Rathbones' Coombs calls for innovation as suspended property funds prepare for 'significant' write-downs

RICS assurance offers glimmer of hope

Innovation is needed within the UK property fund market to offer greater flexibility, diversification and protection for investors, according to head of multi-asset investments at Rathbones David Coombs, who is expecting substantial write-downs in the values of open-ended UK property vehicles when they eventually end their ongoing suspensions.

A number of funds across the IA UK Direct Property sector remain suspended owing to material uncertainty in the valuation of underlying holdings in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, with billions of pounds of investor capital locked up in the vehicles since early March. However, the path towards reopening appears to be clearing, with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) having recommended a "general lifting" of material valuation uncertainty on a range of property sub sectors last week (9 September).  While fund suspensions remain in place, RICS has said there no lo...