Last reviewed: 30 June 2026
TL;DR: A class action claim has been formally lodged at the Competition Appeal Tribunal against nine major UK housebuilders, alleging anti-competitive conduct pushed up prices for new-build homes bought between October 2015 and 24 June 2026. The claim seeks between £2.2 billion and £4.5 billion in compensation for more than 700,000 buyers, equivalent to roughly £3,100 to £6,200 per household. The claim is at an early stage and has not been determined.
Mark McLaren, a consumer advocate formerly with Which?, has formally lodged a class action claim at the Competition Appeal Tribunal against nine of the UK's largest housebuilders, including Barratt Redrow, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, Berkeley, Bellway, Bloor Homes, Vistry Group and its Countryside Partnerships division.
What the claim alleges
The claim alleges the housebuilders engaged in anti-competitive conduct, including the sharing of commercially sensitive information, that allowed prices for new-build homes to be set higher than they would have been in a properly competitive market. It is brought on behalf of more than 700,000 people who bought a new-build home in Great Britain between October 2015 and 24 June 2026, and seeks compensation of between £2.2 billion and £4.5 billion, equivalent to an estimated £3,100 to £6,200 per affected buyer.
How this connects to the CMA investigation
The claim follows a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into whether housebuilders shared commercially sensitive information that may have influenced build-out rates and pricing. The CMA closed that investigation in October 2025 without taking enforcement action. A private class action through the Competition Appeal Tribunal is a separate legal route, allowing claims to proceed even where a regulator has not pursued its own enforcement case.
How the housebuilders have responded
Berkeley confirmed it is aware of the claim, brought by law firms Geradin Partners and Hausfeld, and said it would be inappropriate to comment further given the proceedings are ongoing. Industry analysts have expressed scepticism about the claim's prospects: RBC Capital Markets analyst Anthony Codling argued housebuilders are price takers rather than price setters, competing against the much larger existing homes market, with new-build sales accounting for around 12 percent of total housing transactions.
What this means for affected buyers right now
The claim is at an early stage and has not been determined by the tribunal. No compensation has been awarded, and there is no guarantee the claim will succeed. Competition Appeal Tribunal class actions of this kind typically take a substantial period to resolve, often several years, and outcomes depend on the tribunal's eventual ruling on liability and damages. Buyers who purchased a new-build home in the relevant window do not need to take action to be included in an opt-out collective claim, though the specific claim mechanism should be confirmed once the tribunal formally certifies the case.
KEY FACTS
- Claim value: £2.2 billion to £4.5 billion sought, roughly £3,100 to £6,200 per affected buyer
- Covers new-build purchases in Great Britain between October 2015 and 24 June 2026
- More than 700,000 buyers potentially covered
- 9 housebuilders named, including Barratt Redrow, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Berkeley
- Follows a CMA investigation closed without enforcement action in October 2025
This is a newly lodged legal claim, not a finding of wrongdoing or a confirmed compensation scheme. The tribunal has not ruled on liability, and industry analysts have publicly questioned its prospects of success.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. The claim discussed has not been determined by the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice on individual circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Who is bringing the claim against housebuilders?
Mark McLaren, a consumer advocate formerly with Which?, has formally lodged the claim at the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Which housebuilders are named in the claim?
Barratt Redrow, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, Berkeley, Bellway, Bloor Homes, Vistry Group and its Countryside Partnerships division are named.
How much compensation is being sought?
The claim seeks between £2.2 billion and £4.5 billion in total, equivalent to an estimated £3,100 to £6,200 per affected buyer.
Do I need to do anything if I bought a new-build home in this period?
The claim has not yet been determined or formally certified by the tribunal. There is no confirmed action required at this stage, and any claims process would be clarified once the tribunal progresses the case.
Sources
Competition Appeal Tribunal, claim filing reporting
Competition and Markets Authority, housebuilding market study and closed investigation, October 2025
