A growing number of landlords are committed to remaining in the sector – despite upcoming changes stemming from the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Some 58% said they have no intention of selling any of their properties in the next 12 months, research from mortgage lender Landbay found. Last year that figure only stood at 47%, suggesting landlords are adapting.
Among those with no plans to sell, the strongest intention came from non-portfolio landlords with less than four mortgaged properties (32%), closely followed by more than one in five (24%) who own portfolios of between four and 10 rental properties.
Rob Stanton, sales and distribution director at Landbay, said: “This latest survey data is hugely encouraging and once again demonstrates just how robust and resilient buy-to-let landlords are.
“In the face of increasing operating costs and the threat of new legislation, this commitment from landlords to stay put is a huge win for the PRS and for renters all over the country – especially when you consider the massive role rented accommodation plays in the UK’s housing mix.
“We know this isn’t the story for all landlords, and while selling is a natural part of developing a successful portfolio, there are still those just looking to scale back. As a sector, we absolutely need to get behind these landlords and give them the confidence to not just stay put, but to expand and succeed.
“As a lender in this space, we take this role really seriously – whether it’s launching and expanding our innovative product transfer offering or providing competitive rates and a broad product range to help landlords of all sizes when the timing is right to scale their portfolio.”
While there is some appetite to sell, less than one in 10 landlords intend to sell up to 50% of their properties.
Regulatory changes like the Renters’ Rights Bill (35%) and landlord taxation (31%) were the top reasons for investors to sell.
