Selling a property with a tenant in place can be challenging through a traditional estate agent — most require vacant possession to market effectively. Howsold's investor buyer network includes professional landlords who actively want income-producing stock. Tenants in situ often make a property more attractive to our buyers, not less. Zero seller fees, a committed buyer, and a target 56-day completion.
Indicative estimate only · No obligation · No commitment
Our AI-powered tool analyses live sold prices and local market data to give you an indicative estimate.
Indicative estimate only. Based on comparable sold prices and AI analysis — AI can make mistakes. Not a formal valuation or professional appraisal.
Traditional estate agents typically rely on in-person viewings to generate buyer interest. When a tenant is in occupation, this creates an immediate practical problem — viewings are harder to arrange, the property may not present at its best, and many residential buyers are put off entirely. The result is that agents often require vacant possession before they'll market effectively, which means navigating the possession process before you can even start selling.
Since the Renters Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026, obtaining vacant possession has become more complex. Section 21 no-fault evictions have been abolished. If you want to sell with vacant possession, you must now use Ground 1A (sale of property), which requires 4 months' notice and cannot be used in the first 12 months of the tenancy. If the tenant does not leave voluntarily, you may need to apply to court — a process that can take considerably longer. We strongly recommend independent legal advice before serving any notice.
Howsold takes a different approach entirely. Our buyer network includes professional investors and landlords who actively want tenanted properties. Sitting tenants mean immediate rental income from day one of ownership — which is an advantage, not an obstacle, for the right buyer. In many cases, you can sell without needing vacant possession at all.
Howsold connects tenanted properties with pre-qualified investor buyers who want income-producing stock. Competitive bidding, a committed buyer from day one, and zero seller fees — without the cost and delay of obtaining vacant possession.
Property Redress Scheme member. Individual results vary.
Get a Free Estimate →¹ ~26% of UK private treaty sales fell through in 2025 (Quick Move Now). Auction reservation terms require buyers to commit financially before proceeding. † Based on Howsold sales to date. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Not a traditional agent who needs vacant possession. An auction model that brings investor buyers directly to your tenanted property.
Our buyer network includes professional investors and landlords who actively want income-producing property. Sitting tenants mean immediate rental income — many of our buyers prefer tenanted stock to vacant property.
You pay Howsold nothing. No listing fee, no commission, no hidden charges. On a £200,000 property versus a 1.5% agent, that's £3,600 extra in your pocket. The buyer pays the reservation fee.
If you're selling to an investor who will retain the tenancy, you may not need to serve notice, go through court, or wait for possession. The tenant stays, the buyer gets immediate income, and you get a clean exit.
The winning buyer pays a non-refundable reservation fee (typically 4.5% inc VAT, minimum £6,600). This financial commitment is designed to dramatically reduce the fall-through risk — critical when you've already invested time and effort in the sale process.
Your auction date is set when you list. This creates genuine urgency among investors and concentrates competitive attention. Over 70% of our properties attract a buyer before auction day — we work the sale from day one.
Single lets, HMOs, student accommodation, mixed-use — all tenancy types accepted. All property conditions. We match the property to the right investor buyer regardless of the tenancy arrangement.
Call us on 0151 203 8283 or WhatsApp us. We'll discuss your tenancy arrangement, whether vacant possession is needed or possible, and structure the listing to attract the right investor buyers. No obligation.
Your property is listed and we contact our pre-qualified investor network the same day. Many tenanted properties attract pre-auction interest quickly from our investor buyers. The fixed auction date creates urgency from day one.
Whether agreed prior to auction or on the day, the buyer signs reservation terms and pays a non-refundable reservation fee. We target exchange and completion within 56 days. Zero Howsold seller fees. Individual timelines may vary.
