New trade body the UK Apartment Association has launched its training programme, aimed at those working in the build to rent sector.

The courses will focus on customer service and will be delivered by Livewire Experientialists, a firm which specialists in hospitality and property industry training.

The courses are launched as London’s deputy mayor for housing has announced plans to offer the build to rent sector the opportunity to scale up “significantly”.

Deputy mayor James Taylor said City Hall would be discussing how to support the sector through a supportive approach on planning, and through land and investment programmes.

Taylor said that in London there is “a demand for tens of thousands of good quality private rented homes every year”.

He also praised the way that as a sector, build to rent had gone from a standing start a few years ago to nearly 20,000 homes built or in development.

The UKAA courses reflect the sector’s view of tenants as being customers.

Chief executive Michael Green said: “The importance of providing high levels of customer service cannot be overstated.

“As the UK rental market evolves, customers will become increasingly discerning and will demand a certain standard of service that is not currently being delivered.”