i, I am writing to you request access to viability assessments prepared for Build to Rent Schemes within your jurisdiction I am currently investigating the viability of Build to Rent Schemes both in London and outside of London and attempting to assess why there is a far larger concentration within London. Ultimately I aim to come up with recommendations for increasing the attractiveness of Build to Rent outside of London. To do this I need access to the viability assessments submitted by developers to secure funding under the Build to Rent Scheme. Can you please tell me if I can please have access to the financial viability assessments submitted by the developer for the Build to Rent funding and any other information / documentation in relation to build to rent developments TFL are involved with in order to carry out my research. If you would like to discuss you can contact me on XXXX or email me at this address. Kind regards,

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Our ref: FOI-2356-1920/GH

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 5 November 2019 asking for information about Build to Rent Viability Assessments.

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy.

I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. However, we are not obliged to provide you with the developers viability assessments as these are subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests, as well as those of the developers. We are currently still in the process of creating the viability assessments and negotiating them, however, we will ultimately publish a large majority of this information when it is agreed with local authorities.

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, particularly where the expenditure of public money is concerned, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we are able to obtain the best value for public money outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.

If it would assist you to speak to a member of our team about Build to Rent in London conceptually then please let us know and we can arrange this for you.

If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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