Landlords’ next move will define the direction of the rental market

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Property118

Landlords’ next move will define the direction of the rental market

The latest data does more than describe current sentiment, it points directly to what may happen next. According to the Property118 Landlord Sentiment Survey Q1 2026, the private rented sector is now at a point where landlord decisions will determine its future direction.

Based on 2,380 completed responses, 57% of landlords plan to reduce their portfolios, 6.8% intend to expand and a significant proportion are choosing to hold and reassess. You can review the full findings here.

The implication is clear: the next phase of the market will be shaped by what landlords choose to do next.

A sector driven by individual decisions

The private rented sector is not controlled by a single policy or institution. It is shaped by thousands of individual decisions made by landlords across the UK. Each decision to buy, sell, hold or exit contributes to the overall direction of the market.

The survey data provides a snapshot of those intentions at scale. When viewed collectively, those intentions form a clear directional signal.

A balance that is shifting

Markets are shaped by balance. When buying and selling activity are broadly aligned, the market tends to remain stable. When that balance shifts, the direction of travel changes, and the current data suggests that this balance has moved decisively. With significantly more landlords planning to reduce portfolios than expand, the sector is likely to experience a gradual shift in structure and activity.

Multiple paths from the same starting point

Not all landlords will respond in the same way. Some will continue to invest selectively, others will hold their positions and a growing number may choose to exit. This creates multiple potential pathways for the sector. The outcome will depend on how these different responses evolve over time.

This is why the Q1 2026 survey is significant, it provides an early indication of how those pathways may develop.

Timing will play a key role

Intentions do not always translate immediately into action. As highlighted in the wider dataset, many landlords are delaying decisions, choosing to wait for greater clarity before acting. This means that changes in the market may unfold gradually rather than all at once. However, delayed decisions can still shape outcomes. Over time, as those decisions are implemented, their cumulative effect becomes visible.

A defining period ahead

The private rented sector is entering a period where direction is not being dictated from the outside, but determined from within.

Landlords are reassessing their strategies, evaluating their options and deciding how they wish to engage with the market going forward.

For now, one conclusion stands out: the future of the rental market will be shaped not by policy alone, but by the collective decisions landlords make from this point onwards.

A conversation worth having?

If you are weighing up your own strategy, whether that’s to sell, expand, or restructure to improve profitibility, it is worth having a discussion with a Property118 consultant to take a closer look at how your portfolio is structured as a whole now, and to forecast the outcomes based on multiple scenario’s.

These conversations are typically most useful for landlords with established portfolios and relatively modest borrowing who are beginning to reflect on how their assets could work more effectively in the years ahead.

/* “function”==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(“The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 3.1.”),o(),0))},initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.callIfLoaded(o)||(document.addEventListener(“gform_main_scripts_loaded”,()=>{gform.scriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),document.addEventListener(“gform/theme/scripts_loaded”,()=>{gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),window.addEventListener(“DOMContentLoaded”,()=>{gform.domLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}))},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(“action”,o,r,e,t)},addFilter:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(“filter”,o,r,e,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(“action”,o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(“filter”,o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,r){gform.removeHook(“action”,o,r)},removeFilter:function(o,r,e){gform.removeHook(“filter”,o,r,e)},addHook:function(o,r,e,t,n){null==gform.hooks[o][r]&&(gform.hooks[o][r]=[]);var d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&&(n=r+”_”+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){“function”!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),”action”==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),”filter”==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&&(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&&n!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});
/* ]]> */

