Executive director of watchdog urges industry to follow new guidance

An executive director of the Competition and Markets Authority has warned housebuilders to be careful about providing information to rivals, following last year’s probe into alleged price information sharing by a group of firms.

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Juliette Enser, executive director, writing exclusively for Housing Today, said: “If you speak to competitors – especially about the number of homes built and pricing – take a moment to stop and think . “

Enser urged housebuilders to follow new guidance developed by the Home Builders Federation on the exchange of information under UK competition law.

Enser said: “It’s always far easier to prevent problems than to fix them after they’ve happened. Although we work hard to help businesses understand and follow the rules, we will act where there is evidence of unlawful behaviour.”

In February 2024, the CMA began investigating alleged breaches of competition law by Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Berkeley Group, Bloor Homes, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry.

The CMA last summer announced it had agreed a deal with the house builders to end its probe. The housebuilders agreed to contribute a combined £100m towards affordable housing programmes and signed up to a number of binding commitments, one of which was working with HBF to develop the guidance.

They also pledge pledged not to share sensitive information with other housebuilders, such as the prices houses have been sold for, except for in limited circumstances. The housebuilders do not admit any liability or wrongdoing.

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