Buy-to-Let still strong

From recent headlines you could be forgiven for thinking that all landlords are selling up and getting out of the market but according to recent research nothing could be further from the truth, with average UK rents having increased by 13.8 per cent in the year to April 2008.

The private-rented sector is entirely counter-cyclical. For first-time buyers who are still struggling to make it onto the property ladder, their only choice is renting. And with the increased demand comes an increase in rent and, for the professional landlord, the current market is providing opportunities to expand portfolios.

David Salusbury, Chairman, NLA, commenting on NLA Mortgages, said: “The NLA does not subscribe to the view that the end is in sight for the buy-to-let market. On the contrary, we believe now is a good time for the professional portfolio landlord, many of whom will be benefiting from increased demand and rising rents.”