Buy-to-let landlords starting to expand
Buy-to-let landlords are expanding their portfolios after house price drops, but finance remains a problem.
The average landlord now holds 7.0 properties - from 6.3 properties at the start of the year, according the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA).
Low interest rates have also been a boon for buy-to-let landlords along with higher rental yields, said Ian Potter at ARLA.
"I would sound a note of caution to both experienced and new investors - research the market thoroughly," he said.
"There is a huge potential for investment at present, but take heed from the number of buy-to-let repossessions that this recession has seen and only borrow what you can realistically manage."
Chris Norris, policy manager at the National Landlords Association (NLA), said the body's members have been some time that market conditions are improving, and experienced landlords are very keen to make new acquisitions.
"Unfortunately, many have been prevented from expanding their lettings businesses by the lack of available finance in the mortgage market. This should be a major focus for Government at the moment," he said.
The ARLA research shows most landlords are focused in the south-east and the average age is 49.
On average they have been a landlord for 9.2 years
Only 8.7 per cent of the 358 landlords polled said they were looking to sell some properties.
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