Private landlords:
Navigating a shifting landscape
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Introduction
Summary
Landlord Profile
Buy, Sell or Hold
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For more commentary, download the full research report as a PDF.
For more commentary, download the full research report as a PDF.
Download the full report
Download the full report
For more commentary, download the full research report as a PDF.
Download the full report
For more commentary, download the full research report as a PDF.
Download the full report
For more commentary, download the full research report as a PDF.
To read the full results from our tenant insight report, download the research report.
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Summary
"I am happy in my current
rental accommodation"
of respondents said answered
43%
"other"
11%
of respondents answered
"Lack of suitable alternative
accommodation"
3%
of respondents answered
"Current landlord offered a
rent reduction to stay"
5%
of respondents answered
"Moving is too much effort or cost"
7%
of respondents answered
"Renting while we
purchase a property"
17%
of respondents answered
"Current rent stayed the
same so opted to stay"
8%
of respondents answered
"Rent rise of a move to a new
property was too high"
17%
of respondents answered
Landlord profile
Buy, sell or hold
11%
of respondents said that mortgage rates would need to fall by
4.01% - 5%
18%
3.51% - 4%
of respondents said that mortgage rates would need to fall by
16%
2.51% - 3.5%
of respondents said that mortgage rates would need to fall by
7%
2.01 - 2.5%
of respondents said that mortgage rates would need to fall by
5%
< 2%
of respondents said that mortgage rates would need to fall by
43%
Not applicable / not going to purchase anytime soon
of respondents answered
What lies ahead?
Introduction
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Get in touch
Introduction
Summary
Landlord
Profile
Buy, Sell or Hold
Get in touch
EMAIL ME
Leslie Schroeder
Head of Residential Research
020 7529 1538
EMAIL ME
Lisa Simon
Head of Residential
020 7518 3234
EMAIL ME
Lee Richards
Head of Living Sectors
020 7518 3248
Discover what matters most to landlords in 2025.
Of the sub-measures we specifically referenced, the Private Sector Ombudsman
garnered the most support, with only 10% viewing it as a negative provision in the Bill.
EMAIL ME
Juliet Pritchard
Partner, Head of Lettings Operations
020 7062 3118
For the first time, we have conducted a landlord survey of nearly 200 landlords, and explored their motivations and concerns, especially around the Renters' Rights Bill (now the Renters' Rights Act) and other legislative changes.
The UK’s private rental market has undergone significant changes over the past decade, with tax changes and legislation leading to a reduction in supply, as it discouraged private landlords to invest in the buy-to-let market. Meanwhile, demand has surged substantially post-pandemic due to rising house prices, interest rates, and record-breaking migration levels between 2021-2023.
We wanted to understand the profile of the landlords who responded to our survey, specifically what type of landlord they were.
14% of landlords surveyed intend to expand their portfolios, with 42% of this group being ‘accidental landlords’ who now see value in expanding.
The survey categorised landlords into three groups:
Portfolio landlords have the longest tenure in the market with over half having rented properties for ten years or more.
small-scale (one property) investors (43%), accidental landlords (33%) portfolio landlords (23%).
Chart 1: What type of landlord do you consider yourself?
43%
33%
24%
Chart 2: How many years have our respondents been landlords?
26%
14%
28%
21%
10%
“Over half of all respondents have owned their rental properties for a decade or more, with 34% of these being portfolio landlords. We further found that only 6.5% of our portfolio landlords have been in the sector for less than five years. This suggests a notable lack of new, dedicated entrants in recent years, a time when tax changes and increased legislation, have made the sector less financially attractive.”
Chart 3: How many years have our different types of landlords, been in the industry?
0 - 2 years
2 - 5 years
5 - 10 years
10 - 20 years
20+ years
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
We asked landlords whether they’ve recently sold, plan to sell, or will look to buy a rental property soon, helping us understand current and future rental stock supply in the market.
Chart 6: Portfolio landlords: Why will you not be adding a buy to let property to your portfolio?
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
“Portfolio landlords hold a significant share of rental stock, so understanding why many aren’t expanding was important to us. 80% of landlords who answered, said they won’t add properties to their portfolios, with 37% citing complex legislation as the main reason. 31% are happy with their current portfolio size, 20% saying it's not financially worthwhile, and 11% are planning to sell their entire portfolio.”
Chart 5: What reasons prevent you from wanting to buy another rental property?
32%
23%
19%
17%
6%
Chart 4: Recent trends in buying and selling
35%
40%
Legislation is becoming too cumbersome to make it worthwhile
I am happy with my current portfolio
Financially, it would not be possible or worthwhile
I intend to sell my entire portfolio
Chart 7: Do you intend to sell any or all of your properties within the next 24 months?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
31% of all landlords
viewed mortgage rates as either significant or highly significant in their
decision to sell.
Finally, we also asked our private landlords about aspects of the Renters’ Rights Bill (now the Renter's Rights Act).
Chart 8: What factors will influence you to sell over the next 24 months?
Changes in taxation
The incoming legislation from the Renters’ Rights Bill
Proposals to raise MEES to C
Mortgage rates
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
Increasing industry costs
Chart 9: Would any of the following encourage you to invest further or purchase an additional buy to let property?
Reduction of Capital Gains Tax for landlords who sell their property after a certain holding period
Tax relief for property maintenance expenses
Reduction of Stamp Duty Land Tax for buy to let property purchases
Reduction in proposed energy efficiency requirements and / or maintaining the current requirement of ‘E’.
Government investment in nearby infrastructure projects
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
When asked what might entice our respondents to invest further, it was clear that they are motivated and driven by cost-saving measures. A reduction in Capital Gains Tax and tax relief for maintenance came out on top ways the government could look to support further investment.
Introduction of a Private Sector Ombudsman
Rent increases - landlords will be able to increase rents once per year to the market rate
Moving to tenancy structures where assured tenancies are periodic.
Ability for tenants to challenge rent increases
Tenants are able to request a pet in the property
Abolishing section 21 evictions
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Chart 10: In regard to the Renters’ Rights Bill, how do you feel about the following measures?
What Lies
Ahead?
What Lies Ahead?
Introduction
Summary
Landlord
Profile
Buy, Sell or Hold
What Lies Ahead?
Get in touch
Introduction
Summary
Landlord
Profile
Buy, Sell or Hold
What Lies Ahead?
Get in touch
Introduction
Summary
Landlord
Profile
Buy, Sell or Hold
What Lies Ahead?
Get in touch
Introduction
Summary
Landlord
Profile
Buy, Sell or Hold
What Lies Ahead?
Get in touch
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