Kent Reliance’s Buy to Let Britain survey found that just 41% of landlords are confident about the prospects for their portfolios.
Landlords’ confidence has fallen in the face of higher tax costs and weakening house prices, although rents are climbing, pushing up yields, according to Kent Reliance’s Buy to Let Britain survey.
The sixth edition of the report found that just 41% of landlords are confident about the prospects for their portfolios, following the recent taxation and regulatory changes.
This is down from 44% lastquarter and compares to 67% seen three years ago. Political and economic uncertainty will only add to landlords’ concerns, the report points out.
Overall, the value of the sector has risen by £68bn in the last year, climbing to a record of £1.3trn. However, this annual rate of increase of 5.5% is just half the level seen a year ago.
The report explains that lower confidence amongst landlords mirrors this slower growth in the value of the private rented sector and the slowdown in house price inflation has been a key driver, with the annual average increase slowing to 3.2% in the last year. Indeed, in the last two quarters, prices actually fell.
There are now 5.5 million households in the sector, but annual growth of 2.3% is now only a third of the level seen three years ago. Tenant demand is still growing, albeit more slowly. 27% of landlords saw tenant demand increase in the last quarter, more than saw it decrease, but this was down from 39% a year ago, as first time buyer numbers continue to recover.
On the supply side, there is a noticeable change too. In the first three months of 2017, the number of landlords expanding portfolios only slightly outnumbered those reducing them. 19% of landlords now expect to reduce their portfolios, compared to 13% increasing, as amateur landlords leave the market in response to the new tax rules affecting higher rate taxpayers.
Additional pressure on supply has come from the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority’s new underwriting standards, introduced in January. A quarter of landlords who have sought mortgage finance this year have found doing so more difficult, with a further 6% seeing their application rejected altogether.
The report also explains that while there is likely to be consolidation in the market as tax costs rise, property investors are also taking action to mitigate the impact of government intervention through rent rises and incorporation.
Running properties via limited companies means landlords are taxed as a company, rather than an individual, and can continue to offset all finance costs against rental profits. Kent Reliance’s data shows six in 10 applications for buy to let mortgages were via limited companies in 2016.
While demand for limited company lending has not yet hit the heights seen last year, limited company applications have still accounted for more than four in 10 loans so far in 2017. With 24% of landlords considering transferring their portfolio to a limited company or a partner or spouse, demand will strengthen in the long term.
Landlords are also increasing rents to cover higher costs. Average rents per property now stand at £889 per month and although the rise was less steep than a year ago, the typical rent increased 1.9% annually.
The report suggests that this is likely to continue as the mortgage tax changes bite. One third of landlords expect to raise rents in the next six months, compared to just 3% who expect them to fall. With rents rising, and house prices falling in the past two quarters, yields have edged up to 4.5%. Across the PRS, steady growth in the number of households and monthly rents means landlords are collecting a record £4.9bn per month in rent.
Andy Golding, chief executive of OneSavings Bank, which trades under the Kent Reliance and InterBay brands in buy-to-let, said: "A perfect storm of weakening house prices, higher taxes and lending restrictions have knocked investors’ confidence. On top of this, investors are now being buffeted by the winds of political uncertainty following the election, and its impact on the economy.
"Uncertainty will pass, but the impact of changes to mortgage tax relief and underwriting standards will leave a more indelible mark on the sector. We believe these changes will alter the mix of landlords, creating a more professional and stable sector in the long term. There are already some signs of consolidation, with highly geared amateur landlords most likely to leave, and we are also seeing investors take action to protect their margins.
"The fundamentals supporting the PRS have not drastically changed. Yes, first-time buyer numbers have been recovering, but there is still an underlying supply and demand gap across the country.
"Given the inability of any party to win a clear majority in the election, the implementation of a strategy to create a necessary housing boom seems unlikely. Affordability issues will therefore remain, and rental accommodation will retain its importance to those unable to take their first step onto the property ladder."
