The time it takes to secure planning consent for build-to-rent (BTR) homes in London has doubled over the past six years, according to new research from the British Property Federation (BPF) and Savills.
The average time to receive consent has increased from eight months to 15 months – 150% longer than the statutory time limit for major applications. A similar slowdown in planning consents being granted has been seen across the country, with applications taking up to 14 months to determine.
The number of build-to-rent homes in planning has increased marginally by 2% on the year nationwide and is up 6% in the capital from 36,559 in Q1 2025 to 41,968 in Q1 2026. Despite this overall increase in homes in planning, the number of schemes at the detailed application stage has fallen by 17% since the last quarter.
At the same time, the number of homes under construction has fallen for the ninth consecutive quarter and is down 17% on the year from 59,874 to 49,984 nationwide. In London, the number of homes under construction is down 29% from 17,138 to 12,134.
Danny Pinder, director of the BPF, said: “The contribution that build-to-rent makes to the overall housing mix is essential to meeting demand, with 8% of the 210,000 homes delivered last year purpose-built for rent. Despite this, the rental market continues to come under intense pressure, with supply constrained and development challenging – exacerbated by entirely avoidable impacts of the incoming Renters’ Rights Act and renewed discussion of rent controls.
“The steady increase in the time it takes to determine applications reflects poorly on the planning system, with schemes on average taking 150% longer than the statutory requirement. Planning reforms to date have been helpful, but they are not sufficient to turn the tide on development. We need to see the government go further to reform tax barriers to new homes and that the increasing costs of construction are offset by a reduction in Section 106 and CIL requirements.”
Jacqui Daly, director, Savills residential research, added: “With the UK facing a housing shortage, build‑to‑rent is playing an increasingly important role in boosting overall supply, now accounting for close to one in 10 new homes delivered. The sector has demonstrated its ability to adapt in the face of rising costs, tighter regulation and viability pressures, but continued delays across planning and the building safety regime are holding back delivery.
“If build‑to‑rent is to realise its full potential as a scalable and reliable source of new homes, it needs a more supportive operating environment, one that improves planning efficiency, provides regulatory certainty and enables schemes to progress quicker from consent to construction.”
