Build to Rent sees global surge
Build to Rent Goes Global: New Data Reveals Surge in UK, US, Australia and New Zealand
New global data from Inventory Base reveals that Build to Rent (BTR) is no longer a UK phenomenon. n, it’s a rapidly expanding housing model gaining serious traction across New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Nowhere is this clearer than in New Zealand, where completions rose an astonishing 34.5% year-on-year, outpacing growth in any other major market.
The BTR revolution in the UK is well established, with industry observers tracking the sector’s meteoric rise for several years.
According to Inventory Base, by Q1 2025, 1,824 new BTR homes were delivered in the UK, bringing the cumulative total to 127,156 – a 15.8% year-on-year increase from 109,847 in Q1 2024.
However, BTR is far from being a UK-only success story. Inventory Base’s analysis of global data shows a growing momentum in markets including the US, Australia, and New Zealand.
United States: Though still in its early stages, the BTR sector is beginning to pick up pace. Data from 2024* shows that 5,200 new BTR homes were completed last year, pushing the national total to 39,000 – an annual increase of 15.4%.
Australia: Completions reached 4,878 in 2024, with 2025 projections at 5,928 – a forecasted increase of 21.5%..
New Zealand: Despite a population of 5.2 million (just over half the size of London) the country delivered 1,949 BTR homes by 30 April 2025 – a remarkable 34.5% year-on-year increase.
Eyes on Dubai
Dubai’s BTR market is too young to provide any meaningful data right now, early indicators are that the sector is picking up real speed and is widely expected to become one of the most active sectors in the world within a short period of time.
Dubai’s growing population and its position as a leading international business hub means there is significant demand for rental housing. The Dubai government has recognised the potential of the BTR market and has introduced policies that encourage the development of BTR properties.
There is also real institutional interest in BTR with government policies encouraging long-term residency and rising expatriate demand positioning BTR as a strategic investment focus.
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Operations Director at Inventory Base, commented:
“Build to Rent is reshaping rental markets across continents.
The sector’s growth reflects a fundamental shift in how people view renting, no longer a temporary step, but a lifestyle choice driven by flexibility, convenience, and service quality.
This shift brings new responsibilities for landlords and property managers. BTR residents expect a professional, customer-centric experience, supported by operational excellence, proactive maintenance, and real-time responsiveness. Governments also have a part to play.
In the UK, the ambition to deliver 1.5 million new homes – backed by planning reform and local authority targets – creates both urgency and opportunity for the BTR sector.
Technology will be key to delivering on that promise. Digital inspections, automated workflows, and integrated maintenance platforms are essential to running efficient, scalable operations.
Delivering a modern rental experience takes more than spreadsheets, patchwork tools, or good intentions and the BTR boom isn’t waiting for outdated systems to play catch up.”
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