local
Authorities, such as those in Woking and Nottingham, have not
impacted their ability to meet their statutory requirement to fund
the accommodation and care of the vulnerable people they are
responsible for. Indeed Section 114 notices specifically allow for
the continued funding of statutory services, and it has been
reassuring to see this delivered in practice with services
maintained irrespective of the financial position of the relevant
Local Authority.
Similarly, our Registered Provider and Care
Provider partners have generally managed the persistent increase in
operating costs well. Typically, this is a case of ensuring they
receive sufficient Housing Benefit to cover any increase in their
operating cost base. Most Registered Providers were in a better
position to understand and allow for their increased cost base in
2023 after the rapid rise in gas prices and other operating costs
experienced in 2022. This performance, while reassuring as we
progressed through challenging operating conditions, was not
unexpected for the operational side of our Housing Team as they
work closely with our Registered Provider partners.
Over the course of 2023, we have seen a
growing desire amongst a wide range of Registered Providers to work
in partnership with long-term private capital to deliver much
needed, high-quality new homes and to help fund their development
pipelines, a trend we expect to continue. The catalyst is the
growing need for Registered Providers to find alternative sources
of funding to deliver on their social mission to provide additional
homes. Inflationary pressures, higher interest rates and a
requirement to invest into their existing portfolios have eroded
their ability to fund their development pipelines from their own
reserves. Recent research3 has indicated that Registered
Provider expected investment budgets have been cut by 9% for 2024,
and by 15% over the next 10 years. Similarly, the number of homes
that English Registered Providers expect to build over the next
five years has dropped by 64,000 since 2022, with a total of 40,000
new homes completed by Registered Providers in the 12 months ending
31 March 2023.
In the next section, we have provided a case
study of the Chorley development that we will fund alongside Golden
Lane, one of the sector's leading Specialised Supported Housing
Registered Providers. The project demonstrates the positive impact
that long-term capital can have when working in close partnership
with Registered Providers.
Golden Lane
Housing
We expect to shortly complete on a new forward
funding project, our first with Golden Lane Housing.
This development, located in Chorley, Lancashire,
will support residents who have learning disabilities, autism
requirements, and/or mental health needs, all of which will require
a high level of support per week. Residents will come from a range
of previous care environments including care homes, hospitals, and
family homes. Staff will be on site 24 hours a day with bespoke
one-to-one care packages in place for all residents.
The project has received commissioner support from
the Head of Service for Learning Disabilities, Autism and Mental
Health at Lancashire County Council. It was noted that the location
of the site, close to the centre of Chorley, is ideal for enabling
residents to integrate into the community.
The property will be managed by Golden Lane Housing.
Golden Lane Housing was established in 1998 in order to provide
supported housing and housing for elderly people. The organisation
has over 2,500 tenants in over 1,200 properties located across
England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Through the direct provision
of Specialised Supported Housing and enhanced housing services,
Golden Lane Housing offers solutions to people with a Learning
Disability or Autism, so that they can live independent
lives. Golden Lane received a G1 / V2 rating from the
Regulator of Social Housing, which was confirmed most recently in
November 2023.
Care and support will be provided by Glenelg which
was founded in 2002 and has since grown to provide person-centred
support for over 80 individuals in over 40 services across the
Merseyside and Lancashire areas. Glenelg provides high-quality
support for individuals with a learning disability, physical
disability and/or mental health needs in the community. They work
closely with individuals and their families in the planning and
development of support tailored for each individual.
The property will provide high specification
accommodation, and residents will benefit from personalised care
packages to meet their individual needs. Integrated air source heat
technology within each apartment will be utilised with individual
thermostats allowing each apartment to act as an independent
zone. Items such as electrical vehicle charging points for
each parking space are incorporated into the design as we endeavour
to future proof the project.
The property will provide 12 individual one-bedroom
flats that have been designed to be easy to navigate, avoiding all
institutional cues, whilst utilising interior design and colour to
promote mindfulness.
Further adaptations to the property, which reflect
resident care and support needs, include windows fitted with
restrictors and double or triple glazing determined by acoustic
performance requirements and the need for a low-sensory
environment, specialist bathrooms that allow for assisted bathing
if required, widened doors, and specialist warden, fire alarm and
CCTV systems.
The project recognises the significance of
integrating biodiversity considerations into the development
process and will be the Group's first project to target a 10%
biodiversity net gain. A Biodiversity Net Gain Report has been
commissioned to provide suggestions that will help to meet this
target. This will include an assessment of problematic species,
onsite enhancement outlines and a landscape masterplan.
Financial
Review
The financial performance of the Group has
been underpinned by the Group's long-term fixed priced debt. Strong
rental growth, and excess demand for Specialised Supported Housing,
have helped ensure that the Group's property portfolio has
increased in value over the course of the year.
With a 7.0% cap on annual rent increases
voluntarily applied to the Group's inflation-linked leases over the
year, mirroring the Government's cap on the social housing sector,
the Group achieved weighted average rental growth of 6.9% in the
period, reflecting the Group's provision of inflation-correlated,
long-term sustainable income. The Group paid dividends in line with
its stated 5.46 pence per share target and delivered a total return
of 9.3% to shareholders. Rent collection increased over the course
of the year and we expect this trend to continue as the work
undertaken during 2023 with Parasol (including putting in place a
creditor agreement) and My Space results in increased collection
from these two Registered Providers in 2024. This, in turn, should
ensure that the trend of increased dividend cover in the latter
half of 2023 continues into the new financial year.
Touching on some of the key
highlights:
The annualised rental income of the Group was
£41.0 million as at 31 December 2023 compared to £39.0 million as
at 31 December 2022. The Group is a UK REIT for tax purposes and is
exempt from corporation tax on its property rental
business.
A fair value gain of £15.5 million
was recognised during the year on the revaluation
of the Group's properties.
IFRS Earnings per share was 8.81
pence for the year, compared to 6.18 pence in
2022.
The EPRA EPS excludes the fair value gain on
investment property and is measured on the weighted average number
of shares in issue during the period. EPRA EPS was 4.92 pence for
the year compared to 4.78 pence in 2022.
The EPRA NTA per share as at 31 December 2023
was 113.76 pence per share, the same as the IFRS NAV per
share.
At the year end, the portfolio was
independently valued at £678.4 million on an IFRS basis compared to
£669.1 million in 2022, reflecting a valuation increase of 14.0%
against the portfolio's aggregate purchase price (including
acquisition costs). This reflects an EPRA net yield of 5.57%,
against the portfolio's blended net initial yield of 5.90% at the
point of acquisition.
The EPRA ongoing charges ratio is calculated
as a percentage of the average net asset value throughout the year.
The ongoing charges ratio for the year was 1.63% compared to 1.60%
in 2022.
The Group held cash and cash equivalents of
£29.5 million at 31 December 2023 compared to £30.1 million at 31
December 2022. £10.8 million of cash was available for further
investment as at 31 December 2023. Cash generated from operating
activities was £25.9 million for the year, compared to £25.7
million for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Debt
Financing
All of the Group's debt is fixed-price and
long-term with the earliest debt maturity occurring in mid-2028,
providing strong protection from higher interest rates.
As at 31 December 2023, the Group's debt
structure comprised two facilities with a combined value of £263.5
million. Both facilities are fixed-priced (with a weighted average
coupon of 2.74%), long-term (with a weighted average maturity of
9.6 years) and fully drawn. The Group continues to maintain
significant covenant headroom across both facilities while also
having additional liquidity in the form of cash and £75.1 million
of unencumbered properties.
In August 2021, the Group secured £195.0
million of long-term, fixed-rate, interest-only, sustainability-
linked loan notes through a private placement with Barings and
MetLife Investment Management clients against a defined portfolio
of the Group's properties at a loan-to-value of 50% at the point at
which the debt was put in place. The loan notes are divided into
two tranches of £77.5 million and £117.5 million, with maturities
in 2031 and 2036, respectively. Across both tranches the weighted
average coupon is 2.634%.
In addition, the Group has a long-term,
fixed-rate facility with MetLife Investment Management providing
£68.5 million of debt secured against a defined portfolio of the
Group's properties at a loan-to-value of 40% at the point at which
the debt was put in place. The facility comprises two tranches of
£41.5 million and £27.0 million, with maturities in 2028 and 2033,
respectively. Across both tranches the weighted average coupon is
3.039%.
In August 2023, the Group completed its annual
review with Fitch Ratings, and we were pleased that the Group's
existing rating of 'A-' with a Stable Outlook and senior secured
ratings of 'A' were re-affirmed by Fitch Ratings in respect of both
debt facilities. This reflects not only the Group's continued
financial resilience, but also the resilience of the wider sector
in spite of the broader economic and market conditions.
Further information on the Group's debt
facilities is set out in Note 20 of the Group financial
statements.
Update on
Strategic Initiatives
The Group's financial performance is supported
by the progressive and sector-leading approach we take to investing
in the Specialised Supported Housing market. As well as focusing on
delivering best in class new projects with leading Registered
Providers, as demonstrated by the Chorley project, this also means
ensuring that the Group's existing portfolio continues to progress
as the sector evolves.
New Lease
Clause Update
We are in the process of rolling out a new
risk sharing clause throughout the Group's portfolio of Registered
Provider leases. This will address some of the historical concerns
raised by the Regulator of Social Housing around the balance of
risk between landlords and tenants.
The inclusion of the lease clause in our
existing leases will enable the Boards of the Registered Providers
we work with to demonstrate an improved risk management strategy,
by clearly mitigating some of the historical risk associated with
long leases. Our proactive introduction of the lease clause
demonstrates our commitment to actively partnering with Registered
Providers around managing their risk.
As a reminder, the key terms of the new lease
clause are detailed below:
·
Triggering of the clause is subject to a materiality
threshold measured against the aggregate value of the rental income
generated from the portfolio of leases that the Group has with the
relevant Registered Provider
·
Subject to the above trigger threshold being met, the
Registered Provider can approach the Group in relation to amending
the lease rent to allow for the occurrence of either of the
circumstances below:
o A change in
central Government policy that negatively impacts the level of rent
that is applicable to Specialised Supported Housing or the exempt
rent status of Specialised Supported Housing; or
o A change in
local Government policy that impacts the commissioning of the
relevant property or properties
·
In addition, the new clause provides for an increase in the
annual rent payable to the Group amounting to the lower of UK CPI
(or RPI where applicable), or the maximum rent increase allowed
under prevailing policy to the extent that it applies to
Specialised Supported Housing rents.
The new clause is already included in 28.3% of
the Group's existing Registered Provider leases and we hope to have
it included in all of the Group's leases in the near future.
Details of the Group's Registered Providers and the percentage of
leases in which the new clause has now been included are shown in
the table in the Registered Provider Update in the Investment
Manager's report.
The clause has been shared with the Regulator
of Social Housing. It has also been reviewed by the Group's valuers
and the valuers of the Group's lenders both of whom have confirmed
that they do not expect the clause to have a detrimental impact on
the valuation of the Group's properties.
In addition to the new lease clause, it is
worth noting that this year, in response to the Government's cap of
7% on social housing rent increases, we rolled out a corresponding
temporary one-year cap into all of the Group's existing uncapped
Registered Provider leases. This successfully ensured that none of
our Registered Provider partners were in a position whereby they
were having to try to achieve rent increases of higher than 7% and
which would have been out of line with sector averages and
therefore potentially hard to achieve and challenging to justify.
As the government cap has now been removed and its policy has
reverted back to following CPI, there will be no temporary cap on
rent increases applied in 2024.
Eco-Retrofit
Pilot Project
As previously noted, by 2030 all socially
rented properties need to have an Energy Performance Certificate
("EPC") rating of C or above. Currently, 71.0% of the Group's
properties already meet the target with only 29.0% of the Group's
properties having an EPC rating lower than C which compares
favourably to the Social Housing sector average of 43.1%. We are
committed to protecting the value of the Group's properties,
reducing carbon emissions, and supporting our lessees and the
individuals living in the Group's properties.
In the Group's latest Interim Report, we
reported that we had just started work on the pilot phase of an
energy efficiency improvement initiative which involved undertaking
works on eleven of the Group's properties with EPC ratings ranging
from D to E in order to upgrade these to C or above. We are pleased
to report that the pilot project is now well underway and that all
works have so far been completed on time and within budget. Most
importantly, the pilot project has enabled us to see the positive
impact that these works are having on the lives of the residents in
the properties. It has also enabled us to learn about which
technologies work best, how to conduct the works efficiently and in
a way that minimises disruption to residents, and form strong
relationships with our contracting partners.
At the time of writing, four properties have
been upgraded from an EPC of D to either a B or a C. New
technologies such as solar PV, mechanical ventilation, heating
controls alongside improved insulation and draught proofing have
improved energy efficiency whilst reducing utility bills and
increasing thermal comfort for residents.
The principal objective of the pilot project
is to enable us to learn from these first eleven properties and
thereby inform and finalise our plans for the roll-out of the wider
Eco-Retrofit project, which will see all of the Group's properties
compliant with the required EPC standards. With the pilot project
due to be completed before the end of 2024, we expect to be in a
position to provide an update on the cost and timings of the wider
project when we report our 2024 interim results.
Portfolio
Sale
Alongside these strategic initiatives focused
on preserving the long-term value of the Group's portfolio, in
August 2023 we completed the sale of a portfolio of the Group's
properties. The rationale behind the sale was to provide a data
point that was supportive of the properties' book value and
therefore the Group's Net Asset Value, whilst also demonstrating
ongoing liquidity in the Specialised Supported Housing
market.
In the Group's latest Interim Report, we noted
that we had sold a portfolio of four properties post the interim
period end, for £7.6 million, which was in line with the book value
of the properties of £7.9 million as at 30 June 2023. The sale
price was reflective of a £0.7 million gain against the aggregate
purchase price the Group paid for the properties (excluding
transaction costs). The properties were located across four Local
Authorities, and leased to Inclusion Housing CIC and Chrysalis
Supported Association Ltd, with care provided by four separate
providers. The portfolio contained a mixture of adapted and new
build properties as well as individual and shared homes. Included
below is a table which compares some of the key metrics of the
portfolio of properties sold to those of the Group's wider
portfolio:
|
Sale
Portfolio
|
Group
Portfolio
|
Properties
|
4
|
497
|
Residents
|
38
|
3,455
|
Average residents per
property
|
9.5
|
7.0
|
Fair Market
Value
|
£7.9
million
|
£675.1
million
|
Blended valuation
yield
|
5.75%
|
5.69%
|
WAULT
|
19.3
years
|
24.8
years
|
The successful portfolio sale was helpful in
supporting the Group's Net Asset Value and evidencing the continued
investor demand for Specialised Supported Housing
properties.
Asset
Management
Effective monitoring of the granular
performance of the Group's portfolio is at the core of what we do
and our asset management team aims to visit 200 of the Group's
properties each year. Since the publication of our Interim Report
in September 2023, we have made three new hires into the asset
management side of the Housing Team. These hires have focused on
adding additional experience and resources to our data management,
property inspection and operational support functions. All three
have previously worked for Registered Providers and/or Local
Authorities. This is in line with our philosophy of having a
diversified Housing Team where people with direct experience of
delivering social housing work alongside and complement the
experience of individuals from fund management, legal and finance
backgrounds. This allows us to deliver good homes to our residents
and optimise operational performance of the Group's portfolio to
ensure sustainable long-term returns for the Group's
shareholders.
Registered
Provider Update
As described in the market section of this
report, most of the Group's Registered Providers have weathered
well the challenges posed by the high interest rates and inflation.
As such, there have been no material rent arrears in the period in
the Group's portfolio other than those that relate to My Space and
Parasol, as previously reported, and we are working to increase
rental income from the properties currently let to both My Space
and Parasol.
Please see below a table that provides
commentary on the performance of the Group's top 10
lessees.
Top 10 Lessees
|
% of SOHO total
rent
|
# of SOHO
properties
|
Date of start of SOHO
relationship
|
New lease clause
status
|
Lessee
Type
|
Year
Founded
|
# of total units under
management
|
Regulatory
Status*
|
Comments
|
Inclusion Housing
|
28.90%
|
124
|
August 2017
|
Implemented Q4 2023
|
Registered Provider
|
2007
|
4,341
|
G3 / V3 (February 2019)
|
Leading RP in the Specialised
Supported Housing sector. Led development of risk sharing clause.
Financial position has materially strengthened since Regulatory
Judgement in 2019.
|
Parasol Homes
|
9.70%
|
38
|
December 2018
|
New risk clause has been
shared.
|
Registered Provider
|
2006
|
975
|
Non-compliant Notice (December
2021)
|
New Chair and senior management
team. One of two RPs with material arrears. The Group is working
towards agreeing an equitable long-term agreement, if not achieved
leases will be moved away to an alternative RP.
|
Falcon
|
8.50%
|
62
|
September 2017
|
Substantially agreed, expected to
be signed in Q1 2024
|
Registered Provider
|
2008
|
960
|
Non-compliant Notice (November
2021)
|
Continual progress made following
non-compliant regulatory notice in 2021. Board has been
strengthened. Recent improvements in operational performance
following maintenance being taken in-house.
|
Hilldale
|
8.50%
|
30
|
November 2017
|
Substantially agreed, expected to
be signed in Q1 2024
|
Registered Provider
|
2009
|
1,086
|
Non-compliant Notice (March
2021)
|
Continual progress made following
non-compliant regulatory notice in 2021 including strengthened
Board and senior management team. Led development of risk sharing
clause.
|
My Space
|
8.10%
|
34
|
October 2017
|
Risk clause will be shared as part
of creditors agreement.
|
Registered Provider
|
2012
|
1,812
|
G4 / V4 (December 2022)
Enforcement Notice (January 2023)
|
Following January 2023 enforcement
notice, new senior management team in place who have already
delivered material operational improvements. One of two RPs with
material arrears. Rent payments have increased and creditors
agreement is expected to be agreed in the first half of
2024.
|
Chrysalis
|
5.40%
|
27
|
November 2017
|
Substantially agreed, expected to
be signed in Q1 2024
|
Registered Provider
|
2004
|
335
|
No judgement or notice
received
|
Relatively small RP. Highly
responsive management team and Board. Consistent operational
performance.
|
BeST
|
5.20%
|
41
|
October 2017
|
Substantially agreed, expected to
be signed in Q1 2024
|
Registered Provider
|
2010
|
1,720
|
Non-compliant Notice (May
2019)
|
New CEO in position since the
start of 2024. Decision taken to pursue a merger with Westmoreland
which, if successful, will complete in early 2025 and will create a
stronger combined entity.
|
Auckland
|
4.70%
|
30
|
October 2017
|
Discussions ongoing, expected to
be signed in Q1 2024
|
Registered Provider
|
2010
|
951
|
Non-compliant Notice (August
2021)
Enforcement Notice (April 2023)
|
New management team and additional
Board members in place following April 2023 enforcement notice.
Improved performance and engagement has followed.
|
Blue Square
|
3.90%
|
12
|
May 2020
|
Discussions ongoing, expected to
be signed in Q1 2024
|
Registered Provider
|
2012
|
540
|
No judgement or notice
received
|
Relatively small RP. Consistent
management team and Board, consistent operational
performance.
|
Care Housing
Association
|
3.60%
|
11
|
April 2018
|
Substantially agreed, expected to
be signed in Q1 2024
|
Registered Provider
|
2003
|
437
|
No judgement or notice
received
|
Relatively small RP with tight
regional focus. Consistent management team and Board, consistent
operational performance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*The Specialised Supported Housing
sector is regulated by the Regulator who carries out assessments on
registered providers either through a scheduled In-depth assessment
("IDA") or reactive engagement. When a registered provider passes
the 1,000-unit threshold, it automatically becomes subject to a
detailed IDA by the Regulator. The IDA assesses compliance with the
requirements of the Governance and Financial Viability Standard.
