Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property118. Read the original article for full details.

Housing Associations Sell 25,000 Social Homes Since 2018/19

Housing associations in England have sold 25,000 social and affordable homes to private buyers who do not live in them since 2018/19. The number of homes sold in 2024/25 reached 5,250, the highest annual figure on record.

According to figures obtained by the Local Councils Network (LCN), the pace of these sales has accelerated, with the 2024/25 total representing an 89% increase compared to two years earlier. The data highlights a significant trend in the transfer of social and affordable housing stock from housing associations to private buyers.

This development is relevant to UK letting agents and inventory clerks, as the shift of properties from social to private ownership may impact the availability and management of rental housing. The increase in sales could also influence the types of properties entering the private rental sector and the responsibilities associated with their management.