Analysis from the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) looking at Government data found that the number of households at risk of homelessness after landlords decided to sell their properties went up by almost a fifth since the end of 2024.
Between October and December 2024, nearly 5,500 households in England needed council help to avoid becoming homeless because their landlord sold up.
This rose to just over 6,500 households between January and March this year, a 19% increase.
The figures showed that landlords selling properties was the main reason for ending tenancies, around three times more common than the next biggest cause.
Ben Beadle, CEO of the NRLA, said: “For millions of renters across the country, whether a landlord sells a property or not will decide the fate of where they live.
“Landlords selling homes is disastrous for tenants. Even if properties sold end up back in the rental market, that’s scant comfort for those who have been forced to move as a result.
“In the Autumn Budget the Chancellor needs to support responsible private landlords to invest in new decent quality, long term homes to rent that tenants desperately need.”
