‘Financial strain’ forcing landlords out of buy-to-let sector, industry warns

New figures from Rightmove suggest the buy-to-let sector is becoming less attractive to investors, with a record number of previously-rented homes being listed for sale.

A buy-to-let property with a 'for rent' sign next to another home with a 'for sale' sign (image: Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Rightmove data suggests landlords are fleeing the buy-to-let sector (image: Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Landlords are being driven out of the buy-to-let (BTL) sector in record numbers as a result of the “mounting financial strain” of the investment, industry figures have warned.

According to Rightmove figures, almost a fifth (18%) of homes that are currently being put up for sale used to be rented out. This is up from 8% in 2010 and well above the five-year average (14%), although Rightmove said the latest figures were a sign of a growing trend rather than a sudden mass exodus.

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Henry Sandercock has spent more than eight years as a journalist covering a wide variety of beats. Having studied for an MA in journalism at the University of Kent, he started his career in the garden of England as a reporter for local TV channel KMTV.

Henry then worked at the BBC for three years as a radio producer - mostly on BBC Radio 2 with Jeremy Vine, but also on major BBC Radio 4 programmes like The World at One, PM and Broadcasting House. Switching to print media, he covered fresh foods for respected magazine The Grocer for two years.

After moving to NationalWorld.com - a national news site run by the publisher of The Scotsman and Yorkshire Post - Henry began reporting on the cost of living crisis, becoming the title’s money editor in early 2023. He covered everything from the energy crisis to scams, and inflation. He also has bylines in MoneyWeek.