Third of professional landlords to expand portfolios, despite buy to let woes

A third of UK property professionals are set to expand their portfolios in 2018 despite a backdrop of increased challenges in the buy to let sector.  

A survey by bridging finance lender mtf - albeit on a small poll of 109 property professionals - found that 33 per cent planned to increase their portfolios, while 50 per cent said they planned no changes in 2018. 

No-one questioned planned to reduce their exposure to the UK property market.

Of the 33 per cent looking to expand, most were looking to buy in the South East, with substantially fewer considering purchasing in London.

mtf says the results are encouraging especially as 40 per cent of respondents did not think that conditions for landlords and property investors would improve in 2018.

When asked what had been the biggest challenge for landlords and property investors last year, 43 per cent cited the additional stamp duty surcharge when buying an investment property.

Economic uncertainty was the second biggest challenge, followed by new mortgage affordability rules. Some 15 per cent said accessing funding was the biggest challenge while only five per cent cited the stripping back of tax relief.

“While there is continuing uncertainty, particularly over how the Brexit negotiations will unfold, UK property investors remain resilient” says Tomer Aboody, director of mtf.