The outcome of an IDA results in the Regulator publishing a formal
grading (V 1-4 for Viability and G 1-4 for Governance, where V1-2
and G1-2 are considered "compliant" ratings, and V3-4 and G3-4 are
considered "non-compliant" ratings), known as a regulatory
judgement.
As noted in the Group's update published on
the 13 November 2023, we are working towards finalising a
creditor's agreement with My Space which we expect to be put in
place during the first half of 2024. Simultaneously we are working
with My Space to move a small number of properties to alternative
Registered Providers.
Our decision to keep leases with My Space
reflects a significant strengthening of the Registered Provider's
senior management team and Board. In particular, the new CEO, who
joined My Space in September 2023, has driven material operational
change, improved dialogue and engagement with the Regulator of
Social Housing and increased rent payments to Landlords. We are
supportive of his plans for the organisation and are of the view
that the Group's rental income generated from the properties leased
to My Space can best be improved and sustained over the long-term
if the majority of the Group's leases remain with My Space. We are
nonetheless considering moving a small number of the Group's
properties currently leased to My Space to alternative Registered
Providers. Principally, this relates to the selected alternative
Registered Provider's superior geographical coverage in the area
relevant to the properties and their ability to deliver better
housing management services, as well as to constructively engage
with the relevant Local Authority commissioners.
As noted in the interim report, in August 2023
we put in place a creditors agreement with Parasol which was
effective from 1 July 2023 and was reflective of the level of rent
being received by Parasol at the time. Parasol have consistently
met the terms of the agreement and we have extended it for a
further six months whilst we finalise a longer-term agreement with
Parasol that should see rent paid to the Group by Parasol increase
over time. In the event that we are not able to reach an equitable
long-term agreement with Parasol we have identified and agreed
terms with an alternative Registered Provider who we would look to
move the Group's Parasol leased properties to. Any transfer of
properties would be undertaken with the interests of the residents
at the forefront of the transfer process.
The Regulator of Social Housing remains active
in this sector and continues to engage closely with a number of the
Group's Registered Provider partners. We view this positively as it
promotes greater accountability and transparency, and higher
financial and governance standards. In the Group's latest Interim
Report, we noted that in the first six months of the year ended 31
December 2023, the Regulator of Social Housing issued Enforcement
Notices in relation to My Space and Auckland Home Solutions,
accounting for 7.7% and 4.7% of the Group's rent roll,
respectively. We are pleased to note that since then no further
notices or judgements have been issued by the Regulator of Social
Housing in relation to any of the Group's lessees. For the Group's
Registered Providers about whom the Regulator of Social Housing had
previously issued judgements or notices, this is testament to their
willingness to engage constructively with the Regulator of Social
Housing to address their historical observations, and the progress
made in this regard.
Property
Portfolio
As at 31 December 2023, the portfolio
comprised 493 properties with 3,417 units and represented a broad
geographic diversification across the UK. The four largest
concentrated areas by market value were the North West (19.1%),
West Midlands (17.1%), Yorkshire (15.1%) and East Midlands (11.1%).
The IFRS value of the portfolio at 31 December 2023 was £678.4
million compared to £669.1 million at 31 December 2022, growth of
1.4% during the period.
Rental
Income
In total, the Group had 390 leases which
generated total annualised contracted rental income of £41.0
million as at 31 December 2023. During the year IFRS Revenue was
£39.8 million compared to £37.3 million in 2022.
At the year end, the Group's three largest
Approved Providers by annualised contracted rental income and units
were Inclusion Housing (£11.8 million and 911 units), Parasol Homes
(£4.0 million and 246 units) and Hilldale (£3.5 million and 317
units).
As at 31 December 2023, the portfolio had a
WAULT of 24.3 years. The WAULT includes the initial lease term upon
completion as well as any reversionary leases and put/call options
available to the Group at expiry of the initial term.
100% of the Group's contracted income is
generated under leases which are indexed against either CPI (92.5%)
or RPI (7.5%). For 2023 all Registered Provider leases temporarily
had rent increases capped at 7.0%. The new lease clause that is
being introduced into all existing Registered Provider leases
provides for an increase in the annual rent payable to the Group
amounting to the lower of CPI (or RPI where applicable), or the
maximum rent increase allowed under prevailing policy to the extent
that it applies to Specialised Supported Housing rents. A full
update on the roll out of the new lease clause is included in the
New Lease Clause Update section above.
Some leases have an index 'premium' under
which the standard rental increase is based upon CPI or RPI plus a
further percentage point, reflecting top-ups by local authorities.
These account for 7.5% of the Group's leases. A small portion of
the Group's leases (4.9% of rental income) contain a cap and collar
on rental increases. For the purposes of the portfolio valuation,
JLL assumed CPI and RPI to increase at 2.0% per annum and 2.5% per
annum, respectively, over the term of the relevant leases. Despite
the high levels of inflation that are currently being experienced
and are projected in the short term in the UK, JLL's inflation
assumptions remain unchanged from previous periods given the
Group's long-term outlook, with a WAULT and contracted income
streams of 24.3 years.
Rent collection during the year was 90.2% (31
December 2022: 91.8%) and a full update on rent arrears is included
in the Registered Provider Update section above.
Outlook
Looking forward to a year in which there will
likely be a General Election, we are reassured that our business
model is unlikely to be impacted by the result. Specialised
Supported Housing continues to enjoy cross-party support due to its
ability to provide independent homes to individuals with care needs
whilst ensuring they can remain within their local community
receiving the care and support on which they rely. Whatever form
the next Government takes, we expect them to preserve the level of
benefits available to some of the most vulnerable members of
society. Similarly, due to a cross-party focus on fiscal
responsibility, we expect any new Government to continue to rely on
private funding to help build the new homes required to make
meaningful inroads into the UK's housing crisis. All of this
reaffirms the strong fundamentals on which the Group's strategy is
predicated.
This favourable outlook, combined with the
Group's strong protection from higher interest rates (due to its
attractively priced long-term debt) and inflation (through its
inflation-linked leases) allows us as the Investment Manager to
focus on the things we can control, namely preserving the long-term
performance of the Group's portfolio through active asset
management.
We remain focused on delivering key strategic
initiatives such as the Eco-Retrofit programme and the roll-out of
the risk sharing clause, whilst simultaneously continuing to
monitor and react to the granular performance of the Group's
property portfolio. A major focus will be on ensuring that the time
spent in 2023 working on long-term plans in relation to the Group's
properties leased to My Space and Parasol deliver a material
increase in rent collection during 2024.
The dividend is now covered on a run rate
basis and we expect this approach to be supportive of increased
dividend cover over the next 12 months as rent receipts increase.
Over the longer-term, the Group's compelling capital structure,
combined with the strong rental growth of the last 24 months, which
is expected to continue this year, is supportive of a progressive
dividend policy and a covered dividend. As Investment Manager, we
are focused on ensuring that we move to a period of long-term
dividend cover over the next 12 months.
Finally, we aim to continue to deliver good
homes to people with care and support needs throughout the UK. Our
ability to deploy capital into additional homes is currently
limited but we remain focused on ensuring that our existing
portfolio best meets the needs of the individuals we provide homes
to. In this regard, there is no substitute for the active approach
we take to asset and property management, and the
relationship-driven partnership approach we employ with the
Registered Providers and Care Providers responsible for servicing
the needs of our residents.
From the provision of good homes comes
resilient long-term investor returns, so we expect that by
maintaining our focus on these areas we can ensure the continued
resilience of the Group's portfolio and deliver value to the
Group's shareholders.
Max
Shenkman
Head of Investment
7 March
2024
Notes:
1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/people-at-the-heart-of-care-adult-social-care-reform-white-paper/people-at-the-heart-of-care-adult-social-care-reform
2 A Section 114 notice indicates
that the relevant council's forecast income is insufficient to meet
its forecast expenditure for the next year. No new
expenditure is permitted, with the exception of the funding of
statutory services, including safeguarding vulnerable people.
Existing commitments and contracts will continue to be
honoured.
3 Spending on affordable housing in
England to be slashed in 2024; FT.com; https://www.ft.com/content/11e09c45-dec4-485e-9576-221859509e30
PORTFOLIO
SUMMARY
Region
|
Properties
|
% of funds
invested*
|
North
West
|
97
|
19.1
|
West
Midlands
|
82
|
16.3
|
Yorkshire
|
66
|
15.2
|
East
Midlands
|
55
|
11.1
|
North
East
|
51
|
9.9
|
South
East
|
61
|
9.3
|
London
|
27
|
8.6
|
South
West
|
29
|
4.8
|
East
|
21
|
4.2
|
Scotland
|
2
|
1
|
Wales
|
2
|
0.5
|
Total
|
493
|
100
|
*calculated excluding acquisition
costs
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
We aim to be one of the leading investors in
UK Specialised Supported Housing and this is reflected in our
constantly evolving and committed approach to embedding social
outcomes through the homes we create, alongside an understanding of
the need to ensure wider environmental, social and governance (ESG)
factors in decisions taken by the Group and our
counterparties.
Our business model seeks to ensure
that our properties are suitable to meet residents' needs and
assist local authorities in responding to local demand for the
benefit of the wider community. Social impact is therefore at the
heart of what we do, and we focus on investing where there is clear
long-term social need. How we do this is summarised below and set
out in further detail in the independent Impact Report available
separately on the website1. We maintain a robust
corporate governance framework, and this is described in further
detail within our Governance Report in the Annual Report. We also
recognise the importance of a wide range of other social factors
alongside environmental considerations and in particular
environmental efficiency, which is becoming increasingly integral
to our investment strategy.
The Group's sustainability
The Group continues to provide
homes to individuals who need housing and support. These are some
of the most vulnerable members of society, with a range of learning
disabilities, physical disabilities, and mental health diagnoses.
Conversations with housing providers, care providers and local
authority commissioners confirm that there is a high level of
underlying demand for Specialised Supported Housing. We also have a
responsibility to consider the wider risk, opportunities and
impacts of sustainability issues if the Group is to succeed in
providing high quality social housing for vulnerable people over
the long term.
We understand the importance of
transparent reporting as a requisite to accountability for strong
sustainability performance. We have identified key environmental,
social and governance data points that play a role in influencing
the strategy's sustainable future. These data points incorporate
areas where the Group has the ability to drive positive change
across its portfolio and the wider sector.
To demonstrate our commitment to
sustainability progress, the Group has opted to track and report on
the ESG data points noted in table 1 below. In addition to
reporting data for FY 2023, where relevant, we have included data
from 2022 to demonstrate year-on-year change. For the first time,
targets have now been set on the carbon emissions of properties.
Prior to this, data was being tracked with explicit action only
relating to the EPC profile of the portfolio.
Sustainability Table 1.
Portfolio sustainability performance for the reporting year ended
31 December 2023
Metric
|
FY23
|
FY22 (if applicable)
|
|
Portfolio EPC ratings
|
A-C:
71.04%2
A:
0.41%
B:
30.80%
C:
39.83%
D:
21.99%
E:
6.81%
F:
0.12%
|
A-C:
70.87%2
A:
0.40%
B:
31.15%
C
39.31%
D:
22.02%
E:
6.95%
F:
0.12%
|
|
Scope 3 property emissions
(Tonnes)3
|
4,763
tonnes (Location-based emissions)
3,464 tonnes (Market-based
emissions)
|
3,610
tonnes (estimated)
|
|
Property emissions
intensity4
|
30.9 tCO2e
/m2 (location-based)
22.4 tCO2e /m2
(market-based)
|
1.4 tonnes
per property (estimated)
|
|
Metric
|
FY23
|
FY22 (if applicable)
|
|
Number of properties and
location5
|
|
|
|
East
|
21
|
128
|
East
Midlands
|
55
|
412
|
London
|
27
|
191
|
North East
|
51
|
400
|
North West
|
97
|
705
|
Scotland
|
2
|
29
|
South East
|
61
|
272
|
South West
|
29
|
167
|
Wales
|
2
|
20
|
West
Midlands
|
82
|
545
|
Yorkshire
|
66
|
548
|
|
493
|
3417
|
|
|
|
|
East
|
20
|
125
|
East
Midlands
|
58
|
442
|
London
|
27
|
192
|
North East
|
50
|
377
|
North West
|
99
|
732
|
Scotland
|
2
|
29
|
South East
|
62
|
276
|
South West
|
29
|
167
|
Wales
|
2
|
20
|
West
Midlands
|
84
|
554
|
Yorkshire
|
64
|
542
|
|
497
|
3456
|
|
|
Percentage of residents satisfied with the
quality of their home6
|
91%
|
91%
|
|
Metric
|
FY23
|
FY22 (if applicable)
|
|
Quality rating of care providers (Care Quality
Commission) % at outstanding / good
|
83%
|
85%
|
|
Investment Trust Governance
|
Average age: 67
Gender split ratio:
Please see the Governance
report in the Annual Report for gender
disclosure.
Ethnicity split: list of
%'s: Please
see the Governance report in the Annual Report for ethnicity
disclosure.
Non-executives vs. directors
ratio: 100%
Non-executive Directors
Experience: Please seethe Governance report in the
Annual Report for board members' biographies.
|
|
Board engagement with
ESG
ESG
Training
|
The Board receives specific
sustainability training from the Investment Manager's Head of
Sustainability at a minimum of every 2 years. The Board last
undertook training in 2022, with a further session due to take
place in 2024. In addition, the Board has established a
Sustainability & Impact Committee during the period, which is
kept informed by the Investment Manager's Sustainability team of
regulatory changes which do or are likely to impact the Company's
ESG strategy.
|
|
Environment
|
The Sustainability & Impact
Committee considered, and recommended to the Board for approval,
the commencement of an Eco-Retrofit Pilot Project. Specifically,
this is a sector-first programme to fund the upgrade of 11
properties within the Group's portfolio to a minimum EPC of
"C".
In addition, the Sustainability
& Impact Committee considered, and recommended to the Board for
approval, the proposal to commit the Company to reduce portfolio
emissions by 75% per m2 by 2035 from a baseline year of
2021.
The Board subsequently approved both
recommendations. Further information can be found in the
Sustainability & Impact Committee report in the Annual
Report.
|
Social
|
In order to address Regulator
concerns regarding risks that long leases can pose to Registered
Providers (such as risk of changes to Government policy impacting
the amount of housing benefit available to individuals living in
Specialised Supported Housing and therefore Registered Providers'
ability to pay lease rent), the Board considered and approved the
roll out of a new risk sharing clause throughout the Group's
portfolio of Registered Provider leases. This clause will enable
the Boards of Registered Providers to demonstrate an improved risk
management strategy, by mitigating some of the historical risk
associated with long leases. Further information can be found in
the Investment Manager's report.
|
Governance
|
During the period, the Board decided
to change the membership and structure of the Board's Committees,
as announced on 24 May 2023. The key changes included implementing
smaller Committees, to ensure better management of the Board's
duties, as well as the establishment of a Sustainability &
Impact Committee, to ensure there is appropriate oversight and
focus on the Group's ESG strategy.
|
Sustainability approaches: Impact and
ESG integration
The Group's approach to sustainability is to
create social impact by delivering homes for vulnerable individuals
supported through the additional management of wider risks and
opportunities which may impact the quality of those homes or the
long-term value of the assets through the integration of ESG
factors in the investment decision making process.
Impact
creation: The Government estimates that
demand for Specialised Supported Housing is set to increase by
125,000 by 20307. A growing prevalence of disability,
combined with the requirement to move people out of institutional
care settings and provide independent community homes, is driving
this increase in demand. Through the Group's investments and
partnerships with Registered Providers, our social impact goal is
to increase the provision of Specialised Supported Housing that
delivers positive outcomes for people with care and support needs.
Under this overall impact goal, the Group has established the
following set of impact objectives and identified the target
outcomes to which the Fund aims to contribute:
Impact objectives
The areas under the Group's direct control or
influence:
|
Contribute towards
|
Target outcomes8
The outcomes for people and planet; these depend on many
factors, one of which may be the Group's
activities
|
Social Need;
|
Improve wellbeing
|
Fund sustainable developments;
|
Value for money
|
Increase supply;
Quality services and partnerships
|
|
|
The Good Economy conduct an independent
assessment of the impact objectives and target outcomes. Full
details regarding the impact results can be found at The Good
Economy's website9.
ESG
integration: In conjunction with the Board's
endorsement, and in line with the Principles of Responsible
Investment (PRI), the Investment Manager has an ESG integration
policy in place, directly relating to the Group's investments with
the aim of ensuring value for investors, coupled with respecting
society and the environment. Within this integration policy, the
Investment Manager has set out principles which it incorporates
throughout its business, for example, to consider the impact of
operations on local communities and to uphold high standards of
business integrity and honesty.
An overview of how ESG is integrated throughout
the investment process is outlined in table 2, whilst further
details of this process, including examples, can be found within
the ESG integration policy (available on the Group's
website10).
Sustainability Table 2. The
Group integrates ESG throughout all stages of the investment
process.
Investment stage
|
Sustainability activities
|
Origination
and initial due diligence
|
Key ESG and impact factors are summarised within the
team's internal pipeline tracker. An opportunity will only progress
to incurring costs once the senior investment team members believe
that ESG conditions are being met or managed and the opportunity
does not present a material ESG risk.
|
Cost
incurring due diligence
|
Key ESG considerations are assessed on a
deal-by-deal basis within the ESG due diligence questionnaire. A
new due diligence tracker is completed for new transactions and the
tracker also assesses transactions against six impact
objectives.
The ESG due diligence questionnaire is designed to
capture all the ESG metrics collated throughout the origination and
due diligence phase and ensures compliance with minimum standards
set for properties entering the portfolio.
|
Property
Investment Committee
|
ESG factors are presented and considered by members
of the investment committee within a paper which is accompanied by
the due diligence tracker for all supporting ESG data.
The meeting minutes will record any ESG issues
raised, with confirmation that ESG factors have been considered,
and the committee believes that once any ESG conditions are met,
the deal does not present a material ESG risk. The final due
diligence tracker will record any investment committee comments or
actions on ESG.
|
Ownership and
asset management
|
On-going conversations with partners to discuss and
gather insight and share good practice as well as identifying any
early future challenges. Property performance is monitored to
ensure that social needs continue to be met.
The governance of existing counterparties is
monitored through regular meetings and inspections.
We consider how to optimise ESG performance
across the portfolio - for example, upgrading the EPC ratings of
existing properties through retrofit activities.
We engage in sector-wide discussions about ESG
performance and best practices.
|
Exit
|
If properties are sold, we will disclose ESG
improvements during the period of ownership and share information
regarding our responsible investment approach.
|
When considering ESG within the investment
process, a materiality approach is taken to ensure focus is given
to those issues most likely to negatively impact or positively
strengthen the homes we are investing in. These factors are under
continual review as we recognise the non-static nature of ESG. Our
approach is to track and improve behaviours across this range of
factors using our ESG due diligence questionnaire and ESG
metrics.
In 2023, we developed an updated ESG due
diligence questionnaire which includes certain minimum standards
for a project to be accepted. This refined due diligence process
represents our commitment to improve the standards of all
developments entering the portfolio. Further details on our new
build sustainability expectations can be found below. The new due
diligence requirements supplement existing minimum standards in
place for retrofit projects.
