The data from Savills confirms what many agents are already feeling on the ground – that stock is shrinking. But the agents who act now will come out stronger.
The sheer shift of rented stock to the sales market can make for some pretty bleak reading if you’re an agent… Landlords are exiting – some are selling up, others are simply overwhelmed by the increasing weight of legislation, compliance and stress. And the Renters’ Rights Act has massively added to that pressure.
+ -17% advertised rental stock over two years
+ 254k+ previously rented homes now for sale
+ Around 700 previously rented properties listed for sale every single day
But the hardest part? Sitting back and watching it get worse in real time.
Right now, there are thousands of self-managing landlords who are overwhelmed, under-informed, and quietly looking for support. They’re navigating new tenancy rules, changing compliance requirements, and a legislative landscape that changes faster than most have time to keep up with. Many don’t know where to start.
The agents winning in this market are the ones reaching out to landlords. Educating them, offering guidance and solutions, and moving them into fully managed services before someone else does or they decide it’s easier to sell up.
Why the market is craving proactive agents
There are so many ways that landlords need agents – even if they don’t know it yet:
+ An opportunity to genuinely support landlords navigating RRA changes
+ Higher compliance and safety standards across managed portfolios
+ Long-term portfolio stability built on trust, not just transactions
With a solid engagement strategy complete with marketing for all of specific landlord types (like accidental landlords, landlords thinking of selling, landlords struggling with problem tenants etc), there’s a way to get them on board – even in this market.
If you don’t, there’s a very real chance your stock levels will continue to drop while others fill the gap.
The opportunity is there. The landlords who need help before they have no other option but to sell are there. The question is… Whether you move first.”
Sally Lawson is a former president of ARLA and founder of Agent Rainmaker.
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I think Savills should concentrate on getting their own house in order first with their Middle East expansion plans firmly hitting the buffers since March.
Agents like Foxtons, Dexters and Lomond are snapping up smaller agents with strong lettings books. It’s only a question of when we’ll see just a few large players controlling the market with the rest falling by the wayside!
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