Investors in UK property now hold an average of 14.1 properties. This is a rise from 12.9 in the first quarter of 2012 and up from 12.5 year-on-year.
Terraced housing remains the most popular type of property. Roughly, 49% of investors who are planning to increase portfolios are looking for terraced properties.
Around a quarter of those surveyed expect to buy flats or maisonettes with 23% planning to purchase semi-detached houses.
The Private Rented Sector Trends Survey found that around a fifth of respondents are planning to increase their portfolio size in Q3, a 3% rise on the same period last year.
Ying Tan, managing director at The Buy to Let Business, said the market would remain strong, with a number of lenders launching new products in recent weeks.
“The fundamentals of the buy-to-let market remain strong. It continues to be difficult for first-time buyers to get on to the property ladder so there are some big returns for investors in the market.
“Young professionals also like the flexibility offered by rental properties.
“The reason behind the increases in portfolio size is that landlords are often reinvesting their profits back into property. Investors have also found restrictions on funding have eased and they’re finding it easier to get finance.”
John Heron, managing director of Paragon Mortgages, said: “The issues around housing supply in the UK are well documented and have been hotly debated over the past few months in particular.
“However, what our research shows is that landlords are investing further in PRS property and they look set to continue to buy over the coming quarters. Whilst this will not solve the problems around supply it will make a valuable contribution.”
