Buy-to-let investors 'look long term'

News Category: Industry News

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Fewer buy-to-let investors plan to sell their properties over the next 12 months, according to research published today by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla).

Data released in the organisation's latest quarterly review of the private rented sector showed that 88 per cent of landlords do not expect to sell-up in the next year, compared to the 77 per cent who expressed the same view in the last study.

The survey of 488 letting agents and 328 landlords found that one in five buy-to-let investors intend to hold on to their current properties for more than 20 years.

On the study's findings, Arla head of operations Ian Potter said: "Buy-to-let landlords are helping to guarantee the growth of the private rented sector and these are the people who provide the housing solutions for those hit by the current recession."

The economic downturn has prompted more Britons to consider housing options in the rental sector after tighter mortgage lending criteria has meant some people have struggled to get on to the property ladder.

According to Rentright's latest residential rental price index, average monthly rent in the UK increased from £529 in October to £621 in November.

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