The number of households in the private rented sector at risk of homelessness due to landlords selling up has increased nearly a fifth since the end of last year.
This is according to analysis by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) and stresses the need for responsible landlords to stay in the market to keep tenants housed.
According to government data, between October and December 2024 almost 5,500 households in the private rented sector in England qualified for council support to prevent homelessness after their landlord decided to sell the property.
The most recent data shows that, between January and March this year, the number had increased to over 6,500 households – an increase of 19%.
The data shows that selling a property is the single biggest reason for a landlord to terminate a tenancy.
Commenting NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle said that for millions of renters across the country, whether a landlord sold a property or not would decide the fate of where they live.
“Landlords selling homes is disastrous for tenants. Even if properties sold end up back in the rental market, that’s scant comfort for those who have been forced to move as a result.”
He added: “In the Autumn Budget the Chancellor needs to support responsible private landlords to invest in new decent quality, long term homes to rent that tenants desperately need.”