/* = 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘#gform_wrapper_585′);var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘#gform_confirmation_wrapper_585′).length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf(‘gformRedirect(){‘) >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery(‘html’).css(‘margin-top’), 10) + parseInt(jQuery(‘body’).css(‘margin-top’), 10) + 100;if(is_form){jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass(‘gform_validation_error’)){jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).addClass(‘gform_validation_error’);} else {jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).removeClass(‘gform_validation_error’);}setTimeout( function() { /* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome */ }, 50 );if(window[‘gformInitDatepicker’]) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window[‘gformInitPriceFields’]) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery(‘#gform_source_page_number_585′).val();gformInitSpinner( 585, ‘https://www.property118.com/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg’, true );jQuery(document).trigger(‘gform_page_loaded’, [585, current_page]);window[‘gf_submitting_585′] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK’).html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).trigger(‘gform_confirmation_loaded’, [585]);window[‘gf_submitting_585′] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery(‘#gform_confirmation_message_585′).text());}else{jQuery(‘#gform_585′).append(contents);if(window[‘gformRedirect’]) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger(“gform_pre_post_render”, [{ formId: “585”, currentPage: “current_page”, abort: function() { this.preventDefault(); } }]); if (event && event.defaultPrevented) { return; } const gformWrapperDiv = document.getElementById( “gform_wrapper_585″ ); if ( gformWrapperDiv ) { const visibilitySpan = document.createElement( “span” ); visibilitySpan.id = “gform_visibility_test_585″; gformWrapperDiv.insertAdjacentElement( “afterend”, visibilitySpan ); } const visibilityTestDiv = document.getElementById( “gform_visibility_test_585″ ); let postRenderFired = false; function triggerPostRender() { if ( postRenderFired ) { return; } postRenderFired = true; gform.core.triggerPostRenderEvents( 585, current_page ); if ( visibilityTestDiv ) { visibilityTestDiv.parentNode.removeChild( visibilityTestDiv ); } } function debounce( func, wait, immediate ) { var timeout; return function() { var context = this, args = arguments; var later = function() { timeout = null; if ( !immediate ) func.apply( context, args ); }; var callNow = immediate && !timeout; clearTimeout( timeout ); timeout = setTimeout( later, wait ); if ( callNow ) func.apply( context, args ); }; } const debouncedTriggerPostRender = debounce( function() { triggerPostRender(); }, 200 ); if ( visibilityTestDiv && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent === null ) { const observer = new MutationObserver( ( mutations ) => { mutations.forEach( ( mutation ) => { if ( mutation.type === ‘attributes’ && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent !== null ) { debouncedTriggerPostRender(); observer.disconnect(); } }); }); observer.observe( document.body, { attributes: true, childList: false, subtree: true, attributeFilter: [ ‘style’, ‘class’ ], }); } else { triggerPostRender(); } } );} );
/* ]]> */

The post Landlords’ next move will define the direction of the rental market appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Landlords’ next move will define the direction of the rental market

Crisis to buy homes in bid to become not-for-profit landlord

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Property118

Crisis to buy homes in bid to become not-for-profit landlord

A homeless charity has partnered with a bank to begin purchasing its own properties as it aims to become a not-for-profit landlord.

Crisis plans to buy its first homes by summer 2026, with a target of acquiring at least 100 properties across London and Newcastle over the next three years.

Working alongside Lloyds Banking Group, the charity warns that without further action, the housing crisis is likely to deepen.

Offer secure and affordable homes

Matt Downie, chief executive at Crisis, said: “With the support of Lloyds Banking Group, we can now kick-start our plans to become a not-for-profit landlord in the next few months.

“What this means is that we’ll be able to start to offer some of the people we support, people experiencing the very worst forms of homelessness, genuinely affordable, secure homes so that they can rebuild their lives.”

He adds:  “While this intervention is only part of the picture, and more needs to be done by the UK government to deliver social housing at scale, with the ongoing support of Lloyds Banking Group and the passion and commitment of their staff, we can start to make this important shift and put homes firmly at the heart of the solution to end homelessness.

“We’re delighted to be renewing our successful partnership with Lloyds Banking Group. At a time when homelessness has reached unprecedented levels, partnerships like this enable us to innovate and do things differently to better meet the challenges we face.”

End homelessness with homes

Charlie Nunn, group chief executive officer at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We’re so proud to support Crisis’ landmark intervention to end homelessness with homes, by making it possible for the charity to acquire and manage housing for the very first time.

