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85FA Notting Hill 54

126.289
0.00 (0.00%)
28 Jun 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Name Symbol Market Type
Notting Hill 54 LSE:85FA London Bond
  Price Change % Change Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 126.289 0 01:00:00

Notting Hill Genesis Trading update for FYE 31 March 2021

18/05/2021 12:48pm

RNS Non-Regulatory


TIDM85FA

Notting Hill Genesis

18 May 2021

Notting Hill Genesis trading update for the financial year ending 31 March 2021

FY 2020/21 Trading Update

Notting Hill Genesis ("NHG") intends to publish its FY 2020/21 audited accounts by the end of July. In the unlikely event of a delay beyond July, we will notify the market of the updated timing via an RNS announcement.

Ahead of publication of our FY 2020/21 audited accounts we provide within this announcement an update on:

   --      Operational performance 
   --      Key events and areas of focus 
   --      ESG and our Sustainable Finance Framework 
   --      Development and sales 
   --      Treasury position 

Operational Update

Operationally, the year has been dominated by COVID-19. Administrative staff transferred to working from home during the week commencing 16 March 2020 and most have not been in the office since. We expect to operate a hybrid model going forwards, with most office staff returning to their respective office for part of the time.

Initially, COVID-19 had a considerable effect on development, with most sites closing completely, however most opened up again quickly, albeit with some delayed expenditures.

We initially provided emergency repairs only, including repairs to the homes of vulnerable people and communal repairs. We are continuing to carry out routine gas safety inspections with a 99.93% level of compliance at 31 March 2021. Full repairs were re-instated in summer 2020 and this has been the case through most of the financial year. Although some major works were delayed, preparations to re-start are in place and we expect to implement a full asset repairs programme, including major and cyclical works, in 2021/22.

The pandemic has led to increases in re-let times and arrears, particularly within the market rent business. We do however have plans in place to address this going forward and anticipate (subject to no further lockdowns) that re-let metrics will be back to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022, albeit arrears metrics will take longer and are dependent on the courts being fully opened.

During 2019/20 we completed the transformation of our operating model, which means that each resident has a nominated housing officer. We had intended to visit all residents in person as part of this but have instead been regularly talking to them by phone. This has allowed us to, for example, ensure access to food banks for isolated customers. With lockdown restrictions lifting, we are now planning to roll out face to face visits.

We have also implemented significant improvements to our IT systems as part of the new operating model with a particular focus on "Workwise", our proprietary system for allowing tenants access to their own information and to enable them to initiate transactions such as repairs or complaints.

We operate a number of extra care facilities across London for elderly people, many of whom are at particular risk from COVID-19. During the pandemic, we have followed Public Health England guidelines and were able to secure the required staffing cover for our homes through a successful recruitment drive for additional staff.

Summary of Key Operational Indicators

Figure 1: A summary of key operational performance indicators

 
 Indicator           Description                                  FY      FY 2020 
                                                                  2021 
                     Number of homes let as a % of those 
 Occupancy            available                                 98.00%    98.89% 
                    ------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 Re-let time         Number of days taken to re-let a home        66      38 days 
                                                                  days 
                    ------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 Rent collection 
  rate               Rent collected as a % of rent receivable   100.50%   99.35% 
                    ------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
                     Current tenant arrears as a % of annual 
 Current Arrears      rent due                                   5.50%     4.70% 
                    ------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 Housing Benefit     Tenants who have some/all rent paid 
  Tenants             by Housing Benefit direct                   36%       38% 
                    ------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 Universal Credit    Tenants who have some/all rent paid 
  Tenants             by Universal Credit direct                  20%       15% 
                    ------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
                     Homes with landlord's gas certificate 
 Gas servicing        as % of those requiring one               99.93%    99.86% 
                    ------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 

Key Events and Areas of Focus

-- Canada Water sale - as reported in our RNS announcement on 29 June 2020, NHG completed the sale of its remaining interest in a site in the Canada Water area of Southwark on 26 June 2020. The site sold for GBP140m to Art Invest Real Estate with GBP10m paid before 31 March 2020, GBP70m on 26 June 2020 and the balance payable in January 2022. After settling liabilities relating to the scheme, this led to net proceeds of about GBP62m in FY 2020/21.

-- Aylesbury sale - NHG is the key partner with the London Borough of Southwark for the regeneration of the Aylesbury Estate. It was expected that we would build around 3,500 homes over a period of about 20 years. During 2020/21, the Borough approached NHG and asked if we would return the first two parts of the estate to them in return for a payment of NHG's sunk costs. The first site (of 229 homes) was on site and the second (of 352 homes) about to start. We agreed, and the transaction was completed on 31 March 2021. This led to a receipt of GBP63m, although GBP24m of grant was returned to the GLA on the same day.

