Five reasons not to sell

1. Rising rent prices and rental yields

Rental demand remains extremely high across the UK, often outstripping supply. As rents continue to increase, holding onto property provides a steady and growing passive income stream that can outperform many other investments. 

2. Avoid high selling costs and taxes

Selling a property comes with significant costs, including: 

• Estate agent fees  

• Legal fees  

• Capital Gains Tax (CGT)  

These expenses can substantially reduce your overall return, making holding the asset a more financially appealing option. 

3. Long-term capital appreciation

Historically, well-located UK property has shown strong long-term growth. Selling now could mean missing out on future price increases, particularly if the market rebounds strongly following recent dips. 

4. Risk spreading

Maintaining a diversified investment portfolio has always been key advice. Property plays an important role as a stable, income-generating asset, helping to balance risk across different investment types. 

5. A new generation of landlords

The profile of landlords is shifting. The average age of new buy-to-let landlords has dropped to around 43 years, with increasing numbers entering the market in their 30s—and even some aged 18–20 (2023 data). 

This highlights continued interest and long-term confidence in property investment. 

Are all landlords really selling?

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows: 

• 2021: ~5.6 million privately rented dwellings  

• 2023: ~5.3 million  

• 2024: ~5.4 million  

So, has there really been a “mass exodus”? Or is this simply market adjustment? 

A reduction of around 5% is relatively small and could easily reflect factors such as: 

• Retirement  

• Cost of living pressures  

• Portfolio restructuring  

In 2023, 5.3 million of the 25.4 million dwellings in England were privately rented, around 20.8%, making it the second largest tenure type. 

Long-term rental trends

The proportion of households in the Private Rented Sector (PRS): 

• Increased steadily from 2004 to 2017  

• Has remained broadly stable since  

Further data (Family Resources Survey YE March 2024) shows: 

• ~15% of PRS tenants stay 10+ years  

• Compared to 45% in social housing  

• And 58% in owner-occupied homes  

This reinforces that the sector is stable, not shrinking dramatically. 

Are landlord numbers increasing or decreasing?

According to the Association of British Insurers: 

• ~2.82 million private landlords in the UK  

• ~94% are private individuals  

Additional insights: 

• Average landlord age: 58 

• 42.3% entered for investment purposes  

• 34.9% are retired  

• 43% own just one property  

• 84.2% avoid tenants with rent arrears history  

Government data (gov.uk) suggests: 

• ~2.8 million landlords as of late 2025  

• Around 93,000 landlords left in 2025 (~5–6%)  

Again—this is a market shift, not an exodus. 

What's really happening?

Looking beyond the headlines: 

• PRS dwellings down only ~5%  

• Landlord numbers fell by ~1% (2022–2024)  

• UK population continues to grow → increasing rental demand  

• Rise of Ltd company structures (70,000 new in 2025)  

• Growth in Build-to-Rent (160,000+ homes in pipeline)  

• Lifestyle shifts: more people choosing flexible renting over ownership  

According to property118.com: 

• 84% of Ltd company landlords expect yields to increase  

• 89% feel confident about the market  

• 80% expect demand to grow  

In summary

While small declines have occurred (1–5%), the wider picture shows: 

• Continued demand driven by population growth  

• A generational shift towards renting  

• Structural changes in how landlords invest (Ltd companies, BTR)  

• Strong ongoing confidence in the sector  

The narrative of a “mass exodus” doesn’t reflect the full reality—it’s a transition, not a collapse. 

Final thought

I, for one, am still buying—and will continue to do so. 

The difference now is a greater focus on: 

• Deeper research  

• Auctions  

• Targeting the right areas and markets  

Because in today’s market, success isn’t about exiting—it’s about adapting and buying smarter.