Savills estimates that 254,000 previously let buy‑to‑let homes were listed for sale in past 12 months to the end of March. This is the equivalent to 697 properties per day.

The amount of buy-to-let stock for sale has increased by 28% on March 2024 and sits 9% above levels seen in the year to March 2025, highlighting a sustained shift in landlord behaviour amid changing market conditions.

The trend is most pronounced in London, where former rental properties accounted for 30% of all new sales instructions, compared to 13% across the rest of Great Britain.

“For many landlords, the Renters’ Rights Act has become a clear point at which to reassess their investment," comments Lucian Cook, head of residential reserach at Savills. "This has been compounded by fixed‑rate mortgages coming to an end and wider regulatory pressures, including higher minimum energy efficiency standards. Together, these factors are driving a more fundamental review of whether rental property still stacks up, particularly for smaller, mortgaged landlords.”

“We’ve seen a notable increase in Section 21 notices being served, often as a way for landlords to test achievable rents in the open market. However, we would also expect this to translate into more sales over the coming months.

Proportion of buy-to-let properties for sale return to the rental market

Savills research also examined whether buy‑to‑let properties listed for sale ultimately changed tenure, finding that 14% of those which sold were purchased by other landlords, effectively returning to the private rented sector.

“Looking ahead, refinancing and tenants choosing to move on are likely to become the main sale triggers. But with a significant number of homes returning to the rental market under new ownership, it is not just about shrinking supply, but a broader restructuring of the market towards a smaller more committed pool of professional landlords,” says Nicholas Gibson, research analyst at Savills.