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Living Real Estate: Convergence, Cost & the Tech Behind Smarter Operations

How AI, Affordability & Operational Agility Are Redefining PBSA, BTR & Co-Living

PBSA, Build-to-Rent, and Co-Living are no longer distinct asset classes—they’re converging, both in how they operate and how they’re financed. In this episode, we explore how Lavanda’s tech journey intersects with this shift—and why AI and automation are now essential to staying efficient, flexible, and investor-ready.

What’s the episode about?

Listen in for insights on:

  • Why real estate living sectors are blending—and the investor impact
  • Lavanda’s evolution from short-stay operations to SaaS proptech
  • How AI is transforming leasing, finance, and head-office efficiency
  • The role of short-stays in driving revenue and de-risking portfolios
  • Why PMS tools need to support short, medium & long-term rentals
  • The impact of macro volatility on student and multifamily demand
  • How automation is helping reduce cost-to-serve across geographies
  • The growing divide between premium, high-touch models and lean, tech-led ones
  • What today’s residents expect—and how operators can deliver at scale

About the guests

Philip Hillman is a Senior Consultant at QX Global Group and one of the earliest advisors to the UK’s Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector. With over 35 years in real estate and leadership roles at JLL—including Chairman of Living Capital Markets—Philip has helped shape the sector through landmark transactions and strategic advisory. A regular speaker at industry events, he brings a deep understanding of the Living sectors across the UK and Europe.

Fred Lerche-Lerchenborg is CEO of Lavanda, a Proptech SaaS provider powering 65% of the UK PBSA market. He previously served as COO and Head of Growth at Lavanda, and brings a deep background in investment banking and fund management. Fred held Tech M&A roles at Credit Suisse and managed a £3bn+ fund at Artemis before leading Lavanda’s shift toward AI-powered solutions for flexible rental operations across student housing, BTR, and co-living.

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