Research Proposals
The IPF welcomes research proposals from those looking to undertake research in real estate investment. Proposals are considered by the IPF Research Steering Group, a committee of industry practitioners with a wealth of experience in both research and practice.
The research ideas that the IPF will consider progressing will be those that meet the IPF's overall aims to enhance the knowledge and understanding of property as an investment asset class (both to property professionals and to those outside property). These may support or develop new or existing forms of real estate investment or improvements in the functioning of the property investment market in the UK, possibly with reference to other asset classes or real estate markets in other jurisdictions. In terms of research themes, specific areas of interest are asset allocation, portfolio selection and asset management.
IPF Research Submissions Guidelines 2024
Current Tenders
AI and AVMs in Commercial Real Estate
The IPF is currently commissioning research considering the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) in commercial real estate.
The use of AI and its application in AVMs is increasingly discussed but, it is felt, it may still be poorly understood by many in the real estate sector. Potential implications to the sector may therefore be under appreciated, creating a risk that market practitioners may not be adequately prepared for a future that may look very different. We hope that the research will explain in accessible way how AI and AVMs work, how they approach real estate valuation, what weaknesses there may be and the requirements for the technology to reach its full potential.
For further details, see below:
IPF Research brief - AI and AVMs in Commercial Real Estate
Biodiversity Net Gain Regulations: Opportunities and Challenges
The requirement for new developments to achieve a mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) of 10% was introduced in early 2024. The timing of the regulations is such that the full impacts are yet to be felt. This is, therefore, an opportune moment for the IPF Research Programme to commission a study that considers the current and future implications of BNG for institutional investors and developers.
It is expected that the project will utilise both primary and secondary research and will be divided into two key sections – an introduction to BNG followed by the research element that will uncover current and potential implications.
Given the nature of the project, a collaboration between consultants with biodiversity, investment and other relevant expertise is also welcomed.
For further details, see below:
Biodiversity Net Gain Regulations
Revisiting Depreciation of Commercial Investment Property in the UK
Depreciation is a crucial issue for real estate investors since it impacts both returns from and pricing of assets. Causes of depreciation include physical deterioration and various forms of obsolescence, the latter arising as technological, social or regulatory changes in the economy take place. This has generated a requirement for information on the rates of depreciation and expenditure affecting different property types, which can be used to inform analysis of the role of real estate in a multi-asset portfolio, as well as investment decisions at an individual asset level.
The IPF wishes to commission a study which aims to update and build on the previous depreciation research (reports in 2005 and 2011) but it may adopt a different approach and a wider coverage of asset types covered.
For further details, see below:
Revisiting Depreciation of Commercial Investment Property in the UK