Hermes Investment Management and Aberdeen Asset Management have invested in private-rented sector (PRS) assets in the UK.

Hermes, the investment manager owned by the BT Pension Scheme, and partner Countrywide are investing Β£23m (€28.9m) in a PRS scheme.

Vista, the companies’ PRS JV , is forward funding the Manchester Waters scheme in Trafford.

The 164-unit scheme is being developed by Rowlinson Construction, which holds the site on a long-leasehold from Peel Land.

Chris Taylor, head of private markets at Hermes Investment Management, said Manchester was one of the UK’s strongest regional economies and had β€œparticularly robust professional and financial service industries helping to continue its growth trajectory”.

He added: β€œManchester Waters is therefore a long-term investment for Vista and falls in line with our strategy of focusing on high-quality, new BTR assets across the UK.”

The joint venture is aiming for an annual target investor-level return of 9-10%, net of fees.

The fund, which has a Β£200m pipeline, is aiming to invest Β£1bn over the next five years.

Aberdeen Asset Management, meanwhile, has bought The Hub, an 84-unit development in Harrow on the Hill.

Fund manager Ed Crockett said: β€œWe look for affordability, accessibility and amenity in our private-rented investments, and this development ticks all of the right boxes for us.

β€œThere’s enormous potential in the UK’s private-rented sector because of the significant historical under-supply of new homes being built.

β€œBut tenants expect, and deserve, professional landlords managing decent properties that are good value and in places where they want to live.”

Aberdeen is looking to commit Β£500m to UK PRS over the next five years.