"Independent landlords are the lifeblood of the sector. If we lose them, tenants lose choice and stability, and we risk pushing rents even higher"
- Riccardo Iannucci-Dawson - Alto
Around 34% of letting agents say they have seen more small landlords leaving the market, while 93% worry about losing independent landlords because of upcoming reforms. Meanwhile, 70% report that some landlords have already sold properties in the last year.
Small landlords, often considered the backbone of Britain’s rental sector, are exiting in large numbers, with the Government’s Renters' Rights Bill seen as a key factor. A recent survey by property CRM provider Alto reveals that one in three letting agents have noticed a sharp rise in independent landlords selling up.
The survey of 250 UK letting agents highlights widespread concern. Nearly all, at 93%, fear the loss of their independent landlord clients, and 70% say some landlords have already sold homes during the past 12 months.
Industry voices point to the Government’s Renters' Rights Bill as a major driver. The legislation aims to end fixed-term tenancies and remove Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction powers. While tenant groups praise the reforms as necessary, critics warn they could weaken the rental market and push rents higher.
Most landlords leaving are small-scale owners with one or two properties, many inherited or purchased as retirement investments. The new wave of regulations and uncertainty is proving too challenging for them.
Letting agents note several pressures on these landlords: rising mortgage rates, tougher energy standards, new tenant rights laws, and a growing feeling of being unfairly targeted.
With thousands of landlords already exiting, letting agents are increasingly tasked not only with marketing homes but managing reform. Without adequate tools and support, many fear the sector could struggle under the weight of change.
Riccardo Iannucci-Dawson, CEO of Alto (pictured), said, “Independent landlords are the lifeblood of the sector. If we lose them, tenants lose choice and stability, and we risk pushing rents even higher.”
“Letting agents face unprecedented pressure, from legislative upheaval to operational chaos,” Iannucci-Dawson added. “At Alto, we’re not just highlighting the challenges of reform. We’re building tools to help agents meet them head-on. From automating Right to Rent checks and periodic tenancy creation to enforcing rent review limits and managing tenant requests more transparently, we’re making compliance faster, easier, and more robust.
“These updates are part of a focused product roadmap designed to reduce admin, cut risk, and give agents the confidence to navigate reform without losing landlords or lettings income.”
