A former chair of the UK’s housing watchdog has thrown his weight behind the build-to-rent sector, describing it as “the future” of housing and urging greater policy support for landlords and investors willing to deliver long-term, high-quality rental homes.
Veteran Labour MP Clive Betts, who chaired the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee until 2024, is leading a newly formed build-to-rent taskforce made up of major players in the rental sector including Grainger, Legal & General, the British Property Federation (BPF), and the Association for Rental Living.
Speaking to Inside Housing, Betts argued the model deserves far more political backing, calling it the “Cinderella of housing” – overlooked, under-supported, and underutilised.
“I think BTR has real potential,” Betts said. “It’s not a replacement for homeownership or for social rented housing – it’s an additional part of an overall offer.”
Long-term landlord ownership seen as key advantage
Unlike traditional build-and-sell developments, build-to-rent (BTR) schemes are typically retained by the developers or institutional landlords, giving them a vested interest in long-term maintenance and tenant satisfaction. This model, Betts insists, offers a better future for renters.
“The great advantage of BTR over other ways of providing rented accommodation is that the builders actually own the properties going forward, so there’s a built-in incentive to think about future maintenance and build to a higher standard,” he said.
“With BTR, you’ve got a much greater degree of certainty – not that the regulations and the controls will make builders do it better, but their own self-interest will make them do better.”
From a landlord’s perspective, this is a refreshing narrative shift. Rather than the tired caricature of rogue landlords and poor-quality housing, the BTR model showcases what’s possible when investors are treated as long-term partners – not political scapegoats.
A small sector with big potential
Currently, build-to-rent accounts for just 2% of all private rented homes in the UK – a tiny fraction of the market. But the opportunity for growth is vast.
The British Property Federation, which is backing the taskforce, said it will “work collaboratively to highlight the benefits” of BTR and single-family rental homes. The aim? To ensure local authorities and planning departments give it the recognition it deserves in meeting the UK’s growing housing need.
“It is essential that the sector is better known and that planning decision-makers recognise its role in meeting need and providing investment into communities,” a BPF spokesperson said. A national consumer code is also being considered to formalise and enhance tenant experience across the board.
Betts added: “[BTR homes] don’t need the subsidies that social housing does, aren’t at the unaffordable range that people without deposits can’t acquire, and are good-quality housing with a real future.”
Landlords need support, not suspicion
For UK landlords already active in the private rented sector, this renewed interest in build-to-rent could offer some overdue validation. While small landlords face rising costs, shrinking margins, and policy hostility, BTR’s expansion suggests institutional landlords – when backed by policy and planning – are being seen as part of the solution.
But many independent landlords argue they, too, provide long-term, well-maintained homes – they just don’t enjoy the same access to finance, favourable planning treatment, or political goodwill. As BTR gains momentum, perhaps it’s time to reassess how all types of landlords are treated – not just the ones with corporate backing.
If ministers are serious about stabilising the rental market and raising standards, supporting those who already provide homes – rather than pushing them out – must be part of the equation. With the right conditions, both BTR and traditional landlords can thrive side by side.