“This level of ambition and imagination is an inspiration. We need more of it, with strong collaboration, across the public, business and charity sectors. And it is in everyone’s interest to help initiatives like these to succeed.

The bank has also helped fund the launch of Crisis’s Good Place Lettings, which aims to tackle housing inequality by “bringing more social purpose to the private rental market.”

The news comes as more social homes are being sold or demolished than are being built.

Data by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reveals in England, 16,291 social homes were either sold or demolished last year, yet just 10,807 social homes were built.

The post Crisis to buy homes in bid to become not-for-profit landlord appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Crisis to buy homes in bid to become not-for-profit landlord

Landlords delaying decisions as uncertainty shapes next moves

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Property118

Landlords delaying decisions as uncertainty shapes next moves

A defining characteristic of the current landlord landscape is not just what decisions are being made, but how many are being delayed. According to the Property118 Landlord Sentiment Survey Q1 2026, a significant proportion of landlords are choosing to hold their positions rather than commit to expansion or immediate disposal.

Based on 2,380 completed responses, while 57% plan to reduce portfolios and only 6.8% intend to expand, a substantial group are maintaining their current holdings. You can review the full findings here.

The implication is clear: uncertainty is influencing timing.

A wait-and-see approach

Holding a portfolio is not always a passive outcome. In many cases, it reflects a deliberate decision to wait for clearer conditions before acting. Landlords are choosing to observe how factors such as regulation, financing and market demand evolve before committing to their next move.

The survey data suggests that this approach is becoming more common. Rather than rushing into transactions, landlords are allowing time to assess their options.

Flexibility supports delay

The ability to delay decisions is closely linked to financial position. As highlighted elsewhere in the Property118 dataset, many landlords operate with low loan-to-value ratios and strong equity positions. This provides flexibility. Without immediate pressure from lenders or cashflow constraints, landlords can afford to wait, monitor conditions and choose their timing more carefully.

Uncertainty across multiple fronts

The current environment presents a number of variables.

Regulatory changes, tax considerations, financing conditions and broader economic factors all contribute to an uncertain outlook. In such an environment, delaying decisions can be a rational response. Rather than committing to a single course of action, landlords are preserving optionality.

This aligns with wider trends in the survey findings, including reduced appetite for expansion and increasing intentions to sell.

Implications for market activity

When a large proportion of landlords delay decisions, it can affect overall market activity. Transaction volumes may slow, particularly within the investment segment, as fewer landlords commit to buying or selling in the short term. At the same time, delayed decisions can build up over time, potentially leading to more concentrated activity later. This creates a different rhythm within the market and periods of relative inactivity may be followed by more pronounced shifts as decisions are eventually implemented.

A sector pausing before its next move

The data points towards a sector that is not static, but temporarily paused. Landlords are reassessing their position, considering their options and waiting for greater clarity before acting.

This is often a transitional phase.

For now, one conclusion stands out: many landlords are not choosing inaction, they are choosing timing, waiting for the right moment to act.

A conversation worth having?

If you are weighing up your own strategy, whether that’s to sell, expand, or restructure to improve profitibility, it is worth having a discussion with a Property118 consultant to take a closer look at how your portfolio is structured as a whole now, and to forecast the outcomes based on multiple scenario’s.

These conversations are typically most useful for landlords with established portfolios and relatively modest borrowing who are beginning to reflect on how their assets could work more effectively in the years ahead.

/* “function”==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(“The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 3.1.”),o(),0))},initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.callIfLoaded(o)||(document.addEventListener(“gform_main_scripts_loaded”,()=>{gform.scriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),document.addEventListener(“gform/theme/scripts_loaded”,()=>{gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),window.addEventListener(“DOMContentLoaded”,()=>{gform.domLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}))},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(“action”,o,r,e,t)},addFilter:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(“filter”,o,r,e,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(“action”,o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(“filter”,o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,r){gform.removeHook(“action”,o,r)},removeFilter:function(o,r,e){gform.removeHook(“filter”,o,r,e)},addHook:function(o,r,e,t,n){null==gform.hooks[o][r]&&(gform.hooks[o][r]=[]);var d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&&(n=r+”_”+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){“function”!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),”action”==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),”filter”==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&&(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&&n!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});
/* ]]> */

