The buy to let market has experienced annual growth of no less than 26 per cent between November 2014 and last month, according to Connells – with some of the growth fuelled by attempts to beat deadlines for changes to the sector set earlier this year.

“The buy to let sector continues to be an attractive proposition for property investors. But while the prospect of high returns is driving some of the activity, much of the energy is also being fuelled by a desire to out-maneouvre the Treasury’s attempts to take more money from buy to let” explains John Bagshaw of Connells Survey & Valuation.

“With the Chancellor imposing more fees and regulations on landlords in his most recent Autumn Statement, many would-be landlords are hurrying to get into the market before these changes kick in from April next year” he says.

The 26 per cent annual growth comes despite a small four per cent drop in valuations for buy to let properties in November, compared to October.

To compile its figures, Connells S&V uses valuations data received from its national activities including through its team of in-house chartered surveyors. It says that in the interests of commercial sensitivity, only percentage figures are used to show trends without publishing raw data.