-- The Paragon estate - On 19 October 2020 NHG announced that it was to undertake a comprehensive safety review across this development in Brentford, West London which was completed in 2006 by Berkeley First, part of The Berkeley Group plc. Following expert advice provided by consultants employed by NHG, all residents living in the Paragon - about 1,000 people in total - were asked to leave immediately to protect their health and safety while further investigative work was undertaken. All residents living in the Paragon estate were able to access safe alternative accommodation that week. The investigations will establish the full extent of any required structural and fire safety works at the development and identify next steps. These are not yet complete however. NHG has been liaising with customers around long term housing solutions. As part of this, NHG has offered to buy back the leasehold homes (including shared ownership) on the estate and at 31 March 2021, we had purchased 73 of the 105 leasehold homes at an aggregate cost of GBP21.7m.

-- Fire Remedial Works - Following the events at Grenfell Tower and in response to subsequent guidance and legislation, we have comprehensively assessed potential risks in our buildings. We have initially focused on buildings that are over 18m high, as well as more recently completed buildings where we may still have a claim against contractors. Most contractors have been positively engaged in rectifying any faults related to them. Our best estimate at the moment is that the gross cost of rectification that will have to be borne by NHG is about GBP230m. We expect to recover some of this from the Building Safety Fund, from the NHBC and from leaseholders, leaving a likely net cost of about GBP173m which has been included in our business plans.

At the commencement of financial year 2020/21, the Board set a budgeted surplus of GBP101.2m. After taking account of the above factors, we expect to publish results that show a surplus significantly higher than this.

ESG and our Sustainable Finance Framework

A robust ESG framework within our organisation is very important to us and we embed ESG principles across our entire business. To ensure we are able to report on our ESG performance in a transparent, consistent and comparable way, we will adopt the newly created Sustainability Reporting Standard for Social Housing ("SRS").

Making our ESG performance information more accessible will demonstrate to our residents and other stakeholders the positive impact that we are making against these goals. In particular, it will demonstrate that by investing in our organisation, stakeholders are contributing to positive social and environmental impacts.

We aim to develop new affordable and sustainable housing, as well as improving the sustainability of our existing housing stock. Through our strategic objectives we will carry out our mission to "build and maintain quality affordable homes, creating diverse and thriving communities." Customers are at the core of everything we do.

The establishment of our Sustainable Finance Framework aligns our strategic sustainability objectives with our funding and financial strategy. NHG has selected a number of eligible areas which are fundamental elements of our business model and deliver the most positive societal and environmental impacts. Our identified Eligible Assets, in line with ICMA and LMA principles, will comprise of Affordable Housing and Green Buildings.

This Framework will be used to govern all forms of green, social and sustainable finance including, but not limited to, Public Bonds, Private Placements, Revolving Credit Facilities and Bank Loans (together known as "Sustainable Financing Instruments"). The Framework has been verified by DNV and can be found on our Investor Relations website www.nhg.org.uk/sustainability along with the DNV Second Party Opinion.

Development and Sales Update

When Notting Hill merged with Genesis in April 2018, we planned to build 2,700 homes per annum. However, in late 2018, we reviewed the speed of our sales and decided to reduce our development programme. This led to a reduction in spend on new housing from GBP654m in 2018/19, to GBP470m in 2019/20 and GBP335m in 2020/21.

We have now reset our aims as set out below, to target 1,400 homes per annum going forward. This includes a greater proportion of homes for low cost rental (including Social, Affordable and London Affordable Rent).

Figure 2: Composition of Development targets

 
  Tenure                    April 2018    % of overall       Updated     % of overall 
                           - Development   developments     Development   developments 
                             ambitions                       Ambitions 
                            (per annum)                       by 2026 
                                                            (per annum) 
  Low cost rental                    690       26%                  500       36% 
                        ----------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
  Shared ownership                   970       36%                  350       25% 
                        ----------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
  Intermediate market 
   rent                                -       0%                   150       11% 
                        ----------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
  Market rent                        520       19%                  200       14% 
                        ----------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
  Private sale                       520       19%                  200       14% 
                        ----------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
  Total                            2,700                          1,400 
                        ----------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

The following table provides details of acquisitions, starts and completions in 2020/21 compared to 2019/20. Note that some homes have been converted from sale tenures to rental tenures after construction commenced. The first table is based on their original intended use and the tenure transfers are shown in the second table below. The joint venture sales are being managed by our JV partner and are not included in the unsold homes numbers.

Despite disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, NHG completed 1,962 homes in 2019/20 and 1,342 homes in 2020/21.

Figure 3: Development programme as at 31 March 2021

 
                          Acquisitions             Starts             Completions 
  Tenure               2020/21    2019/20    2020/21    2019/20    2020/21    2019/20 
                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
  Low cost rental          354        140        465        321        391        604 
                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
  Shared ownership         206         72        290        190        495        581 
                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
  Market rent                -        152          -        152         37        259 
                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
  Private sale             219        154        192          2        299        392 
                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
  Joint ventures             -          -          -          -        120        126 
                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
  Total                    779        518        947        665      1,342      1,962 
                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

During 2020/21 we completed a large number of homes intended for sale on a shared ownership and outright sale basis. Given the slowdown in the sales market, as a result of the pandemic, we converted a number of homes to rental tenures. The following table details our unsold homes throughout 2020/21.

