More than a third of landlords plan to offload some of their rental properties in the next 12 months, according to a new survey.

Landbay’s poll reveals that 35% intend to sell - up from 29% in its previous survey - with more than half blaming landlord taxation.

Almost as many - at 46% - are worried about evicting difficult tenants due to reforms in the Renters’ Rights Bill, while fluctuations in mortgage rates are less a concern, but still cited by 39% of landlords.

Just 1% of those questioned by the buy-to-let lender say they plan to sell all their properties while 18% of landlords don’t know what their plans are.

The figures are higher than those uncovered in the final quarter of 2024 by the National Residential Landlords Association, which reported that 26% of landlords had sold off at least some of their rental homes last year, building on the record high of 25% recorded in the previous quarter.

Of the 47% of landlords who told Landbay they have no interest in selling any properties, the largest number were those with between four and ten rental homes - at 36%.

Limited company

The overwhelming majority own their rental properties through a limited company, at 75%.

Rob Stanton, of Landbay, insists that landlords and the buy-to-let market are more resilient than many people give them credit.

“Our research has shown that not only are a good proportion of landlords intending to buy this year, but they are also keeping hold of the properties they have,” added Stanton.

“This is hugely encouraging and absolutely critical to the overall health and wellbeing of the PRS and wider UK housing market.”

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