Thousands of homeowners across the UK are being driven to sell their properties as a result of escalating financial pressures, evolving legislation, and significant life changes.
New research from Open Property Group, a leading professional house buying company, reveals the human stories behind the rising number of homes hitting the market. The company’s latest internal data provides a snapshot of the primary reasons and demographics behind sales across England.
Amid ongoing economic instability and mounting regulatory challenges, the findings offer a deeper understanding of those most affected—particularly landlords and homeowners experiencing financial strain.
Jason Harris-Cohen, Managing Director of Open Property Group, explained:
“The company receives an average of 300 property leads per week, with a notable shift in seller motivations and property conditions over the last few years.”
Among the key insights:
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60–70% of sellers are homeowners living in the property, while 30–40% are landlords, many of whom are leaving the market due to increased taxation and regulation.
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The typical seller is aged between 45 and 65, often in their 50s, with reasons for selling ranging from retirement or downsizing to divorce or financial instability.
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Most homes sell for between £150,000 and £250,000, frequently representing lower-value properties or those in need of extensive refurbishment.
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Around 30% of the properties are considered to be in poor or uninhabitable condition, with many sellers struggling with maintenance or difficult tenant situations.
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Sellers generally have owned their property for between 8 and 15 years, though landlords tend to offload sooner due to rising regulatory burdens and operational costs.
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Approximately 50–65% of sellers still have an outstanding mortgage, adding urgency to their decision to sell.
Harris-Cohen further commented:
“We’re seeing a high percentage of sellers who are reacting to a combination of personal and market-driven challenges. The majority of enquiries are from individuals in financially stressful situations or landlords impacted by rising interest rates and changing legislation.”
The survey also found that 80% of potential sellers ultimately opt not to proceed—often due to price expectations not being met or changes in their personal situation. Despite this, Open Property Group completed 170 sales in the last 12 months and more than 400 over the past three years, demonstrating sustained demand for fast and flexible sales options.
The company notes that most transactions are completed within 21 days, offering essential speed and certainty for those in difficult circumstances.
With the average seller earning between £25,000 and £35,000, and a seller profile split of 55% male to 45% female, these findings reflect a candid portrait of the modern UK property seller—and reinforce the growing need for alternative sale routes in an increasingly challenging housing market.
For further details, visit Open Property Group’s official website.
