Buying repossessed property in Plymouth
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Plymouth recorded 155 repossessions in the 12 months to June 2026. Its mortgage repossession rate was about twice the typical council.
Those homes sit inside a housing stock of 122,500 dwellings. Plymouth has 271,361 residents and the largest naval base in Western Europe.
Very few homes here stand empty for long. Most people don't know how quickly repossessed homes in Plymouth are re-let or resold.
This guide covers the numbers, the areas and the buying process for repossessed property in Plymouth. Plain English. No padding.
Part of our city-by-city guides to buying repossessed property in the UK.
How many repossessions are there in Plymouth?
Plymouth had 155 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 | Plymouth |
|---|---|
Repossessions, 12 months to June 2026 | 155 |
Per 100,000 residents | 57 |
Per 100,000 dwellings | 127 |
By mortgage lenders | 24 |
By private landlords | 103 |
By social landlords | 28 |
Mortgage repossession rate, Q2 2026 (per 100,000 mortgaged households) | 24.8 (typical council: 11.8) |
Private landlord repossession rate, Q2 2026 (per 100,000 private rented households) | 42.4 (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 3 Plymouth homes are repossessed every week. The mortgage repossession rate is about twice the typical council. The private landlord rate is above the typical council. Private landlords carried out 103 of the 155 repossessions, two in every three.
The trend
Period | Plymouth repossessions |
|---|---|
2024 | 145 |
2025 | 154 |
First half of 2026 | 75 |
Repossessions rose from 145 in 2024 to 154 in 2025. The first half of 2026, at 75, is on a similar pace. In the South West, only Bristol and a few larger councils recorded more.
Plymouth's housing stock: 122,500 homes
Plymouth has 122,500 dwellings (2024). Much of the centre was rebuilt after wartime bombing. Victorian terraces fill Stonehouse, Mutley and Stoke, with post-war estates to the north.
Measure | Figure | Date |
|---|---|---|
Total dwellings | 122,500 | 2024 |
Long-term vacant dwellings | 786 (0.64%) | 2024 |
Population | 271,361 | Mid-2025 |
Average price | £223,000 (up 3.2% on a year) | August 2026 |
Average flat | £134,000 | August 2026 |
Average terraced house | £229,000 | August 2026 |
Average semi-detached house | £275,000 | August 2026 |
Average monthly rent | £1,008 (up 4.4% on a year) | September 2026 |
Sources: Open Innovations housing data (GOV.UK Table 125); ONS population estimates via Nomis; ONS housing prices in Plymouth.
Here's what the stock tells a buyer of repossessed property in Plymouth:
- The fewest empty homes in this series. Only 0.64% of homes are long-term vacant.
- Mid-range prices. The average price is £223,000. Terraces average £229,000 and flats £134,000.
- Rents above £1,000. The average rent is £1,008 a month, up 4.4% in a year.
- Terraces cost more than you might expect. Terraced houses average more than the city as a whole, reflecting large Victorian terraces near the centre.
Plymouth: the navy, the university and the Sound
- HMNB Devonport. The naval base and dockyard at Devonport is the largest in Western Europe and a major employer.
- University of Plymouth. The city-centre campus keeps rental demand high in Mutley, North Hill and Greenbank.
- Rail links. Plymouth station has direct trains to London Paddington, Bristol and Cornwall. Devonport, Dockyard, Keyham and St Budeaux stations serve the west of the city.
- Freeport. Plymouth and South Devon Freeport covers sites around the city and the waterfront.
Where to find repossessed homes in Plymouth
Repossessed homes in Plymouth follow the waterfront and the hills. Terraces fill the inner city. Post-war estates spread north. Plympton and Plymstock sit to the east.
Area | Postcodes | Typical repossessed stock | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
City centre, Barbican | PL1, PL4 | Flats and conversions. | Plymouth station |
Stonehouse | PL1 | Victorian terraces and conversions. | Bus routes |
Devonport | PL1, PL2 | Terraces and newer regeneration homes. | Devonport, Dockyard |
Mutley, North Hill | PL4 | Victorian terraces and student lets. | Plymouth station nearby |
Stoke | PL3 | Victorian terraces. | Devonport |
Lipson, Efford | PL3, PL4 | Terraces and ex-council houses. | Bus routes |
St Budeaux | PL5 | Terraces and ex-council houses. | St Budeaux |
Whitleigh, Southway | PL5, PL6 | Ex-council houses. | Bus routes |
Plympton | PL7 | Semis and newer estates. | Bus routes |
Plymstock | PL9 | Semis and detached houses. | Bus routes |
South Hams, West Devon and Cornwall are separate councils. Ivybridge, Saltash and Tavistock sit outside the Plymouth 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 Plymouth: 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.
- Pick your side of the city. Waterside, inner-city and northern estates are separate markets. Compare sold prices locally.
- 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 and HMO rules. 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 Plymouth 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 Plymouth buyers
Risk | What to check in Plymouth |
|---|---|
Coastal exposure | Homes near the Sound face wind and salt damage. Check roofs, render and windows. |
Student areas | Mutley and Greenbank homes may be HMOs. Check licences and planning status. |
Steep streets | Hillside terraces can have retaining walls and damp issues. Get a full survey. |
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 Plymouth?
Plymouth recorded 155 repossessions in the 12 months to June 2026. That is about 57 per 100,000 residents. Its mortgage repossession rate was about twice the typical council.
How big is Plymouth's housing stock?
Plymouth has 122,500 dwellings (2024) and 271,361 residents (mid-2025).
Is Saltash part of Plymouth?
No. Saltash is in Cornwall, across the Tamar, so it does not count in Plymouth's figures.
Do naval jobs affect Plymouth's rental market?
Devonport is a major employer, and the city has a large private rented sector. Private landlords carried out two in three repossessions.
Where can I find repossessed property in Plymouth?
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 Plymouth with Repolist
Plymouth combines steady repossessions with very few empty homes and a strong rental market. The skill is knowing which side of the city, and what each deal is really worth.
Repolist tracks repossessions, receiver sales and auction lots across Plymouth and beyond. Every deal comes with the context to judge it. Start your free 7-day trial.
Nearby guides: Bristol, Southampton.
This guide is for information only. It is not financial, tax or legal advice. Always take independent advice before buying property.