The details below summarise the specific areas
of ESG interrogation.
Environment
When acquiring assets, we look closely at
their environmental impact, and encourage a sustainable approach
for new development. We also look to ensure the environmental
impact is considered in relation to the maintenance and upgrading
of existing properties; the retrofit project is designed to enhance
the properties in the existing portfolio.
We require every property we acquire to have a
minimum energy performance rating of at least a 'C' on an EPC for
renovated properties and at least a 'B' on an EPC for new-build
properties, notwithstanding the legal requirement for any privately
rented properties to have a minimum energy performance rating of E
on an EPC. Furthermore, due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding The
Environment Act's Biodiversity Net Gain rules for infrastructure
projects, the Group has proactively embraced the requirement ahead
of its legislative implementation. The Group encourages all newly
constructed developments to achieve a minimum Biodiversity Net Gain
of 10%, emphasising a preference for on-site gains. This evaluation
takes place during the due diligence stage, and assistance is
offered, as needed, to ensure the target for biodiversity net gain
is met.
Through our rigorous and evolving due
diligence process, the high standards we expect from developers and
significant investment in the Specialised Supported Housing sector,
we have been able to provide capital and expertise that has enabled
our counterparties to progress alongside us. We focus on offering
residents resource-efficient and adapted living areas which help
ensure our investments are fit-for-purpose and sustain their value
over the long-term. As a landlord, we consider the opportunities we
have to help reduce running costs for our lessees and occupiers and
increase resident well-being.
The Group's Commitment to Net Zero
The Group is committed to reducing
carbon emissions across its property portfolio. Our climate change
strategy is informed by scientific perspective, long-term
protection of assets and regulatory requirements. We seek to
contribute towards the transition to a low-carbon economy. In
January 2024, the Board adopted the following near-term science
aligned11 net zero pathway for the Company:
The Group commits to reduce its social housing portfolio
emissions by 75% per m2 by 2035 from a baseline year of
2021.
The establishment of this target
represents a significant milestone for the fund, demonstrating
commitment to upholding our fiduciary duty through the long-term
protection of assets and value creation. Our strategy places
paramount importance on collaboration with all stakeholders,
actively fostering engagement with Registered Providers, Care
Providers, and Tenants. This collaborative approach is integral to
ensuring concerted action and favourable outcomes for all involved
parties.
Each year we will report emissions
across the portfolio, in addition to reporting progress with
regards to the carbon intensity of the portfolio per m2 and
progress against this target.
This near-term target has been
recently set, and the Board will hold the Investment Manager
accountable for its implementation. Progress updates will be
communicated through the Sustainability Committee. An external data
provider is being utilised to enhance the quality of the energy and
carbon data. The Investment Manager engages external carbon
specialists to support their annual carbon footprint process and
The Group's footprint will be incorporated within this. The goal
itself was set as a result of a year-long project with The Carbon
Trust to ensure it is science aligned. Further audit plans have not
yet been opined on.
Further details on climate action are provided
in the Company's TCFD disclosure. While not in scope of this
requirement yet, the Company continues to produce a TCFD report
ahead of FCA expectations to demonstrate its support for the
disclosures.
The Fund seeks to demonstrate best
practice in transparency and has included its second disclosure
within this report. Further details are found in the Climate Risk
analysis section, and the full report is set out in the Annual
Report.
Retrofit
pilot project
The Property Asset Management team of the
Investment Manager has devised an extensive retrofit pilot
programme aimed at enhancing the energy efficiency of properties.
The primary objectives include aligning with EPC regulation
changes, reducing tenant costs, and minimising portfolio-wide
emissions. Commencing in 2023, the retrofit pilot has successfully
implemented upgrades in four out of the eleven designated
properties. The current retrofit actions have focused on improving
insulation (a fabric first approach) in addition to the
installation of solar PV systems.
The pilot phase is strategically designed to
gain a deeper understanding of the practicalities associated with
retrofitting Specialised Supported Housing. The execution of these
works requires careful and considerate planning, especially with
regard to the impact on residents whilst works are carried out, and
the ease of functionality for all technology that is used,
including heating controls and ventilation systems.
The pilot phase targets completion by end of
FY24.
Enhanced
Sustainability Due Diligence for New Builds
In 2023, the Group introduced an extensive
sustainability due diligence process for all newly constructed
properties, leveraging internationally recognised frameworks to
underpin its development initiatives12. The
implementation of these expectations demonstrates our commitment to
upholding elevated environmental and social standards for all new
properties entering the portfolio.
The new framework places particular emphasis
on key areas of development, including location and transport,
construction practices, environment, workforce well-being, supply
chain integrity, and governance. With the rollout of the enhanced
due diligence process, we have actively collaborated with
prospective developers, providing support to refine their plans and
surpass the established standards.
For further details, refer to the Chorley case
study in the Investment Manager's report.
Social and
Social Impact
Our properties aim to provide multiple
benefits to local communities. We want to provide residents with
safe and secure accommodation, which meet their individual care
needs. We work with Approved Provider lessees to enable them to
grow the portfolio of properties they are responsible for managing,
allowing them to expand the number of individuals they support
whilst providing employment for local carers, housing managers and
builders. While development and refurbishment can cause some minor
short-term disruption to an area, these activities help create
employment and, at the same time, help alleviate the UK's housing
crisis.
The Company is committed to elevating resident
satisfaction and well-being across our properties where feasible
and practical. On behalf of the Company, the Investment Manager
seeks out initiatives aimed at enhancing outcomes for residents, as
exemplified in the Hazelbank Garden case study provided in the
Sustainability Report within the Annual Report. Although
replicating the investment seen at Hazelbank will be uncommon and
is not achievable for every property, there was a favourable
opportunity to enhance the garden space and enrich the overall
resident experience which was identified and executed. We continue
to seek such opportunities and investment will be reviewed on a
case-by-case basis.
Recognising the pivotal link between the built
environment and resident well-being, any further such investment
will prioritise the creation of living spaces that positively
impact physical and mental health.
Governance
The Group looks to encourage best practice
governance among all counterparties in order to minimise
operational risks and encourage them to continually assess how they
can contribute more to employees, residents, wider society, and the
environment, through compliance with legislation and regulations,
and the adoption and implementation of issue-specific policies.
Details on the Group's corporate governance practices are set out
in the Annual Report.
Climate risk
analysis
Climate-related risks and appropriate mitigation
is a growing area of focus for the Group. The team is seeking to
roll out comprehensive climate analysis initiatives to support risk
mitigation and forward planning. This will encompass both existing
portfolio properties as well as becoming incorporated into the
selection process for new properties.
The Group considers the climate change strategy
of its portfolio including a review of its climate risks and
opportunities. The fund reports disclosures in line with the
recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial
Disclosures (TCFD). These are designed to provide a framework to
take account of climate-related risks and opportunities and ensure
that corporate reporting is consistent and comparable.
The Group is pleased to report its progress to
date in line with the eleven disclosures set out in the TCFD
recommendations.
Please refer to the Annual Report for the
Group's full TCFD disclosure.
Wider
Governance and sustainable business behaviours of the Group and
Investment Manager
B
Corporation13
As a B Corporation, the Investment Manager is
committed to meeting high standards of verified performance,
accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits
and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input
materials. The Investment Manager published their first
sustainability report in 202314, fulfilling the B Corp
reporting requirements.
Business
Relationships
The Group has a set of corporate providers
that ensure the smooth running of the Group's activities. The
Group's key service providers are listed in the Annual Report, and
the Management Engagement Committee annually reviews the
effectiveness and performance of these service providers, taking
into account any feedback received. The Group also benefits from
the commitment and flexibility of its corporate lenders for its
debt facilities. Each of these relationships is important to the
long-term success of the business. The Group and the Investment
Manager maintain high standards of business conduct by acting in a
collaborative and responsible manner with all its business partners
that protects the reputation of the Group as a whole.
Employees
The Group has no employees and accordingly no
requirement to separately report on this area.
The Investment Manager is an equal
opportunities employer who respects and seeks to empower each
individual and the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and
experiences within its workforce. The Investment Manager places
great importance on company culture and the wellbeing of its
employees and considers various initiatives and events to ensure a
positive working environment.
Health and
Safety
The Group is committed to fostering the
highest standards in health and safety. Day-to-day responsibility
for health and safety in our properties is shared by the Approved
Providers and care providers who manage the housing and provide
care. Our Investment Manager requests confirmation from Approved
Providers that all properties remain compliant and visits
properties, following an agreed visiting schedule, to verify this.
Every quarter the Board is provided with updates on the health and
safety of our residents.
Diversity
We are an externally managed business and do
not have any employees or office space. As such the Group does not
operate a diversity policy with regards to any administrative,
management and supervisory functions. A description of the Board's
policy on diversity can be found in the Annual Report.
Human
Rights
The Group is within the scope of the Modern
Slavery Act 2015 and is therefore obliged to make a slavery and
human trafficking statement. The Modern Slavery Act statement can
be found on the Group's website15.
The Board are satisfied that, to the best of
their knowledge, the Company's principal advisers, which are listed
in the Shareholder Information section in the Annual Report comply
with the provisions of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.
The Investment Manager takes the risk of
Modern Slavery extremely seriously. The Investment Manager's
responsibilities as both an employer and investor are laid out in
the public Modern Slavery Act Statement.
Notes:
1https://www.triplepointreit.com//sustainability-and-impact/150/
2 During FY23, 42 individual units
with EPC ratings left the portfolio (due to the sale of four
properties), the majority of which were rated either EPC B or C,
while 5 were rated D and E. In the same period, nine properties
received improved EPC ratings, moving from either E to C, D to B, D
or C, while other EPCs were re-affirmed. Overall, there has been a
very minor increase in the portfolio wide EPC A-C rating (70.87% to
71.04%).
3 The emission data is calculated
using property gas and electricity consumption only, and therefore
is not a complete Scope 3 figure. Property
carbon emissions for 2023 use actual electricity and gas
consumption for the portfolio. The 2023 annual report is the first
reporting period using actual consumption data, compared to
previous years estimates from the ECP register. It is the change in
methodology that has led to the increase in reported emissions, and
we commit to use a comparable methodology for emissions reporting
moving forward. The 2023 emissions data incorporates over 90% of
the Group's electricity and gas meters, with work ongoing to match
the remaining portfolio meters. Consumption is calculated using the
latest meter reads collected by smart meters or provided by
tenants, to create annual consumption values for electricity, and
annual quantities for gas. This is the same data used for billing.
The aggregate consumption values used in the calculation are the
sum of all the annual values per meter. These values are submitted
by the suppliers to Electralink and the Data Transfer Network for
market settlement purposes. The location-based emissions use the
standard 2023 DEFRA GHG emission factor for Co2e per KhW for all
properties, while the market-based emission figure is calculated by
multiplying the fuel mix disclosed by the individual supplier (for
electricity only) with the consumption value, to calculate the
overall footprint. The Group commits to continue to report actual
property emission data using both methods and to improve the
quality of data.
4 The
Group have opted to report GHG emission intensity per square metre
in 2023, rather than per property as used in the 2022 report. The
Group's net zero target is set on an emission per square metre
basis and the Group has committed to reporting this data on an
annual basis to demonstrate progress towards the near-term target.
Additional details of the near-term net zero target can be found
within the Sustainability Report in the Annual Report. Our
near-term net zero target was set using estimations, and therefore,
following SBTi guidance, we have included the location-based
emissions. We will continue to track market-based emissions and the
individual suppliers and tariffs.
5 The variations
between FY22-FY23 are caused by the disposal of 4 properties in
addition to, as part of planned data reviews, a few amendments made
to properties for consistency across the
portfolio.
6 Based on Resident Outcomes
Surveys conducted for each year's Impact Report. For Dec 2022 this
is based on a sample of 60 residents and for Dec 2023 this is based
on a sample of 117 residents. Full methodology can be found in The
Good Economy independent impact report.
7https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/people-at-the-heart-of-care-adult-social-care-reform-white-paper/people-at-the-heart-of-care-adult-social-care-reform
8 Full details of our impact goals
and outcomes can be found in The Good
Economy independent impact
report on the Group's website.
9 https://thegoodeconomy.co.uk/client-reports
10 https://www.triplepointreit.com/sustainability-and-impact/150/
11
Science-aligned pathways are
globally aligned goals, rooted in climate science, to reduce carbon
emissions and limit the world's temperature in line with the Paris
Agreement. The recommended target for SOHO follows a specific
pathway for
Real Estate assets using the
required
Sectoral Decarbonisation Approach
(SDA). The SDA approach
specifies how much and how quickly a company needs to reduce its
GHG emissions in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as per the
Paris Agreement.
12Frameworks used to guide development include: Principles for Responsible Investment, BREAM,
GREESB, OECD 3, CDP, S&P CSA, Future Homes standard, Building
for Life standard, Code of Considerate Constructors, TCFD and
TNFD.
13 Certified B Corporations, or B
Corps, are companies verified by B Lab to meet high standards of
social and environmental performance, transparency, and
accountability. Further information can be found:
https://bcorporation.uk/b-corp-certification/what-is-a-b-corp/
14 https://www.triplepoint.co.uk/approach-to-sustainability/116/
15 https://www.triplepointreit.com/sustainability-and-impact/150/
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
This section describes how the Board engages
with its key stakeholders, how it considers their interests and the
outcome of the engagement when making its decisions, the likely
consequences of any decision in the long-term, and further ensures
that it maintains a reputation for high standards of business
conduct. The Group is committed to continual stakeholder engagement
and implements a cycle of constant engagement at all stages of the
Group's investment lifecycle.
Section 172(1)
Statement
Stakeholder
|
Why is it important to
engage?
|
How have the Investment
Manager/Directors engaged?
|
What were the key topics of
engagement?
|
What was the feedback
obtained and the outcome of the engagement?
|
Shareholders
|
Investment from our shareholders
plays an important role by providing capital to ensure we can
deliver additional housing into the Specialised Supported Housing
sector.
Through the investment of private
capital into an under-funded sector, we can achieve a positive
social impact whilst ensuring our shareholders receive a long-term
inflation-linked return.
|
The way in which we engage with
our shareholders is set out in our Governance Report.
|
Financial and operational
performance.
Share price discount to NAV and
potential rectification action.
The share price, share buybacks
and the sale of a portfolio.
The regulatory environment of the
Supported Housing sector.
Environmental, social and
governance considerations.
The Company's key service provider
appointments, including the AIFM and broker
arrangements.
Understanding the underlying
concerns of shareholders that resulted in 17.48% and 22.62% votes
against resolutions 3 and 13 respectively, at the Company's 2023
Annual General Meeting.
|
The Board and the Investment
Manager considered and undertook a share buyback programme and a
portfolio sale to address investor feedback regarding the Company's
share price. An extension of the share buyback programme was also
considered, as well as the impact that further share buybacks would
have on the Company's liquidity.
The Board and Investment Manager
consider shareholder concerns when speaking to the Regulator and
agreed to keep shareholders updated of any developments. We
understand the importance of, and are committed to, working with
Registered Providers to address the concerns of the Regulator.
Refer to the Market review in the Investment Manager's
Report.
The Investment Manager has
enhanced environmental, social and governance considerations within
its investment process, and within its own business. Refer to
Investment Manager's Report, and the Sustainability Report in the
Annual Report.
The Board and Manager consulted
with a number of the Company's shareholders in accordance with
Provision 5.2.4 AIC Code of Corporate Governance, following which
it was acknowledged that active consideration is required regarding
alleviation of the persistent discount to EPRA NTA.
|
Residents
|
Our strategy is centred on
providing Specialised Supported Housing for our residents. We
remain focused on providing homes to our residents which offer them
greater independence than institutional accommodation, as well as
meeting their specialist care needs.
|
The Investment Manager monitors
resident welfare through engagement with Approved Providers. The
Investment Manager receives quarterly reports from Approved
Providers to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. We
do not generally engage with residents directly. Instead,
day-to-day engagement is done by care providers and, to a lesser
extent, Approved Providers.
|
We provide oversight of resident
welfare by undertaking due diligence on properties before residents
move in. We then monitor compliance with health and safety
standards to best ensure that residents are looked after by the
Group's counterparties; we request updates on any health and safety
issues every quarter.
|
Resident issues raised as a result
of engagement through care providers were addressed.
Any compliance issues are remedied
with any associated works undertaken.
The Group's investment decisions
are informed by the long-term needs of our residents.
|
Investment Manager
|
The Investment Manager is
responsible for executing the Investment Objective within the
Investment Policy of the Company.
|
The Board maintains regular and
open dialogue with the Investment Manager at Board meetings and has
regular contact on operational and investment matters outside of
meetings.
|
In addition to all matters related
to the execution of the Company's Investment Objective, the Board
engaged with the Investment Manager on developments in the market
and updates from the Regulator.
|
As a result of the engagement
between the Board and the Investment Manager the Group has been
able to execute its investment strategy and has considered what
adjustments can be made to the Group's model that will uphold
financial and governance standards while attracting further private
investment.
Additionally, the Investment
Manager produces reports to the Board every quarter on various
governance and operational matters at the Board's request. Capital
allocation is also considered with regard to the views of the
Board.
|
Approved Providers
|
Our relationship with Approved
Providers is integral to ensuring rent is paid to the Group and
that properties are managed appropriately.
The Group's leases with Approved
Providers are fully repairing and insuring - meaning that Approved
Providers are responsible for management, repair and maintenance,
in addition to tenanting the properties.
|
The Investment Manager looks to
maintain good relationships with Approved Providers, having formal
meetings with senior management at least every six months as well
as engaging more frequently on an ad hoc basis on a variety of
matters. Quarterly operational surveys and biannual compliance
surveys are provided to the Investment Manager.
|
The Investment Manager discussed a
number of topics with Approved Providers including that properties
are managed in accordance with their leases; financial reporting
and governance; and specific property-related issues such as
occupancy, health and safety issues, rent levels, management
accounts and governance.
|
Refer to the Investment Manager's
Report.
|
Care Providers
|
Our residents receive care from
care providers. It is important to ensure that our vulnerable
residents receive the best possible care. In addition, the care
providers share the cost of voids with Approved Providers so we
engage with care providers to ensure our Approved Providers are
able to pay our rent in the event of empty units.
Therefore, care providers play an
essential role in the occupancy levels of our properties and strong
engagement with the Group ensures the best possible care for our
residents.
|
The Investment Manager engages
with care providers as part of its due diligence process and
regularly meets and engages with our provider representatives when
inspecting the Group's portfolio, when reviewing quarterly data and
on an ad hoc basis.
|
The Investment Manager engages
with care providers on: the specific care and support requirements
of residents including health and safety compliance (refer to
Investment Manager's Report) property management by Approved
Providers; financial and operational capacity for new schemes;
occupancy levels; and financial performance.
|
The Investment Manager rejected
deals where care providers did not meet the care or governance
standards expected or where care providers were unable to
demonstrate the financial strength to meet their obligations under
a service level agreement.
Following engagement, the scope of
works was agreed with care providers to produce properties that
meet the specific care needs of residents.
Whilst done at the relevant local
authorities' discretion, care providers have been changed where
expectations around the standard of care were not met or where
engagement identified care providers in financial
difficulties.
|
Local authorities
|
Local authorities are responsible
for identifying appropriate housing and care for the individuals
who live in the Group's properties.
