Gwerthiannau tai landlordiaid cymdeithasol: Ebrill 2025 i Mawrth 2026

This annual statistical release presents information on housing sales by Welsh social landlords in Wales. It covers sales of both local authority and Registered Social Landlord (RSL) dwellings and includes the sale of social housing and other stock. The data are used by the Welsh Government and local authorities to monitor trends in social housing sales in the context of the overall level of Welsh housing stock. In this report we refer to financial years, for example 2025 to 2026, which covers the period of 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 unless otherwise stated.

Historical data for this collection dating back to 1980 can be found on the StatsWales website. 

• In 2025 to 2026 there were 639 social landlord housing sales. This is a 10% increase from 580 in the previous year, and the highest figure since 2018 to 2019.
• Of the 639 dwellings sold, 169 (26%) were of social housing and 470 (74%) were of non-social housing which includes intermediate rented, shared equity and low-cost home-ownership (LCHO) properties. 
• 609 sales were of Registered Social Landlord (RSL) dwellings (51 more than the previous year). The remaining 30 were sales of local authority dwellings (8 more than the previous year).
• Since 2008 to 2009, most social landlord housing sales have been by RSLs. In 2025 to 2026, 95% of all sales were from RSLs. 

The tenure distribution of current dwelling stock is affected by the sales of social landlord housing stock through schemes such as intermediate rent, shared equity and low-cost home-ownership (LCHO). Between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, 30 local authority and 609 RSL dwellings were sold and, therefore, became private sector dwellings. These sales resulted in an increase of 639 dwellings in private sector stock – other factors such as new build and conversions will also affect levels of private sector stock.

During the time-period covered in this report there have been various changes in legislation. This includes the Housing (Wales) Measure 2011 as well as the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Act 2018 (UK legislation). Whilst we have no specific evidence of how these legislation changes changed behaviour, it is likely there will have been an impact on the number applying to use the schemes in the period leading up to their abolition.  

For further detail please refer to the accompanying quality report.

Types of social landlord housing

This release includes data on all social landlord housing sales. The types of social landlord housing covered are outlined below.

Social housing which includes:

• general needs and sheltered housing let by social landlords at social rent
• other supported housing
• Extra Care housing
• non self-contained housing units

Non-social housing which includes:

• properties at intermediate rents (including Rent First)
• Shared Equity (including Homebuy)
• low-cost home-ownership (LCHO)
• shared ownership
• flexible tenure for the elderly
• residential care homes
• nursing care homes
• properties at market rents
• other investment properties

The information shown in this release, on the number of housing sales by Welsh social landlords in Wales, is based on data provided by local authorities and RSLs. It covers historical statutory sales of social housing through the Right to Buy and Right to Acquire schemes, as well as non-statutory (voluntary and other) sales of stock held by local authorities and RSLs. 

Figure 1: sales by social landlord type, 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2026 [Note 1] [Note 2]

Image

Description of figure 1: a bar chart showing that since 2008 to 2009, the majority of sales each year have been RSL dwellings, with the total number of sales fluctuating each year.

Source: Social landlord housing sales 

Total social landlord housing sales by period and provider type (StatsWales)

[Note 1] Please see the quality report for further details on the large scale voluntary transfer of stock and for changes to definitions from 2013 to 2014 onwards.

[Note 2] Data for 2019 to 2020 was not collected due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

During 2025 to 2026 the sale of dwellings increased to 639, from 580 the previous year. The sale of RSL dwellings increased to 609 (51 more) and local authority sales increased to 30 dwellings (8 more). Since the transfer of social stock from local authorities to RSL’s in 2008 to 2009 local authority sales have consistently been lower than RSL sales.

Whilst there has been an increase this year, sales by social landlords are much lower than they have been historically, with some years in the 1980’s seeing more than 10,000 sales. 

It is likely the higher level of statutory sales in 2018 to 2019 was due to applicants making use of the Right to Buy and Right to Acquire schemes ahead of their final abolition for existing stock in January 2019. 

Of the 639 dwellings sold in 2025 to 2026, 169 (26%) were social housing and 470 (74%) were non-social housing which includes intermediate rented, shared equity and LCHO properties. 

The number of social housing dwellings sold in 2025 to 2026 (169) was 40% higher than the 121 sold the previous year and represented less than 0.1% of the entire social housing stock (StatsWales) of 244,263 dwellings as at 31 March 2025. The number of non-social housing sales increased to 470 sales in 2025 to 2026, from 459 sales the previous year. Further breakdowns can be found on the StatsWales website. 

