Thinking of selling a rented property? Check the tenancy first
Selling a rental property? The tenancy affects your options, and using notice to sell could prevent you from re-letting for 12 months.
Thinking of selling your rented property?
If you own a rental property and are considering selling, it’s worth looking at the tenancy before deciding how to market it.
You can sell with the tenant in place. That may appeal to another landlord who wants an existing tenant and rental income from day one. Or you may decide to sell the property vacant, which could open it up to buyers who want to live there themselves.
The second route needs more thought under the rules introduced in May 2026. If you intend to sell and need the tenant to leave, you can use the selling ground, known as Ground 1A.
There’s another point landlords need to know before serving notice. If you use the selling ground to regain possession, you generally cannot market the property to let or re-let it during the following 12 month restricted period. So if you later change your mind about selling, returning to the rental market may not be an immediate option.
That makes the decision more than a question of whether a vacant property might achieve a better price. You need to weigh up the likely buyers, the rental income you may give up and how certain you are that you want to sell.
If you’re considering your options, our sales and lettings teams can look at the property and the tenancy together before you take the next step.