/* = 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘#gform_wrapper_585′);var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘#gform_confirmation_wrapper_585′).length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf(‘gformRedirect(){‘) >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery(‘html’).css(‘margin-top’), 10) + parseInt(jQuery(‘body’).css(‘margin-top’), 10) + 100;if(is_form){jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass(‘gform_validation_error’)){jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).addClass(‘gform_validation_error’);} else {jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).removeClass(‘gform_validation_error’);}setTimeout( function() { /* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome */ }, 50 );if(window[‘gformInitDatepicker’]) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window[‘gformInitPriceFields’]) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery(‘#gform_source_page_number_585′).val();gformInitSpinner( 585, ‘https://www.property118.com/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg’, true );jQuery(document).trigger(‘gform_page_loaded’, [585, current_page]);window[‘gf_submitting_585′] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK’).html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).trigger(‘gform_confirmation_loaded’, [585]);window[‘gf_submitting_585′] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery(‘#gform_confirmation_message_585′).text());}else{jQuery(‘#gform_585′).append(contents);if(window[‘gformRedirect’]) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger(“gform_pre_post_render”, [{ formId: “585”, currentPage: “current_page”, abort: function() { this.preventDefault(); } }]); if (event && event.defaultPrevented) { return; } const gformWrapperDiv = document.getElementById( “gform_wrapper_585″ ); if ( gformWrapperDiv ) { const visibilitySpan = document.createElement( “span” ); visibilitySpan.id = “gform_visibility_test_585″; gformWrapperDiv.insertAdjacentElement( “afterend”, visibilitySpan ); } const visibilityTestDiv = document.getElementById( “gform_visibility_test_585″ ); let postRenderFired = false; function triggerPostRender() { if ( postRenderFired ) { return; } postRenderFired = true; gform.core.triggerPostRenderEvents( 585, current_page ); if ( visibilityTestDiv ) { visibilityTestDiv.parentNode.removeChild( visibilityTestDiv ); } } function debounce( func, wait, immediate ) { var timeout; return function() { var context = this, args = arguments; var later = function() { timeout = null; if ( !immediate ) func.apply( context, args ); }; var callNow = immediate && !timeout; clearTimeout( timeout ); timeout = setTimeout( later, wait ); if ( callNow ) func.apply( context, args ); }; } const debouncedTriggerPostRender = debounce( function() { triggerPostRender(); }, 200 ); if ( visibilityTestDiv && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent === null ) { const observer = new MutationObserver( ( mutations ) => { mutations.forEach( ( mutation ) => { if ( mutation.type === ‘attributes’ && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent !== null ) { debouncedTriggerPostRender(); observer.disconnect(); } }); }); observer.observe( document.body, { attributes: true, childList: false, subtree: true, attributeFilter: [ ‘style’, ‘class’ ], }); } else { triggerPostRender(); } } );} );
/* ]]> */

The post Landlords delaying decisions as uncertainty shapes next moves appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Landlords delaying decisions as uncertainty shapes next moves

Landlords juggle multiple buy to let loans

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Property118

Landlords juggle multiple buy to let loans

Landlords with buy to let borrowing are now managing multiple mortgages across different lenders, with portfolios increasingly shaped by layered finance arrangements.

Pegasus Insight’s latest data shows that landlords with BTL loans hold an average of 6.5 mortgages, and these are typically spread across 2.1 lenders.

Total borrowing sits at £714,000, pointing to the scale of exposure across many portfolios.

The firm’s Landlord Trends Q4 2025 report also highlights that borrowing is rarely concentrated with a single provider.

Instead, landlords are operating across a mix of products, often with differing terms, maturity dates and refinancing points, sometimes overlapping.