During 2025 to 2026, all sales (639 dwellings) were non-statutory (‘voluntary’ and ‘other’) sales. ‘Other’ sales could be the sale of intermediate rented, LCHO or shared equity stock. 

Voluntary sales were the largest sales by type accounting for 41% of all sales (262 dwellings). These include sales of a property where, for example, it is surplus to requirements due to low demand or where it is uneconomic to repair. Voluntary sales cover both social housing and non-social housing. 

There were 249 sales (39%) via the LCHO scheme. This scheme allows qualifying purchasers to buy a share of the property with a proportional rent payable on the remaining share to the social landlord. 

A further 70 sales (11%) were via shared equity schemes (including Home Buy) which allow those who are unable to meet their housing needs in the market to buy a home. Where the scheme is available, the social landlord provides an equity loan of between 30% and 50% of the property purchase price. The loan can be repaid at any time but must be repaid when the house is sold.

58 sales (9%) were of intermediate rented properties, a decrease on the 77 properties sold in 2024 to 2025. 

Despite the Right to Buy and Right to Acquire schemes ending in January 2019, a small number of statutory sales via these schemes were completed in the years following this, as sales were approved to be extended for various reasons. The final year sales from these schemes were recorded was 2023 to 2024.

Figure 2: percentage of sales by type, 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 

Image

Description of figure 2: a donut chart showing that 80% of all sales were voluntary and LCHO sales. 

Source: Social landlord housing sales 

The number of sales vary in each local authority area. The local authority areas with the highest number of sales during 2025 to 2026 were Swansea (115 dwellings), Cardiff (82 dwellings), Conwy (79 dwellings) and Newport (60 dwellings). 

The local authorities with the lowest number of sales were Blaenau Gwent (1 dwellings), Pembrokeshire (2 dwelling), Monmouthshire (2 dwellings), Merthyr Tydfil (3 dwellings) and Isle of Anglesey (3 dwellings). 

Figure 3: number of social landlord housing sales by local authority area, 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 

Image

Description of figure 3: a bar chart showing that the majority of sales came from a small number of local authorities. 

Source: Social landlord housing sales

Total social landlord housing sales by provider and sale type (StatsWales)

Prior to 2008 to 2009, most social landlord housing sales were of local authority dwellings. 

The large-scale voluntary transfers of stock from local authorities to RSLs since 2007 to 2008 however has increased the amount of housing owned and managed by RSLs and resulted in a sharp decline in local authority sales. Further information is provided in the accompanying quality report. 

During 2025 to 2026, RSL sales accounted for 95% of all sales (609 dwellings), with the remaining 5% being local authority sales (30 dwellings). 

Of the 609 RSL dwellings sold, 73% (445 dwellings) were non-social housing, with the remaining 27% (164 dwellings) social housing. 25 of the 30 local authority dwellings sold were non-social housing, the remaining 5 were social housing. 

Figure 4: number of RSL sales by type of sale, 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2026 [Note 1] [Note 2]

Image

Description of figure 4: a bar chart showing that the total number of RSL dwellings has fluctuated between 209 and 640 since 2005 to 2006, with most sales historically being non-statutory.

Source: Social landlord housing sales 

[Note 1] Please see the quality report for further details on the large scale voluntary transfer of stock and for changes to definitions from 2013 to 2014 onwards. 

[Note 2] Data for 2019 to 2020 was not collected due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Total social landlord housing sales by provider and sale type (StatsWales)

The number of statutory sales of RSL dwellings generally increased between 2009 to 2010 and 2017 to 2018, before markedly increasing in 2018 to 2019. However, since 2018 to 2019 the number of statutory sales of RSL dwellings has drastically decreased in line with the final abolition of the Right to Buy and Right to Acquire schemes in January 2019. The final years statutory sales were recorded of RSL dwellings was 2021 to 2022. 

Non-statutory sales of RSL dwellings tend to fluctuate from year to year. There were 609 non-statutory RSL sales in 2025 to 2026. This is the highest number of non-statutory sales reported in a financial year for RSLs. Non-statutory RSL sales have fluctuated between 162 and 609 since 2005 to 2006.

Figure 5: number of local authority sales by type of sale, 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2026 [Note 1] [Note 2]

Image

Description of figure 5: a bar chart showing a drastic decrease in local authority sales between 2005 to 2006 and 2008 to 2009. This is followed by a period of small fluctuations between 2009 to 2010 and 2018 to 2019, with numbers remaining below 41 since 2020 to 2021.

