Just one in ten newly built homes in England make it to the open sales market, according to new data from estate agent CRM provider Alto and the Office for National Statistics. Of the estimated 200,000 new properties constructed in England over 2024/25, only 21,261 were available for open market purchase – where ordinary buyers can view them and submit direct offers through estate agents. In London, the figure drops to just 2%.
Riccardo Iannucci-Dawson, CEO of Alto, said: 'People see homes being built and assume they'll be available to buy, but the reality is many never reach the market. This isn't just about how many homes are built, but how many are accessible – and in some areas, that's a small fraction of total supply.' He warned that the UK risks mirroring parts of Europe, such as France and Germany, where long-term renting is more common, potentially turning Britain into 'a nation of renters.'
A survey of 2,000 adults found that 44% feel there are not enough properties on the market for them to buy. Nearly half (46%) believe new builds in their area are targeted at investors and landlords rather than local buyers, and 36% are convinced they will never own their own home. The main barriers cited were the market being too costly (60%) and insufficient wages (58%), though 15% said they prefer renting, embracing a more European lifestyle.
The study, conducted via OnePoll.com, revealed that 57% believe it is the government's duty to ensure adequate housing availability. Nearly half (46%) called for greater support for first-time buyers, while 27% wanted stronger regulation of rental prices. Furthermore, 61% said property investors and landlords are squeezing out first-time buyers, and 48% supported stricter restrictions on investors seeking to purchase new properties.
Iannucci-Dawson added: 'It is clear the appetite to own a home is still there, but the opportunity doesn't mirror their eagerness. The open market is often estate agent-led and follows the traditional path of the buyer finding a property through an agent. It is clear to see a large proportion of homes aren't making it to the typical sales stream because it removes the opportunity for so many to get on the ladder.'
