As owners ourselves, we know one thing isn’t always clear in this market: whether now is the right time to sell or hold for longer rental income and future growth. With Cambridgeshire rental values rising and market dynamics shifting, this question deserves a thoughtful, data-backed answer – not guesswork.

Here’s what the real local data and our resident-level insights tell us.

Rents are still growing – strongly

Across the local area we manage, average rents in December 2025 reached around £1,178pcm, up roughly 7% year-on-year. In some postcodes like PE27 and PE28, one- and two-bed properties saw increases of up to 10%.

This follows a pattern we’ve seen through 2025:

• Early in the year, Cambridgeshire rents were already climbing, with average advertised rents above £1,160.
• The picture remains consistent with broader regional and ONS data showing rental inflation in Cambridge and across East England. Office for National Statistics

What this means for you:

With rental income rising and strong comparables in the local market, holding property continues to deliver genuine cash flow growth, especially if your property is marketed and managed well.

Supply and demand: it’s still a landlord’s market – with nuances

Despite more homes entering the market, our latest data shows a 16% increase in availability compared to last year . Demand is surprisingly resilient, in fact, applicant numbers grew by around 9% (comparing July – December 2024 compared to July – December 2025.

However, there are early signs of balancing forces:

• More choice means properties that don’t stand out can take longer to let.
• Correct pricing and presentation matter now more than ever.
• That tells us rental fundamentals remain healthy – but competition amongst landlords has increased.

So why do some owners choose to sell?

There isn’t a single reason, but some common themes we’re seeing include:

• Regulatory change making portfolio management more complex.
• Tighter mortgage economics for some buy-to-let owners.
• Owners looking to release equity or simplify their finances.

Many owners making this choice aren’t reacting in panic — they’re thinking strategically about where their time, capital and attention are best placed.

What this means for you

Choosing whether to sell shouldn’t be driven by headlines or emotions. Here’s the logic we use with owners

Benefit of holding:

• Continued rental growth and strong local demand
• Rental yields improving with rising rents
• More strategic buyer pool for quality managed properties

Benefit of selling:

• Releasing equity while rents remain elevated
• Reducing exposure to regulatory complexity
• Opportunity to re-invest elsewhere

We don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all answer — only your strategic answer based on your goals.

Our local experience speaks for itself

For over 20 years our team has managed properties through market highs and lows, helping owners:

• Maximise rental income
• Reduce void periods
• Stay compliant
• Make confident decisions

That’s the difference between reacting to the market and making the market work for you.

Thinking of selling? Let’s explore it together

If you’re weighing up holding versus selling, here’s what we can do right now:

• A free rental appraisal showing current achievable rent
• Sell-versus-hold financial comparison tailored to your portfolio
• Local market insight grounded in real lettings data
• Your property is unique – your strategy should be too.

Call the Maxine Lester team today on 01480 494939, to book a free review with us to talk through your options with calm confidence.

You’ve got options. We help you choose the right one.