Landlords bought a larger share of homes than they sold for the first time since 2019 during June 2026, as the number of previously rented properties coming onto the sales market continued to fall, according to Hamptons.

Landlords accounted for 10.2% of property purchases during the month, while previously rented homes made up 9.2% of homes listed for sale, down from 11.3% a year earlier.

The figures suggest the balance between landlord buying and selling is beginning to shift following several years in which the private rented sector lost more homes than it gained.

Hamptons said the Renters’ Rights Act could also change the economics of landlords attempting to sell properties after serving notice on tenants because of restrictions on returning those homes to the rental market.

The research estimates that between 80,000 and 100,000 homes could have been temporarily prevented from returning to the rental sector if 2025 sales patterns were repeated under the new 12-month re-letting restriction.

This is particularly significant given the proportion of landlord-owned properties that fail to sell.

Hamptons found that 51% of homes put up for sale by landlords during 2025 did not ultimately sell, rising to 60% among flats.

Meanwhile, rental growth remained relatively subdued in June. The average rent on a newly let property reached £1,392 per month, 1.6% higher than a year earlier.

Although landlords selling remains a feature of the market, the rate at which rental properties are being put up for sale is beginning to ease.