Buying repossessed property in Derby
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Derby recorded 191 repossessions in the 12 months to June 2026. The first half of 2026, at 83, was already more than half of 2025's total.
Those homes sit inside a housing stock of 114,601 dwellings. Derby has 275,344 residents and one of the highest repossession rates per home in the Midlands.
Private landlords carried out 126 of those repossessions. Most people don't know how much of Derby's repossessed stock is rented terraces.
This guide covers the numbers, the areas and the buying process for repossessed property in Derby. Plain English. No padding.
Part of our city-by-city guides to buying repossessed property in the UK.
How many repossessions are there in Derby?
Derby had 191 repossessions by county court bailiffs from July 2025 to June 2026 (Ministry of Justice local authority data, Apr–Jun 2026). That covers mortgage, private landlord and social landlord repossessions.
Measure | Derby |
|---|---|
Repossessions, 12 months to June 2026 | 191 |
Per 100,000 residents | 69 |
Per 100,000 dwellings | 167 |
By mortgage lenders | 21 |
By private landlords | 126 |
By social landlords | 44 |
Mortgage repossession rate, Q2 2026 (per 100,000 mortgaged households) | 3.5 (typical council: 11.8) |
Private landlord repossession rate, Q2 2026 (per 100,000 private rented households) | 44.5 (typical council: 29.1) |
Rates per resident and per dwelling are Repolist calculations from MoJ counts, ONS mid-2025 population and GOV.UK dwelling stock. The typical council is the median across England and Wales.
Here's what that looks like on the ground. About 4 Derby homes are repossessed every week. The mortgage repossession rate is below the typical council. The private landlord rate is above the typical council. Private landlords carried out 126 of the 191 repossessions, two in every three.
The trend
Period | Derby repossessions |
|---|---|
2024 | 159 |
2025 | 153 |
First half of 2026 | 83 |
Repossessions were 159 in 2024 and 153 in 2025. The first half of 2026 reached 83, so 2026 is on course to be the highest of the three years. Nottingham, 15 miles east, recorded almost the same number.
Derby's housing stock: 114,601 homes
Derby has 114,601 dwellings (2024). Victorian terraces fill the inner city around Normanton and the Arboretum. Inter-war and post-war semis make up most of the rest.
Measure | Figure | Date |
|---|---|---|
Total dwellings | 114,601 | 2024 |
Long-term vacant dwellings | 1,424 (1.24%) | 2024 |
Population | 275,344 | Mid-2025 |
Average price | £210,000 (up 2.7% on a year) | August 2026 |
Average flat | £108,000 | August 2026 |
Average terraced house | £170,000 | August 2026 |
Average semi-detached house | £213,000 | August 2026 |
Average monthly rent | £871 (up 4.7% on a year) | September 2026 |
Sources: Open Innovations housing data (GOV.UK Table 125); ONS population estimates via Nomis; ONS housing prices in Derby.
Here's what the stock tells a buyer of repossessed property in Derby:
- Rentals drive the flow. The private landlord repossession rate was 44.5 per 100,000 private rented households in Q2 2026, above the typical council.
- Low-to-mid prices. The average price is £210,000. Terraces average £170,000 and flats just £108,000.
- Rents rising. The average rent is £871 a month, up 4.7% in a year.
- Empty homes above average. 1.24% of homes are long-term vacant.
Derby: rail, engineering and a tight boundary
- A railway city. Derby station is on the Midland Main Line, with direct trains to London St Pancras, Sheffield and Birmingham. Derby has been chosen as the home of the national rail body, Great British Railways.
- Engineering jobs. Rolls-Royce and the Litchurch Lane train works are major employers.
- University of Derby. The main campus at Kedleston Road keeps rental demand steady nearby.
- Darley Abbey. The mills at Darley Abbey are part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Listed status can limit changes to nearby homes.
