Major housebuilders face £4.5bn class action
More than 700,000 new-build buyers could be eligible for compensation under a class action alleging anti-competitive behaviour.
Some of the UK’s largest housebuilders are facing a £4.5 billion class action over claims that homebuyers paid inflated prices for new-build properties because of alleged anti-competitive behaviour.
Mark McLaren, a former parliamentary and legal affairs manager at consumer group Which?, is bringing the claim.
Competition Appeal Tribunal
It is due to be filed with the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) against Barratt Redrow, Bellway, The Berkeley Group, Bloor Homes, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Group.
The Times reports the claim is being brought on behalf of more than 700,000 people who bought new-build homes in Great Britain between October 2015 and 24 June 2026.
Lawyers acting for the claimant, Geradin Partners and Hausfeld, estimate affected homeowners could receive between £3,100 and £6,200 each if the action succeeds.
The case follows the Competition and Markets Authority‘s investigation into suspected information sharing between major housebuilders.
Last year the regulator accepted legally binding commitments from the companies to stop exchanging commercially sensitive information and secured a £100 million payment towards affordable housing programmes, but did not rule on whether competition law had been breached.
Housebuilders shared sensitive pricing and sales information with one another instead of competing properly.”
McLaren said: “Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments most of us will make. If, as seems to be the case, housebuilders shared sensitive pricing and sales information with one another instead of competing properly, homeowners across Great Britain may well have been left out of pocket as a result.
“This claim is about standing up for those buyers and ensuring that compensation is delivered to those who deserve it.”
The companies concerned have been approached for comment.
A spokesperson for Berkley said: “Berkeley is aware of the claim being pursued by Geradin Partners and Hausfeld. Given the nature of the proceedings, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this stage.”
