Many expect to grow their portfolios by an average of 18 per cent in the next 12 months.
The typical landlord’s portfolio contains 3-4 properties, with an average value of £763,400.
Despite critics’ claims that supply of rental property is outstripping tenant demand, the average vacancy period per year is less than 3 weeks, with the vast majority (78 per cent) experiencing vacancy periods of less than 4 weeks. This low vacancy rate shows no signs of deterioration, being broadly the same over the past 2.5 years, according to the survey.
Adding further support to the view that buy to let is still growing robustly, the findings reveal that landlords’ gearing is at comfortable levels.
Almost 50 per cent of investors have borrowings of less than half the value of their portfolios.
Austin Jelfs, head of sales & marketing at Mortgage Trust, observed: “The buy to let market is still strong and growing and it looks set to stay that way for at least the next 12 months with investor confidence as buoyant as ever. This has been reflected by the number of new products being launched across the sector, offering investors a wider range of choice and rates.“
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