The Competition and Markets Authority has concluded its investigation into nine separate volume housebuilders over “suspected anti-competitive conduct,” by issuing several requirements to prevent information sharing including a £100m payment for affordable home construction.

These ‘Commitments’ “address the CMA’s competition concerns, and have therefore resolved these issues, the Government’s competition watchdog said in a statement. The housebuilders under investigation were Barratt Redrow (as well as Barratt and Redrow separately), Bellway, Berkeley, Bloor, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry.

They include a Commitment “to not directly share information regarding any newly built residential house or flat in Great Britain,” including sale price, information around “incentives” to buyers, information on sales numbers and invividual property sales, and buyer demographics.

The Affordable Homes Payment of £100m is required to be made to the Government within three months, which will “be disbursed to the affordable homes programmes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Also, each party involved will not be allowed to claim their respective share of the ex gratia Affordable Homes Payment as a tax deduction, said the CMA.

In addition, there is a Commitment to “engage with and support the House Builders Federation and Homes For Scotland to develop UK competition law guidance in relation to information exchange within three months.” The housebuilders are also required to provide “mandatory annual competition law training to all relevant employees,” and provide annual reports on compliance for five years.