Build to Rent Partnerships in West Midlands
Build to rent partnerships in West Midlands are arrangements where homes are designed and built specifically for renting and owned long term by an institution or registered provider. Land to Homes brings land, planning and construction, and discusses forward funding, where the partner funds the build, or forward purchase, where the partner commits to buy the finished homes. This is not an offer to invest.
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- Private conversationsEvery arrangement documented
- Land to homesLand, planning and construction
- Housing partnersCouncils and housing associations
- No public offerNothing here is an offer to invest
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Partnerships around West Midlands
Across West Midlands, we cover Birmingham and 17 other towns, among them Dudley, Tipton and Aldridge. Next door, we also cover Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire. Our Great Barr head office in Birmingham is about 4 miles from the middle of West Midlands.
Typical partnership structures for West Midlands: forward-funded build to rent, mixed-tenure developments and council land brought forward for homes. Because West Midlands is in England, land titles are registered with HM Land Registry and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
Tell us about the opportunity near West Midlands and the right person will call you back.
How we work in West Midlands
Affordable element planned in
Where policy requires affordable homes, we agree the right tenure with the council at planning stage, such as affordable private rent in England.
Nation-aware tenancies
Each nation has its own tenancy law, and schemes are planned with the rules that will apply to tenants and landlords in mind.
Management in mind
Bin stores, parking, cycle storage, parcel rooms and plant are designed for efficient day-to-day management and low maintenance.
Designed for renting
Layouts, storage, specifications and amenities are chosen for long-term letting and management, rather than adapted from homes designed for sale.
Planning and land rules in West Midlands
In England, affordable housing on market developments in West Midlands is normally secured through a Section 106 agreement, which sets the number, tenure and transfer of homes to a registered provider. Grant from Homes England can add further homes, and the 2026 to 2036 programme expects at least 60% of funded homes to be Social Rent. Land to Homes can supply land, design and build homes, or deliver completed homes for councils and housing associations.
In England, the National Planning Policy Framework recognises build to rent as a distinct housing type, with affordable private rent as the usual affordable tenure. New private lets are assured periodic tenancies under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Appraisals must allow for Stamp Duty Land Tax, Section 106 obligations and, where charged, the Community Infrastructure Levy.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Plan |
| Who decides applications | The local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority) |
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| Land registration | HM Land Registry |
| How a sale becomes binding | A land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry. |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Questions about Build to Rent Partnerships in West Midlands
What is the difference between forward funding and forward purchase?
With forward funding, the partner buys the site and pays for construction in stages as the scheme is built. With forward purchase, the partner agrees to buy the finished homes on completion, while the developer arranges construction finance in the meantime. The structures share risk differently, so each party takes its own legal and tax advice.
How do tenancy rules affect build to rent?
Build to rent homes are let under the private tenancy law of each nation. In England, most new private tenancies are assured periodic tenancies under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Wales uses occupation contracts, Scotland the private residential tenancy and Northern Ireland the Private Tenancies Order regime. Schemes are planned with these rules in mind.
What is affordable private rent?
Affordable private rent is the usual form of affordable housing in build to rent schemes in England. Homes are let at a discount to local market rent, managed by the build to rent landlord rather than a housing association, and secured through a planning obligation. Eligibility and the level of discount are set by the council's policy.
Can registered providers take on build to rent homes?
Yes. Registered providers can acquire rental homes through forward purchase or package deals, including homes for social rent, affordable rent, mid-market rent or market rent, depending on the nation and their own objectives. We discuss schemes with providers and plan them around the provider's standards and funding conditions.
Can we discuss a partnership in West Midlands?
We are happy to talk about specific opportunities across West Midlands, including Brierley Hill, Halesowen and Kingswinford. Conversations are private and every arrangement is documented by each party’s own advisers. Nothing here is an invitation to invest.
Read more: Build to Rent Partnerships · Guide: Renting a new-build home: tenancy rules in England, Wales, Scotland and NI