The South East multiplier
BCIS Q2 2026 regional location factor x1.20[BCIS Q2 2026]. Commuter belt premium across Surrey, Sussex, Hants, Berks, Oxon.
£/sqm by tier in South East
| Tier | £/sqm (regional) |
|---|---|
| Developer-spec | £1,980 to £2,400 |
| Mid-range | £2,400 to £3,000 |
| Premium | £3,360 to £4,200 |
| Architect-designed | £4,200 to £6,600 |
Planning context
Replacement-dwelling policy permissive in most Local Plans.
Temporary accommodation
ONS median 3-bed private rent £2,100/mo (May 2026 release)[ONS rents]. A 12-month build typically commits £21,420 to £28,980 of temp-accommodation budget.
Local detail
The South East region spans Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Kent, and Buckinghamshire (the last two have their own dedicated regional pages on this site). Most KDR demand concentrates in the commuter-belt local authorities within a 60-minute rail journey of central London.
Replacement-dwelling policy is broadly permissive across the South East under NPPF Para 84(d) and most Local Plans, including in Green Belt where the new dwelling is not materially larger than the one it replaces. The strictest tests apply within AONBs (Surrey Hills, Kent Downs, Chilterns, South Downs, Cotswolds AONB sliver) where design materials and form are tightly controlled.
Temporary accommodation in the South East commuter belt commands a meaningful premium over the UK average; school-catchment-locked rents in Esher, Beaconsfield, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, or St Albans regularly exceed the regional median.