Housing industry campaigns for more build-to-let properties

The housing industry has stepped up its campaign to convince the government that the solution to the endemic shortage of new homes can also be solved by providing more rented units.

The British Property Federation (BPF) and a number of other figures from the housing industry met this week to debate a new strategy as the government starts a new review of the rented sector.

Nick Jopling, an executive director for residential property at consultant CBRE, said: “With the current slowdown in the housing market and continued demand for quality homes, we find ourselves in a particularly positive environment.

“The development of a large scale build-to-let sector could be the seedcorn to attract institutional investment into the sector; the industry should grasp this opportunity with both hands.”

Other companies that met this week with the BPF included Atisreal, Unite and Chainbow.