New figures from Savills reveal that 254,000 previously let homes were put on the market in Great Britain during the twelve months leading up to the end of March 2026. This equates to just under 700 former rental properties listed for sale each day.
The reported number of former rentals for sale is around 28% higher than the level recorded two years earlier. The vast majority of these properties were listed through estate agents.
Landlords considering selling a property with a tenant in situ could explore a direct sale to their tenant. This approach may help avoid costs associated with gaining vacant possession, such as potential void periods, council tax on empty properties, and the loss of tax deductibility for running costs.
A direct sale could also bypass the restricted period under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which can last a minimum of sixteen months from the date a notice to seek possession is served. During this period, landlords are prohibited from re-letting or marketing the property for letting.
Some lenders accept concessionary purchases, where a discount on the sale price is treated as gifted equity, potentially reducing the tenant's deposit requirement. For example, Halifax requires a minimum 10% discount, while Aldermore accepts discounts from 5% up to 25% on landlord-to-tenant sales.