Source: Social landlord housing sales 

[Note 1] Please see the quality report for further details on the large scale voluntary transfer of stock and for changes to definitions from 2013 to 2014 onwards.   

[Note 2] Data for 2019 to 2020 was not collected due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Total social landlord housing sales by provider and sale type (StatsWales)

Over the five years between 2000 to 2001 and 2004 to 2005, there was an annual average of around 4,500 Right to Buy sales of local authority dwellings, dropping to around 1,500 a year during 2005 to 2006 and 2006 to 2007. Over the period from 2007 to 2008 through 2010 to 2011, many local authorities transferred their stock to RSLs and the number of local authority sales through Right to Buy decreased substantially, dropping to under 200 sales per year from 2008 to 2009 onwards. The final year statutory sales of LA dwellings were recorded was 2023 to 2024.

This release analyses data on all Welsh social landlord housing sales in Wales. The types of social landlord housing covered are outlined below.

Social housing

This includes “stock at social rents” (i.e. general needs and sheltered housing), and other social housing not at social rent (i.e. extra care, other supported housing and non-self-contained housing units).

‘Other’ housing (non-social housing and housing at market rents)

This includes non-social housing which fall under affordable housing: shared equity (including Homebuy), low-cost home-ownership (LCHO) (including shared ownership), and flexible tenure for the elderly. This also includes housing let at market rent by Welsh social landlords, investment properties and other non-social housing such as residential care and nursing homes. 

Statutory sales 

Statutory sales include all social rented dwellings sold to tenants through the Right to Buy or Right to Acquire schemes. Both schemes were abolished in January 2019.

Non-statutory sales

Non-statutory sales include ‘Voluntary’ and ‘Other’ sales. Voluntary sales include the sale of property which may be surplus to requirements due to low demand or is uneconomic to repair. ‘Other’ sales - these include those sold via shared equity (including Homebuy), LCHO and other shared ownership, and flexible tenure for the elderly schemes. They also include the sale of intermediate rented properties (including Rent First), other intermediate tenure dwellings such as residential and nursing homes and properties at market rent and other investment properties.

Right to Buy

The Right to Buy (RTB) scheme was introduced by the 1980 Housing Act and came into effect in October 1980. Right to buy enabled qualifying tenants of local authorities and some Registered Social Landlords to buy their homes at a discount on market value. Some types of property were exempt and restrictions to subsequent sales applied in designated rural areas. This scheme ended in January 2019.

Right to Acquire

The Right to Acquire (RTA) scheme was introduced by the 1996 Housing Act and came into effect from 1 April 1997. Right to Acquire gave qualifying tenants of Registered Social Landlords a right to purchase their homes if they were provided using Social Housing Grant, or transferred from a local authority after April 1997. Some types of property were exempt from the scheme including those in designated rural areas. This scheme ended in January 2019.

Voluntary sales 

This includes the outright sale of property; for example, if the property is surplus to requirements due to low demand or is uneconomic to repair. They will include any sales to non-registered RSLs or the private sector and can be sales of both social and non-social dwellings.

Shared ownership - Wales

Shared Ownership - Wales is a part-buy, part-rent scheme introduced in February 2018. It is aimed at buyers who have some deposit but are unable to obtain the level of mortgage to purchase the home outright. Aspiring buyers can purchase an initial share of 25% to 75% of the value of new-build homes, which are available for this scheme from participating housing associations.

Homebuy

HomeBuy supports households by providing an equity loan to assist purchasing an existing property.

It helps people who are not otherwise able to purchase a home that meets their needs. Buyers will normally need to contribute 70% (minimum of 50%) of the purchase price of a home (existing dwellings).  

There are two ways that Homebuy loans are provided:

Housing associations can choose to sell any property in its ownership on Homebuy equity sharing terms.  This will include sales of properties under ‘neutral tenure’ principles where newbuild properties are let or sold according to the need of the applicant.

‘Do-it-Yourself’ or ‘DIY’ Homebuy – eligible purchasers can choose a qualifying property from the open market and the RSL provides an equity loan for a percentage of the purchase price. 

Extra care housing

‘Extra care sheltered housing’ or ‘assisted living housing’ offers more support to residents than other retirement housing but allows them to retain more independence than moving to a care home. Residents still live in self-contained flats, but meals may be provided‚ either in the flat or a shared dining room and access to on-site care and support tailored to their individual needs. 