Landlord borrowing structure

The firm’s founder and chief executive, Mark Long, said: “What stands out from the data is the degree to which landlord borrowing is structured across multiple products and lenders.

“For many, managing finance is no longer a one-off decision, but an ongoing process.”

He added: “What’s interesting here is not just the number of loans, but what that says about how landlords are operating.

“Managing multiple mortgages across different lenders requires a level of coordination and forward planning that simply wasn’t part of the model for many landlords historically.

“That creates both opportunity and exposure for borrowers.

“When financing is structured across several products, decisions in one part of the portfolio can have knock-on effects elsewhere, particularly around refinancing and cashflow timing.”

Tracking BTL repayments

Landlords with several lenders means their borrowing structure brings added demands around timing and coordination.

Managing several loans at once means tracking repayment schedules, product expiries and refinancing windows, often at the same time, across a portfolio.

There is also evidence of early action around refinancing.

Seven in 10 landlords began their most recent remortgage process at least three months before product maturity, suggesting preparation well ahead of deadlines.

Broker involvement continues to feature, particularly where borrowing spans multiple lenders or products.

Intermediaries remain widely used, especially among landlords with larger or more complex holdings.

The post Landlords juggle multiple buy to let loans appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Landlords juggle multiple buy to let loans

Portfolio landlords driving market direction, not small-scale investors

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Property118

Portfolio landlords driving market direction, not small-scale investors

A key takeaway from the latest data is not just what landlords are doing, but who is shaping those decisions. According to the Property118 Landlord Sentiment Survey Q1 2026, the private rented sector is increasingly driven by experienced portfolio landlords rather than small-scale or occasional investors.

Based on 2,380 completed responses covering 23,098 rental properties, the average landlord now owns 9.7 properties. You can review the full findings here.

The implication is clear: decisions made by portfolio landlords are shaping the direction of the market.

A different type of landlord

Public perception often centres on the idea of the small, part-time landlord with one or two properties, but the survey data presents a different reality.

With an average portfolio approaching 10 properties, many landlords operate at a scale that requires structured decision making, long-term planning and a clear understanding of financing and risk. These are not incidental investments, they are established property businesses.

Why scale matters

Portfolio size influences behaviour.

Larger landlords are more likely to:

• take a strategic view of their holdings
• assess long-term market trends
• consider financing structures in detail
• plan for succession and continuity

This is reflected in broader findings from the Property118 dataset, including a tendency towards lower leverage, a focus on simplification and a growing inclination to reduce or rebalance portfolios.

A concentration of influence

When a relatively small group of portfolio landlords controls a large number of properties, their collective decisions carry significant weight.

If such landlords choose to reduce exposure, hold rather than expand or exit entirely, the impact on supply and market activity can be substantial.

This creates a different dynamic from one driven by a large number of smaller investors.

The market becomes more sensitive to the strategic decisions of experienced operators.

Implications for policy and lending

Understanding who drives the market is important for those shaping it. Policy decisions, lending criteria and regulatory frameworks are often designed with a broad landlord base in mind. The data suggests that a significant proportion of the sector operates at a more advanced level. This raises questions about whether current frameworks fully reflect how the market functions in practice.

A sector defined by its decision makers

The survey reinforces a simple point; the future of the private rented sector is not determined solely by external conditions, but by the decisions of those who control the majority of its assets.

When those decision makers are experienced portfolio landlords, their actions set the direction.

For now, one conclusion stands out: the UK rental market is increasingly shaped by portfolio landlords, and their strategic choices are driving its evolution.

A conversation worth having?

If you are weighing up your own strategy, whether that’s to sell, expand, or restructure to improve profitibility, it is worth having a discussion with a Property118 consultant to take a closer look at how your portfolio is structured as a whole now, and to forecast the outcomes based on multiple scenario’s.

These conversations are typically most useful for landlords with established portfolios and relatively modest borrowing who are beginning to reflect on how their assets could work more effectively in the years ahead.

