Since the recession the demand for rental accommodation has soared, as would-be buyers have struggled to get on to the property ladder. This has allowed buy-to-let investors to charge record rental returns and experience shorter void periods than ever before.
Although conditions in the property market are now beginning to show slow improvement, Stephen Parry, commercial director at Landlord Assist, says the rental market will remain buoyant and an attractive proposition for investment, adding: “Recent data showed that a third of landlords have been able to increase the rents they are charging on their portfolios. This coupled with increased tenant demand and the fact that the majority of professionals are now estimated to be in rented accommodation for a decade before they buy a property means the situation for landlords is likely to improve even further.”
Favourable market conditions have prompted many lenders to return to the market to launch fresh mortgage deals to attract new landlords into the market and encourage existing landlords to expand their portfolios.
Graham Kinnear, managing director of Landlord Assist, added: “The number of mortgage products available to buy-to-let investors has doubled since the onset of the downturn, rents have peaked and tenant demand is at an all time high. With such ideal conditions landlords should feel confident about their prospects over the coming months.”
And Paul Hughes, research analyst at Landlord Assist, says: “Low interest rates, huge demand from tenants, sensible pricing and a real chance of capital growth makes buy-to-let a sound investment. Add to this the recently announced changes in stamp duty, aimed at encouraging institutional investors, and it is easy to understand why we are excited about the prospects for the market.”
