Housing tenants could possibly be given additional protections and housebuilders compelled to alter their practices, the competitors watchdog has warned.

The Competitors and Markets Authority (CMA) has introduced a probe into the constructing and rental sectors, saying it could “want to search out” any competitors points that may be holding again home constructing within the UK.

“The standard and price of housing is among the greatest points going through the nation,” stated CMA chief govt Sarah Cardell.

The watchdog pledged to take a look at 4 areas in the home constructing sector – construct high quality, land administration, innovation, and oversight by native authorities. It stated that it could examine whether or not the observe of “banking” land is anti-competitive.

That is when a property developer buys a plot to construct on in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later, however then doesn’t develop it for a very long time.

It’s estimated corporations are sitting on sufficient land to construct tons of of 1000’s of houses throughout the nation.

Final week Brandon Lewis, ex-housing and planning minister, stated Britain was passing up on a close to £18bn financial increase because of the authorities and companies’ “failure to construct sufficient new” houses,.

In a foreword to a report by assume tank Coverage Change Lewis stated many years of weak housing provide has taken its toll on households “within the type of greater home costs, greater rents and better month-to-month mortgage repayments”.

The investigation will have in mind how truthful property administration charges are for issues like “unadopted” roads and facilities, the CMA stated.

The authority additionally plans to take a look at the “end-to-end expertise” that tenants undergo when renting a property. It will embrace discovering someplace to stay, renting and transferring between houses.

“The venture will look at the connection between tenants and landlords and the position of intermediaries, equivalent to letting brokers,” it stated.

Ms Cardell stated: “If there are competitors points holding again housebuilding in Britain then we have to discover them. However we additionally should be sensible that extra competitors alone gained’t unlock a home constructing increase.

“In the identical vein, we need to discover the experiences individuals have of the rental sector and whether or not there are points right here that the CMA may also help with.

“We’ll in fact be guided by the proof, but when we discover competitors or shopper safety issues we’re ready to take the steps essential to deal with them.”