Purpose built homes for rent in the private sector.

Properties that have been constructed specifically for the rental market, taking into account key design issues that are seen as increasingly important for good quality BTR as against apartment blocks which were initially envisaged as build for sale on the open market

STOP PRESS: An updated version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published on 12 December 2024. This content is being reviewed in accordance with the latest version This Practice Note: • discusses the development of the large scale private rented sector (PRS) • considers the Government’s incentive package for Build to Rent (BTR) in the form of the Home Building Fund (HBF) and the Private Rented Sector Housing Guarantee scheme (PRSHG scheme) • explains the current market context and some of the structures by which large scale BTR accommodation may be delivered • considers the potential for the delivery of affordable private rent (APR) as part of a development particularly in the light of the planning practical guidance (PPG) on BTR • outlines the common routes for local authorities to be involved in BTR Need for government incentivised Build to Rent sector Data from the English Housing Survey 2016-17 published in July 2018 which covered over 23m households in England, shows that the PRS accounted for 4.7m households across England, in comparison

Build to rent products have grown in the UK over the last twenty years, particularly in metropolitan areas such as London. Professionally managed and institutionally owned, its growth has followed similar trends in other countries such as Germany and the USA. Build to rent is now treated as a distinct asset class within the private rented sector and has been defined in the National Planning Policy Framework glossary to simplify treatment within the planning process. This Practice Note explains: • the nature of build to rent transactions and how they differ from traditional residential development finance • the common finance structures used for build to rent transactions • the key considerations when documenting build to rent transactions • the relevant regulatory and planning issues, and • the key legislation affecting the sector What is build to rent? ‘Build to rent’ refers to schemes where properties are constructed specifically for the long-term rental market. In a real estate finance context, it is usually a hybrid of development finance (in the 'construction

The ability and ease with which a project can be built efficiently in terms of time, cost and quality.

A 'builder' basket typically refers to a basket that has the potential to increase during the life of the facilities based on the performance of the borrower group through retained excess cash flow or a percentage of consolidated net income.

Law360, London: Grafton Group plc, a building materials and construction products business, said 3 June 2025 that it has completed its acquisition of the Irish arm of HSS Hire Group plc, the British tool and equipment hire company, for an estimated for €31.6m.

This Practice Note gives guidance on the scope and interpretation of section 38 of the Building Act 1984 (BA 1984). The government had stated its intention to bring BA 1984, s 38, into force ‘alongside’ other legislative changes that became effective under the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022) on 28 June 2022—though regulations bringing s 38 into force have yet to be published. BA 1984, s 38 provides that breach of a duty imposed by building regulations, so far as it causes damage, is actionable. In other words, it imposes civil liability on parties who fail to comply with the requirements of building regulations. This Practice Note looks at what building regulations are, who may sue and be sued under BA 1984, s 38, and what damages might be recovered in a claim based on s 38. The guidance is this Practice Note is focused on the provisions of the building regulations that relate to standards of building work, breaches of which may result in defects. However, there are other obligations

The contract between an employer and a contractor for the carrying out and completion of building works. The building contract may be referred to as the main contract, particularly when sub-contractors are to be engaged.

The Building Control Independent Panel (BCIP) has published its ‘problem statement’, following the release of the government’s Terms of Reference on 13 June 2025. The statement highlights the challenges facing the building control sector overall and sets out plans to work with stakeholders and the building control profession to address issues raised by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry in its final report.  The BCIP will investigate whether to remove commercial interests from building control and transition to a national authority model. After holding three meetings since June 2025, the BCIP announced it will issue a call for evidence from the building control sector before the end of July 2025, with responses due within one month of publication. The panel aims to publish its final review by the end of 2025. The government will consider the BCIP’s recommendations and respond in early 2026.

The Building Regulations 2010 impose minimum standards for carrying out specified works in or about buildings, energy conservation and access to and use of buildings. Building Regulations apply to: new buildings or extensions; installing, extending or altering services or fittings; alterations affecting stability; fire safety; access; and use requirements.

The Building Act 1984 (BA 1984) empowers the Secretary of State/Welsh Ministers to make Building Regulations for various purposes, including to secure the health and safety of persons in or about buildings. It establishes criminal liability for breaches of these regulations and grants enforcement powers to local authorities to enforce them. This Practice Note provides guidance on the enforcement of Building Regulations. See Practice Note: Obtaining building regulations approval for guidance on when and how Building Regulations approval is obtained. General power of local authorities to enforce Building Regulations and exemptions from enforcement BA 1984, s 91(2) provides that it is the function of local authorities to enforce the Building Regulations in their area. This is subject to circumstances where BA 1984, ss 91ZA or 91ZB provide that the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is the building control authority in England (in respect of any higher-risk building (HRB) or work that has a prescribed connection with any HRB), in which case it is the duty of the BSR to enforce. For more information on the building control regime for HRBs,