8 Quickest Ways to Start Investing in UK Property
8 Quickest Ways to Start Investing in UK Property
Is buy-to-let dead in the water? The statistics say no. According to Hamptons housing market analysis, 11.3% of all housing transactions in the third quarter of 2025 were buy-to-let purchases, proving that investment is still happening. And activity is set to continue.
LendInvest landlord survey revealed 67.7% of landlords were adopting a “buy and hold” or “buy, refurbish, refinance, rent” approach. In fact, when asked about their plans for the next 12 months, “acquire more properties” was cited by 70%.
Property investment is not an activity reserved for experienced investors either. When Hamptons examined Companies House data, it found 33,395 new limited companies set up to purchase buy-to-lets were registered by Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) in 2025. This marks a 142% rise compared with 2020.
If you want a slice of the buy-to-let pie, here are the 8 quickest ways to invest in UK property:
1. Buy for Cash
If you want to become a landlord quickly, being a cash buyer gives you a strong advantage. Sellers often prefer buyers who don’t require a mortgage, as it avoids delays and risks associated with mortgage approval. Cash buyers can also negotiate more easily on price.
2. Buy a Property That’s Chain Free
Purchasing a chain-free property – for example, a vacant home, a new build, or a probate sale — can significantly speed up your transaction. This is ideal for cash buyers or anyone aiming to start earning rental income quickly.
3. Purchase Using the Quickest Method
Instead of buying on the open market, consider auctions. According to research by TwentyEA in 2025, the average property transaction takes 205 days from listing to completion. Auctions can reduce this to as little as 28 days for unconditional or Modern Method of Auction sales, and some properties already have tenants, providing immediate rental income.
4. Make Your First Property Purchase a Buy-to-Let
It’s a myth that you need to buy your own home before becoming a landlord. First-time buyers can purchase a buy-to-let property while living with family or renting elsewhere. This allows you to prioritise investment locations with strong yields and tenant demand. For beginner tips, check out our first-time property investment guide.
5. Fractional Ownership
Multiple individuals can pool funds to invest in a property together. Fractional ownership platforms in the UK include Property Partner, Brickowner, and British Pearl. This allows investors to start with modest sums, although profits are shared.
6. Buy Shares in Property Companies
If saving for a large deposit is difficult, you can buy shares in UK property companies via online trading platforms like Trading 212 or eToro. Companies to consider include British Land, Grainger Plc, Watkin Jones Plc, and housebuilders such as Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, Bellway, and Barratt Developments.
7. Invest in a REIT
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) allow you to invest in property without owning it directly. Residential REITs focus on apartments, student housing, or family homes, while Equity REITs own physical properties for rental income. You can invest through brokers such as Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell, or Interactive Brokers.
8. Professional Property Support
Managing multiple properties or investments can be challenging. Viewber HMO and property services supports UK landlords, investment funds, auction houses, letting agents, and property managers with accompanied viewings, inspections, and other operational tasks. Contact us to see how we can assist your property investment journey.
