Overseas buy to let owners quitting at a slow pace – new research
Summary
Research cited in the article suggests that sales of UK residential property by overseas private individuals have slowed, with fewer transactions recorded in the year to April 2026 than in the previous year. The piece links this to a combination of tax changes, lower rental yields, and increased landlord regulation, including the Renters Rights Act.
Why it matters
Surveyors may see this trend reflected in investor demand, pricing, and transaction activity in the private rented sector. It also highlights how tax and tenancy reform can affect the attractiveness of residential property as an asset class.
Key points
- Overseas individuals sold 16,520 UK residential properties in the year to April 2026, down from 18,100 the previous year.
- Sales of UK homes worth more than £5m by wealthy overseas individuals also fell, from 80 to 70.
- The article cites higher taxation on buy-to-let income and reduced mortgage interest deductibility as factors reducing investor appeal.
- The Renters Rights Act is described as adding uncertainty and making it harder to end tenancies or raise rents.
- Bowmore argues that low net yields and alternative bond returns are encouraging some investors to reduce exposure to residential property.
Organisations:
Bowmore Wealth Group, HMRC, Adam Smith Institute, Bowmore Financial Planning
Regulations:
Autumn Budget 2024, Renters Rights Act
Locations:
UK, London
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