Landlords exiting the market ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act are increasingly turning to quick sale platforms such as House Buyer Bureau to offload their properties, the company says.

Its data shows an average annual increase of 4.5% in landlords using quick sale to sell their rental properties over the past five years. In 2024 and 2025, landlords accounted for more than one in five of all quick sale transactions on the platform, up from 19% in 2023 and 18% in 2022.

The trend has continued in 2026, with landlord-owned properties accounting for 21% of all quick sale transactions on the House Buyer Bureau platform between January and March. The company believes that share will increase further as more landlords exit after the new legislation comes into force on Friday.

It said that the shorter transaction times of quick sale platforms offers benefits for landlords looking to release capital quickly.

A gradual and strategic shift

Chris Hodgkinson, managing director of House Buyer Bureau, said: “Talk of the Renters’ Rights Act leading to a widespread landlord exodus risks oversimplifying what is actually a more gradual and strategic shift.

“Most landlords aren’t making knee-jerk decisions, but the direction of travel is becoming clearer as the RRA approaches, and that’s prompting many to reassess both risk and return within their portfolios.

He said the activity was particularly strong for smaller landlords who are more likely to be under pressure by the increased costs of the act. “What we’re seeing is a growing number opting for certainty and control, particularly those with smaller portfolios or tighter margins, where the cumulative impact of regulatory change and higher costs is being felt most.

“As the new legislation beds in, more landlords are likely to reach that same conclusion, and for many, a quick, guaranteed sale will become an increasingly attractive way to exit on their own terms rather than reacting under pressure further down the line.”