New acquisitions are assessed to
ensure that they meet the expectations of the relevant Local
Authority in order to ensure that referrals are made as efficiently
and safely as possible.
|
When looking at a new acquisition,
the Investment Manager engages with, or receives feedback from,
various departments within local authorities including
Commissioners and Housing Benefit officers. The Investment Manager
will look to engage with a local authority in relation to an
existing scheme if required (for example, if a new care provider is
needed).
|
The aim of the engagement is, as
much as possible, to ensure that the properties acquired by the
Group are consistent with the requirements of the relevant local
authority.
Where necessary, local authorities
will be engaged directly post acquisition of a property to access
ongoing demand levels and any changes in commissioning
strategy.
|
The Investment Manager will listen
to feedback from local authorities and, where possible, will work
with Approved Providers to improve and upgrade properties to ensure
that they meet ongoing commissioning requirements.
An initial pilot programme to
implement energy efficiency upgrades across 11 initial properties
is ongoing. Refer to the Investment Manager's Report for more
detail.
|
The Regulator
|
The Regulator regulates Registered
Providers of social housing to ensure providers are financially
viable and properly governed. It is important to ensure that, as
much as possible, the Group reflects observations made by the
Regulator in its investment structures and its engagement with its
Registered Provider lessees.
|
The Investment Manager is in
contact with the Regulator in order to understand the key concerns
and priorities of the Regulator in the Specialised Supported
Housing Sector.
|
Discussions with the Regulator are
focused on ensuring the market evolves in line with its
observations, and Registered Providers can best focus on addressing
the Regulator's observations.
|
The Investment Manager continues
to work with the Boards of its Registered Provider lessees to
understand how best we can help them meet the standards of the
Regulator. Refer to the Investment Manager's Report for more
detail.
|
Lenders
|
The Group's investments in social
housing assets are partly funded by debt. Prudent debt financing is
required to achieve the Group's return targets.
All of our debt is long-term and
so it is important for the Group and the Investment Manager to form
a good relationship with our debt provider partners and provide
them with all information and commentary required.
|
The Investment Manager engages
with its lenders mainly via the reporting of financial and
information covenants under the existing loan agreements on a
quarterly basis.
In addition, there are regular
ad-hoc engagements in relation to general topics relating to the
social housing sector as well as specific topics arising from the
financial and operational performance of the Group's activities and
future opportunities, and any other general matters affecting the
relationship between the Group and the lenders.
|
The Group engaged on the following
topics: financial and information covenant reporting and; active
asset management activities undertaken by the Group e.g. any other
asset management activity that requires lenders'
consent.
|
The Group is fully compliant with
its debt covenants.
The Investment Manager's
pro-active engagement with the Group's lenders is welcomed by its
lenders and to date no concerns in relation to the performance of
its loans have been raised by the lenders.
The Board continues to monitor
compliance with debt covenants and keeps liquidity under constant
review to make certain the Group has sufficient headroom in its
debt facilities.
In August 2023, Fitch Ratings
reaffirmed the Group's existing Investment Grade, long-term Issuer
Default Rating (IDR) of 'A-' with a stable outlook and a senior
secured rating of 'A' for the Group's existing loan
notes.
|
Principal
Decisions
Principal decisions have been defined as those
that have a material impact on the Group and its key stakeholders.
In taking these decisions, the Directors considered their duties
under section 172 of the Act.
Commencement
of a share buyback programme of £5 million
During the year, the Board made the decision
to undertake a share buyback programme of £5 million, managed by
Stifel. The Company bought back 9,322,512 ordinary shares between
19 April 2023 and 12 June 2023, at an average purchase price of
52.61 pence per share. Further detail can be found in the
Directors' Report in the Annual Report. The Board believed that the
share buyback programme was accretive to NAV and would benefit
dividend cover, and was deemed to be made in the best interests of
the Company's shareholders.
Portfolio
Sale
The Board decided to market and sell a
portfolio of properties, subject to market conditions and pricing.
The decision resulted in the sale of four Specialised Supported
Housing properties for an aggregate consideration of £7,586,600 to
a private UK real estate investment firm, reflecting a gain of 9.6%
against the aggregate purchase price (excluding transaction
costs).
The Board believed that the decision was in
the best interests of the shareholders, Approved Providers, Care
Providers and the Specialised Supported Housing sector, as the sale
demonstrated continued liquidity and the resilience of valuations
in the sector. The sale comprised of properties located across four
Local Authorities and a range of property types, lessees and Care
Providers.
Dividend
target to remain flat
During the year, the Board decided to keep the
target dividend flat.
The Board believed that the decision was in
the best interests of the Company's shareholders, in order to
preserve dividend cover for the current financial year, whilst the
Investment Manager focused on addressing the significant rental
arrears of two of its Approved Providers. Further detail can be
found in the Investment Manager's Report.
Change of
Directors
During the year, the Company undertook a
formal recruitment process led by the Nomination Committee, with
the support of an independent search consultancy, for the
appointment of a new Board member. This process actively encouraged
a diverse pool of candidates who could contribute specific skills
and experience identified by the Board and would support the
Board's commitment to diversity, in line with the FCA's targets
under the Listing Rules. The Board were pleased to announce the
appointment of Cecily Davis as an Independent Non-Executive
Director with effect from 23 May 2023.
During the financial year, Paul Oliver stepped
down from his role as an Independent Non-Executive Director with
effect from 30 June 2023.
Committee
Changes
The Board decided to change the membership and
structure of the Board's Committees, as announced on 24 May 2023.
The key changes included implementing smaller Committees to ensure
better management of the Board's duties, as well as the
establishment of a Sustainability & Impact Committee to ensure
there is appropriate oversight and focus on the Group's ESG
strategy. Further information of the Sustainability & Impact
Committee in the Annual Report.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Board recognises that effective risk
management is key to the Group's success and that a proactive
approach is critical to ensuring the sustainable growth and
resilience of the Group.
In the Group's 2023 Interim Report, we noted
that principal risks and uncertainties remained unchanged during
the period.
By way of background, the Group focuses on a
single sub-sector of the UK real estate market with the aim of
delivering an attractive, growing and secure income for
shareholders. The Company has a specific investment policy, as
outlined in the Investment Policy section, which is adhered to and
for which the Board has overall responsibility. The Group does not
undertake speculative development. Furthermore, the Group looks to
work with experienced lessees and has assembled a granular
portfolio with a relatively high WAULT.
As an externally managed investment company,
the Company outsources key services to the Investment Manager and
other service providers and relies on their systems and controls.
The Board undertakes a formal risk review, with the assistance of
the audit committee, twice a year to assess and challenge the
effectiveness of the Company's risk management and internal control
systems. The Board regularly reviews the control reports of the key
service providers and the external auditors note any deficiencies
in internal controls and processes that have been identified during
the course of the audit. A description of the key internal controls
of the Group can be found in the Annual Report.
The Investment Manager has responsibility for
identifying potential risks at an early stage, escalating risks or
changes to risk, and relevant considerations and implementing
appropriate mitigations which are recorded in the Group's risk
register. Where relevant the financial model is stress tested to
assess the potential impact of certain risks against the likelihood
of occurrence. The Board regularly reviews the risk register to
ensure gradings and mitigating actions remain
appropriate.
The Group's risk management process is
designed to identify, evaluate and mitigate (rather than eliminate)
the significant and emerging risks the Group faces and continues to
evolve to reflect changes in the Group's business and operating
environment. The process can therefore only provide reasonable, and
not absolute, assurance. It does however ensure a defined approach
to decision making that decreases uncertainty surrounding
anticipated outcomes, balanced against the objective of creating
value for shareholders.
During the year, the Board has not identified
or been advised of any failings or weaknesses in the Group's risk
management and internal control systems.
Going forward, the Board has reviewed and
approved some enhancements to the current risk management
framework, which will become effective from April 2024. These
enhancements will underpin the approach to the identification and
categorisation of risks, together with changes to the assessment
approach - being more reflective of the individual nature of the
risks being considered. These enhancements will enable the Board to
view the risks through the lens of Strategic risks, Financial risks
(Investment, Capital & Liquidity) and Non-Financial risks
(Operational, Legal & Regulatory). In turn, the Board
will be setting appropriate risk appetites for its most material
risks.
Principal Risks
and Uncertainties
The table below sets out what we, the Board,
believe to be the principal risks and uncertainties facing the
Group. The table does not cover all of the risks that the Group may
face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to
management or deemed to be less material at the date of this report
may also have an adverse effect on the Group.
Risk
Category
|
Risk
Description
|
Risk
Impact
|
Risk
Mitigation
|
Potential
Impact
|
Likelihood
|
Change in
Year
|
Property
|
Default of one or more Approved
Provider lessees
|
The default of one or more of the
Group's lessees could impact the rental income received from the
relevant assets. If the lessee cannot remedy the default, the Group
may have to terminate, re-assign or re-negotiate the relevant
lease. This could lead to a sustained reduction in rental
income.
Additionally, where a care
provider does not
renew the service level agreement with a lessee, this may result in
a lessee having to cover rental payment on void units without
receiving the corresponding housing benefit payment from the care
provider.
|
Under the terms of the Company's
investment policy and restrictions, no more than 30% of the Group's
Gross Asset Value may be exposed to one lessee. This restriction is
in place to mitigate against the risk of significant rent loss in
the event of an Approved Provider default.
When a lessee defaults or when the
Group believes it likely that a lessee would default, the Group
could look to move the affected properties to another Approved
Provider with whom the Group has a good relationship. The intention
would be to ensure both the ongoing provision of housing to the
residents, and, as much as possible, the preservation of the income
stream associated with the relevant properties.
|
Moderate
|
Moderate to High
|
Stable
|
Regulatory
|
Risk of an Approved Provider being
deemed non-compliant with the Governance and Viability Standard by
the Regulator
|
Should an Approved Provider with
which the Group has one or more leases in place be deemed
non-compliant by the Regulator, in particular in relation to
viability, depending on the further actions of the Regulator, it is
possible that there may be a negative impact on the market value of
the relevant properties which are the subject of such lease(s).
Depending on the exposure of the Group to such Approved Provider,
this in turn may have a material adverse effect on the Group's Net
Asset Value unless the matter is resolved through an improvement in
the relevant Approved Provider's rating or the transfer of leases
to an alternative Approved Provider.
|
The Investment Manager has
established relationships with the Approved Providers with whom it
works. The Approved Providers keep the Investment Manager informed
of developments surrounding regulatory notices.
As at 31 December 2023, the Group
has assembled a diversified portfolio with leases to 27 Approved
Providers. The Group has leases in place with 10 Registered
Providers that have been deemed non-compliant by the
Regulator.
Where Registered Providers have
been deemed non-compliant the Group has looked to work with them in
order to help address the issues identified by the Regulator. The
Group's commitment to this approach can be seen through the Group's
proposed new lease clause described in both the Chair's Statement
and the Investment Manager's Report.
|
Moderate
|
Moderate to High
|
Stable
|
Regulatory
|
Risk of changes to the social
housing regulatory regime and changes to government policy in
relation to social housing and housing benefit.
|
Future governments may take a
different approach to the social housing regulatory regime,
resulting in significant changes to the law and other regulation or
practices of the Government with regard to social
housing.
|
It is important that the Group
works with the Group's Approved Provider lessees to help ensure
that they respond proactively to any changes in regulation or
policy and the Group understands what, if any, impact it will have
on their organisation and the properties that the Group leases to
them.
As demand for social housing
remains high relative to supply, the Board and the Investment
Manager are confident there will continue to be a viable market
within which to operate and a need for private investment to
deliver more homes.
In addition, the social housing
regulatory regime in which most of the Group's lessees operate
provides a high degree of accountability and
transparency.
|
Moderate
|
Low to Moderate
|
Decreased
|
Financial Risk
|
Non-payment of voids cover by care
providers
|
If a care provider gets into
financial difficulty and is unable to pay contracted voids cover to
an Approved Provider, this could have a negative impact on the
financial performance of the Approved Provider which ultimately
could impact its ability to pay the Group its rent. This risk is
compounded if there is low occupancy in a property.
|
The Investment Manager closely
monitors the performance of the care providers to ensure, so far as
reasonably possible, that they are financially viable and
performing well. Should a care provider get into financial
difficulty, the Group works with a wide range of alternative care
providers who could step in to provide care services and therefore
cover the voids payment.
Occupancy is also closely
monitored and the Investment Manager works with Approved Providers
and care providers to optimise occupancy.
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Stable
|
Financial
|
Property valuations may be subject
to change over time
|
Property valuations are inherently
subjective and uncertain. Market conditions, which may impact the
creditworthiness of lessees, may adversely affect valuations. This
is particularly relevant at the moment given rising interest rates
and the resultant negative impact on property
valuations.
The portfolio is valued on a
Market Value basis, which takes into account the expected rental
income to be received under the leases in the future. This
valuation methodology provides a significantly higher valuation
than the Vacant Possession value of a property. In the event of an
unremedied default of an Approved Provider lessee, the value of
those assets in the portfolio may be negatively
affected.
Any changes could affect the
Group's net asset value and the share price of the
Group.
|
All of the Group's property assets
are independently valued quarterly by Jones Lang LaSalle, a
specialist property valuation firm, who are provided with regular
updates on portfolio activity by the Investment Manager. The
Investment Manager and Audit Committee meet with the external
valuers to discuss the basis of their valuations and their quality
control processes. Default risk of lessees is mitigated in
accordance with the lessee default principal risk explanation
provided above. In order to protect against loss in value, the
Investment Manager's property management team seeks routinely to
visit each property in the portfolio, and works closely with the
Group's lessees to ensure, to the extent reasonably possible, their
ongoing financial strength viability, and that governance
procedures remain robust through the duration of the relevant
lease.
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Stable
|
Property
|
Risk of poor or inadequate housing
management (including compliance) or poor provision of care
services by the Group's Approved Providers lessees and care
providers respectively.
|
Approved Providers and care
providers face a number of operational challenges (e.g. rising
costs and labour shortages) which have heightened the risk of poor
or inadequate housing management or poor care being provided in
relation to the Group's properties.
Poor services being provided to
the individuals in the Group's properties could undermine the
benefits of Specialised Supported Housing and cause reputational
damage to the Group which could negatively impact the Group's
performance and/or the price of the Company's shares.
|
The Investment Manager undertakes
strategic property inspections in order to review the physical
condition of the Group's properties as well as the quality of
services being provided to the Group's residents. In addition,
there is frequent engagement with the Group's Approved Providers
and care providers as well as quarterly operational and compliance
surveys which provide data on the performance of the Group's
properties.
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Stable
|
Financial Risk
|
Higher than projected levels of
inflation may impact Approved Providers' ability to pay rent due
under the Group's leases.
|
Most of the Group's leases contain
upward only rent reviews, generally linked to inflation (typically
CPI), with the majority being uncapped.
Annual rental uplifts have been,
and will continue to be, higher than projected as a result of
increased inflation.
|
Having temporarily capped annual
rent increases at 7% in 2023, the Group is currently in the process
of rolling out a new risk sharing clause that will link rent
increase in its leases with Registered Providers to the lower of
CPI or prevailing government policy in relation to Specialised
Supported Housing rent increases. This should mitigate the risk of
the Group's lessees having to accommodate rent increases that they
are not able to fully recoup through housing benefit.
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Stable
|
Climate Risk
|
The potential impact of climate
change on the valuation of the Group's properties
|
Changing weather patterns under
projected climate change scenarios could physically damage the
Group's properties and reduce their value. New minimum efficiency
standards could require retrofitting of efficiency measures, or
result in a reduction in valuations. The impact of the most
prominent climate-related risks to the portfolio is assessed in
detail in the Group's TCFD reporting in the Annual
Report.
|
The Investment Manager's
sustainability team has been working with the housing team to
assess the risk that climate change poses to the Group's
properties. The key transition risks to the portfolio have been
identified and qualitatively assessed. Physical risks to the
portfolio have been assessed using a new piece of analytical
software and the outputs of this analysis are demonstrated in the
Group's TCFD reporting in the Annual Report. The Investment Manager
will work to ensure protections are put in place for any properties
that are deemed to be at high risk to the negative impact of
climate change. The Group believes that the Group's reporting on
climate change is ahead of regulatory requirements.
|
Moderate
|
Low to Moderate
|
Stable
|
Financial
|
Unable to operate within debt
covenants
|
The borrowings the Group currently
has and which the Group uses in the future may contain loan to
value and interest covenants ratios. If property valuations and
rental income significantly decrease, such covenants could be
breached. The impact of such an event could include (among other
things): an increase in borrowing costs; a requirement for
additional cash or property collateral; payment of a fee to the
lender; a sale of an asset or assets, or a forfeit of an asset or
any assets to a lender.
Any of the above could result in a
material decrease to the Group's Net Asset Value.
|
The Investment Manager monitors
loan to value and interest covenants ratios on an ongoing basis. In
the unlikely event that an event of default occurs under these
covenants the Group has a remedy period during which it can
potentially cure the covenant breach by either injecting cash
collateral or unencumbered property assets in order to restore
covenant compliance.
During the year ended 31 December
2023, no debt covenants have been breached.
|
High
|
Low
|
Stable
|
Corporate
|
Reliance on the Investment
Manager
|
The Company continues to rely on
the Investment Manager's services and its reputation in the social
housing market. As a result, the Group's performance will, to a
large extent, depend on the Investment Manager's asset management
abilities in the property market. Termination of the Investment
Management Agreement would severely affect the Investment Manager's
ability to effectively manage the Group's operations and may have a
negative impact on the Group's performance and/or the price of the
Company's shares.
|
Unless there is a default, either
party may terminate the Investment Management Agreement by giving
not less than 12 months' written notice. The Board regularly
reviews and monitors the Investment Manager's performance. In
addition, the Board meets regularly with the Investment Manager to
ensure that the Company and the Investment Manager maintain a
positive working relationship.
|
High
|
Low
|
Stable
|
GOING CONCERN AND
VIABILITY
Going
Concern
The Strategic Report and financial statements
have set out the current financial position of the Group and Parent
Company. The Board has regularly reviewed the position of the
Company and its ability to continue as a going concern in Board
meetings throughout the year. The Group has targeted high-quality
properties in line with yield expectations and will continue to
analyse investment opportunities to ensure that they are the right
fit for the Group.
The Group benefits from a secure income stream
from long leases which are not overly reliant on any one tenant and
present a well-diversified risk. The Directors have reviewed the
Group's forecast which shows the expected annualised rental income
exceeds the expected operating costs of the Group. 90% of rental
income due and payable for the period ended 31 December 2023 has
been collected, rent arrears are predominantly attributable to two
Approved Providers, My Space Housing Solutions and Parasol
Homes.
The Directors believe that the Group is still
well placed to manage its financing and other business risks and
that the Group will remain viable, continuing to operate and meet
its liabilities as they fall due. During the year, Fitch Ratings
Limited assigned the Company an investment Long-Term Issuer Default
Rating of 'A-' with a stable outlook.
The Directors have performed an assessment of
the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern, for a
period of at least 12 months from the date of signing these
financial statements. The Directors have considered the expected
obligations of the Group for the next 12 months and are confident
that all will be met.
The Directors have also considered the
financing provided to the Group. Norland Estates Limited and TP
REIT Propco 2 Limited have bank facilities with MetLife and MetLife
and Barings respectively.
The loans secured by Norland Estates Limited
and TP REIT Propco 2 Limited are subject to asset cover ratio
covenants and interest cover ratio covenants which can be found in
the table below. The Directors have also considered reverse stress
testing and the circumstances that would lead to a covenant breach.
