Property inventory software provider Inventory Base has discovered through new research that Build to Rent is a rapidly expanding housing model gaining traction across Australia, New Zealand and even Dubai.

In New Zealand, completions rose an astonishing 34.5% year-on-year, outpacing growth in any other major market. Despite a population of 5.2 million (just over half the size of London), the country delivered 1,949 Build to Rent homes by 30 April 2025.

Among these is Kiwi Property’s Resido Build to Rent development, which achieved a 50% occupancy rate in December 2024 after opening its doors in June 2024.

In Australia, completions reached 4,878 in 2024, with 2025 projections at 5,928 – a forecasted increase of 21.5%.

“Build to Rent is reshaping rental markets across continents. The sector’s growth reflects a fundamental shift in how people view renting, no longer a temporary step, but a lifestyle choice driven by flexibility, convenience, and service quality. This shift brings new responsibilities for landlords and property managers.

“Build to Rent residents expect a professional, customer-centric experience, supported by operational excellence, proactive maintenance, and real-time responsiveness. Governments also have a part to play.

“In the UK, the ambition to deliver 1.5 million new homes – backed by planning reform and local authority targets – creates both urgency and opportunity for the Build to Rent sector.

“Technology will be key to delivering on that promise. Digital inspections, automated workflows, and integrated maintenance platforms are essential to running efficient, scalable operations.

“Delivering a modern rental experience takes more than spreadsheets, patchwork tools, or good intentions and the Build to Rent boom isn’t waiting for outdated systems to play catch up.”

Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Operations Director, Inventory Base

In the UK, Build to Rent has been well established for many years, with industry observers tracking the sector’s meteoric rise for several years.

According to Inventory Base, by Q1 2025, 1,824 new Build to Rent homes were delivered in the UK, bringing the cumulative total to 127,156 – a 15.8% year-on-year increase from 109,847 in Q1 2024.

Elsewhere, Dubai’s Build to Rent market has been considered ‘too young’ to provide any meaningful data right now. However, early indicators are showing that the sector is picking up speed and is widely expected to become one of the most active sectors in the world within a short period of time.

Inventory Base has found that there is also real institutional interest in Build to Rent, with Government policies encouraging long-term residency and rising expatriate demand positioning Build to Rent as a strategic investment focus.