Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property118. Read the original article for full details.
Landlords Can Sell Properties Without Evicting Tenants, Says Agency
Landlord Sales Agency has highlighted an alternative for landlords wishing to exit the private rented sector without evicting tenants. The agency reports that properties can be sold with tenants in situ, allowing landlords to avoid possession proceedings and still achieve a sale.
According to the agency, the abolition of Section 21 on 1 May 2026 has led to increased interest from landlords in regaining possession using Section 8. However, many landlords are reluctant to pursue eviction, especially when they have good tenants or want to avoid the time, cost, and uncertainty of possession proceedings.
Landlord Sales Agency describes a recent case where a landlord, whose tenant was paying below-market rent, wanted to leave the sector without increasing rent or evicting the tenant. The agency found a cash buyer interested in a turnkey investment and facilitated direct communication with the tenant. After discussions, the tenant agreed to remain in the property at a new rent level, and the sale proceeded without requiring vacant possession.
The agency states that its approach involves mediating between tenants and buyers to reach agreements that work for all parties. In the reported case, the buyer aimed to complete the purchase within 28 days of offer acceptance, and the agency managed the process through to completion.
Landlord Sales Agency claims to have a database of over 30,000 investors, landlords, and owner-occupiers, and says it typically achieves around 85-90% of vacant possession market value for such sales. The agency cautions landlords to be wary of promises of 100% market value.
This approach may be relevant for letting agents and inventory clerks managing properties where landlords are considering selling but wish to avoid eviction processes.
Source: Property118