/* “function”==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(“The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 3.1.”),o(),0))},initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.callIfLoaded(o)||(document.addEventListener(“gform_main_scripts_loaded”,()=>{gform.scriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),document.addEventListener(“gform/theme/scripts_loaded”,()=>{gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),window.addEventListener(“DOMContentLoaded”,()=>{gform.domLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}))},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(“action”,o,r,e,t)},addFilter:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(“filter”,o,r,e,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(“action”,o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(“filter”,o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,r){gform.removeHook(“action”,o,r)},removeFilter:function(o,r,e){gform.removeHook(“filter”,o,r,e)},addHook:function(o,r,e,t,n){null==gform.hooks[o][r]&&(gform.hooks[o][r]=[]);var d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&&(n=r+”_”+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){“function”!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),”action”==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),”filter”==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&&(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&&n!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});
/* ]]> */

/* = 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘#gform_wrapper_585′);var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘#gform_confirmation_wrapper_585′).length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf(‘gformRedirect(){‘) >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery(‘html’).css(‘margin-top’), 10) + parseInt(jQuery(‘body’).css(‘margin-top’), 10) + 100;if(is_form){jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass(‘gform_validation_error’)){jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).addClass(‘gform_validation_error’);} else {jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).removeClass(‘gform_validation_error’);}setTimeout( function() { /* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome */ }, 50 );if(window[‘gformInitDatepicker’]) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window[‘gformInitPriceFields’]) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery(‘#gform_source_page_number_585′).val();gformInitSpinner( 585, ‘https://www.property118.com/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg’, true );jQuery(document).trigger(‘gform_page_loaded’, [585, current_page]);window[‘gf_submitting_585′] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK’).html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).trigger(‘gform_confirmation_loaded’, [585]);window[‘gf_submitting_585′] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery(‘#gform_confirmation_message_585′).text());}else{jQuery(‘#gform_585′).append(contents);if(window[‘gformRedirect’]) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger(“gform_pre_post_render”, [{ formId: “585”, currentPage: “current_page”, abort: function() { this.preventDefault(); } }]); if (event && event.defaultPrevented) { return; } const gformWrapperDiv = document.getElementById( “gform_wrapper_585″ ); if ( gformWrapperDiv ) { const visibilitySpan = document.createElement( “span” ); visibilitySpan.id = “gform_visibility_test_585″; gformWrapperDiv.insertAdjacentElement( “afterend”, visibilitySpan ); } const visibilityTestDiv = document.getElementById( “gform_visibility_test_585″ ); let postRenderFired = false; function triggerPostRender() { if ( postRenderFired ) { return; } postRenderFired = true; gform.core.triggerPostRenderEvents( 585, current_page ); if ( visibilityTestDiv ) { visibilityTestDiv.parentNode.removeChild( visibilityTestDiv ); } } function debounce( func, wait, immediate ) { var timeout; return function() { var context = this, args = arguments; var later = function() { timeout = null; if ( !immediate ) func.apply( context, args ); }; var callNow = immediate && !timeout; clearTimeout( timeout ); timeout = setTimeout( later, wait ); if ( callNow ) func.apply( context, args ); }; } const debouncedTriggerPostRender = debounce( function() { triggerPostRender(); }, 200 ); if ( visibilityTestDiv && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent === null ) { const observer = new MutationObserver( ( mutations ) => { mutations.forEach( ( mutation ) => { if ( mutation.type === ‘attributes’ && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent !== null ) { debouncedTriggerPostRender(); observer.disconnect(); } }); }); observer.observe( document.body, { attributes: true, childList: false, subtree: true, attributeFilter: [ ‘style’, ‘class’ ], }); } else { triggerPostRender(); } } );} );
/* ]]> */

The post Portfolio landlords driving market direction, not small-scale investors appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Portfolio landlords driving market direction, not small-scale investors

April drives landlord maintenance spend surge

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Property118

April drives landlord maintenance spend surge

April 2025 accounted for 11.5% of the annual landlord maintenance spend, placing it just behind July’s figure of 11.6%, research reveals.