Given the level of headroom, the Directors are of the view that the
risk of scenarios materialising that would lead to a breach of the
covenants is remote.
|
|
|
|
Norland Estates Limited
|
TP REIT Propco 2
Limited
|
Asset Cover (ACR)
|
|
|
Asset Cover Ratio Covenant
|
x2.00
|
x1.67
|
Asset Cover Ratio 31 December 2023
|
x2.81
|
x2.01
|
Blended Net initial yield
|
5.75%
|
5.86%
|
Headroom (yield movement)
|
214bps
|
112bps
|
|
|
|
Interest Cover (ICR)
|
|
|
Interest Cover Ratio Covenant
|
1.75x
|
1.75x
|
Interest Cover Ratio 31 December
2023
|
4.63x
|
4.26x
|
Headroom (rental income movement)
|
62%
|
53%
|
Under the downside model the forecasts have
been stressed to show the effect of some Care Providers ceasing to
pay their voids liability, and as a result this causes Approved
Providers to default under some of the Group leases. Under the
downside model the Group will be able to settle its liabilities for
a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing these
financial statements. As a result of the above, the Directors are
of the opinion that the going concern basis adopted in the
preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
The Group has no short or medium term
refinancing risk given the 9.6 year average maturity of its long
term debt facilities with MetLife and Barings, the first of
which expires in June 2028, and which are fully fixed at an all-in
weighted average rate of 2.74%.
Based on the forecasts prepared and the
intentions of the parent company, the Directors consider that the
Group will be able to settle its liabilities for a period of at
least 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements
and therefore has prepared these financial statements on the going
concern basis.
Viability
Statement
In accordance with Principle 21 of the AIC
Code, the Board has assessed the prospects of the Group over a
period longer than 12 months required by the relevant 'Going
Concern' provisions. The Board has considered the nature of the
Group's assets and liabilities, and associated cash flows, and has
determined that five years, up to 31 December 2028, is the maximum
timescale over which the performance of the Group can be forecast
with a material degree of accuracy and therefore is the appropriate
period over which to consider the viability.
In determining this timescale, the Board has
considered the following:
· That
the business model of the Group assumes the future growth in its
investment portfolio through the acquisition of Supported Housing
assets which are intended to be held for the duration of the
viability period.
·
The length of the service level agreements between Approved
Providers and care providers.
·
The future growth of its investment portfolio of properties
is achieved through long-term, inflation linked, fully repairing
and insuring leases.
·
The Group's property portfolio has a WAULT of
24.3 years to expiry, representing a secure
income stream for the period under consideration.
·
The Group's Loan Notes have a weighted average term of
9.6 years.
In assessing the Company's viability, the
Board has carried out a robust assessment of the emerging risks and
principal risks facing the Group, including those that would
threaten its business model, future performance, solvency,
liquidity and dividend cover for a five-year period.
The Directors' assessment has been made with
reference to the principal risks and uncertainties and emerging
risks summarised above and how they could impact the prospects of
the Group and Company both individually and in aggregate. The
following risks in particular have been addressed in the
assessment:
1.
Default of one or more Approved Provider lessees (taking into
account that two of the Group's lessees have built up arrears
during 2022 and 2023)
2.
Risk of changes to the social housing regulatory regime
3.
Non-payment of voids cover by care providers.
The business model was subject to a
sensitivity analysis, which involved flexing a number of key
assumptions underlying the forecasts. The sensitivities performed
were designed to provide the Directors with an understanding of the
Group's performance in the event of a severe but plausible downturn
scenario, taking full account of mitigating actions that could be
taken to avoid or reduce the impact or occurrence of the underlying
risks outlined below:
·
Rental
income: It is assumed that some care providers
do not meet their void payment obligations, and this causes
Approved Providers to default under some of the Group's leases; and
rental receipts from one Approved Provider that has built up
arrears are lower than expected.
·
Property
valuations: It is assumed that where there are
void units Approved Providers will default on their leases, and
those units will be valued significantly below their vacant
possession value. We believe this represents a severe reduction in
value.
·
Inflation: No
inflation uplift on rental income but costs increase in line with
inflation.
The outcome in the downturn scenario on the
Group's covenant testing is that there are no breaches, and the
Group can maintain a covenant headroom on existing
facilities.
In the downturn scenario mitigating actions to
reduce variable costs would be required to enable the Group to meet
its future liabilities.
The remaining principal risks and
uncertainties, whilst having an impact on the Group's business, are
not considered by the Directors to have a reasonable likelihood of
impacting the Group's viability over the five-year
period.
Based on the results of this analysis, the
Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group and Company
will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as
they fall due for the next five years.
BOARD APPROVAL OF THE STRATEGIC
REPORT
The Strategic Report has been approved by the
Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:
Chris
Phillips
Chair
7 March 2024
GROUP FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the year ended 31 December
2023
|
|
Year ended 31 December
2023
|
|
Year ended
31 December
2022
|
|
|
|
|
Note
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
|
|
Rental income
|
5
|
39,839
|
|
37,300
|
Expected credit loss
|
5
|
(4,593)
|
|
(2,073)
|
Other income
|
|
-
|
|
110
|
Total
income
|
|
35,246
|
|
35,337
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
Directors' remuneration
|
6
|
(312)
|
|
(308)
|
General and administrative
expenses
|
9
|
(3,245)
|
|
(2,854)
|
Management fees
|
8
|
(4,651)
|
|
(4,704)
|
Total
expenses
|
|
(8,208)
|
|
(7,866)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain from fair value adjustment on investment
properties
|
14
|
15,477
|
|
8,264
|
Operating
profit
|
|
42,515
|
|
35,735
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance income
|
11
|
52
|
|
56
|
Finance costs
|
12
|
(7,578)
|
|
(10,889)
|
Profit for
the year before tax
|
|
34,989
|
|
24,902
|
|
|
|
|
|
Taxation
|
13
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit and
total comprehensive income
for the
year
|
|
34,989
|
|
24,902
|
|
|
|
|
|
IFRS earnings
per share - basic and diluted
|
36
|
8.81p
|
|
6.18p
|
The accompanying notes
form an integral part of these Group Financial
Statements.
GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
For the year ended 31 December
2023
|
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
|
Note
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment properties
|
|
14
|
675,497
|
|
667,713
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
|
15
|
4,233
|
|
2,889
|
Total non-current assets
|
|
|
679,730
|
|
670,602
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
16
|
3,864
|
|
4,272
|
Cash, cash equivalents and
restricted cash
|
|
17
|
29,452
|
|
30,139
|
Total current assets
|
|
33,316
|
|
34,411
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
713,046
|
|
705,013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other
payables
|
18
|
2,722
|
|
3,120
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
2,722
|
|
3,120
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Other payables
|
|
19
|
1,524
|
|
1,520
|
Bank and other
borrowings
|
|
20
|
261,183
|
|
261,088
|
Total non-current liabilities
|
|
262,707
|
|
262,608
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
265,429
|
|
265,728
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net assets
|
|
447,617
|
|
439,285
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
|
22
|
3,940
|
|
4,033
|
Share premium reserve
|
|
23
|
203,753
|
|
203,753
|
Treasury shares reserve
|
|
24
|
(378)
|
|
(378)
|
Capital redemption
reserve
|
|
25
|
93
|
|
-
|
Capital reduction
reserve
|
|
25
|
155,359
|
|
160,394
|
Retained earnings
|
26
|
84,850
|
|
71,483
|
Total equity
|
|
447,617
|
|
439,285
|
|
|
|
|
|
IFRS net asset value per share - basic and
diluted
|
37
|
113.76p
|
|
109.06p
|
The Group Financial
Statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 7
March 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Chris Phillips
Chair
7 March 2024
The accompanying notes form an
integral part of these Group Financial Statements.
GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the year ended 31 December
2023
|
|
Share
capital
|
Share premium
reserve
|
Treasury shares reserve
|
Capital redemption
reserve
|
Capital reduction
reserve
|
Retained
earnings
|
Total
equity
|
Year ended
31 December 2023
|
Note
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 1 January
2023
|
|
4,033
|
203,753
|
(378)
|
-
|
160,394
|
71,483
|
439,285
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit and total comprehensive income for the
year
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
34,989
|
34,989
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transactions with owners
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid
|
27
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(21,622)
|
(21,622)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares repurchased
|
25
|
(93)
|
-
|
-
|
93
|
(5,035)
|
-
|
(5,035)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 31 December 2023
|
|
3,940
|
203,753
|
(378)
|
93
|
155,359
|
84,850
|
447,617
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
capital
|
Share premium
reserve
|
Treasury shares reserve
|
Capital redemption
reserve
|
Capital reduction
reserve
|
Retained
earnings
|
Total
equity
|
Year ended
31 December 2022
|
Note
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 1 January
2022
|
|
4,033
|
203,753
|
(378)
|
-
|
160,394
|
68,311
|
436,113
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit and total comprehensive income for the
year
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
24,902
|
24,902
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transactions with owners
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid
|
27
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(21,730)
|
(21,730)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 31 December 2022
|
|
4,033
|
203,753
|
(378)
|
-
|
160,394
|
71,483
|
439,285
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes form an
integral part of these Group Financial Statements.
GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended 31 December
2023
|
|
Year ended
31 December
2023
|
|
Year ended
31 December
2022
|
|
|
|
|
Note
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before income
tax
|
|
34,989
|
|
24,902
|
Adjustments for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected credit loss
|
|
4,593
|
|
2,073
|
Gain from fair value adjustment on
investment properties
|
|
(15,477)
|
|
(8,264)
|
Finance income
|
|
(52)
|
|
(56)
|
Finance costs
|
|
7,578
|
|
10,889
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating results before working capital
changes
|
|
31,631
|
|
29,544
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in trade and other
receivables
|
|
(5,528)
|
|
(4,127)
|
(Decrease)/ increase in trade and
other payables
|
|
(240)
|
|
280
|
Net cash generated from operating
activities
|
|
25,863
|
|
25,697
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of/capital expenditures
on investment properties
|
|
67
|
|
(20,611)
|
Disposal proceeds from sale of
assets (net of transaction costs)
|
|
7,472
|
|
2,120
|
Restricted cash - paid
|
|
-
|
|
(5)
|
Restricted cash -
released
|
|
5
|
|
133
|
Interest received
|
|
8
|
|
18
|
Net cash generated from/(used in) investing
activities
|
|
7,552
|
|
(18,345)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid
|
|
(7,228)
|
|
(7,226)
|
Shares repurchased (including
transaction costs)
|
25
|
(5,035)
|
|
-
|
Loan arrangement fees
paid
|
21
|
(212)
|
|
(599)
|
Dividends paid
|
27
|
(21,622)
|
|
(21,730)
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
|
(34,097)
|
|
(29,555)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
(682)
|
|
(22,203)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the year
|
|
29,696
|
|
51,899
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the
year
|
17
|
29,014
|
|
29,696
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The accompanying notes form an
integral part of these Group Financial Statements.
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the ended 31 December
2023
1.
CORPORATE INFORMATION
Triple Point Social Housing REIT plc (the
"Company") is a Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT") incorporated
in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006 as a public
company limited by shares on 12 June 2017. The address
of the registered office is 1 King William Street, United Kingdom,
EC4N 7AF. The Company is registered as an investment company under
section 833 of the Companies Act 2006 and is domiciled in the
United Kingdom.
The principal activity of the Company is to
act as the ultimate parent company of Triple Point Social Housing
REIT plc and its subsidiaries (the "Group") and to provide
shareholders with an attractive level of income, together with the
potential for capital growth from investing in a portfolio of
social homes.
2.
BASIS OF PREPARATION
The financial information
contained in this results announcement has been prepared on the
basis of the accounting policies set out in the statutory financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are consistent
with policies those adopted in the year ended 31 December 2022.
Whilst the financial information included in this announcement has
been computed in accordance with UK adopted international
accounting standards, this announcement does not itself contain
sufficient disclosures to comply with IFRS. The financial
information does not constitute the Group's statutory financial
statements for the years ended 31 December 2023 or 31 December
2022, but is derived from those financial statements.
Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 have been
delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for the year
ended 31 December 2023 will be delivered following the Company's
Annual General Meeting. The auditors' reports on both the 31
December 2023 and 31 December 2022 financial statements were
unqualified; did not draw attention to any matters by way of
emphasis; and did not contain statements under section 498 (2) or
(3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements of the
Group have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted
International Accounting Standards and with the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies reporting under those
standards. All accounting policies have been applied
consistently.
The Group's Financial Statements have been
prepared on a historical cost basis, as modified for the Group's
investment properties, which have been measured at fair value.
Gains or losses arising from changes in fair values are included in
profit or loss.
The preparation of financial statements in
compliance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards
requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also
requires management to exercise judgement in applying the Group's
accounting policies. The areas where significant judgments and
estimates have been made in preparing these financial statements
and their effect are disclosed in note 3.
2.1.
Going concern
The Group benefits from a secure income stream
from long leases which are not overly reliant on any one tenant and
present a well-diversified risk. The Directors have reviewed the
Group's forecast which shows the expected annualised rental income
exceeds the expected operating costs of the Group.
90.2% of rental income due and payable for the year ended 31
December 2023 has been collected, rent arrears are predominantly
attributable to two Approved Providers, My Space Housing Solutions
and Parasol Homes.
The Directors believe that the Group is still
well placed to manage its financing and other business risks and
that the Group will remain viable, continuing to operate and meet
its liabilities as they fall due. During the year, Fitch Ratings
Limited assigned the Company an investment 'C Long-Term Issuer
Default Rating 'A-' with a stable outlook and a senior secured
rating of 'A' for the Group's existing loan notes.
The Directors have performed an assessment of
the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern, for a
period of at least 12 months from the date of signing these
financial statements. The Directors have considered the expected
obligations of the Group for the next 12 months and are confident
that all will be met.
The Directors have also considered the
financing provided to the Group. Norland Estates Limited and TP
REIT Propco 2 Limited have bank facilities with MetLife and Barings
respectively.
The loans secured by Norland Estates Limited
and TP REIT Propco 2 Limited are subject to asset cover ratio
covenants and interest cover ratio covenants which can be found in
the table below. The Directors have also considered
reverse stress testing and the circumstances that would lead to a
covenant breach. Given the level of headroom, the
Directors are of the view that the risk of scenarios materialising
that would lead to a breach of the covenants is remote.
|
|
|
|
Norland Estates
Limited
|
TP REIT Propco 2
Limited
|
Asset Cover
(ACR)
|
|
|
Asset Cover Ratio
Covenant
|
x2.00
|
x1.67
|
Asset Cover Ratio 31 December
2023
|
x2.81
|
x2.01
|
Blended Net initial
yield
|
5.75%
|
5.86%
|
Headroom (yield
movement)
|
214bps
|
112bps
|
|
|
|
Interest Cover
(ICR)
|
|
|
Interest Cover Ratio
Covenant
|
1.75x
|
1.75x
|
Interest Cover Ratio 31 December
2023
|
4.63x
|
4.26x
|
Headroom (rental income
movement)
|
62%
|
53%
|
Under the downside model the forecasts have
been stressed to show the effect of some Care Providers ceasing to
pay their voids liability, and as a result this causes Approved
Providers to default under some of the Group leases; and the
assumptions for the amount of rent paid by one Approved Provider
that has built up arrears have been sensitised. Under the downside
model the Group will be able to settle its liabilities for a period
of at least 12 months from the date of signing these financial
statements. As a result of the above, the Directors are of the
opinion that the going concern basis adopted in the preparation of
the financial statements is appropriate.
The Group has no short or medium term
refinancing risk given the 9.6 year average maturity of its long
term debt facilities with MetLife and Barings, the first of
which expires in June 2028, and which are fully fixed at an all-in
weighted average rate of 2.74%.
Based on the forecasts prepared and the
intentions of the Parent Company, the Directors consider that the
Group will be able to settle its liabilities for a period of at
least 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements
and therefore has prepared these financial statements on the going
concern basis.
2.2.
Currency
The Group financial information is presented
in Sterling which is also the Group's functional
currency.
3. SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
In the application of the Group's accounting
policies, which are described in note 4, the Directors are required
to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions that
have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the
carrying amounts of related assets and liabilities within the next
financial year are outlined below:
Estimates:
3.1. Investment
properties
The Group uses the valuation carried out by
its independent valuers as the fair value of its property
portfolio. The valuation is based upon assumptions including future
rental income and the appropriate discount rate. The valuers also
refer to market evidence of transaction prices for similar
properties. Further information is provided in note 14.
The Group's properties have been independently
valued by Jones Lang LaSalle Limited ("JLL" or the "Valuer") in
accordance with the definitions published by the Royal Institute of
Chartered Surveyors' ("RICS") Valuation - Professional Standards,
Global and UK Editions (commonly known as the "Red Book"). JLL is
one of the most recognised professional firms within social housing
valuation and has sufficient current local and national knowledge
of both social housing in general and Specialist Supported Housing
and has the skills and understanding to undertake the valuations
competently.
With respect to the Group's Financial
Statements, investment properties are valued at their fair value at
each Statement of Financial Position date in accordance with IFRS
13 which recognises a variety of fair value inputs depending upon
the nature of the investment. Given the bespoke nature of
each of the Group's investments, all of the Group's investment
properties are included in Level 3 with the inputs included in note
14.
Level 1 - Unadjusted, quoted prices for
identical assets and liabilities in active (typically quoted)
markets;
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets and
liabilities in active markets; and
Level 3 - External inputs are "unobservable".
Value is the Director's best estimate, based on advice from
relevant knowledgeable experts, use of recognised valuation
techniques and a determination of which assumptions should be
applied in valuing such assets and with particular focus on the
specific attributes of the investments themselves.
3.2.
Expected Credit Losses (ECL)
The Group recognised an additional ECL
provision of £4.6 million in the current year (31 December 2022 -
£2.1 million) resulting in a total ECL provision of £6.7 million as
at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022 - £2.1 million) which
entirely relates to rental arrears for two of the Group's Approved
Providers. A default probability for each of the two Approved
Providers, representing the estimated percentage
likelihood of them paying outstanding rent due
at 31 December 2023, was determined based on their latest known
financial position and any repayment plans that had been agreed or
discussed. For each provider the estimated percentage probability
of receiving unpaid rent has been multiplied by the rental arrears
as at the statement of financial position date. These two figures
have been aggregated to arrive at the ECL
provision.
Judgements:
3.3. Leases
incentive debtor
The lease incentive debtor recognised from
rent smoothing adjustments are not considered to be financial
assets as the amounts are not yet contractually due. As such, the
requirements of IFRS 9 (including the expected credit loss method)
are not applied to those balances. The credit risk associated
with the tenant is considered in the determination of the fair
value of the related property. In the current year, the
income recognised in respect of such rent smoothing amounted to
£1,500,000 (2022: £636,000).
4. SUMMARY OF MATERIAL
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
4.1.
Investment
property
Investment property, which is property held to
earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, is initially measured
at cost, being the fair value of the consideration given, including
expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the
investment property. The Group recognises asset acquisitions on
completion. After initial recognition, investment property is
stated at its fair value at the Statement of Financial Position
date. Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of
investment property are included in profit or loss for the period
in which they arise in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
Subsequent expenditure is capitalised only when it is probable that
future economic benefits are associated with the
expenditure.
An investment property is derecognised upon
disposal or when the investment property is permanently withdrawn
from use and no future economic benefits are expected to be
obtained from the disposal. Any gain or loss arising on
de-recognition of the property (calculated as the difference
between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the
asset) is recorded in profit or loss in the period in which the
property is derecognised.
Significant accounting judgements, estimates
and assumptions made for the valuation of investment properties are
discussed in note 3.
