What is an off-market sale?
An off-market sale is one where the property is not advertised on public property portals. Details are shared privately with suitable buyers, which can protect tenants and the landlord's privacy, although fewer buyers will see the property.
Read more in our guide: Off-market portfolio sales
Off-Market or On the Open Market?
| Off-market | Open market (portals) |
|---|---|
| Shared privately with selected buyers | Advertised publicly on Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket |
| No boards or public listing | For-sale boards and listings visible to tenants and neighbours |
| Buyers usually investors | Investors and owner-occupiers |
| Fewer, better-qualified buyers | More buyers, more enquiries |
| Price tested privately; no public price history | Price reductions visible to everyone |
| Suited to tenanted portfolios | Suited to vacant single properties |
How an Off-Market Sale Works
In an off-market sale, the property or portfolio is introduced directly to buyers who are likely to want it, rather than advertised. Those buyers are usually landlords, property companies and investment funds looking for income-producing stock. Detailed information is released only after a buyer signs a non-disclosure agreement, and viewings are arranged with the tenants' cooperation.
Why Landlords Choose It
- Tenant relations. Tenants are not unsettled by boards, listings and a stream of viewings, and the rent keeps coming in.
- Privacy. Neighbours, competitors and contacts need not know you are selling.
- One deal for many properties. Investors can buy a whole portfolio with tenants in place, which retail buyers cannot.
- No public price history. If the first price tested is too high, there is no visible reduction.
- Speed. Experienced cash-funded buyers can move quickly.
The Trade-Offs
Fewer buyers see the property, so there is less competition than a well-run open-market campaign might create, particularly for empty houses that appeal to owner-occupiers. The quality of the buyer list matters, and a seller should ask how buyers are found, vetted and kept informed. A market appraisal before marketing gives you a benchmark to judge offers against.
Off-Market Sales and the Rules
Off-market selling is legal and common. Anyone carrying out estate agency work must still follow the Estate Agents Act 1979, belong to a redress scheme, carry out AML checks and give buyers the material information they need to make a decision.
Official Sources and Further Reading
General information for landlords in England, checked against official sources in October 2026. It is not tax, legal or financial advice: speak to a qualified accountant or solicitor about your own circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
An off-market sale is one where the property is not advertised on public property portals. Details are shared privately with suitable buyers, which can protect tenants and the landlord's privacy, although fewer buyers will see the property.
Yes. Selling privately without public advertising is legal in the UK. The usual estate agency, consumer protection and anti-money laundering rules still apply.
Not necessarily. Fewer buyers see them, but for tenanted portfolios the most likely buyers are investors anyway, and an off-market sale can protect the rent and avoid public price reductions.
Yes. Most off-market property sales to investors are tenanted sales, with the tenancy continuing under the new landlord.
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