UK Build to Rent investment forecast to surpass £5.7bn in 2026, as completions continue to rise at pace
New research by Property Inspect reveals that Build to Rent completions increased by more than 13% in 2025, and with 2025’s total sector investment of £5.3bn now forecast to increase by almost 8% in 2026, it seems that the Build to Rent is going to continue going from strength to strength in the UK.
Property Inspect has analysed Build to Rent (BTR) planning and delivery data between 2023 and 2025 (latest available)* to understand the trajectory of both completions and the sector’s pipeline moving into 2026.
The research reveals that an estimated total of 146,728 BTR units were completed in 2025. This marks an annual increase of 13.4% on 2024’s total of 129,355 units, which was itself significantly higher than 2023’s total of 108,286.
However, this steady increase in BTR completions has run parallel to a steady decline in the number of units under construction. In 2025, 50,597 units were under construction, -14.7% down on 2024’s total of 59,294.
While this might suggest that the UK’s BTR pipeline is drying up, analysis of planning data suggests otherwise.
The number of units in planning in 2025 stood at 101,462, an annual increase of 1.7%. This has been driven by a 17.6% increase in the number of units in the detailed planning permission phase, which accounts for those developments that are on the cusp of entering the construction phase.
Build to Rent investment is also on the rise
Further analysis from Property Inspect has looked at the amount of investment going into the UK’s BTR sector*.
In 2025, an estimated total of £5.3bn was invested into the sector, marking an annual increase of 6.1%. This follows 10.3% growth in 2024.
And now, Property Inspect has produced an investment forecast which estimates the annual total will increase by a further 7.7% in 2026, hitting total of more than £5.7bn.
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Property Inspect says: “Build to Rent has firmly established itself as one of the most important pillars of the UK’s housing landscape, particularly in major urban centres where demand for high-quality rental homes continues to outstrip supply. The fact that completions have risen by more than 13% in 2025, alongside a strong planning pipeline and investment forecast to surpass £5.7bn in 2026, underlines just how resilient and forward-looking this sector has become.
What sets BTR apart is its commitment to delivering a superior standard of living, from thoughtfully designed communal spaces and on-site amenities, to responsive management and a genuine focus on tenant experience. But maintaining that standard requires rigorous, ongoing inspections, proactive maintenance, and robust reporting processes to ensure properties continue to meet the expectations of modern renters.
As the sector grows, so too does the need for professional oversight and operational excellence. That’s where Property Inspect plays a crucial role, supporting landlords and operators with the detailed inspections and compliance processes that safeguard asset quality, protect investment value, and ultimately ensure tenants receive the high-quality service that defines the very best of Build to Rent.”
Data tables and sources
Build to rent completions, planning, and investment data sourced from BPF and Savills
Full data tables and sources can be viewed online, here