Half of landlords have no plans to sell properties

Nearly half of buy-to-let landlords have no intention of selling any properties in the next 12 months, a survey from Landbay shows. 

47% of landlords said they have no interest in selling any properties. Among those, the biggest intention came from landlords with 4-10 rental properties (36%), closely followed by those with portfolios of 11-20 properties (26%). 

The research also found that the overwhelming majority owned their rental properties through a limited company (75%).

Just over a third of landlords (35%) told Landbay that they do intend to sell some of their properties – up from 29% in the previous survey. The biggest reason for doing so is predictably landlord taxation – chosen by more than half of those looking to dispose of properties. This is an increase from just over a third in the previous survey.

Just under half (46%) intended to sell due to worries about evicting difficult tenants, in light of plans as part of the Renters’ Rights Bill. Fluctuations in mortgage rates is less of concern, but still listed by more than a third (39%) of landlords – down from 48% previously.

Just 1% of those questioned said they intend to sell all of their properties. Less than two-in-ten landlords are still undecided and don’t know what their plans are. 

Rob Stanton, sales and distribution director at Landbay, said: “As ever, I think landlords and the buy-to-let market in general have once again shown to be more resilient than many people give them credit. Our research has shown that not only are a good proportion of landlords intending to buy this year, but they are also keeping hold of the properties they have. This is hugely encouraging and absolutely critical to the overall health and wellbeing of the PRS and wider UK housing market.

“While government policy and taxation may be out of our control as a lender, it’s important that we continue to use the skills and capabilities we do have to give landlords the options and the confidence to stay put in the market. Just recently, we launched our product transfer offering to give brokers another option to support landlords when refinancing. The initial feedback has been really positive and we hope it continues to help landlords of all sizes as they weigh up their options.”