A new portfolio of homes for professional tenants in London and the South East has been launched by housing group L & Q.

It is the start of plans for L & Q to develop 5,000 rental homes over the next five years, helping to produce the country’s largest selection of purpose-built and newly refurbished rental properties.

Thurston Point in Lewisham, one of the capital’s largest largest new-built schemes dedicated to rent, has now been made available to renters to mark the beginning of L & Q’s development programme.

L & Q’s rental portfolio aims to provide “good quality, brand new and newly refurbished accommodation in great locations with excellent transport connections for easy commuting, as demanded by today’s busy professionals”. The group also promises transparent fees and no hidden costs, while a dedicated maintenance service which includes a 24-hour helpline is also included.

“We understand that renting is increasingly becoming a lifestyle choice for those who appreciate a more flexible and hassle-free living arrangement,” Diane Hart, L&Q’s group director responsible for the new rental portfolio for professional people, commented.

“This shift, coupled with rising house prices, has put the current rental sector under huge pressure. As a result homes with the right quality, value and location from trustworthy landlords are in very short supply.

She added: “We believe choosing to rent should never mean compromising on location, quality, service or design. Our new rental portfolio will deliver on the expectations that today’s discerning tenants quite rightly have.”