Of the 548 homes unsold as at 31 March 2021, 35% have been unsold for over six months.

Figure 4: Unsold homes as at 31 March 2021

 
  Category                            Shared    Private  2020/21  2019/20 
                                     ownership    sale    Total    Total 
  Unsold homes as at 1 April            376        234      610      605 
                                    ----------  -------  -------  ------- 
  Homes completed - as originally 
   intended                             495        299      794      973 
                                    ----------  -------  -------  ------- 
  Homes transferred to London 
   Living Rent tenure                   (43)        -      (43)     (165) 
                                    ----------  -------  -------  ------- 
  Homes transferred to market 
   rent tenure                         (105)      (123)    (228)    (132) 
                                    ----------  -------  -------  ------- 
  Homes transferred between 
   sales tenures                         34       (34)       -        - 
                                    ----------  -------  -------  ------- 
  Homes sold on a plot by plot 
   basis                               (336)      (141)    (477)    (596) 
                                    ----------  -------  -------  ------- 
  Bulk sale to private investor        (108)        -      (108)    (75) 
                                    ----------  -------  -------  ------- 
  Unsold homes as at 31 March 
   (Units)                              313        235      548      610 
                                    ----------  -------  -------  ------- 
 

Treasury Update

As at 31 March 2021, NHG had GBP923.3m of available liquidity, comprising GBP879.3m of undrawn available bank facilities and GBP44m cash. Our average life of drawn debt is 15.3 years and our average costs of drawn debt is 3.93%.

Figure 5: Group Debt Position as at 31 March 2021

 
GBP'm                         Facilities   Drawn   Undrawn 
Notting Hill Genesis             3,480.7  2,734.5    746.2 
Notting Hill Home Ownership 
 Limited                           279.2    146.1    133.1 
Folio Treasury Limited             250.0    250.0        - 
GenFinance II plc                  250.0    250.0        - 
Other subsidiaries                   6.0      6.0        - 
----------------------------  ----------  -------  ------- 
Group                            4,265.9  3,386.6    879.3 
                              ----------  -------  ------- 
 

Figure 6: NHG Debt Maturity Profile

 
  Years           Debt maturity          Debt maturity 
                       GBP'm                   % 
 2022                            333.4            9.8% 
 2023                             49.3            1.5% 
 2024                             71.0            2.1% 
 2025                             30.9            0.9% 
 2026                             27.8            0.8% 
 2027-31                         815.9           24.1% 
 2032-41                         953.0           28.1% 
 > 2041                        1,105.2           32.6% 
                               3,386.6          100.0% 
 

Our fixed / floating mix as at 31 March 2021 was as follows:

 
                          Target 
    Category       Lower  Central  Upper  Actual 
                   -----  -------  ----- 
Fixed                50%     75%     95%    93% 
                   -----  -------  -----  ------ 
Floating             5%      20%     40%     5% 
                   -----  -------  -----  ------ 
Inflation-Linked     0%      5%      15%     2% 
                   -----  -------  -----  ------ 
 

As at 31 March 2021 our security position and unencumbered asset position was as follows:

 
                                    Units    Security Value 
                                                 (GBPm) 
Charged & allocated                  38,723           7,296 
                                   --------  -------------- 
Numerical apportionment security 
 pool                                 2,245             357 
                                   --------  -------------- 
Unencumbered                         17,402           2,753 
                                   --------  -------------- 
 

Under the GBP2,000,000,000 Secured Note Programme, 2,245 units are currently charged to the Numerical Apportionment Security Pool.

This trading update contains certain forward looking statements about the future outlook for NHG. Although the Directors believe that these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, any such statements should be treated with caution as future outlook may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different.

Enquiries

Investor enquires in relation to his trading update should be directed to:

 
 Paul Phillips                     Andrew Sugden 
 Chief Financial Officer           Corporate Finance Director 
 Email: paul.phillips@nhg.org.uk   Email: andrew.sugden@nhg.org.uk 
 Telephone: 020 3815 0031          Telephone: 020 3815 0356 
 

Media enquires in relation to his trading update should be directed to:

 
 Wayne Tuckfield 
 News and Media Manager 
 Email: Wayne.Tuckfield@nhg.org.uk 
 Telephone: 020 3815 0184 
 

This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

Reach is a non-regulatory news service. By using this service an issuer is confirming that the information contained within this announcement is of a non-regulatory nature. Reach announcements are identified with an orange label and the word "Reach" in the source column of the News Explorer pages of London Stock Exchange's website so that they are distinguished from the RNS UK regulatory service. Other vendors subscribing for Reach press releases may use a different method to distinguish Reach announcements from UK regulatory news.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.

END

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May 18, 2021 07:48 ET (11:48 GMT)

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