A large amount of previously rented homes are being brought onto the sales market in Great Britain, according to analysis by Savills.
The firm estimates that 254,000 former buy-to-let properties were listed for sale in the 12 months to the end of March, the equivalent of about 697 homes per day.
This represents an increase of 28% on March 2024 levels and 9% more than by March 2025, indicating a continued upturn in landlord activity under changing market conditions.
This trend is most pronounced in London, where former rental properties account for 30% of new sales instructions, compared to 13% in the rest of Great Britain.
Number of first rental properties brought to the sales market
Source: Savills using listing data
A spokesperson for Savills said: “For many landlords, the Tenant Rights Act has become an obvious point at which they can re-evaluate their investments. This is compounded by the end of fixed rate mortgages and wider regulatory pressures, including higher minimum energy efficiency standards. Together, these factors are driving a more fundamental review of whether rental properties still stack up, particularly for smaller, mortgaged landlords.
“We have seen a significant increase in Section 21 notices, often as a way for landlords to test the rents they can receive on the open market. However, we also expect this to translate into more sales in the coming months.”
Savills research also examined whether properties listed for sale ultimately changed tenure from buy-to-rent, finding that 14% of properties sold were bought by other landlords, effectively returning to the private rented sector.
The spokesperson said: “Looking ahead, refinancing and the choice by tenants to move on are likely to be the main sales triggers. But with a large number of homes returning to the rental market under new ownership, this is not just about a reduction in supply, but about a broader restructuring of the market towards a smaller and more committed pool of professional landlords.”