4.2.
Leases
Lessor
Leases are classified as finance leases
whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the
risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. All other leases are
classified as operating leases.
The Group has determined that it retains all
the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the properties it
has acquired to date and accounts for the contracts as operating
leases.
Properties leased out under operating leases
are included in investment properties in the Statement of Financial
Position. Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a
straight-line basis over the term of the relevant leases.
Tenant lease incentives are not subject to expected credit
loss provision under IFRS 9 as the Group does not have
unconditional right to collect cash flows relating to these assets
but do impact the carrying amounts of the related investment
properties as at the statement of financial position date.
Therefore a lease incentive debtor is recognised based on the
smoothing of rent free periods granted such that the rental income
from operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over
the lease term. The lease incentive debtor recognised from
such rent smoothing adjustments are not considered to be financial
assets as the amounts are not yet contractually due. As such, the
requirements of IFRS 9 (including the expected credit loss method)
are not applied to those balances, although the credit risk is
considered in the determination of the fair value of the related
property.
Lessee
As a lessee the Group recognises a
right-of-use asset within investment properties and a lease
liability for all leases, which is included within trade and other
payables (notes 18 and 19). The lease liabilities are measured at
the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using
an appropriate discount rate at inception of the lease or on
initial recognition. The discount rate applied by the Group is the
incremental borrowing rate at which a similar borrowing could be
obtained from an independent creditor under comparable terms and
conditions. Subsequent to initial measurement lease liabilities
increase as a result of interest charged at a constant rate on the
balance outstanding and are reduced for lease payments
made.
As leasehold properties meet the definition of
investment property, the right-of-use assets are presented within
investment properties (note 14), and after initial recognition are
subsequently measured at fair value.
Sub-leases
Leases are classified as finance leases
whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the
risks and rewards of ownership of the underlying property asset to
the lessee. Sub-leases of leasehold properties are classified with
reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the head lease.
All other leases are classified as operating leases.
4.3 Rent and
other receivables
Rent and other receivables are amounts due in
the ordinary course of business. If collection is expected in one
year or less, they are classified as current assets.
Rent receivables are initially recognised at
fair value plus transaction costs and are subsequently carried at
amortised cost, less provision for impairment.
Impairment provisions for current and
non-current rent receivables are recognised based on the simplified
approach within IFRS 9 using a provision matrix in the
determination of the lifetime expected credit losses. During this
process the probability of the non-payment of the rent receivables
is assessed. This probability is then multiplied by the amount of
the expected loss arising from default to determine the lifetime
expected credit loss for the rent receivables. Rent receivables are
reported net of the ECL provision and the movement in the provision
is recognised in the Group statement of comprehensive income. On
confirmation that the rent receivable will not be collectable, the
gross carrying value of the asset is written off against the
associated provision.
Impairment provisions for all
other receivables are recognised based on a forward-looking
expected credit loss model using the general approach. The
methodology used to determine the amount of the provision is based
on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk
since initial recognition of the financial asset. For those where
the credit risk has not increased significantly since initial
recognition of the financial asset, twelve month expected credit
losses along with gross interest income are recognised. For those
for which credit risk has increased significantly, lifetime
expected credit losses along with the gross interest income are
recognised. For those that are determined to be credit impaired,
lifetime expected credit losses along with interest income on a net
basis are recognised.
4.4. Bank and
other borrowings
Bank borrowings and the Group's loan notes are
initially recognised at fair value net of any transaction costs
directly attributable to the issue of the instrument. Such
interest-bearing liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised
cost using the effective interest rate method, which ensure that
any interest expense over the period to repayment is at a constant
rate on the balance of the liability carried in the Group Statement
of Financial Position. For the purposes of each financial
liability, interest expense includes initial transaction costs and
any premium payable on redemption, as well as any interest or
coupon payment while the liability is outstanding.
4.5 Taxation
Taxation on the element of the profit or loss
for the period that is not exempt under UK REIT regulations would
be comprised of current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in
the Statement of Comprehensive Income except to the extent
that it relates to items recognised as direct movement in equity,
in which case it is recognised as a direct movement in equity.
Current tax is the expected tax payable on any non-REIT taxable
income for the period, using tax rates enacted or substantively
enacted at the Statement of Financial Position date, and any
adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous
periods.
4.6 Dividends payable to
shareholders
Dividends are recognised when they become
legally payable. Interim dividends are recognised when paid. In the
case of final dividends, this is when approved by the shareholders
at the Annual General Meeting.
4.7
Rental
income
Rental income from investment property is
recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of ongoing leases
and is shown gross of any UK income tax. A rental adjustment is
recognised from the rent review date in relation to unsettled rent
reviews, where the Directors are reasonably certain that the rental
uplift will be agreed.
Tenant lease incentives are recognised as a
reduction of rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the term
of the lease and are not subjected to an expected credit loss
provision under IFRS 9. These are recognised within trade and other
receivables on the Statement of Financial Position.
When the Group enters into a forward funded
transaction, the future tenant signs an agreement for lease. No
rental income is recognised under the agreement for lease, but once
the practical completion has taken place the formal lease is signed
at which point rental income commences to be recognised in the
Statement of Comprehensive Income.
4.8
Finance income and finance
costs
Finance income is recognised as interest
accrues on cash balances held by the Group. Finance costs consist
of interest and other costs that the Group incurs in connection
with bank and other borrowings. These costs are expensed in the
period in which they occur. Borrowing costs are capitalised, net of
interest received on cash drawn down yet to be expended when they
are directly attributable to the acquisition, contribution or
production of an asset that necessarily takes a substantial period
of time to get ready for its intended use.
4.9
Investment management fees
Investment management fees are recognised in
the Statement of Comprehensive Income on an accruals
basis.
4.10 Treasury
shares
Consideration paid or received for the
purchase or sale of treasury shares is recognised directly in
equity. The cost of treasury shares held is presented as a separate
reserve (the "treasury share reserve"). Any excess of the
consideration received on the sale of treasury shares over the
weighted average cost of the shares sold is credited to retained
earnings.
5.
RENTAL INCOME
|
Year ended
|
|
Year ended
|
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
Rental income - freehold
assets
|
37,473
|
|
35,087
|
|
Rental income - leasehold
assets
|
2,366
|
|
2,213
|
|
|
39,839
|
|
37,300
|
|
Expected credit loss
|
4,593
|
|
2,073
|
|
-
|
The lease agreements between the Group and the
Approved Providers are fully repairing and insuring leases. The
Approved Providers are responsible for the settlement of all
present and future rates, taxes, costs and other impositions
payable in respect of the properties. As a result, no direct
property expenses were incurred.
All rental income arose within the United
Kingdom.
The expected loss rates are based on the
Group's credit losses which started to occur during the year ended
31 December 2022 for the first time since IPO. The expected loss
rates are then adjusted for current and forward-looking information
affecting the Group's tenants. The ECL provision during the year of
£4.6 million includes £1.0 million relating to unpaid rent for the
year ended 31 December 2022 reflecting the
increase in the expected credit loss from the continued
partial non-payment of
rent due by two
of the Group's tenants.
6.
DIRECTORS'
REMUNERATION
|
Year ended
|
|
Year ended
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Directors' fees
|
280
|
|
275
|
Employer's National Insurance
Contributions
|
32
|
|
33
|
|
312
|
|
308
|
The Directors are remunerated for their
services at such rate as the Directors shall from time to time
determine. The Chairman receives a Director's fee of £75,000 per
annum (2022: £75,000), and the other Directors of the Board receive
a fee of £50,000 per annum (2022: £50,000). The Directors are also
entitled to an additional fee of £7,500 in connection with the
production of every prospectus by the Company. Each Director was
paid this additional fee in 2020 following the publication of the
prospectus, but no additional fees were paid during 2023 or 2022. A
summary of the Directors' emoluments, including the disclosures
required by the Companies Act 2006, is set out in the Directors'
Remuneration Report within the Corporate Governance Report. None of
the Directors received any advances or credits from any group
entity during the year.
7.
PARTICULARS OF
EMPLOYEES
The Group and Company had no employees during
the year other than the Directors (2022: none).
8.
MANAGEMENT
FEES
|
Year ended
|
|
Year ended
|
|
31 December 2023
|
|
31 December 2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Management fees
|
4,651
|
|
4,704
|
On 20 July 2017 Triple Point Investment
Management LLP 'TPIM' was appointed as the delegated investment
manager of the Company by entering into the property management
services and delegated portfolio management agreement. Under this
agreement the delegated investment manager will advise the Company
and provide certain management services in respect of the property
portfolio. A Deed of Variation was signed on 23 August 2018. This
defined cash balances in the Net Asset Value calculation in respect
of the management fee as "positive uncommitted cash balances after
deducting any borrowings". The management fee is an annual
management fee which is calculated quarterly in arrears based upon
a percentage of the last published Net Asset Value of the Group
(not taking into account uncommitted cash balances after deducting
borrowings as described above) as at 31 March, 30 June, 30
September and 31 December in each year on the following basis with
effect from
Admission:
·
on that part of the Net Asset Value up to and including £250
million, an amount equal to 1% of such part of the Net Asset
Value;
·
on that part of the Net Asset Value over £250 million and up
to and including £500 million, an amount equal to 0.9% of such part
of the Net Asset
Value;
·
on that part of the Net Asset Value over £500 million and up
to and including £1 billion, an amount equal to 0.8% of such part
of the Net Asset Value;
and
·
on that part of the Net Asset Value over £1 billion, an
amount equal to 0.7% of such part of the Net Asset
Value.
Management fees of £4,651,000 (2022:
£4,704,000) were chargeable by TPIM during the year. At the year
end £1,180,000 (2022: £1,159,000) was due to TPIM.
By two agreements dated 30 June 2020, the
Company appointed TPIM as its Alternative Investment Fund Manager
by entering into an Alternative Investment Fund Management
Agreement and (separately) documented TPIM's continued appointment
as the provider of portfolio and property management services by
entering into an Investment Management Agreement.
9.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES
|
Year ended
|
|
Year ended
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
Legal and professional
fees
|
972
|
|
829
|
Property costs
|
579
|
|
404
|
Marketing costs
|
466
|
|
341
|
Audit fees
|
400
|
|
371
|
Administration and Secretarial
Fees
|
318
|
|
324
|
AIFM fees
|
216
|
|
192
|
Lease transfer costs
|
11
|
|
151
|
Other administrative
expenses
|
283
|
|
242
|
|
3,245
|
|
2,854
|
On 1 October 2019 Hanway Advisory Limited, who
are associated with Triple Point Investment Management LLP the
delegated investment manager, were appointed to provide
Administration and Company Secretarial Services to the Group.
Within Administration Fees is an amount of £318,000 (2022:
£324,000) for Administration and Company Secretarial Services
chargeable by Hanway Advisory Limited.
The audit fees in the table above are
inclusive of VAT, and therefore differ to the fees in note 10 which
are reported net of VAT.
On 30 June 2020 Triple Point Investment
Management LLP was appointed as the fund's Alternative Investment
Fund Manager (AIFM) to perform certain functions for the Group.
During the year AIFM services of £216,000 (2022: £192,000) were
chargeable by TPIM. At the year end £53,000 (2022: £48,000) was due
to TPIM.
Lease transfer costs represent repairs costs
incurred in relation to the transfer of 12 leases from Westmoreland
and amortisation costs in relation to the original transfer
costs.
10. AUDIT FEES
|
Year
ended
|
|
Year ended
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Group audit fees - current
year
|
259
|
|
242
|
Subsidiary audit fees
|
33
|
|
31
|
|
292
|
|
273
|
Non audit fees paid to BDO LLP included
£40,000 (2022: £36,000) in relation to the half year interim
review.
The audit fee for the following subsidiaries
has been borne by the Company:
· TP REIT Super Holdco Limited
·
|
· Norland Estates Limited
·
|
· TP REIT Holdco 1 Limited
·
|
· TP REIT Propco 2 Limited
·
|
· TP REIT Holdco 2 Limited
·
|
· TP REIT Propco 3 Limited
·
|
· TP REIT Holdco 3 Limited
|
· TP REIT Propco 4 Limited
|
· TP REIT Holdco 4 Limited
|
· TP REIT Propco 5 Limited
|
· TP REIT Holdco 5 Limited
|
|
11. FINANCE INCOME
|
Year ended
|
|
Year ended
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Other interest income
|
52
|
|
56
|
12.
FINANCE COSTS
|
Year ended
|
|
Year ended
|
|
31 December 2023
|
|
31 December 2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Interest payable on bank borrowings
|
7,217
|
|
7,217
|
|
|
|
|
Amortisation of loan arrangement fees
|
307
|
|
1,006
|
Written off loan arrangement fees
|
-
|
|
2,619
|
Head lease interest expense
|
44
|
|
37
|
Bank charges
|
10
|
|
9
|
|
7,578
|
|
10,889
|
Total finance cost for financial liabilities not
measured at fair value through profit or loss
|
7,568
|
|
10,880
|
Written off loan arrangement fees in the year
ended 31 December 2022 relate to the Lloyds and NatWest loan
facility that was reduced and subsequently cancelled during that
year. All remaining unamortised loan arrangement fees in respect of
this facility were written off.
13.
TAXATION
As a UK REIT, the Group is exempt from
corporation tax on the profits and gains from its property
investment business, provided it meets certain conditions as set
out in the UK REIT regulations. For the year ended 31 December
2023, the Group did not have any non-qualifying profits and
accordingly there is no tax charge in the period. If there were any
non-qualifying profits and gains, these would be subject to
corporation tax. It is assumed that the Group will continue to be a
group UK REIT for the foreseeable future, such that deferred tax
has not been recognised on temporary differences relating to the
property rental business.
|
Year ended
|
|
Year ended
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
Current tax
|
|
|
|
Corporation tax charge for the
year
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
Total current income tax charge in
the profit or loss
|
-
|
|
-
|
The tax charge for the period is less than the
standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25% (2022: 19%). The
differences are explained below.
|
Year
ended
|
|
Year ended
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
Profit for the year before
tax
|
34,989
|
|
24,902
|
|
|
|
|
Tax at UK corporation tax standard
rate of 25/19%
|
8,747
|
|
4,731
|
Change in fair value of investment
properties
|
(3,969)
|
|
(2,727)
|
Disposal of investment
property
|
100
|
|
1,157
|
Exempt REIT income
|
(5,707)
|
|
(3,768)
|
Amounts not deductible for tax
purposes
|
49
|
|
27
|
Unutilised residual current period
tax losses
|
780
|
|
580
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
UK REIT exempt income includes property rental
income that is exempt from UK Corporation Tax in accordance with
Part 12 of CTA 2010.
14. INVESTMENT PROPERTY
|
|
|
|
Operational
assets
£'000
|
|
As at 1 January 2023
|
|
|
|
667,713
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions and
additions*
|
|
|
|
(224)
|
|
Fair value adjustment**
|
|
|
|
15,875
|
|
Movement in head lease ground rent
liability
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
Transferred to Assets Held for
Sale before disposal***
|
|
|
|
(7,871)
|
|
As at 31 December 2023
|
|
|
|
675,497
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at 1 January 2022
|
|
|
|
641,293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions and
additions*
|
|
|
|
19,752
|
|
Fair value adjustment**
|
|
|
|
15,239
|
|
Movement in head lease ground rent
liability
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
Transferred to Assets Held for
Sale before disposal***
|
|
|
|
(1,494)
|
|
Disposals
|
|
|
|
(7,075)
|
|
As at 31 December 2022
|
|
|
|
667,713
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
*Additions in the table above
differs to the total investment cost of new properties in the
period in the front end due to retentions no longer payable which
were credited to Investment Property
additions.
**Gain from fair
value adjustment on investment properties in the Group Statement of
Comprehensive Income is net of the loss from fair value adjustments
on assets held for sale of £0.28 million
(31 December 2022 - £0.88 million) and loss on disposal of four
properties of £0.11 million (31 December 2022 - £6.1
million).
*** Assets transferred to assets
held for sale before disposal were presented as assets held for
sale during the interim period ended 30 June 2023 (30 June 2022)
and were eventually disposed on 31 August 2023 (28 July 2022 &
29 July 2022).
Reconciliation to independent
valuation:
|
|
31 December 2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment property
valuation
|
|
678,358
|
|
669,077
|
Fair value adjustment - headlease
ground rent
|
|
1,463
|
|
1,460
|
Fair value adjustment - lease
incentive debtor
|
|
(4,324)
|
|
(2,824)
|
|
|
675,497
|
|
667,713
|
The carrying value of leasehold properties at
31 December 2023 was £41.1 million (2022: £40.1
million).
In accordance with "IAS 40: Investment
Property", the Group's investment properties have been
independently valued at fair value by Jones Lang LaSalle Limited
("JLL"), an accredited external valuer with recognised and relevant
professional qualifications. The independent valuers provide their
fair value of the Group's investment property portfolio every three
months.
JLL were appointed as external valuers by the
Board on 11 December 2017. JLL has provided valuations services to
the Group. The proportion of the total fees payable by the Company
to JLL's total fee income is minimal. Additionally, JLL has a
rotation policy in place whereby the signatories on the valuations
rotate after seven years.
%
Key Statistic
The metrics below are in relation to the total
investment property portfolio held as at 31 December
2023.
Portfolio metrics
|
|
31 December
2023
|
31 December
2022
|
Capital Deployed (£'000)
*
|
|
574,827
|
581,647
|
Number of Properties
|
|
493
|
497
|
Number of Tenancies***
|
|
390
|
395
|
Number of Registered
Providers***
|
|
27
|
27
|
Number of Local
Authorities***
|
|
153
|
153
|
Number of Care
Providers***
|
|
116
|
123
|
Valuation Net Initial Yield
(NIY)**
|
|
5.71%
|
5.49%
|
*calculated excluding acquisition costs.
**calculated using IAS 40 valuations (excluding forward
funding acquisitions).
*** calculated excluding forward funding
acquisitions.
|
31 December
2023
|
31 December
2022
|
Region
|
*Cost
£'000
|
% of funds
invested
|
*Cost
£'000
|
% of funds
invested
|
North West
|
109,880
|
19.1
|
115,042
|
19.8
|
West Midlands
|
93,635
|
16.3
|
94,790
|
16.3
|
Yorkshire
|
87,148
|
15.2
|
86,293
|
14.8
|
East Midlands
|
63,979
|
11.1
|
69,429
|
11.9
|
North East
|
56,653
|
9.9
|
51,986
|
8.9
|
South East
|
53,674
|
9.3
|
54,799
|
9.4
|
London
|
49,626
|
8.6
|
49,579
|
8.5
|
South West
|
27,466
|
4.8
|
27,466
|
4.7
|
East
|
24,206
|
4.2
|
23,703
|
4.1
|
Scotland
|
5,900
|
1.0
|
5,900
|
1.0
|
Wales
|
2,660
|
0.5
|
2,660
|
0.6
|
Total
|
574,827
|
100
|
581,647
|
100
|
*excluding acquisition costs
Fair value
hierarchy
|
Date of
valuation
|
Total
|
Quoted prices in active
markets (Level 1)
|
Significant observable
inputs
(Level 2)
|
Significant unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Assets measured at fair value:
Investment properties
|
31
December 2023
|
675,497
|
-
|
-
|
675,497
|
Investment properties
|
31
December 2022
|
667,713
|
-
|
-
|
667,713
|
There have been no transfers between Level 1
and Level 2 during the year, nor have there been any transfers
between Level 2 and Level 3 during the year.
