Build To Rent in crisis as starts plummet by 79%
Summary
New research indicates a sharp contraction in Build to Rent development, with starts on site falling 79% year on year to June and the steepest decline outside London. The article links the slowdown to viability pressures and policy uncertainty, while noting that completions continue to outpace new starts for a tenth consecutive quarter.
Why it matters
Build to Rent is an important source of new rental housing supply, so a sustained fall in starts may affect availability, scheme viability and pipeline work relevant to surveyors involved in valuation, development and due diligence. Policy uncertainty around rent controls and property taxation may also influence investor appetite and appraisal assumptions.
Key points
- BTR starts on site fell 79% across the UK in the year to June.
- The regional decline was sharper than London, with an 84% fall outside the capital.
- Annual completions have exceeded starts for ten consecutive quarters.
- Industry figures cite viability pressures and policy uncertainty as key drivers.
- BTR still accounts for around 8% of new homes delivery.
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