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The start of 2022 saw a jump in new tenants looking to rent UK commercial property, with the uplift particularly prevalent in prime office spaces, according to the RICS Commercial Property Market Survey, Q1 2022.
Respondents to the survey saw a notable increase in UK office demand in Q1 2022 with the net balance improving to +30 per cent from a flat picture at the end of 2021. A considerable change in sentiment was also seen in the retail sector, as occupier demand moved into relatively neutral territory (-1 per cent net balance), the first time this reading has been neutral or positive since the beginning of 2017.
Looking at commercial property as a whole, for the first time since 2015 a net balance of +32 per cent of respondents reported an increase in occupier demand at the all-sector level (retail, office and industrial uses). With the jump in occupier demand for new office space, rents are expected to rise with a net balance of +19 per cent expecting a rise, compared to +7 per cent in the last quarter.
Regionally, rents for prime office space in central London are anticipated to outpace most other UK regions, while the South East is interestingly the only region in which secondary office space is predicted to see growth. The latest research published by RICS in March has shown that high-quality and well-managed commercial real estate – such as prime office space – is integral to levelling up UK towns and cities*, and one of the asks of the research is that UK Government support CRE, and promote investment in it, to secure levelling up across the UK.
Tarrant Parsons, RICS Economist, said:
“The latest survey feedback points to demand from both occupiers and investors gaining momentum over the quarter, with the office sector in particular now showing signs of recovery.
“This has led to an upgrading in expectations for capital value and rental growth across prime offices, while the prolonged downward trend in portions of the retail sector also now appears to be easing.
“That said, given the current headwinds facing the UK economy in form of sharply rising energy prices, higher interest rates and general cost of living pressures, there is understandably a lot of caution regarding the potential impact this could have on market conditions going forward.”
Jonathan Hale, Head of Government Affairs at RICS, added:
“UK commercial property is clearly still attractive to investors and UK Government should work across the country to engage with the sector to build on this positive outlook.
“The recent RICS commercial real estate impact report emphasised the key role that the commercial property sector currently plays in the UK and its future role in driving forward economic recovery across the UK.
“As town centres, high streets and offices start to recover following the pandemic, a thriving commercial real estate industry will be crucial to support the government’s levelling up and net zero ambitions in the months ahead.”
