The UK’s Build to Rent (BTR) sector has launched a new industry alliance in response to alarming new figures showing a sharp slowdown in project delivery across the country.

The Build to Rent Alliance, formed by the British Property Federation (BPF) and the Association for Rental Living (ARL), will act as a single voice for the sector—pushing for regulatory reform, investor confidence, and better consumer engagement.

The move comes as data from Savills and the BPF reveals that BTR completions continue to outpace new starts for the sixth straight quarter, with new planning applications down 18% in Q2 compared to the previous quarter. Just 5,000 new homes are in the pipeline this year—what the Alliance calls “a disappointingly low” figure.

While London saw a modest 16% rise in planning activity, growth across the regions was flat, underscoring concerns that only high-value markets can absorb rising development costs and regulatory delays.

Melanie Leech, BPF Chief Executive, said:

“Build to Rent has been the major success story of housing delivery over the last decade, but is now under increasing pressure from a combination of economic and policy factors. It’s clear that planning reform alone won’t unlock delivery—we need urgent action on viability and delivery risk.”

The Alliance also cited delays caused by the Building Safety Regulator as contributing to investor uncertainty and project bottlenecks, particularly outside London.

Brendan Geraghty, CEO of ARL, added:

“The need to speak with one sector voice has never been greater. BTR supports urban regeneration and economic growth, and we must now ensure its benefits are widely understood—not just by policymakers, but by residents too.”

A new Consumer Code is also being developed to improve renter experience and position BTR as a “first-choice housing tenure”.

The Alliance’s immediate priorities include:

• Policy and viability reform to unlock stalled development

• Engagement with local authorities to promote BTR benefits

• Improved consumer perception and protections through new standards

The BPF and ARL are now urging government ministers and local councils to recognise BTR’s role in delivering high-quality, professionally managed rental homes, especially amid a national housing shortage.