What should I do with my soon-to-be vacant HMO?

Question mark beside HMO property marketing materials and a for sale sign, illustrating decisions around selling HMO portfolios.

by Readers Question

12:01 AM, 28th August 2026, 3 weeks ago 3

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Landlord News Landlords Questions

Hi, I will have a 5 room HMO fully vacant in September. I have a few choices.

I do not want to keep it as an HMO myself with 5 tenants. I have paid high agency fees, potential tenant issues. I also pay council tax and water bills but not gas and electric.

I could:

Sell the property vacant with the potential for it to be used as an HMO
Sell the property on the open market for residential use a 4 bed house.
Lease it to a housing association or Serco or similar for 5 years or rent it to a family as a 4 bed house.

I am not interested in a rent to rent offer.

Any HMO landlords on this forum with any other recommendations?

David

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Tags: family let, HMO landlord, housing association lease, landlord exit strategy, selling an HMO, Serco property lease, vacant HMO

Judith Wordsworth Read Full Bio

Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1583 - Articles: 1

10:43 AM, 28th August 2026, About 3 weeks ago

Sell it to your Local Authority?

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DPT

Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1351

11:47 AM, 28th August 2026, About 3 weeks ago

Leasing to Serco would be rent to rent and would leave you very exposed. I would sell without hesitation.

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DAMIEN RAFFERTY

Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 211

5:52 PM, 29th August 2026, About 3 weeks ago

” Vacant in September ”
So is it a student HMO ?
If your getting out sell it to the person or company who will pay you the best price and pay the CGT.
Cash ISA s paying 4.5%/4.7%

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