Build to Rent on the rise connecting policy and people
- Go back
- 03rd Jun 25
At Love to Rent, we’re proud to be more than just a platform for people to find homes to rent, we’re also helping to drive the conversation around what great renting looks like in the UK and how Build to Rent (BTR) is setting new standards. Anne-Marie Brown, Founder of Love to Rent continues to represent this mission at the highest level, most recently attending UKREiiF, the event for the real estate, property and infrastructure sectors.
Bringing together over 16,000 professionals from national and local government, investors, developers, end-users, and the broader built environment sector, UKREiiF shares a common vision with Love to Rent: championing investment, regeneration and the creation of homes that people genuinely want to live in.
Connecting Policy with People
This year’s UKREiiF delivered rich insights, but one theme stood out: how we connect policy with people. The BTR sector sits at the intersection of this challenge, providing high-quality, purpose-built homes that respond directly to the evolving needs of renters and the strategic goals of government.
From vibrant city centre apartment schemes to suburban family housing (SFH), co-living spaces and later living models, BTR continues to innovate. One tenure type generating new interest is amenity-light, affordable BTR, a streamlined offering that brings the BTR ethos of quality and management standards to a more accessible price point. These new models are helping the sector respond to the cost-of-living crisis without compromising on standards, and they represent yet another way that BTR is showing agility and purpose.
A Diverse Offering
Love to Rent prides itself on offering a wide range of rental homes for a cross section of society. This diversification reflects discussions and seminars at UKREiiF, with a focus on its ability to adapt, collaborate and deliver. Key takeaways were understanding how developers and local authorities can work together to create vibrant neighbourhoods, and during data-led sessions, learning how BTR is able to share learnings to deliver better outcomes for individual renters and communities.
“Events like UKREiiF are essential for breaking down silos between policymakers, developers and operators,” says Anne-Marie Brown. “Build to Rent is no longer a niche offering, it’s a vital part of the housing mix that’s actively shaping how we live today. By sharing insights and working collaboratively, we can ensure that renters across the UK benefit from high-quality, well-managed homes that are designed around their real needs.”
Bridging the Knowledge Gap
Love to Rent is actively amplifying the key messages from UKREiiF and other leading players in the industry. From research to real-world success stories of customers, the platform is a hub where industry meets end-user. Through online blogs, social media content, and the industry’s first dedicated Build to Rent Awards, Love to Rent is shining a spotlight on the sector’s successes, building greater awareness among renters while reinforcing trust and confidence among investors, planners and policymakers.
Confidence is Soaring
Investment is on the up and BTR completions hit record levels, pointing to strong confidence in the sector. According to new analysis from Property Inspect, investment in BTR reached £832 million in Q1 2025, a staggering rise from £55 million in the same period last year.
This builds on a 12% increase in total 2024 investment, reaching over £5 billion. In Q1 2025 alone, 127,156 BTR homes were completed, a 15.8% increase from Q1 2024 and the highest quarterly total on record.
“As the BTR sector continues to grow in scale and maturity, Love to Rent is committed to supporting that growth through insight, visibility and advocacy,” adds Anne-Marie. “Our attendance at UKREiiF is just one example of how we are engaging with the industry to help shape a better rental future for all, forging connections and ensuring developers have the tools, exposure and understanding they need to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding and increasingly diverse renter audience.”