Buy-to-let investors reported losses of £1.15 billion on property sales in the past year, representing a 32% increase from £870 million in the previous 12-month period, according to HMRC Capital Gains Tax returns analysed by Bowmore Wealth Group.
The data highlights mounting pressure on landlords as property prices stagnate nationally and decline in key markets including London, prompting investors to reassess their portfolios against alternative investment options.
Market conditions drive sell-offs
David Floyd, Head of Private Clients at Bowmore Financial Planning, attributed the increased losses to multiple factors affecting the buy-to-let sector. “BTL investors are looking at the growth in global stock markets and the high yields on UK Government bonds, and asking themselves if they should still be in an investment that has a relatively low net yields,” Floyd said.
The Renters’ Rights Act appears to have accelerated exits from the sector, with some investors choosing to crystallise losses rather than continue operating under the new regulatory framework. This trend mirrors broader concerns in the lending market following recent policy changes.
Administrative burden cited
Floyd noted that many buy-to-let investors underestimated the operational demands of property ownership. “A lot of buy-to-let investors found that the administrative burden of being a landlord, as opposed to being a stock market investor, was surprisingly high,” he said.
The combination of maintenance costs and administrative requirements has compressed net yields, which previously benefited from house price inflation. “House prices have now stalled and the prices of many flats has fallen sharply,” Floyd added. “The new Renters’ Rights Act added an extra level of jeopardy and risk into being a landlord.”
While institutional investment in build-to-rent continues, individual landlords face different economic calculations when weighing property against other asset classes.
The £1.15 billion in reported losses represents capital losses claimed against tax, indicating a significant volume of property sales completed below purchase price plus improvement costs. This figure does not capture the full extent of market activity, as profitable sales are recorded separately in tax data.
