If you’re a landlord feeling the strain of recent shifts in the UK housing market, you’re not alone.
In the third quarter of 2024, 710 buy-to-let properties were repossessed – a 73% increase from the same period the previous year. Rising mortgage costs and increasing regulations are prompting many landlords to reassess their positions and consider: Is it time to sell my house?
Selling rental property doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you want to sell your house fast to avoid repossession, sell a rental property with tenants in situ, or avoid property chains, we’ll help you secure a simple, fair, and fast house sale, even without disrupting your tenants.
What’s Happening in the UK Property Market?
While housing demand remains strong, UK house prices are under pressure, with landlords increasingly offloading their rental properties. In Q4 2024, over 700 buy-to-let properties were repossessed, a 30% increase from the previous year.
At the same time, more landlords are selling up, increasing sales supply while rental property availability declines. Many experts predict this trend will continue as landlords look to offload properties that are becoming harder to manage.
Why are Landlords Selling Up in 2025?
Several challenges are making buy-to-let ownership less profitable for many landlords:
Rising Mortgage Costs: Rate hikes in recent years have significantly impacted landlords. Many landlords are coming off lower fixed-rate deals and facing significantly higher repayments, making it harder to turn a profit. For some, this financial burden is becoming unsustainable, forcing them to sell or risk repossession.
Increased Regulation: The Renters’ Rights Bill is set to abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and introduce more stringent requirements on landlords which could increase the risk of repossession. These changes could make property management more complex and costly. Landlords unable to meet the new legal requirements may find selling to be a better option to avoid financial strain and potential repossession.
Fluctuating Rental Yields: While some regions continue to see rental growth, others, such as London, have experienced a decline by 1.9% in the past year. In contrast, some regions—like the East Midlands and Yorkshire—are still seeing rental growth. For landlords relying on rental income to cover mortgage repayments, this uncertainty increases the risk of arrears and repossession.
More Landlords are Selling-Up: As more landlords exit the market, the number of properties for sale is expected to rise, potentially driving prices down further. Acting promptly may be the best strategy to sell your property quickly and mitigate repossession risks.
Strategies to Avoid Repossession
If you’re grappling with rising mortgage costs or apprehensive about increasing regulations, 2025 might be an opportune time to sell before facing repossession risks. The current market still offers opportunities for a swift property sale, as demand remains high. Selling now allows landlords to avoid:
- Repossession and associated financial uncertainties.
- Impending changes in tax and rental laws that could exacerbate ownership challenges.
- The stress of managing tenants under more stringent regulations.
Landlords are Selling Up with Any House Wanted
If you need a swift property sale, we offer a hassle-free process with no estate agents and no hidden fees. Whether you need to sell your house fast in London, avoid traditional estate agents, or sidestep property chains, we will:
- Prevent Repossession: Sell promptly before lenders take action.
- Guarantee a Sale: Avoid waiting months for the right buyer.
- Provide a Cash Offer: Receive a fair cash offer and complete the sale in weeks.
Selling Rental Property: What are your options?
Sell with Tenants in Situ
Selling with tenants in situ means selling your property while tenants remain in place. This can be a great option if you don’t want the hassle of serving notice or dealing with void periods.
At Any House Wanted, we specialise in buying rental properties with tenants in situ, meaning you don’t have to worry about evictions or disrupting your tenants’ lives. We simply take over as the new landlord, making the transition seamless for everyone.
This option allows you to:
- Sell quickly without disrupting tenants
- Avoid legal complexities around evictions
- Continue receiving rental income during the sale process
If you’re worried about giving tenants notice or handling legal requirements, this is a great option. We’ll take care of everything, making selling as easy as possible for you, and your tenants.
Selling with vacant possession opens up your property to a wider pool of buyers, including first-time homeowners and families. However, this means you’ll need to provide tenants with the appropriate notice under UK housing laws, which can extend the timeline for your sale.
Choosing a cash buyer like Any House Wanted means you don’t have to worry about long void periods or extra costs while waiting for the right buyer. We complete the sale on your timescale, giving you, and your tenants, plenty of time and the flexibility to plan the move.
Why Sell to Any House Wanted?
- We buy rental properties with tenants in place – no evictions needed.
- You can sell one property, or a number of houses from your portfolio
- Fast, guaranteed sale – no waiting for the right buyer
- No estate agent fees, no hidden costs
- Cash offers with completion in weeks
- Expert guidance every step of the way
With mortgage costs rising and the Renter’s Reform Bill coming into action, many landlords are choosing to sell sooner with Any House Wanted. If you’re considering a sale, we’re here to help you make the right decision – without pressure, without delays, and without hidden fees.
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat today. We’ll help you move forward – on your terms.
If you’re facing financial difficulties and need to sell your property quickly, read our How to Stop Home Repossession guide, or reach out to our team to for a no-obligation, confidential chat today on 0800 389 7305. We may be able to help you move forward without the stress and risk of a repossession.
Note: This information is based on available data as of March 2025. Market conditions and regulations may have evolved since publication.