Almost 850,000 properties have left the UK’s private rented sector over the past decade, equivalent to 18.6% of all rental stock, according to analysis by TwentyEA.

The figures suggest that almost one in five homes let at some point during the last 10 years has since been sold and not returned to the rental market.

TwentyEA said the increase in landlord sales cannot be attributed solely to the Renters’ Rights Act, but noted that disposals accelerated as the legislation moved closer to implementation. The highest number of former rental properties were sold in 2025, when almost 181,000 exited the sector.

The findings form part of TwentyEA’s latest Property & Homemover Report for the second quarter of 2026.

Despite continued landlord exits, the report found that rental supply has reached its highest level for seven years, with available stock up more than 17% compared with the same period last year.

TwentyEA said the increase is being driven in part by the growth of the purpose-built rental sector. Listings of purpose-built rental homes were 22% higher in the second quarter than a year earlier, helping to offset the reduction in stock from private landlords leaving the market.

Nick Huntley, director of TwentyEA, said: “While it’s encouraging to see rental supply reach a seven-year high, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Many letting agents are still feeling the effects of landlords leaving the traditional PRS, reducing the stock they have available to market.

“The growth in purpose-built rental housing is helping to bring new homes into the sector, which is positive news for renters, but it complements rather than replaces the role of private landlords. The healthiest rental market is one where both parts of the sector are thriving and overall supply continues to grow.”

Two months after the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, TwentyEA found significant regional differences in rental asking prices.

Wales and the Midlands recorded the strongest year-on-year growth, while Scotland, Inner London and the South East saw more modest increases. The East of England experienced the largest annual fall in asking rents, down 7.7%, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber, down 4%.

TwentyEA said the differing trends reflect a combination of tighter controls on rent increases and higher compliance costs for landlords, with regional market conditions continuing to influence pricing.

The impact of the Renters’ Rights Act is also likely to have differed by landlord type. Build-to-rent operators, with larger portfolios and dedicated management teams, are generally better placed to absorb additional regulatory requirements than smaller private landlords.

Despite the changing regulatory landscape, build-to-rent properties have continued to command a rental premium across almost every region, as seen below, and underline the sector’s resilience and the continued demand for professionally managed rental homes.

TwentyEA also analysed supply and demand across the rental market, looking at the number of new rental listings, lets agreed and the volume of homes currently available to rent.

The analysis shows the supply of newly listed rental properties has increased across every UK region, with the strongest growth seen in the East Midlands and Wales. While this is partly being driven by the continued expansion of build-to-rent operators, the Renters’ Rights Act may also have influenced landlord behaviour, with some landlords possibly choosing to delay decisions until the legislation came into effect before reassessing their position.

Seasonal market trends may also be at play as households look to move before the new school year. In some regions, rising rents and stronger returns may also be encouraging more landlords back into the market.

Demand has also risen across almost every region, with the exception of Inner London, reflecting continued pressure in the rental market. However, supply growth has outpaced demand, resulting in the number of homes available to rent increasing in 10 of the UK’s 12 regions, with only Yorkshire and Inner London bucking the trend.

Huntley added: “The rental market is still very busy, but it’s becoming better balanced. Demand continues to grow in almost every region, yet supply is increasing even faster across most of the country. If that trend continues, it should gradually reduce the intense competition we’ve seen over the last few years and create a more stable environment for both renters and letting agents.”