Illustrative figures based on stated assumptions. Not financial advice. Individual results will vary.
| Traditional Estate Agent | Traditional Estate Agent | HOWSOLD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works with tenants in situ? | Usually requires vacant possession | Yes — but at a steep discount | Yes — investors actively want it |
| Seller fees | Often £0 (built into discount) | £3,750–£6,000 (1.5–2% + VAT) | £0 |
| Timeline | 4–8 weeks | 20+ weeks average | Target 56 days |
| Buyer committed? | Yes | No — can walk any time | Yes — reservation fee paid |
| Fall-through risk | Very low | ~26% nationally | Reduced by reservation fee |
| Price mechanism | Single company sets price | Single buyer negotiates | Multiple buyers compete |
| Illustrative net proceeds¹ | ~£200,000–£212,500 | ~£244,000 after fees (if it sells) | Market price + £0 fees |
Sellers remain responsible for their own legal/conveyancing costs (typically £1,000–£2,500). Howsold fees are £0. Individual results vary. Not financial advice.
¹ Illustrative only on a £250,000 property. Quick-buy assumed at 15–20% below market. Agent at 1.5% + VAT. Individual results will vary. Not financial advice.
The Modern Method of Auction is a conditional online property auction used across the UK. Unlike traditional 28-day auctions, it allows both cash and mortgage buyers to participate — widening the buyer pool and increasing competition.
For landlords selling tenanted property, MMA has specific advantages. Investor buyers dominate the pool — people who understand tenancies, accept properties with sitting tenants, and can move quickly. The reservation fee commits the buyer from day one. And the fixed auction date creates urgency that private treaty listings cannot replicate.
Investors understand and want tenanted stock Our buyer network includes professional landlords and portfolio investors who actively want income-producing property. Sitting tenants mean immediate cash flow — a selling point, not a barrier.
No possession process needed in many cases If you're selling to an investor who will retain the tenancy, the entire possession process — notice periods, court applications, potential delays — can be avoided entirely. The tenant stays. The sale proceeds.
Reservation fee commits the buyer The buyer pays 4.5% inc VAT (minimum £6,600) upfront. This non-refundable fee is designed to prevent the buyer withdrawing — reducing the fall-through risk that is disproportionately damaging when you've already invested months in the sale process.
Fixed auction date creates real urgency A fixed deadline converts browsing investors into competitive bidders. The urgency mechanism that private treaty entirely lacks is built into every Howsold listing.
Yes. Howsold regularly sells tenanted properties to our investor network. Many professional investors actively prefer properties with sitting tenants because they provide immediate rental income from day one of ownership. You do not always need vacant possession to sell — we match your property to the right buyer for its current state.
Not necessarily. If you are selling to an investor who will take on the tenancy, the tenant can remain in place. If the buyer requires vacant possession, you would need to follow the appropriate statutory process under the Renters Rights Act 2025. We strongly recommend seeking independent legal advice before serving any notice. Howsold does not provide legal advice.
Tenanted properties can attract competitive prices from investor buyers, particularly where the tenant is reliable and the rental income is strong. Our competitive bidding process brings multiple investors together, which can help drive the price. Combined with zero Howsold seller fees, your net proceeds may compare favourably to a traditional agent sale — though individual results will vary.
Zero Howsold fees. The buyer pays the reservation fee (4.5% inc VAT or £6,600 minimum), not you. Sellers remain responsible for their own legal and conveyancing costs, typically £1,000–£2,500. Everything is confirmed in writing before you sign anything.
The Renters Rights Act 2025 abolished Section 21 no-fault evictions and introduced new statutory grounds for possession. If you need vacant possession, you must now use Ground 1A (sale of property), which requires 4 months' notice and cannot be used in the first 12 months of the tenancy. We strongly recommend independent legal advice specific to your tenancy situation. Selling to an investor who retains the tenant avoids this process entirely.
If bidding doesn't reach your reserve price and no pre-auction offer suits you, the property doesn't sell and you pay Howsold nothing. We can re-run in the following month's auction with any adjustments discussed beforehand.
Yes. We are members of the Property Redress Scheme. Finance introductions via Melius (FCA-authorised) — a referral fee will apply if a referral is made, and will be disclosed to you. Howsold is a trading name of Latomus Capital Limited (Company No. 15497250), registered in England & Wales.
An honest, indicative estimate based on comparable sold prices. No obligation, no commitment.
Our AI-powered tool analyses live sold prices and local market data to give you an indicative estimate.
Indicative estimate only. Based on comparable sold prices and AI analysis — AI can make mistakes. Not a formal valuation or professional appraisal.