Is It Time to Exit the Rental Market? 150,000 Landlords Say Yes
As the Renters’ Rights Bill nears the finish line in Parliament, landlords across the UK are making difficult decisions. With over 150,000 expected to exit the market by 2025, now may be the right time to review your portfolio.
Is It Time to Sell Your Rental Property? A Lot of Landlords Think So
It’s a big moment for landlords right now. With the Renters’ Rights Bill getting closer to becoming law, we’re seeing more and more landlords start to ask: “Is being a landlord still worth it?” For some, the answer is starting to look very much like a big “NO”.
According to new figures from Black & White Bridging, the number of buy-to-let landlords in the UK, could drop by 6% by the end of next year. That’s around 93,000 landlords walking away from the PRS. And that’s on top of the 65,000 who already exited between 2023 and 2024.
That’s over 150,000 landlords stepping away in just two years. A huge shift.
What’s Driving the Landlord Exodus?
There’s no single reason landlords are calling it quits - it's more like a perfect storm of pressures that are building year on year. Here are some of the main drivers:
- More regulation incoming: The Renters’ Rights Bill is set to introduce tighter rules around tenancy agreements, evictions, and property standards. For many landlords, it’s starting to feel like a full-time job just keeping up.
- Rising costs across the board: Higher mortgage rates, stricter compliance checks, and increasing maintenance costs are eating into profits - especially for those with smaller portfolios.
- Reduced control: Changes to Section 21 and the shift towards Section 8 means landlords have less flexibility in managing tenancies or exiting when needed.
- Timing and restrictions under Ground 1A: Once the Bill becomes law, landlords using Section 8 to regain possession in order to sell (under new Ground 1A) will need to give 4 months’ notice after a 12-month tenancy - and crucially, if the sale falls through, you won’t be allowed to re-let the property for another 12 months. That adds real risk if the property isn’t priced right or market conditions shift.
- Potential National Insurance charges on rental income: With ongoing speculation and policy discussions around applying National Insurance contributions to rental profits, many landlords are now factoring this into their long-term strategy. For some, it’s the final straw in an already stretched business model.
If you’re thinking about selling… you’re not alone.
Honestly, we’re having these conversations every day right now. Some landlords are looking to downsize their portfolio. Others just want out. Whatever your reason, there’s no shame in deciding it’s time to move on. The market has changed - and your priorities might have, too.
The good news? You’ve got options.
Here’s how we help at WhiteKnights
At WhiteKnights, we’ve worked with landlords right across Reading, Woodley, Spencers Wood and all local areas for decades. Whilst we no longer offer a lettings & property management service, we understand the pressures, and we’re here to help landlords to offload tenanted property or complete portfolios.
We can:
- Give you a realistic idea of your rental property or portfolio’s value
- Help with selling a tenanted property
- Assist with understanding the new regulations around selling your rental property
- Connect you with buyers, including investors looking for their next rental
Some landlords want a clean break, others want to offload as tenants leave, and we can help you decide on the best and easiest route.
Why Timing Matters More Than Ever
There’s more to timing than just market conditions. Once the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law, which could be very soon, new rules around repossession and re-letting kick in.
For landlords wanting to regain possession under Section 8, Ground 1A (to sell), you'll need to:
- Have had the tenant in place for at least 12 months
- Give 4 months’ notice
- And here’s the kicker: if you regain possession and the property doesn’t sell, you won’t be able to re-let it for another 12 months
That’s a big commitment, especially if the pricing wasn’t quite right or the sale falls through. That’s why getting both the timing and the valuation spot-on is absolutely essential.
Want a chat?
No hard sell, just straightforward advice. Give your local WhiteKnights team a call or drop in and see what your options are. It’s your investment, we’ll help you make the most of it.