New research commissioned by specialist lender Aldermore appears to show that buy to let across the country is enjoying better profits and yields than for some years.
The data, undertaken by Pegasus Insight, reveals that 89% of landlords report deriving a profit from their lettings activity, the highest percentage since 2019. Simultaneously, the average achieved yield of 6.6% is the highest seen in a decade. Regionally, landlords with property in the North West (7.4%), and Yorks & Humber (7.2%) secured the highest rental yields.
Brokers remain the dominant sales channel for landlords, with nearly seven in 10 (68%) landlords opting to utilise an intermediary’s expertise and market reach.
Despite this strong performance, landlord confidence is down on each indicator when compared to this time last year. Looking ahead to the next quarter, expectations for yields and capital gains are down by 3% and 4% respectively, whilst a staggeringly low number of landlords said they feel confident about the UK’s economic prospects (2% vs 3% for the same period last year).
“The numbers here paint an interesting picture, one that might seem contradictory at first glance,” comments Aldermore’s director of mortgages, Jon Cooper. “Whilst the average landlord is seemingly doing the best since pre-pandemic days when it comes to profits and yields, what’s increasingly obvious is that many landlords still feel jittery about what the next few years will bring.”
The research highlights that nearly three-quarters (73%) fear that the Renters Rights Act will have a negative impact on their lettings activity, whilst nearly nine out of 10 landlords (88%) are generally concerned about the introduction of the legislation.
Elsewhere, more than nine in 10 landlords (92%) are concerned about the potential 8% national insurance tax on rental income, which some are speculating may feature in the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget speech in November.
Cooper continues: “There’s work to be done to ensure the private rental sector remains a viable environment for both renters and landlords, and regulation must be implemented in a way that is fair, proportionate, and meaningful for all parties … we know that many landlords are concerned about unintended consequences of the Bill. That being said, there may be potential benefits for the countless good landlords operating in the market. Many of the measures could boost trust and satisfaction among tenants, leading to longer tenancies, fewer void periods and fewer rent arrears.
“Upgrading properties could also mean higher property values. Landlords are experts at overcoming regulatory hurdles and I’m confident they will adapt their strategy, knuckle down and thrive under the new rules.”
