Only one in ten landlords plan to increase portfolio – Ministry of Housing

Only 11 per cent of landlords plan to increase the number of properties they own, according to the latest survey released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Around 10 per cent of landlords are looking at reducing the number of properties, representing 18 per cent of tenancies, with five per cent planning to sell all their rental properties and leave the rental business, representing five per cent of tenancies.

The survey of landlords was the first one carried out by government since 2010.

Legislative changes driving landlords out

Landlords who planned to decrease or sell all their rental properties were asked to select reasons why they were planning to do so.

According to the research, legislative changes to benefits, tax relief and stamp duty were the most common, selected by 61 per cent.

Over a third of landlords reported intending to sell or decrease their portfolio for personal reasons as well as financial reasons.

The figures revealed that landlords were more concerned than agents about legislative changes, mentioned by 62 per cent of landlords and 55 per cent of agents.

On the other hand, agents were more concerned than landlords about tenant behaviour, at 68 per cent compared to 51 per cent of landlords.

There was no significant difference between the proportions of landlords and agents reporting financial concerns, reported by 45 per cent of both landlords and agents.