Where to find repossessed homes in Derby
Repossessed homes in Derby follow the shape of the city. Terraces fill the inner ring. Ex-council estates sit to the south. Littleover, Mickleover and Allestree hold the dearer homes.
Area | Postcodes | Typical repossessed stock | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
City centre | DE1 | Flats and conversions. | Derby station |
Normanton, Pear Tree | DE23 | Victorian terraces. | Peartree |
Arboretum, Rose Hill | DE23 | Victorian terraces. | Bus routes |
Alvaston, Allenton | DE24 | Terraces and semis. | Bus routes |
Sinfin | DE24 | Ex-council houses. | Bus routes |
Chaddesden | DE21 | Semis and ex-council houses. | Bus routes |
Mackworth | DE22 | Ex-council houses. | Bus routes |
Darley Abbey, Allestree | DE22 | Semis and detached houses. | Bus routes |
Littleover, Mickleover | DE23, DE3 | Semis and detached houses. | Bus routes |
Oakwood | DE21 | 1980s and 1990s estates. | Bus routes |
South Derbyshire, Amber Valley and Erewash are separate councils. Their repossessions do not show in the Derby figures.
Lenders sell through local agents, auctions, receivers and asset managers. Our guides hub explains each route. Listings rarely say "repossessed": look for "sold on behalf of the mortgagee" or "mortgagee in possession".
How to buy a repossessed house in Derby: step by step
- Get your funding in place first. Lenders favour proceedable buyers. Auction buyers usually need cash or bridging finance to complete within 28 days.
- Check the street, not just the area. Prices and demand change sharply between neighbouring streets in Normanton and the Arboretum.
- View the property in person. Repossessed homes are often empty for months. Check for water damage, stripped boilers, missing kitchens and damp.
- Read the legal pack or ask for the title. For flats, check lease length, ground rent and service charges. Check for anyone still living in the property.
- Check licensing. Check whether the council's selective or HMO licensing covers the address before you let it.
- Offer in writing, then move fast. The agent must pass every offer to the lender, which must seek the best price reasonably obtainable. Expect marketing to continue until exchange.
Are repossessed houses in Derby cheaper?
Sometimes. Not always. Lenders must aim for market value. Discounts usually reflect condition, speed or a tenant in place. At auction, competition can push prices above the guide.
Risks and tips for Derby buyers
Risk | What to check in Derby |
|---|---|
Tenants in place | Most repossessions here are rentals. Check for anyone still living in the home and their tenancy. |
Victorian terraces | Older terraces may need rewiring, roofs and damp work. Get a full survey. |
Former council homes | Check for non-traditional construction that some lenders avoid. |
Condition | Empty homes leak, freeze and get stripped. Budget for a refurb until the survey says otherwise. |
Auction fees | Buyer's premiums and admin fees sit on top of the hammer price. Read the special conditions. |
One more tip. Track the same postcode for a few months before you buy. You learn what repossessed stock actually sells for, not what it is guided at.
Frequently asked questions
How many repossessions are there in Derby?
Derby recorded 191 repossessions in the 12 months to June 2026. That is about 69 per 100,000 residents. The first half of 2026 was already more than half of 2025's total.
How big is Derby's housing stock?
Derby has 114,601 dwellings (2024) and 275,344 residents (mid-2025).
Are repossessions rising in Derby?
Yes. The first half of 2026 recorded 83, more than half of 2025's full-year total of 153.
Is Great British Railways based in Derby?
Derby was chosen as the headquarters location for Great British Railways, the planned national rail body.
Where can I find repossessed property in Derby?
Check estate agents acting for lenders, local property auctions, LPA receiver sales and lender asset managers. A deal feed like Repolist brings these sources together.
Find repossessed property in Derby with Repolist
Derby combines rising repossessions with low prices and a strong engineering economy. The skill is knowing which street, and what each deal is really worth.
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Nearby guides: Nottingham, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent, Sheffield.
This guide is for information only. It is not financial, tax or legal advice. Always take independent advice before buying property.