Class action targets seven British housebuilders over new-build prices

A proposed class action lawsuit targets seven of Britain's largest housebuilders and seeks up to £4.5 billion in compensation for buyers of new-build homes. The claim covers more than 700,000 individuals who purchased properties across Great Britain between October 2015 and 24 June 2026.

It names Barratt Redrow, Bellway, The Berkeley Group, Bloor Homes, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, and Vistry Group, including its Countryside Partnerships division.

Background to the case The action follows a Competition and Markets Authority investigation that examined whether the firms shared commercially sensitive information on pricing, viewings, and buyer incentives for two years. The regulator ended its probe in February 2024 after the companies agreed to pay £100 million into affordable housing programmes and committed not to exchange such data.

The proposed claim alleges that reduced competition caused buyers to pay more than they otherwise would have. It awaits approval from the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Statements from legal team

““Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments most of us will make. If, as seems to be the case, housebuilders shared sensitive pricing and sales information with one another instead of competing properly, homeowners across Great Britain may well have been left out of pocket as a result.””

A partner at one of the law firms representing the claim said collective proceedings offer the only realistic route for most homeowners to seek redress. The housebuilders have been approached for comment. The CMA said last year it launched the probe after seeing signs that firms exchanged details on sales and incentives.