Research published by the British Property Federation shows that the total number of build-to-rent homes under construction across the UK has increased by nearly 40 per cent to hit more than 43,000.

The number of completed build-to-rent (BTR) homes has also risen significantly, up 29 per cent to reach 29,416 nationally, while the number of BTR homes in planning is up ten per cent to 66,718.

For the first time, the total number of completed build-to-rent homes across the UK regions has caught up with the total in London as 14,615 homes were completed in the regions compared to 14,801 in the capital.

But new developments in the regions are now being given the greenlight at a faster rate, with 24,010 homes under construction in the regions and 19,304 in London.

As build-to-rent has grown, it is also changing shape with 15 per cent of schemes in the pipeline now including houses, rather than just consisting of high-rise apartments, making it more suitable for family accommodation.

By Patrick Mooney, editor