Disposal

Grainger Trust PLC 12 July 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12th July 2002 THE SCHRODERS RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY UNIT TRUST ACQUIRES £70M BPT PORTFOLIO GRAINGER INVESTS IN TRUST AND BECOMES ITS ASSET ADVISOR Grainger Trust plc ('Grainger'), the UK's largest quoted specialist residential property investor, today announces that its joint venture company BPT Limited has sold a £70m portfolio of Assured Shorthold Tenancy properties to The Residential Property Unit Trust ('ResPUT' or 'the Trust') managed by Schroders. BPT, which Grainger acquired in joint venture with Deutsche Bank Real Estate Private Equity Group in May 2001, will continue to provide property management services for the portfolio. At the same time Grainger is investing £7m in ResPUT, equivalent to an 8% interest in the Trust. Grainger will become an asset advisor to ResPUT involving strategic advice on acquisitions and disposals. Proceeds of the sale to ResPUT will be used to further reduce the joint venture company's borrowings and following completion of the sale debt will be £461m, down from approximately £640m at the time of the BPT acquisition. Rupert Dickinson, Grainger's Deputy Managing Director, said: 'The sale of the Assured Shorthold Tenancy portfolio is in line with our stated BPT disposal strategy. However the exciting aspect of the transaction is that not only does BPT continue to undertake the property management of this excellent portfolio but it allows Grainger to share its expertise in the residential property sector with a leading institutional investment manager.' The portfolio comprises a total of 756 flats in modern apartment blocks spread throughout the major UK cities where there is proven demand for quality rented residential property. As a result of the BPT acquisition assets under management at ResPUT have increased to more than £115m. Bill Hughes, Executive Director of Schroders, commented: 'The acquisition reflects Schroders commitment to specialist property unit trusts where the property skills of market leaders like Grainger can be deployed. This deal brings together a fund manager that is committed to investing in the residential private rented sector with the best provider of residential asset management. With an open ended property unit trust structure, a strong performance record and Grainger's property asset management skills, the intention is to continue to expand ResPUT through selective acquisitions and targeted development.' Jones Lang LaSalle Corporate Finance Limited acted for BPT in the transaction. Ends. Contact: Grainger Trust plc: Rupert Dickinson, Deputy Managing Director. Tel: 020 7795 4700 Andrew Cunningham, Finance Director Tel: 0191 261 1819 Baron Phillips Associates: Baron Phillips Tel: 020 7397 8932 Schroder Property Investment Management: Bill Hughes, Executive Director Tel: 020 7658 6000 The Maitland Consultancy: Fiona Piper Tel: 020 7379 5151 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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Grainger (GRI)
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