Figures from property consultants TwentyEA reveal a significant exodus of landlords from the UK's private rental sector. Over 850,000 homes have been sold from the sector in the past decade, equating to approximately 18.6% of all rental stock. The analysis, part of TwentyEA's Property & Homemover Report for the second quarter of 2026, suggests that many of these homes have not been returned to the rental market, exacerbating the trend away from private rentals.
The highest number of sales was recorded in 2025, with almost 181,000 former rental properties being sold. This increase in landlord disposals cannot be attributed solely to the Renters' Rights Act, although TwentyEA notes that disposals accelerated as the legislation moved closer to implementation.
Despite the surge in landlord exits, the report found that rental supply has reached its highest level for seven years, with available stock up more than 17% compared to the same period last year. This is being driven in part by the growth of the purpose-built rental sector, with listings of purpose-built rental homes 22% higher in the second quarter than a year earlier.