Total rent collect prompts Impact to reinstate dividend

Impact Healthcare REIT is reinstating its interim dividend after collecting 100% of its rents for a second quarter in a row. The residential care home operator has been resilient during the crisis, although it did see occupancy fall by 8% to 3,873 beds as a result of its homes being closed to new admissions. With lockdown now being eased and visitors being allowed back into its residences, Impact said it was working with its tenants to purchase and install thermal scanners to invest across its portfolio of 96 homes. The scanners will support tenants’ existing infection control procedures through enabling the remote reading of the body temperature of all staff and visitors entering the building. Chairman Rupert Barclay said: “The company’s business model remains robust and resilient as demonstrated by the group’s 100% collection of rent due for the year to date, and we continue to be well positioned for the short and longer term. We remain well capitalised, with a strong balance sheet, deliberate low gearing and significant liquidity and headroom.” “We remain a long-term business and the company’s sustainable healthcare portfolio continues to provide crucial care-based infrastructure supporting vulnerable elderly people across the UK, and we are confident that the fundamentals of our industry and business will not change.”  A more detailed operational and portfolio update will be published in Impact’s half year results next month. To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@egi.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @estatesgazette