A third of homes listed for sale are leasehold, study finds

by Henry Thomas
March 24, 2026
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London continues to be dominated by leasehold stock, which makes up 64.3% of all listings

Leasehold properties now account for nearly a third of homes listed for sale across England, reinforcing the growing need for professional property management among landlords, according to study from Rushbrook & Rathbone.

The property management specialist found that 32.4% of all homes currently on the market are leasehold, with the proportion rising significantly in certain regions.

London continues to be dominated by leasehold stock, which makes up 64.3% of all listings.

However, leasehold properties also account for a substantial share of homes for sale in the North West (48.3%), South East (27.9%), East of England (23.7%) and South West (20.8%).

In the East Midlands, where the proportion is lowest, leasehold homes still represent 11.4% of available stock.

Rushbrook & Rathbone’s analysis highlights how the structure of the UK housing market is increasing complexity for landlords, particularly as leasehold ownership requires compliance not only with rental legislation but also with the terms of a lease.

These can include restrictions on letting, maintenance obligations and coordination with block management.

The research also identified a notable number of short lease properties on the market, defined as those with fewer than 80 years remaining.

Across England, there are an estimated 1,445 such homes currently for sale, with the highest proportions found in the South East (24.2%), London (18.8%) and the East of England (17.0%).

Short lease properties present additional challenges for landlords and investors, as diminishing lease terms can impact mortgage availability, resale value and long-term asset performance.

The cost of extending a lease typically increases as it approaches the 80-year threshold, creating further financial considerations.

As a result, landlords are increasingly required to adopt a more structured approach to property management, particularly when navigating lease terms and working alongside block management arrangements.