Paragon has reported that Landlord confidence across a range of measures remained stable or increased in the first quarter of 2018 compared with the end of last year.
According to a recent survey of 1,043 landlords carried out by BDRC on behalf of Paragon, landlords in the East of England were most positive about the future, with 53% of those surveyed indicating that they felt upbeat about the prospects for their own lettings business over the next three months.
The business prospects for landlords in this region were supported by strong tenant demand, with eight out of ten (81%) noting that demand for rental accommodation in the area they let property was either stable or increasing.
Similar levels of demand were recorded in the East and West Midlands where 81% and 76% of landlords respectively reported stable or increasing tenant demand.
Paragon said that, while still weak compared with historic levels, this quarter’s figures make welcome reading after a sharp dip in confidence following the announcement of new tax measures for landlords in 2015 and a further fall after the introduction of tighter underwriting rules for buy-to-let mortgages last year.
The East and West Midlands also ranked among the top five regions in England and Wales for rental yield and capital gains. Typically, higher yields are seen in areas where capital values or the outlook for capital gains are weak or vice versa.
Landlords in Central London are currently least optimistic, with only 26% rating prospects for their own letting business as good or very good over the next three months.
Fewer landlords (57%) in Central London reported tenant demand to be stable or increasing than in any other region and, at 27%, Central London landlords were also most likely to have reduced rent in the last 12 months.
John Heron, managing director of mortgages at Paragon said: “After an unprecedented level of change, it’s encouraging to see landlord confidence stabilising this quarter. At a regional level, the East of England and the Midlands look well supported, with encouraging data on tenant demand, yield and capital gains while the London market adjusts its footing after many years of strong growth.”