The valuations have been prepared in
accordance with the RICS Valuation - Professional Standards
(incorporating the International Valuation Standards) by JLL, one
of the leading professional firms engaged in the social housing
sector.
As noted previously, all of the Group's
investment properties are reported as Level 3 in accordance with
IFRS 13 where external inputs are "unobservable" and value is the
Directors' best estimate, based upon advice from relevant
knowledgeable experts.
In this instance, the determination of the
fair value of an investment property requires an examination of the
specific merits of each property that are in turn considered
pertinent to the valuation.
These include i) the regulated social housing
sector and demand for the facilities offered by each Specialised
Supported Housing property owned by the Group; ii) the particular
structure of the Group's transactions where vendors, at their own
expense, meet the majority of the refurbishment costs
of each property and certain purchase costs; iii) detailed
financial analysis with discount rates supporting the carrying
value of each property; iv) underlying rents for each property
being subject to independent benchmarking and adjustment where the
Group considers them too high (resulting in a price reduction for
the purchase or withdrawal from the transaction); and v) a full
repairing and insuring lease with annual indexation based on CPI or
CPI+1% and effectively 25 years outstanding, in most cases with a
Registered Provider itself regulated by the Regulator of Social
Housing.
Descriptions and definitions relating to
valuation techniques and key unobservable inputs made in
determining fair values are as follows:
Valuation techniques:
Discounted cash flows
The discounted cash flows model considers the
present value of net cash flows to be generated from the property,
taking into account the expected rental growth rate and lease
incentive costs such as rent-free periods. The expected net cash
flows are then discounted using risk-adjusted discount
rates.
There are two main unobservable inputs that
determine the fair value of the Group's investment
property:
1. the rate
of inflation as measured by CPI; it should be noted that all leases
benefit from either CPI or RPI indexation; and
2. the
discount rate applied to the rental flows.
Key factors in determining the discount rates
to assess the level of uncertainty applied include: the performance
of the regulated social housing sector and demand for each
Specialised Supported Housing property owned by the Group; costs of
acquisition and refurbishment of each property; the anticipated
future underlying cash flows for each property; benchmarking of
each underlying rent for each property (passing rent); and the fact
that all of the Group's properties have the benefit of full
repairing and insuring leases entered into by a Housing
Association.
All the properties within the Group's
portfolio benefit from leases with annual indexation based upon CPI
or RPI. The fair value measurement is based on the above items
highest and best use, which does not differ from their actual use.
The valuer also considers the resulting net initial yield for each
property for appropriateness.
Sensitivities of measurement
of significant unobservable inputs
As set out within the significant
accounting estimates and judgements in note 3, the Group's property
portfolio valuation is open to judgements and is inherently
subjective by nature.
As a result, the following
sensitivity analysis has been prepared:
Average discount rate and
range:
The average discount rate used in
the Group's property portfolio valuation is 7.3% (2022:
6.82%).
The range of discount rates used in
the Group's property portfolio valuation is from 6.5% to 10.0%
(2022: 6.2% to 8.6%).
For the purposes of the valuation,
CPI and RPI is assumed to increase by 2% per annum and 2.5% per
annum respectively over the term of the relevant leases.
|
-0.5% change
in
|
+0.5% change
in
|
+0.25% change
in
|
-0.25% change
in
|
|
Discount
Rate
|
Discount
Rate
|
CPI
|
CPI
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Changes in the IFRS fair value of investment
properties
|
|
|
|
|
As at 31 December 2023
|
38,653
|
(35,403)
|
19,143
|
(18,377)
|
As at 31 December 2022
|
40,552
|
(36,941)
|
21,037
|
(20,207)
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The valuations have not been influenced by
climate related factors due to there being little measurable impact
on inputs at present.
15. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
(non-current)
|
|
|
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
Lease incentive debtor
|
4,072
|
|
2,717
|
Other receivables
|
161
|
|
172
|
|
4,233
|
|
2,889
|
The Directors consider that the carrying value
of trade and other receivables approximate their fair value. All
amounts are due to be received in more than one year from the
reporting date.
16. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
(current)
|
|
|
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
Rent receivable
|
2,436
|
|
3,209
|
Lease incentive debtor
|
252
|
|
107
|
Prepayments
|
189
|
|
174
|
Other receivables
|
987
|
|
782
|
|
3,864
|
|
4,272
|
The Directors consider that the carrying value
of trade and other receivables approximate their fair value. All
amounts are due to be received within one year from the reporting
date.
The Group applies the general approach to
providing for expected credit losses under IFRS 9 for rent and
other receivables. Where the credit loss relates to revenue already
recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income, the expected
credit loss allowance is recognised in the Statement of
Comprehensive Income. The Expected credit losses included in rent
receivables is £6,666,000 (2022: £2,073,000) of which £4,593,000
(2022: £2,073,000) were charged to the Statement of Comprehensive
Income in the year.
17. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED
CASH
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Cash at bank
|
29,014
|
|
29,152
|
Restricted cash
|
438
|
|
443
|
Cash held by lawyers
|
-
|
|
544
|
|
29,452
|
|
30,139
|
Cash held by lawyers is money held in escrow
for retention releases and SDLT reclaimed from HMRC. These funds
are available immediately on demand.
Restricted cash represents monies held in
escrow in relation to the transfer of leases during
2020.
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Total Cash, cash equivalents and
restricted cash
|
29,452
|
|
30,139
|
Restricted cash
|
(438)
|
|
(443)
|
Cash reported on Group Statement of
Cash Flows
|
29,014
|
|
29,696
|
18. TRADE AND OTHER
PAYABLES
Current
liabilities
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Trade payables
|
-
|
|
37
|
Accruals
|
2,270
|
|
2,014
|
Head lease ground rent (note
28)
|
40
|
|
40
|
Other creditors
|
412
|
|
1,029
|
|
2,722
|
|
3,120
|
The Other Creditors balance consists of
retentions due on completion of outstanding works and on the rebate
of stamp duty refunds. The Directors consider that the carrying
value of trade and other payables approximate their fair value. All
amounts are due for payment within one year from the reporting
date.
19. OTHER PAYABLES
Non-current liabilities
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
Head lease ground rent (note
28)
|
1,424
|
|
1,420
|
Rent deposit
|
100
|
|
100
|
|
1,524
|
|
1,520
|
20.
BANK AND OTHER BORROWINGS
Non-current liabilities
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
Bank and other borrowings drawn at
year end
|
263,500
|
|
263,500
|
Unamortised costs at beginning of
the year
|
(2,412)
|
|
(4,798)
|
Less: loan issue costs
incurred
|
(212)
|
|
(131)
|
Add: loan issue costs
amortised
|
307
|
|
433
|
Add: loan issue costs written
off
|
-
|
|
2,085
|
Unamortised costs at end of the
year
|
(2,317)
|
|
(2,412)
|
Balance at year end
|
261,183
|
|
261,088
|
The amount of loan arrangement fees written off
and amortised in 2022 as per note 12, and loan arrangement fees
paid in the Group statement of cash flows for the year ended 31
December 2022 differ to the amounts in the table above as the
amounts in the table above exclude amounts related to the
undrawn Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF") which was cancelled in
the prior year.
At 31 December 2023 there were undrawn bank
borrowings of £NIL (2022: £NIL).
As at 31 December 2023, the Group's borrowings
comprised two debt facilities;
·
a long dated, fixed rate, interest only
financing arrangement in the form of a private placement of loan
notes in an amount of £68.5 million with MetLife Investment
Management (and affiliated funds); and
·
£195 million long dated, fixed rate, interest only
sustainability-linked loan notes through a private placement with
MetLife Investment Management clients and Barings.
The Group also had access to £160 million RCF
with Lloyds and NatWest which was cancelled in
December 2022. Prior to being cancelled, the facility was
undrawn.
Loan
Notes
The Loan Notes of £68.5 million are secured
against a portfolio of Specialised Supported Housing assets
throughout the UK, worth approximately £192 million (31 December
2022 - £189 million). The Loan Notes represent a loan-to-value of
40% of the value of the secured pool of assets and are split into
two tranches: Tranche-A, is an amount of £41.5 million, has a term
of 10 years from utilisation and is priced at an all-in coupon of
2.94% pa; and Tranche-B, is an amount of £27 million, has a term of
15 years from utilisation and is priced at an all-in coupon of
3.215% pa. On a blended basis, the weighted average term is 12
years carrying a weighted average fixed rate coupon of 3.039% pa.
At 31 December 2023, the Loan Notes have been independently valued
at £59.3 million which has been used to calculate the Group's EPRA
Net Disposal Value in note 2 of the Unaudited Performance Measures.
The fair value is determined by comparing the discounted future
cash flows using the contracted yields with the reference gilts
plus the margin implied. The reference gilts used were the Treasury
3.357% 2028 Gilt (Tranche A) and Treasury 3.439% 2033 Gilt (Tranche
B), with an implied margin that is unchanged since the date of
fixing.
In August 2021, the Group put in place Loan
Notes of £195 million which enabled the Group to refinance the full
£130 million previously drawn under its £160 million RCF with
Lloyds and NatWest. The Loan Notes are secured against a portfolio
of Specialised Supported Housing assets throughout the UK, worth
approximately £392 million. The Loan Notes represent a
loan-to-value of 40% of the value of the secured pool of assets and
are split into two tranches: Tranche-A, is an amount of £77.5
million, has a term of 10 years from utilisation and is priced at
an all-in coupon of 2.403% pa; and Tranche-B, is an amount of
£117.5 million, has a term of 15 years from utilisation and is
priced at an all-in coupon of 2.786% pa. On a blended basis, the
weighted average term is 13 years carrying a weighted average fixed
rate coupon of 2.634% pa. At 31 December 2023, the Loan Notes have
been independently valued at £145.7 million which has been used to
calculate the Group's EPRA Net Disposal Value in note 2 of the
Unaudited Performance Measures. The fair value is determined by
comparing the discounted future cash flows using the contracted
yields with the reference gilts plus the margin implied. The
reference gilts used were the Treasury 3.398% 2031 Gilt (Tranche A)
and Treasury 3.716% 2036 Gilt (Tranche B), with an implied margin
that is unchanged since the date of fixing.
The Groups loan to value at the year end was
37.0 % (2022: 37.4%)
The loans are considered a Level 2 fair value
measurement.
The Group has met all compliance with its
financial covenants on the above loans throughout the
year.
21.
NOTES SUPPORTING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Reconciliation of liabilities to cash flows
from financing activities:
|
|
Bank borrowings
|
|
|
Head lease
|
|
Total
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
(note 20)
|
|
|
(note 18,19)
|
|
|
At 1 January 2023
|
|
261,088
|
|
|
1,460
|
|
262,548
|
Cashflows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan arrangement fees
paid
|
|
(212)
|
|
|
-
|
|
(212)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash flows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Amortisation of principal on
head lease liabilities
|
|
-
|
|
|
(40)
|
|
(40)
|
-Amortisation of loan arrangement
fees
|
|
307
|
|
|
-
|
|
307
|
-Accrued interest on head lease
liabilities
|
|
-
|
|
|
44
|
|
44
|
At 31 December 2023
|
|
261,183
|
|
|
1,464
|
|
262,647
|
|
|
Bank borrowings
|
|
|
Head lease
|
|
Total
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
(note 20)
|
|
|
(note 18,19)
|
|
|
At 1 January 2022
|
|
258,702
|
|
|
1,463
|
|
260,165
|
Cashflows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan arrangement fees
paid
|
|
(131)
|
|
|
-
|
|
(131)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash flows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-Amortisation of principal on head
lease liabilities
|
|
-
|
|
|
(40)
|
|
(40)
|
-Amortisation of loan arrangement
fees
|
|
433
|
|
|
-
|
|
433
|
-Loan arrangement fees written
off
|
|
2,084
|
|
|
-
|
|
2,084
|
-Accrued interest on head lease
liabilities
|
|
-
|
|
|
37
|
|
37
|
At 31 December 2022
|
|
261,088
|
|
|
1,460
|
|
262,548
|
22. SHARE CAPITAL
|
|
Issued and fully
paid
|
|
Issued and fully
paid
|
|
|
Number
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 January 2023
|
|
403,239,002
|
|
4,033
|
Shares cancelled in the
year
|
|
(9,322,512)
|
|
(93)
|
At 31 December 2023
|
|
393,916,490
|
|
3,940
|
|
|
Issued and fully
paid
|
|
Issued and fully
paid
|
|
|
Number
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 January 2022
|
|
403,239,002
|
|
4,033
|
At 31 December 2022
|
|
403,239,002
|
|
4,033
|
The Company achieved admission to the
specialist fund segment of the main market of the London Stock
Exchange on 8 August 2017, raising £200 million. As a result of the
IPO, at 8 August 2017, 200,000,000 shares at one pence each were
issued and fully paid. The Company was admitted to the premium
segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and
migrated to trading on the premium segment of the Main Market on 27
March 2018.
Since then there were three public offers up to
21 October 2020 with a further 193,916,490 Ordinary Shares of one
pence each were issued and fully paid.
Rights, preferences and restrictions on
shares: All Ordinary Shares carry equal rights, and no privileges
are attached to any shares in the Company. All the shares are
freely transferable, except as otherwise provided by law. The
holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to receive dividends as
declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share
at meetings of the Company. All shares rank equally with regard to
the Company's residual assets.
The table above includes 450,000 treasury
shares (note 24). Treasury shares do not hold any voting
rights.
Between 19 April 2023 and 12 June 2023 the
Company repurchased 9,322,512 shares at an average price of 52.6
pence per share, the shares were subsequently cancelled.
23. SHARE PREMIUM RESERVE
The share premium reserve relates to amounts
subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of
year
|
203,753
|
|
203,753
|
Balance at end of year
|
203,753
|
|
203,753
|
24.
TREASURY SHARES RESERVE
|
|
|
|
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
Balance at beginning of
year
|
(378)
|
|
(378)
|
|
Balance at end of year
|
(378)
|
|
(378)
|
|
The treasury shares reserve relates to the
value of shares purchased by the Company in excess of nominal
value. No treasury shares were purchased during the current or
prior year. During the year ended 31 December 2019,
the Company purchased 450,000 of its own 1p Ordinary Shares at a
total gross cost of £377,706 (£374,668 cost of shares and £3,038
associated costs). As at 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2022,
450,000 1p Ordinary Shares were held by the Company.
25. CAPITAL REDUCTION
RESERVE
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
Balance at beginning of
year
|
160,394
|
|
160,394
|
Share buybacks and
cancellation
|
(5,035)
|
|
-
|
Balance at end of year
|
155,359
|
|
160,394
|
The capital reduction reserve is
a distributable reserve that was created on the cancellation of
share premium.
Between 19 April 2023 and 12 June 2023 the
Company repurchased 9,322,512 shares at an average price of 52.6
pence per share. The shares were subsequently cancelled.
CAPITAL
REDEMPTION RESERVE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of
year
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
Original shares repurchased &
cancelled
|
93
|
|
-
|
|
|
Balance at end of year
|
93
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The Capital Redemption Reserve is the nominal
value of the shares cancelled from the share buybacks.
26.
RETAINED
EARNINGS
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of
year
|
71,483
|
|
68,311
|
Total comprehensive income for the
year
|
34,989
|
|
24,902
|
Dividends paid
|
(21,622)
|
|
(21,730)
|
Balance at end of year
|
84,850
|
|
71,483
|
27.
DIVIDENDS
|
Year ended
31 December 2023
|
|
Year ended
31 December 2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
1.3p for the 3 months to 31 December
2021 paid on 25 March 2022
|
-
|
|
5,236
|
|
1.365p for the 3 months to 31 March
2022 paid on 24 June 2022
|
-
|
|
5,498
|
|
1.365p for the 3 months to 30 June
2022 paid on 30 September 2022
|
-
|
|
5,498
|
|
1.365p for the 3 months to 30
September 2022 paid on 16 December 2022
|
-
|
|
5,498
|
|
1.365p for the 3 months to 31
December 2022 paid on 29 March 2023
|
5,498
|
|
-
|
|
1.365p for the 3 months to 31 March
2023 paid on 28 June 2023
|
5,382
|
|
-
|
|
1.365p for the 3 months to 30 June
2023 paid on 29 September 2023
|
5,371
|
|
-
|
|
1.365p for the 3 months to 30
September 2023 paid on 15 December 2023
|
5,371
|
|
-
|
|
|
21,622
|
|
21,730
|
|
On 7 March 2024,
the Company declared an interim dividend of 1.365 pence per
Ordinary Share for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 December 2023,
The total dividend of £5,370,818 will be paid on or around 29 March
2024 to Ordinary shareholders on the register on 15 March
2024.
The Company intends to pay dividends to
shareholders on a quarterly basis and in accordance with the REIT
regime.
Dividends are not payable in respect of the
Treasury shares held by the Company.
28. LEASES
A.
Leases as lessee
The following table sets out a maturity
analysis of lease payments, showing the undiscounted lease payments
to be paid after the reporting date:
|
|
< 1 year
|
|
1-2 years
|
|
2-3 years
|
|
3-4 years
|
|
4-5 years
|
|
> 5
years
|
|
Total
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease payables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31 December 2023
|
|
40
|
|
40
|
|
40
|
|
40
|
|
40
|
|
7,197
|
|
7,397
|
31 December 2022
|
|
40
|
|
40
|
|
40
|
|
40
|
|
40
|
|
7,242
|
|
7,442
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
Current liabilities (note
18)
|
40
|
|
40
|
|
Non-current liabilities (note
19)
|
1,424
|
|
1,420
|
|
Balance at end of year
|
1,464
|
|
1,460
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The above is in respect of properties held by
the Group under leasehold. There are 23 properties (2022: 23) held
under leasehold with lease terms which range from 125 years to 985
years. The Group's leasing arrangements with lessors are headlease
arrangements on land and buildings that have been sub-let under the
Group's normal leasing arrangements (see above) to tenants. The
Group carries its interest in these headlease arrangements as long
leasehold investment property (note 14).
B.
Leases as lessor
The Group leases out its investment properties
(see note 14).
The undiscounted future minimum lease payments
receivable by the Group under non-cancellable operating leases are
as follows:
|
|
< 1
year
|
|
1-2 years
|
|
2-3 years
|
|
3-4 years
|
|
4-5 years
|
|
> 5
years
|
|
Total
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
Lease receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31 December 2023
|
|
40,971
|
|
40,971
|
|
40,971
|
|
40,971
|
|
40,971
|
|
451,354
|
|
656,209
|
31 December 2022
|
|
38,975
|
|
38,975
|
|
38,975
|
|
38,975
|
|
38,975
|
|
462,374
|
|
657,249
|
Leases are direct-let agreements with
Registered Providers for a term of at least 15 years and usually
between 20 to 25 years with rental uplifts linked to CPI or RPI.
All leases are full repairing and insuring (FRI) leases, the
tenants are therefore obliged to repair, maintain and renew the
properties back to the original conditions.
The following table gives details of the
percentage of annual rental income per Registered Provider with 10%
or more than 10% share in any year presented:
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
Registered Provider
|
% of total annual
rent
|
|
% of total annual
rent
|
Inclusion Housing CIC
|
29
|
|
|
29
|
Parasol Homes (previously 28A
Supported Living)
|
10
|
|
|
10
|
Other disclosures about leases are provided in
notes 5, 14, 16, 19 and 33.
29. CONTROLLING PARTIES
As at 31 December 2023 there is no ultimate
controlling party of the Company.
30.
