New blow for Build To Rent as completions in freefall
Summary
New research indicates a sharp decline in Build To Rent starts-on-site across the UK, with Q3 2026 starts falling by more than 63% year on year while completions continued to outpace new starts. The article attributes the slowdown to viability pressures, including construction and financing costs, planning and regulatory delays, and the impact of taxes and levies on development economics.
Why it matters
For residential property surveyors, the trend signals weakening future supply in the rental sector and potential knock-on effects for valuation assumptions, development viability and market conditions. The references to Building Safety Regulator delays and the Private Rental Database also point to regulatory frictions that may affect project delivery and compliance planning.
Key points
- Build To Rent starts-on-site fell 63% in Q3 2026 versus Q3 2025.
- Completions exceeded starts for the eleventh consecutive quarter, reducing the future pipeline.
- The number of homes under construction fell 30% nationally over the year to September.
- Regional delivery was hit particularly hard, with new starts in the regions down 78% year on year.
- The article cites Building Safety Regulator delays and the new Private Rental Database as contributing factors.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
