Bank of Ireland has stated that its latest UK’s Buy-to-Let Market Index shows that Britain’s buy-to-let market remains “remarkably resistant”, rising to almost record highs despite several months of economic uncertainty.
Its nationwide research of landlords and property owners across the UK shows that in spite of the shock result of the EU referendum and a number of regulatory and taxation changes, confidence in the buy-to-let market remains high.
54% of landlords think that the vote to leave the EU will make no difference to their buy-to-let investments, while 19% believe that Brexit will actually be beneficial to their business.
In addition, 46% of current landlords with two or more properties expect to increase the size of their holding over the next few years. 52% of homeowners would like to become a buy-to-let landlord (if they were able to afford it) and the increasing demand for private rental property means that 48% of people are more likely to invest in buy-to-let.
Being able to afford to a property is no longer the main barrier for homeowners looking to become buy-to-let landlords. This was the case earlier in 2016, but now being able to find reliable tenants is the biggest concern.
Bank of Ireland believes this implies that people are more financially confident, something that is endorsed by the fact that affordability is currently at a record high. Property owners feel that their mortgage payments are easily affordable at the moment, a sentiment that is consistent across the UK.
Despite this buoyancy, however, 55% of landlords admit that it’s likely that they will increase rents and 38% are likely to switch mortgages in order to reduce the impact of tax relief changes on mortgage interest payments.
Mark Howell, director of marketing & customer management, Bank of Ireland UK Mortgages, said: “The tenth wave of our index shows that attitudes towards the buy-to-let market remain incredibly positive. Despite a number of events which were expected to have a negative impact on the sector, homeowners and landlords continue to see buy-to-let as a solid long-term investment.
“It’s really encouraging to see such confidence in the market, and I am particularly pleased to see that the Mortgage Affordability Index has risen to record highs.
“Landlords do, however, need to be aware of the impact that George Osborne’s tax changes will have on the sector and ensure that provisions are made to protect against this.”