SEGMENTAL INFORMATION
IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires operating
segments to be identified based on internal financial reports about
components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the Chief
Operating Decision Maker (which in the Group's case is delegated to
the Delegated Investment Adviser TPIM).
The internal financial reports received by
TPIM contain financial information at a Group level as a whole and
there are no reconciling items between the results contained in
these reports and the amounts reported in the financial
statements.
The Group's property portfolio comprised 493
(2022: 497) Social Housing properties as at 31 December 2023 in
England, Wales and Scotland. The Directors consider that these
properties represent a coherent and diversified portfolio with
similar economic characteristics and, as a result, these individual
properties have been aggregated into a single operating
segment. In the view of the Directors there is accordingly
one reportable segment under the provisions of IFRS 8. All the
Group's properties are engaged in a single segment business with
all revenue, assets and liabilities arising in the UK, therefore,
no geographical segmental analysis is required by IFRS
8.
31.
RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURE
Directors
Directors are remunerated for their services
at such rate as the Directors shall from time to time determine.
The Chairman receives a Director's fee of £75,000 per annum (2022:
£75,000), and the other directors of the Board receive a fee of
£50,000 per annum (2022: £50,000). The Directors are also entitled
to an additional fee of £7,500 in connection with the production of
every prospectus by the Company (including the Issue). This was
received by the Directors in 2020 but not in the current year as no
prospectus was produced.
Dividends of the following amounts were paid
to the Directors during the year:
Chris Phillips: £2,995 (2022:
£2,960)
Peter Coward: £4,372 (2022: £4,266)
Tracey Fletcher-Ray: £2,060 (2022
£2,036)
Paul Oliver: dividends received in the year
until resignation £2,128 (2022: £4,206)
No shares were held by Ian Reeves & Cecily
Davis as at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022: nil).
Investment
Manager
The Company considers Triple Point Investment
Management LLP (the 'Investment Manager') as a key management
personnel and therefore a related party. Further details of the
investment management contract and transactions with the Investment
Manager are disclosed in Note 8 and 9.
32. CONSOLIDATED ENTITIES
The Group consists of a parent Company, Triple
Point Social Housing REIT plc, incorporated in the UK and a number
of subsidiaries held directly by the Company, which operate and are
incorporated in the UK. The principal place of business of each
subsidiary is the same as their place of incorporation.
The Group owns 100% of the equity shares of
all subsidiaries listed below and has the power to appoint and
remove the majority of the Board of those subsidiaries. The
relevant activities of the below subsidiaries are determined by the
Board based on simple majority votes. Therefore, the Directors of
the Company concluded that the Company has control over all these
entities and all these entities have been consolidated within these
financial statements. The principal activity of all the
subsidiaries relates to property investment.
The subsidiaries listed below were held as at 31 December
2023:
Name of Entity
|
Registered Office
|
Country of
Incorporation
|
Ownership
%
|
TP REIT Super Holdco
Limited*
|
1 King William Street, London,
EC4N 7AF
|
UK
|
100%
|
TP REIT Holdco 1
Limited
|
1 King William Street, London,
EC4N 7AF
|
UK
|
100%
|
TP REIT Holdco 2
Limited
|
1 King William Street, London,
EC4N 7AF
|
UK
|
100%
|
TP REIT Holdco 3
Limited
|
1 King William Street, London,
EC4N 7AF
|
UK
|
100%
|
TP REIT Holdco 4
Limited
|
1 King William Street, London,
EC4N 7AF
|
UK
|
100%
|
TP REIT Holdco 5
Limited
|
1 King William Street, London,
EC4N 7AF
|
UK
|
100%
|
TP REIT Propco 2
Limited
|
1 King William Street, London,
EC4N 7AF
|
UK
|
100%
|
TP REIT Propco 3
Limited
|
1 King William Street, London,
EC4N 7AF
|
UK
|
100%
|
TP REIT Propco 4
Limited
|
1 King William Street, London,
EC4N 7AF
|
UK
|
100%
|
TP REIT Propco 5
Limited
|
1 King William Street, London,
EC4N 7AF
|
UK
|
100%
|
Norland Estates Limited
|
1 King William Street, London,
EC4N 7AF
|
UK
|
100%
|
* indicates entity is a direct
subsidiary of Triple Point Social Housing REIT plc.
|
|
|
|
33.
FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
The Group is exposed to market risk, interest
rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk in the current and future
periods. The Board oversees the management of these risks. The
Board's policies for managing each of these risks are summarised
below.
33.1.
Market risk
The Group's activities will expose it
primarily to the market risks associated with changes in property
values.
Risk relating to investment in
property
Investment in property is subject to varying
degrees of risk. Some factors that affect the value of the
investment in property include:
·
changes in the general economic climate;
·
competition for available properties;
·
obsolescence; and
·
Government regulations, including planning, environmental and
tax laws.
Variations in the above factors can affect the
valuation of assets held by the Group and as a result can influence
the financial performance of the Group.
The factors mentioned above have not had a
material impact on the valuations of the investment properties as
at 31 December 2023, and are not expected to in the immediate
future, but will continue to be monitored closely.
Please refer to the Corporate Social
Responsibility Report in the Annual Report for further information
on Environmental Policy which may affect the investment property
valuations going forward. There was no impact on the
valuations in the year ended 31 December 2023 from climate change
factors, given that there is little measurable impact on inputs at
present.
33.2.
Interest rate risk
The Group's debt at 31 December 2023 does not
have any exposure to interest rate risk.
33.3.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty
will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or
customer contract, leading to a financial loss. The Group is
exposed to credit risk from both its leasing activities and
financing activities, including deposits with banks and other
institutions as detailed in notes 17 and 20.
Credit risk
related to financial instruments and cash
deposits
One of the principal credit risks the Group
faces arises with the funds it holds with banks and other
institutions. At 31 December 2023 the Group has £29.5 million in
current accounts held at banks, see note 17. The Board believes
that the credit risk on short-term deposits and current account
cash balances is limited because the counterparties are banks and
institutions with high credit ratings.
In August 2023, Fitch has assigned the
Company an Investment Grade Long-Term Issuer Default Rating
of 'A-' with a stable outlook, and a senior secured rating of
'A' for the Group's new Loan Notes, see note 20.
All financial assets are regularly monitored.
The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the
carrying value of financial assets disclosed in notes 15 and
16.
Credit risk
related to leasing activities
In respect of property investments, in the
event of a default by a tenant, the Group will suffer a rental
shortfall and additional costs concerning re-letting the property
to another Social Housing Registered Provider. Credit risk is
primarily managed by testing the strength of covenant of a tenant
prior to acquisition and on an ongoing basis. The Investment
Manager also monitors the rent collection in order to anticipate
and minimise the impact of defaults by occupational tenants.
Outstanding rent receivables are regularly monitored, the balance
of outstanding rent at 31 December 2023 was £2.4 million after a
provision for the expected credit loss.
The Group has leases in place with ten
Registered Providers that have been deemed non-compliant by the
Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) as at 31 December 2023 (2022:
10). We continue to conduct ongoing due diligence on all Registered
Providers and all rents payable under these leases have been paid.
We continue to monitor and maintain a dialogue with the Registered
Providers as they work with advisers and the RSH to implement a
financial and governance improvement action plan in order to
address the RHS's concerns. The Board believes that the
credit risk associated with the non-compliant rating is
limited.
Rent receivable is the Group's only financial
asset that is subjected to the expected credit loss model. While
the Group has other financial assets that are also subject to the
impairment requirements of IFRS 9, the identified impairment loss
was immaterial.
33.4. Liquidity
risk
The Group manages its liquidity and funding
risks by considering cash flow forecasts and ensuring sufficient
cash balances are held within the Group to meet future needs.
Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient
cash and marketable securities, the availability of financing
through appropriate and adequate credit lines, and the ability of
customers to settle obligations within normal terms of credit. The
Group ensures, through forecasting of capital requirements, that
adequate cash is available to fund the Group's operating activities
on a weekly basis. Upcoming cash requirements are compared to
existing cash reserves available, followed by discussions around
optimal cash management opportunities in order to best manage
liquidity risk.
The following table details the Group's
liquidity analysis:
31 December 2023
|
|
< 3
months
|
|
3-12
Months
|
|
1-5
years
|
|
> 5
years
|
Total
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Headleases (note 28)
|
|
10
|
|
30
|
|
160
|
|
7,197
|
7,397
|
Trade and other
payables
|
|
2,487
|
|
195
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
2,682
|
Bank and other borrowings (note
20):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
Fixed interest rate
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
41,500
|
|
222,000
|
263,500
|
-
Variable interest rate
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
Interest payable on bank and other
borrowings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
Fixed interest rate
|
|
1,804
|
|
5,413
|
|
28,263
|
|
33,913
|
69,393
|
-
Variable interest rate
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
4,301
|
|
5,638
|
|
69,923
|
|
263,110
|
342,972
|
31 December 2022
|
|
< 3
months
|
|
3-12
Months
|
|
1-5
years
|
|
> 5
years
|
Total
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Headleases (note 28)
|
|
10
|
|
30
|
|
160
|
|
7,242
|
7,442
|
Trade and other
payables
|
|
2,880
|
|
105
|
|
95
|
|
-
|
3,080
|
Bank and other borrowings (note
20:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
Fixed interest rate
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
263,500
|
263,500
|
-
Variable interest rate
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
Interest payable on bank and other
borrowings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
Fixed interest rate
|
|
1,804
|
|
5,413
|
|
28,869
|
|
40,523
|
76,609
|
-
Variable interest rate
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
4,694
|
|
5,548
|
|
29,124
|
|
311,265
|
350,631
|
33.5.
Financial instruments
The Group's principal financial assets and
liabilities, which are all held at amortised cost, are those that
arise directly from its operation: trade and other receivables,
trade and other payables, headleases, borrowings and cash, cash
equivalents and restricted cash.
Set out below is a comparison by class of the
carrying amounts and fair value of the Group's financial
instruments that are included in the financial
statements:
|
|
Book value
31 December
2023
|
|
Fair value
31 December
2023
|
|
Book value
31 December
2022
|
Fair value
31 December
2022
|
|
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
261,183
|
|
205,078
|
|
261,088
|
190,314
|
|
|
34.
POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
In February 2024, the Company agreed to extend
a creditor agreement with Parasol (9.7% of our Company revenues) on
similar terms for a further six months whilst we
finalise a longer-term agreement with Parasol that should see rent
paid to the Group by Parasol increase over time. The original
agreement was effective from the 1 July 2023 and was
reflective of the level of rent being received by Parasol at the
time. Parasol have consistently met the terms of the
agreement.
On 7 March 2024, the Company declared an
interim dividend of 1.365 pence per Ordinary share for the period 1
October 2023 to 31 December 2023. The total dividend of £5,370,818
will be paid on or around 29 March 2024 to Ordinary shareholders on
the register on 15 March 2024.
35.
CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
The Group does not have capital
commitments in both the prior year and the current year.
36.
EARNINGS PER
SHARE
Earnings per share ("EPS") amounts are
calculated by dividing profit for the year attributable to ordinary
shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of
Ordinary Shares in issue during the period. As there are no
dilutive instruments outstanding, both basic and diluted earnings
per share are the same.
The calculation of basic and diluted earnings
per share is based on the following:
|
Year ended
|
|
Year ended
|
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calculation of Basic
Earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net profit attributable
to Ordinary Shareholders (£'000)
|
34,989
|
|
24,902
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number
of Ordinary Shares (excluding treasury shares)
|
397,007,975
|
|
402,789,002
|
|
|
|
|
IFRS Earnings per share -
basic and diluted
|
8.81p
|
|
6.18p
|
|
|
|
|
Calculation of EPRA Earnings
per share
|
|
|
|
Net profit attributable
to Ordinary Shareholders (£'000)
|
34,989
|
|
24,902
|
Gain from fair value
adjustment on investment properties (£'000)
|
(15,477)
|
|
(8,264)
|
One-off write-off of
arrangement fees on the cancelled RCF
|
-
|
2,619
|
EPRA earnings
(£'000)
|
19,512
|
19,257
|
Non cash adjustments to
include:
|
|
|
|
Amortisation of loan
arrangement fees (£'000)
|
307
|
|
1,006
|
Movement in Lease
Incentive Debtor
|
(1,500)
|
|
(636)
|
Adjusted earnings
(£'000)
|
18,319
|
|
19,627
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number
of Ordinary Shares (excluding treasury shares)
|
397,007,975
|
|
402,789,002
|
EPRA earnings per share -
basic and diluted
|
4.92p
|
|
4.78p
|
Adjusted earnings per share
- basic and diluted
|
4.61p
|
|
4.87p
|
Adjusted earnings is a performance
measure used by the Board to assess the Group's dividend payments.
The metric adjusts EPRA earnings for non cash items, including
amortisation of ongoing loan arrangement fees and the movement in
the lease incentive debtor. In prior years the movement in lease
incentive debtor has not been reflected in the calculation of
adjusted earnings as it was not material. The comparative has been
restated for consistency. The Board sees these adjustments as a
reflection of actual cashflows which are supportive of dividend
payments. The Board compares the Adjusted earnings to the available
distributable reserves when considering the level of dividend to
pay.
37.
NET ASSET VALUE PER
SHARE
Basic Net Asset Value ("NAV") per share is
calculated by dividing net assets in the Group Statement of
Financial Position attributable to Ordinary Shareholders of the
Company by the number of Ordinary Shares outstanding at the end of
the period. Although there are no dilutive instruments outstanding,
both basic and diluted NAV per share are disclosed
below.
Net asset values have been calculated as
follows:
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets at the end of the year
(£'000)
|
447,617
|
|
439,285
|
|
|
|
|
Shares in issue at end of the year
(excluding treasury shares)
|
393,466,490
|
|
402,789,002
|
Dilutive shares in issue
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
IFRS NAV per share - basic and dilutive
|
113.76p
|
|
109.06p
|
38.
CAPITAL
MANAGEMENT
The Group's objectives when managing capital
are to safeguard the Group's ability to continue as a going concern
in order to provide returns for shareholders and to maintain an
optimal capital structure to minimise the cost of
capital.
The Group considers proceeds from share
issuance, bank and other borrowings and retained earnings as
capital.
Until the Group is fully invested and pending
re-investment or distribution of cash receipts, the Group will
invest in cash equivalents, near cash instruments and money market
instruments.
The level of borrowing will be on a prudent
basis for the asset class and will seek to achieve a low cost of
funds, whilst maintaining the flexibility in the underlying
security requirements and the structure of both the investment
property portfolio and the Group.
The Directors currently intend that the Group
should target a level of aggregate borrowings over the medium term
equal to approximately 40% of the Group's Gross Asset Value. The
aggregate borrowings will always be subject to an absolute maximum,
calculated at the time of drawdown, of 50% of the Gross Asset
Value.
The initial fixed rate facility with MetLife
requires an asset cover ratio of x2.00 (amended from previous
covenant of x2.25 in August 2021 to bring more in line with the ACR
covenant in the new Note Purchase Agreement with MetLife and
Barings) and an interest cover ratio of x1.75. At 31 December 2023,
the Group was fully compliant with both covenants with an asset
cover ratio of x2.81 (2022: x2.77) and an interest cover ratio of
x4.63 (2022: x5.02).
The subsequent facility with MetLife and
Barings requires an asset cover ratio of x1.67 and an interest
cover ratio of x1.75. At 31 December 2023, the Group was fully
compliant with both covenants with an asset cover ratio of x2.01
(2022: x2.10) and an interest cover ratio of x4.26 (2022:
x4.41).
UNAUDITED
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
1.
EPRA Net Reinstatement
Value
|
|
|
31 December 2023
|
|
31 December 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IFRS NAV/EPRA NAV
(£'000)
|
|
|
447,617
|
|
439,285
|
|
Include:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real Estate Transfer Tax*
(£'000)
|
|
|
41,962
|
|
41,283
|
|
EPRA Net Reinstatement Value (£'000)
|
|
|
489,579
|
|
480,568
|
|
Fully diluted number of shares
|
|
|
393,446,490
|
|
402,789,002
|
|
EPRA Net Reinstatement value per share
|
|
|
124.43p
|
|
119.31p
|
|
*
Purchasers' costs
2.
EPRA Net Disposal Value
|
|
31 December 2023
|
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
IFRS NAV/EPRA NAV
(£'000)
|
|
447,617
|
|
|
439,285
|
|
Include:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of debt*
(£'000)
|
|
56,106
|
|
|
70,774
|
|
EPRA Net Disposal Value (£'000)
|
|
503,723
|
|
|
510,059
|
|
Fully diluted number of
shares
|
|
393,446,490
|
|
|
402,789,002
|
|
EPRA Net Disposal Value**
|
|
128.02p
|
|
|
126.63p
|
|
* Difference between interest-bearing loans
and borrowings included in Group Statement of Financial Position at
amortised cost, and the fair value of interest-bearing loans and
borrowings.
**Equal to the EPRA NNNAV disclosed in
previous reporting periods.
3.
EPRA Net Tangible Assets
|
|
31 December 2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IFRS NAV/EPRA NAV
(£'000)
|
|
447,617
|
|
439,285
|
|
EPRA Net Tangible Assets (£'000)
|
|
447,617
|
|
439,285
|
|
Fully diluted number of shares
|
|
393,446,490
|
|
402,789,002
|
|
EPRA Net Tangible Assets *
|
|
113.76p
|
|
109.06p
|
|
*Equal to IFRS NAV and previous EPRA NAV
metric as none of the EPRA Net Tangible Asset adjustments are
applicable as at 31 December 2023 or 31 December 2022.
4.
EPRA net initial yield (NIY) and EPRA "topped up"
NIY
|
|
|
31 December 2023
|
|
31 December 2022
|
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment properties -
wholly-owned (excluding head lease ground rents)
|
|
|
674,033
|
|
666,253
|
Less: development
properties
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Completed property portfolio
|
|
|
674,033
|
|
666,253
|
Allowance for estimated
purchasers' costs
|
|
|
41,962
|
|
41,283
|
Gross up completed property portfolio
valuation
|
|
|
715,995
|
|
707,536
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annualised passing rental
income
|
|
|
39,912
|
|
38,626
|
Property outgoings
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Annualised net rents
|
|
|
39,912
|
|
38,626
|
Contractual increases for lease
incentives
|
|
|
1,059
|
|
349
|
Topped up annualised net rents
|
|
|
40,971
|
|
38,975
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPRA NIY
|
|
|
5.57%
|
|
5.46%
|
EPRA Topped Up NIY
|
|
|
5.72%
|
|
5.51%
|
5.
ONGOING CHARGES RATIO
|
|
|
31 December 2023
|
|
31 December 2022
|
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annualised ongoing
charges
|
|
|
7,242
|
|
7,018
|
Average undiluted net
assets
|
|
|
443,451
|
|
437,699
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ongoing charges
|
|
|
1.63%
|
|
1.60%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.
EPRA VACANCY RATE
|
31 December 2023
|
|
31 December 2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
Estimated Market Rental Value (ERV) of vacant
spaces
|
138
|
|
-
|
Estimated Market Rental Value (ERV) of whole
portfolio
|
40,971
|
|
38,975
|
EPRA Vacancy
Rate
|
0.33%
|
|
-
|
7.
EPRA COST RATIO
|
31 December
2023
|
|
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
|
£'000
|
Total administrative and operating
costs
|
8,208
|
|
7,866
|
Gross rental income
|
39,839
|
|
37,300
|
EPRA cost ratio
|
20.60%
|
|
21.09%
|