Build-to-rent (BTR) construction starts across the UK have fallen 79% in the year to June, according to research prepared by Savills for Real Estate:UK (RE:UK). The report reveals that the drop was most acutely felt outside of London, with just 2,176 starts across the year in the regions, down 84% on the previous year’s 13,893 starts. The number of BTR homes under construction fell 21% in Q2 2026 compared to Q2 2025, with London experiencing a 27% drop and regional BTR schemes under construction down 19%. In January, the British Property Federation (now part of RE:UK) revealed that just 613 BTR homes began construction in London last year, marking an 80% drop on 2024 levels. He added that he drop “undoubtedly reflects the impact the viability crisis is having on the development of BTR schemes across the UK”.