Landlord growth looks different in 2026 – but it hasn’t disappeared – Moloney

Pegasus Insight’s Q2 2026 Landlord Trends research found that while 43% of landlords intend to sell property over the next 12 months, only 6% plan to buy. Taken in isolation, those figures could suggest investor appetite is fading.

Yet focusing only on purchase intentions risks overlooking what is happening elsewhere in the market.

For many of today’s landlords, building a portfolio was a relatively straightforward process. A property would be purchased and, over time, that investment could help support the next acquisition, whether through rising equity, refinancing or releasing value from existing assets. Repeat that often enough and a sizeable portfolio could emerge.

That remains an attractive route for some investors, but Rely’s new Next Gen Landlords research, conducted with demographic consultancy Trajectory, suggests future landlords are less likely to be defined by a single approach to growth. The research identified a range of landlord groups, from ambitious portfolio builders and entrepreneurs to those focused on retaining family assets or delivering positive outcomes through the homes they provide.

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A changing market

Success is no longer measured solely by the next acquisition. Many landlords are focused on portfolio management, long-term planning and selecting ownership structures that support their goals.

The rise of the intentional landlord is particularly noteworthy. Pegasus Insight’s research found that four in five limited company landlords describe themselves as intentional landlords, highlighting a sector that is becoming more strategic in the way it approaches property ownership.

In my view, buying another property is only one measure of progress. For many investors today, success may also be reflected in stronger portfolio performance, improving existing assets or creating the right foundations for long-term wealth creation. The growing number of landlords describing themselves as intentional landlords suggests that many are taking a more considered approach to portfolio ownership and decision-making.

One theme that runs throughout our Next Gen research is that property remains an attractive investment, but future landlords have diverse motivations and ambitions that extend beyond simply growing the largest possible portfolio. The research also suggests many will enter the market with smaller portfolios than the landlords they are replacing, building incrementally over time rather than expanding as quickly as previous generations.

That does not mean acquisitions will disappear. Some investors will continue to build portfolios in the traditional way, while others may make greater use of limited company structures from an earlier stage or focus on improving the performance of assets they already own. What’s important is that success is becoming more closely aligned to individual objectives rather than a single definition of growth.

That creates opportunities for brokers to add value in different ways. Discussions are extending beyond sourcing finance for the next purchase and into areas such as portfolio strategy, ownership structures and long-term planning. As investor goals become more varied, understanding what success looks like for each client becomes increasingly important.

Having spent many years in this industry, I’ve seen the market continually evolve. Today’s environment is very different from the one that existed 20 years ago, and the next generation is likely to approach property investment differently again.

Perhaps the more important point is that portfolio growth has not disappeared – it is simply being measured in different ways. While fewer investors may be planning immediate purchases, many remain committed to property as a long-term wealth-building tool. The methods may evolve, but the appetite to build and preserve wealth through property remains firmly in place.