Aviva reverts back to offer based pricing for property fund

Aviva has moved back to pricing its Investors Property Trust and Investors Property Investment fund on an offer basis following improving investor sentiment and increased interest in property.

In a statement Aviva Investors said the commercial property sector had seen a turbulent two years and the trust and the fund had seen significant outflows but have remained open.

Phil Nell, manager of the funds said: ‘Having used our sales programme to sell non-core assets, we now have a well balanced portfolio of over 70 properties, which gives us a firm base from which to build long-term performance.

‘Current market pricing offers excellent long term opportunities, but with a lack of sellers, competition for deals is increasing - particularly at the prime end.’ 

Nell said Aviva Investors are looking at opportunities to acquire new assets which can exploit an active management approach.

John Clougherty (pictured), chief executive of Aviva Investors UK Fund Services, added: ‘In the competitive and challenging environment of commercial property investment the fact our funds have remained open is a huge achievement and testament to our experienced real estate team.’

Properties in the Aviva Investors Property Trust and Aviva Investors Property Investment fund also reverted back to being valued on a monthly basis with effect from 31 July 2009.