Build to Rent Alliance launches new code of practice

The Build to Rent Alliance, which was formed last year between the Association for Rental Living (ARL) and Real Estate:UK (RE:UK), has launched a new Code of Practice for the sector.

The press release notes that the Code has been nearly four years in development and that it will ‘continue to be developed and refined during 2026 through further consultation and testing, ahead of it formally coming into force’.

The stated purpose of the Code is to ‘provide residents within Build to Rent communities with a clear, verifiable standard of accommodation, amenity provision and lifestyle experience significantly above the statutory minimum’. The Code is described as a ‘a voluntary framework that enables operators, owners, and residents to engage effectively and fairly, and sets a new benchmark for service, quality, sustainability, security, and good governance’.

The Code has received expressions of support from several major operators, with ‘formal signatory status applying once the final operational Code goes live’. The press release notes that there will be a ‘structured verification process’ for assessing signatories adherence to the Code.

The new Code contains a Charter of Commitments. The seven core commitments are summarised as follows:

• Fair and reasonable renting – providing transparent terms, limiting deposits, ensuring quick returns and supporting residents.
• High-quality, safe homes – delivering and maintaining properties above national standards, never directly passing on safety-related costs by default wherever appropriate.
• Sustainability and decarbonisation – committing to measurable goals, including net zero by 2050, improving efficiency, minimising resource use, upgrading and maintaining homes to EPC C or higher.
• Professional, accountable service – ensuring responsive repairs, respectful notice before entry, and dedicated, qualified teams supported by inclusive hiring and ongoing training.
• Community and wellbeing – fostering vibrant, inclusive neighbourhoods by engaging residents and locals, supporting social and economic opportunities, respecting heritage, and measuring social impact.
• Transparency and governance – upholding accountable practices, fair employment, responsible supply chains, and a culture of inclusion, wellbeing, and continuous improvement.
• Championing the Code – embedding these standards across organisations and advocating for consistent, high-quality practices across the rental sector and to support the transparent governance of this Code so that the commitment can be independently verified.

In the FAQs it is noted that the ‘core Code focuses on BTR apartments. Supplements covering BTR houses and other residential formats will follow in due course’.

Comment

Whilst there is nothing official at this stage, we would hope that establishing this Code could then lead to exemptions from the Renters’ Rights Act in a similar way to how PBSA operators benefit from their membership of the ANUK code.