Half of landlords feel unaffected by PRA rules and still want to buy

The research suggested this is because landlords haven’t applied for finance since those measures were introduced.

Half of landlords feel unaffected by PRA rules and still want to buy

Nearly half (48%) of landlords feel unaffected by the Prudential Regulation Authority’s stress tests and portfolio buy-to-let changes, Mortgages for Business’s Property Investor Survey has found.

Mortgages for Business suggested this is because landlords haven’t applied for finance since those measures were introduced.

Despite the range of changes dampening down the buy-to-let market, nearly half (44%) of landlords plan to expand their portfolios before July this year.

Steve Olejnik, chief operating officer at Mortgages for Business, said: “The results show that many landlords are more optimistic about the future of property investment than some commentators would have you believe.

“Of course, there will be some who will choose to leave the sector but this will create opportunities for those who are in it for the long-term.”

In terms of what properties landlords are interested in three quarters (75%) said vanilla buy-to-let would form part of the mix, with HMOs also being a preferred option.

Limited companies as borrowing vehicles are the most popular choice for those expanding their portfolios, with 58% favouring this route, while 20% advised they will be purchasing both personally and via a corporate structure.