Buy-to-let investors are increasingly pushing for larger discounts on properties as the housing market slows. In July, landlords made up 14.1% of all home purchases in Great Britain, exceeding the 12.4% year-to-date average.
More than half, 56%, of investor offers in England and Wales were at least 10% below the initial asking price during July. This marks the highest proportion since April 2020, up from 48% in June and 45% in July 2025.
Cash buyers, particularly cash-backed landlords, were more assertive, with 63% of their offers being at least 10% below the initial asking price. This compares to 25% for first-time buyers and 27% for home movers. The average landlord paid 88.7% of the initial asking price in July.
Sellers are also showing more willingness to accept lower bids. In July, 27% of investor offers that were at least 10% below the initial asking price were accepted, an increase from 18% a year earlier. For leasehold homes, 41% of these discounted offers were accepted.
Separately, annual rent growth on newly let homes in Great Britain reached 1.9% in July, with the average monthly rent at £1,401. This represents the fastest increase for new lets in 19 months.