Renters’ Rights Act: risk minimisation
6 days ago | 13 comments
Landlord exodus slows but uncertainty remains
9:12 AM, 7th April 2026, 1 day ago
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Fewer landlords are actively selling up than last autumn, but a big chunk is still exiting or weighing up leaving the sector, research reveals.
According to lettings platform Goodlord, 72% of landlords are neither buying nor selling.
Instead, activity has stalled as many wait for the Renters’ Rights Act to take effect on 1 May
The survey, covering more than 1,200 landlords, also found that 24% are currently selling or trying to sell part or all of their portfolio.
That is down on September 2025, when 35% said they had sold or attempted to sell within the previous 12 months.
Landlord exodus eases
The firm’s director of landlord experience, Emily Popple, said: “These numbers provide initial indications that the pace of the so-called ‘landlord exodus’ has started to ease, with the majority of landlords appearing to be in a holding pattern.
“Many will be waiting to see what the real world implications of the Renters’ Rights Act are, once it comes into force on May 1.”
She added: “Whilst fewer landlords leaving the sector is definitely good news, the wider signals are still concerning.
“Far too many don’t see a future for themselves in the PRS and there’s only a very small cohort investing in portfolio expansion.
“We only have a short window to try and turn the tide.”
Rent growth slows
The shift in landlords selling coincides with a slowdown in rent rises, with Goodlord’s Rental Index recording annual growth of 2% in February.
That compares with 4% at the same point last year.
Data from TwentyCi also shows fewer former rental homes being listed for sale so far this year, pointing to a reduced flow of stock out of the sector.
Fewer landlords invest
Buying activity is also low with 4% of landlords saying they are currently investing in new properties.
Around 35% of landlords do not expect to remain in the sector within five years, while 21% say they have yet to decide.
Only 44% believe they will still be landlords by 2031 with some predicting their portfolios will be smaller by then.
Tags:
Goodlord research, landlord exit rates, landlord exodus, landlord survey, Landlords Selling, Property investment, PRS supply, rent inflation, Renters’ Rights Act
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Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1573
9:36 AM, 7th April 2026, About 1 day ago
Those landlords that understood the RRA will have taken steps to sell.
More landlords will sell when they realise the impact of the Act.
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12193 - Articles: 1393
10:47 AM, 7th April 2026, About 1 day ago
Where are these people getting their evidence from?
Our research suggests otherwise – see https://www.property118.com/results-of-the-property118-landlord-sentiment-survey-q1-2026/
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 259
12:16 PM, 7th April 2026, About 1 day ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 07/04/2026 – 09:36
I am an offshore BTL investor in the UK (one of my worse investment decisions I would like to add) and I’ve been trying to sell for the past few years. I have been invested in the UK since 2012. Two units bought off plan on the basis that I would be preserving my wealth and investing in a market where there was perceived to be a shortage of housing and thus I would enjoy healthy returns. Both claims have been found to be perfidious. I managed to sell one unit in 2019 albeit the cladding scandal eroded the value but I am stuck with the last one for a number of reasons. A glut of units on the market, punitive service charges, the landlord exodus where we compete against each other for a buyer, the monstrous new tenant legislation that has me labelled a criminal with brutal penalties applied for potential and simple non compliance errors, and the dislike for anything leasehold. My unit 2 years ago was worth GBP550 000. I couldn’t sell it for GBP400 000 last year. Add to this the woeful return on investment of 2 to 3 percent and you can understand my aversion to remaining in this industry. I won’t discuss tenants and the thousands of pounds lost in damages and rent as we are all so familiar with that quandary. So I still have my unit. Not because I want to but because I have to. And I don’t think surveys address that fact. I am a shackled landlord. Am I aware that there is a concerted effort by Labour to eradicate me? Absolutely. I paid GBP375 000 for one unit. I’d be lucky to achieve that sales price in this market. Higher taxes but a burgeoning benefits bill. My millstone has been created by a worsening economy and a decimated housing vision. By a governing party that does not understand basic economics.