Jun

Stuck between a rock and a hard place when selling a tenanted property?

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Stuck between a rock and a hard place when selling a tenanted property?

Since Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026, there have been huge increases in the number of landlords searching for information about evicting tenants using Section 8.

Many have convinced themselves they only have two options: keep the property and hope things improve, or evict the tenant before trying to sell, but the problem is that neither option is necessarily as straightforward as it first appears.

The “I’ll just wait until the tenant leaves” strategy can be risky

A surprising number of landlords are effectively doing nothing, they’re concerned about compliance and worried about the future, but reluctant to sell because they assume nobody will buy a tenanted property, so instead they decide to wait, hoping the tenant will leave voluntarily, the market will improve, or the government will change course.

Many do not seem to realise that a landlord who intends to sell “eventually” still needs to remain fully compliant in the meantime.

Sitting tight may feel like a safe option, but in today’s environment, it can be anything but. Tenants are being encouraged to scrutinise their landlords more closely than ever, councils are inviting reports of potential breaches, and a property that appears manageable today can quickly become a source of complaints, enforcement action or compensation claims tomorrow.

Eviction is too slow and a minefield of compliance issues

Section 8 can be a lengthy process, and for many landlords, it is less an exit strategy and more a compliance obstacle course. One mistake with the notice, supporting evidence or court process can derail a possession claim, while landlords who push too hard risk complaints about harassment or improper conduct.

Even if everything goes to plan, regaining possession can take many months and, in some cases, well over a year, which is hardly ideal for landlords trying to reduce risk in an increasingly hostile regulatory environment.

Also, serving a possession notice doesn’t remove a landlord’s ongoing obligations, so if a tenant raises genuine concerns about property condition, safety issues or compliance breaches, those issues may still need to be addressed.

The win, win, win solution – An agreed solution or voluntary surrender

Many landlords facing issues such as missing paperwork, below-market rents, licensing complications or other compliance concerns convince themselves they have no option but to wait for their tenants to leave because they fear any attempt to regain possession could become a lengthy and uncertain legal process. At Landlord Sales Agency, rather than trying to navigate around these problems, we tackle them head on.

One landlord came to us recently with a tenant whose rent had not been increased for years and was significantly below market value. The landlord had had enough of the PRS and wanted out, they didn’t want to raise the rent, or wait for the tenant to leave or to evict the tenant. In short, they wanted to leave but they thought every option presented its own set of problems – they were stuck between a rock and a hard place.

We found a cash buyer looking for turnkey investments from our database of 30,000 investors, owner occupiers and new landlords then got to work making sure the deal worked for everyone.

Unlike any other company selling tenanted properties, we speak to tenants and quickly established they were willing to pay more rent to stay in situ. We mediated negotiations between the tenant and incoming buyer to establish a new rent that everyone would be comfortable with from the start of the new landlord’s ownership.

Crucially, that was only possible because all parties trusted us as an impartial broker. They understood that our role was not to take sides or pursue our own agenda, but simply to find a practical solution that honestly worked for everyone involved.

The tenant kept their home, the buyer acquired a viable investment at a sensible yield, and the seller achieved the clean exit they wanted. A genuine win-win-win for all concerned.

But it didn’t stop there, the buyer wanted to complete in 28 days once their offer was accepted. Landlord sales Agency chased solicitors, answered their queries and solved any issue anyone threw their way to make it happen, just as requested.

We know that sellers don’t complete transactions, buyers do. That’s why we put so much emphasis on looking after buyers throughout the process, helping them solve problems, stay engaged and reach completion, because when buyers are happy, our sellers are far more likely to achieve the outcome they want.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place? Landlord Sales Agency helps landlords take back control

The abolition of Section 21 has undoubtedly changed the landscape, and for some landlords, eviction will still be the correct route – but for many others, it may simply be the most expensive, stressful and time-consuming route.

David Coughlin, CEO Landlord Sales Agency says, “The Renters’ Rights Act has changed the process, but it hasn’t stopped us selling properties. Most successful sales come down to finding practical solutions that work for the buyer, seller and tenant. Every tenanted property we have sold since May 1st has either been sold with the tenant remaining in situ, or the tenant has left after voluntarily agreeing a Deed of Surrender.”

If you’re holding onto a property because you think tenants, licensing issues, compliance concerns or below-market rents make it impossible to sell, don’t make the mistake of assuming eviction is your only option.

Every week we help landlords solve problems that other agents won’t even touch, finding practical solutions that work for sellers, buyers and tenants alike.

Before you spend months navigating Section 8, court delays and ongoing compliance risks, speak to Landlord Sales Agency and discover what your options really are. You may be far closer to taking back control than you think.

Contact us today using the form below for a free, no obligation chat to find out what we can do for you.

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