Flexible tenure for the elderly

Includes specific housing schemes developed in 1990s to provide flexible tenure options for older people in housing schemes designed specifically for their needs. 

Intermediate rent (including Rent First)

These are housing units where the rents are above those of housing at social rents housing but below market housing rents.

Low-cost home-ownership 

This schemed allows qualifying purchasers to buy a share of the property with a proportional rent payable on the remaining share to the social landlord.

Registered Social Landlords (RSLs)

RSLs are organisations that provide and manage properties for people who would otherwise be unable to afford to rent or buy privately. Registered social landlord (RSL) is the technical name for housing associations that are registered with the Welsh Government and are regulated to maintain a good standard of management. 

Stock at social rents

These are self-contained wholly owned and managed by social landlords (local authorities and registered social landlords) and fall within the scope of the Welsh Government’s policy for social housing rents.

Rent First

Rent First is a subsidised intermediate rent solution providing people with a mid-market rental housing solution as well as potentially assisting them in the outright purchase of their home in the future. Rent First aims to help local authorities and housing associations meet their housing objectives. These include creating mixed income developments and communities which can access affordable properties to buy or rent.

Detailed information on data quality and methodology can be found in the quality report.

Official statistics status

All official statistics should show the standards of the Code of Practice for Statistics.  

These are accredited official statistics. They were independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) in July 2012. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics. 

It is Welsh Government’s responsibility to maintain compliance with the standards expected of accreditation. If we become concerned about whether these statistics are still meeting the appropriate standards, we will discuss any concerns with OSR promptly. Accreditation can be cancelled or suspended at any point when the highest standards are not maintained, and reinstated when standards are restored.

Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. 

Statement of compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics

Our statistical practice is regulated by the OSR. OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

All of our statistics are produced and published in accordance with a number of statements and protocols to enhance trustworthiness, quality and value. These are set out in the Welsh Government’s Statement of Compliance.

These accredited official statistics (OSR) demonstrate the standards expected around trustworthiness, quality and public value in the following ways. 

Trustworthiness 

This data is collected directly from local authorities and Registered Social Landlords who have all the records of sales during the year.

Quality

The published figures provided are compiled by professional analysts using the latest available data and applying methods using their professional judgement and analytical skillset. Statistics published by Welsh Government adhere to the Statistical Quality Management Strategy which supplements the Quality pillar of the Code of Practice for Statistics and the European Statistical System principles of quality for statistical outputs. 

Data for the Welsh Government Social Landlord Housing Sales Collection is collected by Welsh Government directly from local authorities and Registered Social Landlords. Both complete data collection forms based on data stored on their respective IT systems and return the completed forms to Welsh Government via its secure web data transfer system. 

Validation checks are performed by Welsh Government statisticians and queries referred to local authorities and Registered Social Landlords where necessary. The statistical release is then drafted, signed off by senior statisticians and published in line with the statement on confidentiality and data access which is informed by the trustworthiness pillar contained in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

Value

The purpose of the statistical release is to provide evidence about the social housing landscape across Wales in terms of sales of stock, for policy development, Ministerial advice and decision making and to inform the wider public. This statistical release also supports the Welsh Government’s aim to reduce homelessness.

You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards. Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk  or via the OSR website.

Well-being of Future Generations Act (WFG)

The Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015 is about improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales. The Act puts in place seven wellbeing goals for Wales. These are for a more equal, prosperous, resilient, healthier and globally responsible Wales, with cohesive communities and a vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language. Under section (10)(1) of the Act, the Welsh Ministers must (a) publish indicators (“national indicators”) that must be applied for the purpose of measuring progress towards the achievement of the wellbeing goals, and (b) lay a copy of the national indicators before Senedd Cymru. Under section 10(8) of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, where the Welsh Ministers revise the national indicators, they must as soon as reasonably practicable (a) publish the indicators as revised and (b) lay a copy of them before the Senedd. These national indicators were laid before the Senedd in 2021. The indicators laid on 14 December 2021 replace the set laid on 16 March 2016.

Information on the indicators, along with narratives for each of the wellbeing goals and associated technical information is available in the Well-being of Wales report.

Further information on the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The statistics included in this release could also provide supporting narrative to the national indicators and be used by public services boards in relation to their local wellbeing assessments and local wellbeing plans.

Ystadegau Tai
E-bost: ystadegau.tai@llyw.cymru

Cyfryngau: 0300 025 8099

SDR: 54/2026