Is Britain falling out of love with buying a home?
- 11th Feb 26
For generations, buying a home has been seen as the ultimate life milestone. Get the keys, settle down, stay forever. But as Valentine’s Day approaches, many renters and couples are asking a different question:
Is buying still the best way to build a secure, happy life, or has quality renting become the smarter long-term choice?
With rising house prices, higher mortgage rates and the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, homeownership is feeling increasingly out of reach, particularly for young couples and first-time buyers. What was once a romantic goal now often feels stressful, restrictive and financially risky.
For many people, the idea of taking on full responsibility for repairs, maintenance and unpredictable costs, on top of already stretched budgets, simply doesn’t stack up. A leaking roof or broken boiler can quickly turn a dream into a burden.
As a result, the traditional “buy at all costs” narrative is being replaced by something more realistic: a focus on quality of life, flexibility and security, rather than ownership alone.
Why are more people choosing to rent long term?
Renting is no longer just a stop-gap between moves. Increasingly, it’s a deliberate lifestyle choice, especially in build-to-rent homes designed for long-term living.
What makes build-to-rent different?
Build-to-rent developments are created specifically for renters, not adapted from homes built to sell. This means residents benefit from:
- Professionally managed apartments
- Flexible, longer-term tenancies
- Predictable monthly costs
- No surprise repair bills
- Amenity-rich living
- A focus on resident experience
For couples prioritising careers, wellbeing or flexibility, stability is no longer defined by ownership, it’s defined by how well your home supports your life.
Community, connection and feeling at home
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic love anymore. It’s also about friendship, belonging and everyday connection, from Galentine’s get-togethers to the relationships that make life feel fuller.
As modern life becomes busier and more digital, community living is playing a bigger role in how people choose where to live.
Build-to-rent developments are designed with this in mind, offering shared spaces and experiences that make it easier to connect naturally, including:
- Communal lounges and social spaces
- Co-working areas
- Resident events and classes
- Thoughtfully designed amenities
These environments don’t force interaction, they simply make it easier for neighbours to become friends.
Are pet-friendly rental homes harder to find?
Love comes in all forms, and for many of us, the companionship and joy we get from our pets can rival any human connection. Yet not all landlords make it easy to share your home with furry friends. That’s where Build to Rent stands out, the majority of developments not only allow pets but truly welcome them, with dedicated amenities. At a time when pets are playing an increasingly important role in wellbeing, companionship and emotional connection, having pet-friendly homes that welcomes them can make all the difference.
The majority of build-to-rent developments actively welcome pets, offering:
- Pet-friendly rental policies
- Dedicated pet amenities
- Dog meet-ups and community events
- Spaces designed with pets in mind
How love to rent helps renters find quality homes
Love to Rent is a UK platform specialising in professionally managed rental homes designed for long-term and flexible living. By connecting renters with high-quality build-to-rent developments across the country, Love to Rent helps people find homes that support real life, not just short-term stays.
The platform brings together developers, operators and trusted suppliers to improve renter experience, transparency and confidence across the sector.
Building trust through insight and partnership
Love to Rent works collaboratively with sector leaders including Placefirst, Flatfair, Yardi, NHBC, GAA Living and APO Group to share best practice and raise standards.
Through initiatives like:
- The Excellence in Build to Rent Report
- The Build to Rent Awards
- Industry roundtables and shared insight
Love to Rent helps shape the future of quality renting in the UK.
To give renters even more confidence, Love to Rent partners with hereSAY to collect and showcase authentic resident feedback, helping people make informed decisions about their next home.
Love wins (When your home works for you)
This Valentine’s Day, love isn’t about grand gestures or ticking traditional boxes. It’s about making choices that reduce stress, support wellbeing and leave room for the future you want to build together. For many couples and renters, that means choosing quality rented homes, professional management and community-focused living, without the pressure to buy before they’re ready.
When your home works for your lifestyle, your finances and your future, love really does win.
Start the search for your new home today.