Build-to-rent developments will suffer if the government U-turns on rent controls, according to Real Estate:UK.

The property group is the latest dissenting voice against growing calls from tenant groups, political parties and think tanks keen to encourage stronger rental reforms. Although housing ministers have insisted rent controls won't be introduced, Chancellor Rachel Reeves was recently reported to be considering them.

Director of policy Danny Pinder (pictured) believes there’s enough international evidence to attest to the potential detrimental impacts of rent controls.

“As the government has rightly acknowledged, BTR typically builds out 30%-60% quicker than traditional schemes and, as such, has a critical role in delivering the homes the country needs,” he adds. “Rent controls will mean this sector builds fewer homes, harming renters and ultimately meaning fewer jobs and less economic growth.”

Pinder adds that at a time when global capital is looking to invest and support housing delivery, ongoing debate does little more than create damaging uncertainty. “Rent controls and rent freezes simply address the symptoms of housing shortages, not the underlying cause.”

Grainger

Big BTR landlord Grainger appears to be confident that rent controls won’t be on the government’s bingo card any time soon. Announcing the firm’s half-year results (net rental income up 7.8% to £66.1 million), chief executive Helen Gordon told investors: “The Renters’ Rights Act, now in force, was the biggest regulatory change to the rental market in 40 years and we therefore expect no further major legislative or regulatory changes directly aimed at our market over the coming years.

“As the UK’s only listed, scaled, pure‑play build‑to‑rent platform, we continue to benefit from a structurally undersupplied rental market and long‑duration, inflation‑linked income. The outlook for Grainger is excellent.”

Rules

However, build-to-rent continues to battle planning and building rules. Real Estate:UK’s recent figures showed that although the number of BTR homes planning has increased marginally by 2% nationwide and is up 6% in the capital from 36,559 in Q1 2025 to 41,968 in Q1 2026, the number of schemes at the detailed application stage has fallen by 17% since the last quarter.

Meanwhile, the number of homes under construction fell for the ninth consecutive quarter, down 17% on the year from 59,874 to 49,984 nationwide. In London the figure is even starker, down 29% from 17,138 to 12,134.

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