If i invest in property over 5 (buy to let) then sell in 5 years will I get a huge tax bill?

My plan is to make a joint investment (3 way split with friends) and purchase a new build flat / house. The house will be rented out (possible through a management company). In 5 years time we will sell the property and invest all profit into a larger property.
Does this sound like a credible alternative to a pension or another investment possibility?

But-to-let. Sounds like we are talking about the UK.

Each time you sell you and the other owners will need to declare the profit and pay the tax. Taper relief and other details matter. You will not be able to avoid paying the tax.

What also needs to be understood is you will have significant transaction costs. Fees to sell. Stamp duty when you buy a replacement.

It could be best to avoid selling if that makes sense. Just refinance the property and pull out some of the equity so you can buy a second property. You did not sell so no tax due on the profit. No cost of selling. You still have the transaction costs associated with the next purchase.

Focus on the cash flow so that the BTL property covers its own running costs.

Sounds cool. Problems will arise if the 'partners' have a falling out. That's alota ifs and maybes. Tomorrow is unwritten.
You and your friends form a corporation, make it an LLC or whatever you can all agree on. Then all finances are handled and are owed by the corporation. When the corporation makes a profit all the stockholders make a profit. evenly. As an LLC, Limited Liability Corporation, you all (The Corporation)are not or cannot be held liable in many instances.
In the forming or organization of the corp, you have executive officers with equal equity of interest.
The three of you can skip that and just go it on your own, but when the Council Tax comes due, or the County Assessment says that the owner has to build or tear down a fence, it can get ugly real fast.
If the tenant or a neighbor trips on the walkway into or inside the unit and a lawsuit is filed, who is the respondent.
You said your plan is to: well what about there plans. That is what a corporation is for, to discuss such plans and either follow through with them or not.
If you don't wanna go corporation at least draw up a paper that says the three shall be as one in all matters of profit and liabilities incurred.
That is the LLC part,

The best real estate business for the moment is in Romania.You and your friends can make a company,buy land or house or apartment ,and then sell it after a month with 10/20 % profit and pay taxes 16% for your profit.
You can also buy land ,keep it for 5 years and then sell it with 100% profit at least.
I can offer specific information if you are interested.