Number of Build to Rent homes across UK up by 30% according to new research

new build homes colchester essex

The British Property Federation (BPF) has published  its first set of annual data on the build-to-rent sector’s growth, which shows the total number of build-to-rent homes complete, under construction and in planning across the UK has increased by 30 per cent in the past year.

In the UK there are now 117,893 build-to-rent homes – new, high-quality and professionally-managed homes built for renters – across all stages of the development lifecycle, compared to the total of 90,761 homes at the end of Q1 2017 according to the BPF.

Read the The British Property Federation (BPF) research report with data 12th April 2018 in full click here.

Ian Fletcher, Director of Real Estate Policy, British Property Federation comments:

“The build-to-rent sector is evolving quickly, with significant delivery in the regions and more houses, rather than just apartments, coming forward. Policy is also adapting, as to date the sector has grown without a planning blueprint. This is now changing. With the draft revised National Planning Policy Framework, local authorities will now have to specifically identify how many new rental homes their respective areas need. This has never before been enshrined in UK planning policy.

“Clearly, there are exemplar local authorities across the UK leading the charge, giving build-to-rent a chance to expand in the regions and demonstrate that it can cater for a wider range of people. The sector, however, has significant potential to deliver more professionally-managed homes for all renters seeking higher quality service and facilities.”

Jacqui Daly, Director, Savills residential investment research and strategy, adds:

“The development pipeline is growing strongly at both ends. The number of homes completed and under construction has risen by 46 per cent in the past year alone, and the pre-planning pipeline is growing quickly. There is now real momentum in the sector, having received a significant boost in the draft revised National Planning Policy Framework, which officially recognised the importance of build to rent in bringing forward new homes and the need to define sites to ensure delivery. At this rate of growth, we expect that the build to rent pipeline could double to around 200,000 within the next two years.”

Minister of State for Housing Dominic Raab adds:

“The 45 per cent increase in completed build-to-rent homes is good news, but we’re restless to do more. Our revised National Planning Policy Framework is a crucial next step in supporting the build-to-rent sector, reforming planning rules, and helping to deliver 300,000 homes a year by the mid 2020s.

“This government is backing reform with £4.1bn to fund the roads, schools and medical centres needed to reinforce our local communities, as we build the homes Britain sorely needs.”

Read the The British Property Federation (BPF) research report with data 12th April 2018 in full click here.

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

How will tenants be affected by the incoming Renters’ Rights Act?

On 28th October 2025, the Renters’ Rights Bill was passed into law, and it is now the Renters’ Rights Act. Changes to legislation resulting from this new Act will take effect from May 2026. This will affect landlords and how they let out their property, and it is worthwhile being aware of how it affects…
Read More
Seaside Properties UK
Overseas Property

Gibraltar property values rise faster than UK

Gibraltar house prices rise faster than UK and London, despite market activity dropping 46% The latest market analysis by Enness Global has revealed that Gibraltar’s property market has seen stronger annual house price growth than both the UK and London, even as the number of transactions completing across the market has fallen sharply, creating a…
Read More
Breaking News

Homes with fewer photos priced £80,000 lower

The latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed a stark disparity in asking prices depending on how extensively a property is marketed, with homes listed using four photos or fewer priced almost £80,000 lower on average than those benefiting from five or more images. Benham and Reeves analysed current…
Read More
Breaking News

January market momentum builds

Analysis of the latest market data by eXp UK has revealed that the UK property market has picked up pace in January, with both new instruction volumes and the price of these new listings increasing when compared to the same period in previous years. eXp UK analysed the latest market data*, looking at both new…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 28/1/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Tenancy Deposit Scheme further enhances rental UX with continued tie up with tlyfe app TDS has announced a multi-year extension of its partnership with tlyfe, the fast-growing tenant lifecycle app powered by OpenBrix. Expanding coverage across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the new…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

More affordable locations grew most in price in 2025

New analysis of the 2025 market highlights that lower-priced locations grew the most in asking prices during 2025 as affordability continued to drive buyer behaviour Across the top 50 local areas where property asking prices grew the most last year, only seven are priced above the current national average of £368,031 Hawick in Roxburghshire in…
Read More