M&G Real Estate has appointed private rented sector (PRS) operator the LIV Group as its build-to-rent residential manager.

Leeds-based LIV will be responsible for 600 units within M&G Real Estate’s UK residential property strategy.

M&G Real Estate’s head of residential, Alex Greaves, said: “LIV’s innovative approach to PRS, with their strong customer-service focus and expertise of delivering fully integrated residential management will help to drive excellent customer engagement with our residents and ensure high occupancy rates.”

LIV will manage M&G Real Estate’s residential developments in Bath, North Acton, Manchester, Crawley, Poplar and Marylebone.

Other sites are under consideration.

Graham Bates, LIV chief executive, said: “We are building the UK’s leading management platform for build to rent, and the appointment by M&G Real Estate is very important for us recognising the creative approach.”

M&G Real Estate recently invested for the first time in the UK’s north-west region for its PRS strategy.

The manager is financing the £27.6m (€32m) development of 135 new homes in Manchester, due to be completed by mid-2018.