Following an investigation last year by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), seven housebuilders have agreed to pay a total of £100m to affordable housing programmes across all four nations.

The seven housebuilders (Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Berkeley Group, Bloor Homes, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry) had exchanged details about sales including pricing, number of property viewings and incentives offered to buyers such as upgraded kitchens or stamp duty contributions.

Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive at the CMA, said: “Housing is a critical sector for the UK economy and housing costs are a substantial part of people’s monthly spend, so it’s essential that competition works well. This keeps prices as low as possible and increases choice.  

“As a result of the CMA’s investigation, housebuilders are taking clear and comprehensive steps to ensure they comply with the law and don’t share competitively sensitive information with their rivals. 

“Alongside these measures, the housebuilders we investigated have agreed to pay £100 million towards affordable homes programmes, which will help communities up and down the country.

“The CMA will now consult on the proposed commitments before deciding whether to accept them.”

The housebuilders have offered a package of commitments to address the CMA’s concerns which it will now consult on until 24 July 2025. Under the proposed commitments, the housebuilders will: 

• Make a combined £100m payment – the largest secured through commitments from companies under investigation
• Work with the Home Builders Federation and Homes for Scotland to develop industry-wide guidance on information sharing. 
• Agree not to share certain types of information with other housebuilders, including the prices houses have been sold for, except in limited circumstances.