90% of MPs ‘ignorant of Build-to-Rent as housing crisis solution’

Lack of knowledge a key challenge as vast majority would NOT prioritise build-to-rent in their constituency.

parliament

Just one in 10 (11%) MPs would prioritise the development of new Build-to-Rent (BTR) homes in their constituencies despite the demand for rental properties being high, research from Cavendish Consulting and YouGov reveals.

They asked MPs across all parties about their constituency housing priorities and most strikingly, BTR homes ranked only 7th out of eight listed housing optipons..

Build-to-Rent

Six out of 10 (63%) of Conservative MPs prioritised private sale housing with Labour MPs more likely to prioritise council housing and social rent homes.

The survey found that only 14% of Conservatives and 10% of Labour MPs would prioritise BTR homes in their constituency. With the high likelihood of Labour being the next party of Government, this highlights a huge concern for the sector that needs to be addressed.

While over half of all BTR homes are in London – and with demand for rental properties in the capital remaining high – the research also revealed that not one London-based MP considered them to be a top priority, presenting further barriers and challenges for the industry.

EXPENSIVE RENT

Max Camplin, Executive Director at Cavendish Consulting, says: “Every day there are stories emerging from the private rented sector – where people are paying expensive rent for a property that doesn’t meet their needs. Not only is this impacting them financially, but also their mental and physical wellbeing.

Max Camplin, Cavendish Consulting
Max Camplin, Cavendish Consulting

“Compared to some of the rental market which can be poor quality and sometimes badly managed, BTR provides good quality, safe, and sustainable rented homes to suit a wide range of income levels. We know that MPs want the best for their constituents and communities, therefore there’s clearly more the property industry can do to communicate the benefits of BTR.”

And he adds: “The unrealised investment in new BTR homes is damaging to Britain’s housing market, holds back growth, and continues to see too many people renting in unsuitable and poorly managed rental accommodation.

Download the report HERE.


What's your opinion?

Back to top button