Ready to stop being a landlord? Sell with your tenants in place.
Tighter rules, rising costs, or simply ready to move on — whatever the reason, you don’t need vacant possession to sell to us. We buy buy-to-lets and HMOs with the tenants still living there, so there’s no eviction, no void, and no lost rent while you wait.
Most buyers of a rental property want it empty. Buyers relying on a mortgage usually need vacant possession, and many investors want to choose their own tenants. That leaves landlords with a hard choice: seek possession first, with the notice periods, costs and uncertainty that involves, or accept a narrow pool of buyers. Selling with the tenants in place avoids that choice.
Why the law in England and Wales matters here
England and Wales now have genuinely different tenancy regimes, and both have made getting vacant possession a longer process than it used to be.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, from 1 May 2026, section 21 “no-fault” evictions ended, and most assured shorthold tenancies became periodic assured tenancies.
A landlord who wants possession in order to sell now generally relies on a specific possession ground for selling. That ground comes with its own notice period and restrictions, including limits on using it early in a tenancy.
Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, in force since December 2022, tenancies are “occupation contracts” and tenants are “contract-holders”.
A landlord’s notice under a periodic standard contract is generally six months, and there are restrictions on when it can be given.
This is a summary, not legal advice. The rules have changed recently and detail matters, so check your own tenancy with a solicitor or a landlord association before serving any notice.
Selling to us with the tenants in place avoids needing possession at all. The tenancy carries on, and we take over as landlord.
Selling an HMO
Mandatory HMO licences — generally needed where five or more people from more than one household share facilities — don’t transfer to a new owner. A buyer must apply for a licence of their own, which can slow or complicate an ordinary sale, and puts off many mortgage lenders. We’re used to dealing with it, and it doesn’t put us off. See landlord & HMO property.
What we can do
- Buy with tenants in place — no possession proceedings, and no void.
- Buy HMOs, licensed or not, and take on the licensing ourselves.
- Buy in any condition, including properties needing compliance work.
- Factor in arrears or disputes honestly, rather than walking away.
- Look at portfolios as well as single properties.
The honest trade-off
Tenanted properties typically sell for less than the same property with vacant possession, whoever buys them. If your tenants are leaving anyway, or you’re happy to seek possession lawfully and wait, you may get more by selling empty on the open market. We’ll tell you if we think that’s the better route.
Common questions
Will the tenants have to leave?
No. We buy with tenants in place. Their tenancy (or occupation contract, in Wales) simply continues with us as the new landlord, and their deposit protection transfers with it.
My tenants are in arrears or causing problems — will you still buy?
Usually, yes. Arrears, disputes and difficult tenancies are factored into the offer. They’re not reasons for us to walk away. Tell us the full picture upfront and we’ll price it honestly.
I’m selling a whole portfolio — can you buy several properties?
Tell us what you have. We can look at single properties or several, and we’ll be clear about which ones we’d buy directly and which might suit an investor buyer or the open market better.
What paperwork will I need?
Your conveyancer will typically ask for the tenancy agreement, deposit protection details, gas safety certificate, EPC, electrical safety report, and — for an HMO — the licence and any conditions. Missing documents don’t necessarily stop a sale; tell us what’s missing.
Will selling trigger capital gains tax?
Possibly. Selling a rental property often does. That’s one for your accountant. Our written offer gives them the figure they need to work it out.
Thinking about selling a rental property?
Let’s have a straightforward conversation about your options. Free valuation, no obligation, and no pressure to accept. If a different route would suit you better, we’ll say so.
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