According to Rushbrook & Rathbone, its internal data shows April made up only 7.8% of total work orders, ranking it eighth by volume across the year.

The property management specialist says the average spend per work order hit £797 in April, the highest monthly figure recorded.

In other months, more jobs were logged but at lower individual cost highlighting a concentration of larger or more complex maintenance tasks during the spring period.

Repair damage

The firm’s founder, Sarah Rushbrook, said: “Many of us seize on the early spring months as an opportunity to get our homes ship shape and repair any damage caused during the longer and colder winter months.

“It is no different when it comes to rental property maintenance.

“Whilst the number of maintenance jobs carried out in April is lower than in many other months, the average spend per job is the highest of the year.”

She added: “This highlights that landlords are using the spring period to get their properties back to full working order by tackling fewer, but more substantial, tasks.”

The post April drives landlord maintenance spend surge appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: April drives landlord maintenance spend surge

Plaid Cymru promises stronger protections for Welsh renters in manifesto

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Property118

Plaid Cymru promises stronger protections for Welsh renters in manifesto

Plaid Cymru has pledged to introduce measures to “better protect renters” by abolishing no-fault evictions and boosting energy-efficiency standards.

The party has launched its manifesto ahead of the Welsh elections next month.

The news comes after nearly half of landlords in Wales (47%) believe the Renting Homes (Wales) Act has been detrimental to the private rented sector.

New measures to better protect renters

The party manifesto says: “The number of renters in Wales has grown rapidly in recent years, with one in six households now privately renting. Renters in Wales are more vulnerable than their counterparts elsewhere in the UK and lack comparable protections.

“We will introduce new measures to better protect renters, including ending no-fault evictions and giving renters greater security of tenure, restricting rental bidding by requiring properties to be let at the advertised price, and limiting rent payable in advance.”

Other proposals include granting renters a legal right to request a pet, with landlords unable to refuse unreasonably, and improving housing standards by introducing strict timeframes for addressing issues such as damp and mould.

Plaid Cymru also wants funds collected through fines to be retained within Wales rather than returned to the UK Treasury, alongside plans to strengthen enforcement and expand the regulatory role of Rent Smart Wales.

Expand access to retrofitting schemes

The party also says it will “make the renewal of Welsh housing stock a national mission”.

Under its proposals, Plaid Cymru would expand access to retrofitting schemes by adopting a tenure-neutral, area-based approach.

The manifesto says: “This means working towards models that upgrade homes across a defined area, owner-occupied, rented and social, so households benefit collectively rather than relying solely on individual applications.”

The party also proposes establishing a new quality control process to monitor the standard of work carried out by installers delivering government-funded home energy efficiency schemes.

This would include a requirement for an independent assessment to be completed and approved before payment is made.

The post Plaid Cymru promises stronger protections for Welsh renters in manifesto appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Plaid Cymru promises stronger protections for Welsh renters in manifesto

Landlords holding rather than expanding as confidence shifts

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Property118

Landlords holding rather than expanding as confidence shifts

A notable feature of the latest landlord data is not just how many are planning to sell, but how many are choosing to do nothing at all. According to the Property118 Landlord Sentiment Survey Q1 2026, a significant proportion of landlords are opting to hold their current positions rather than expand their portfolios.

Based on 2,380 completed responses, while 57% of landlords plan to reduce their portfolios and only 6.8% intend to expand, a substantial middle group indicate that they will simply maintain their current holdings. You can review the full results here.

The implication is clear: growth is no longer the default strategy.

A pause rather than a push forward

For many landlords, the decision is not between buying and selling, but between acting and waiting. Holding a portfolio may appear passive, but in practice it reflects a conscious choice. Rather than committing to new acquisitions or making immediate disposals, landlords are taking time to reassess their position.

This pause suggests a shift in confidence. When expansion slows and holding becomes more common, it often indicates that landlords are uncertain about the direction of the market or the suitability of their current structures.

Why holding can be a strategic decision

The survey findings show that many landlords are operating with relatively low leverage and strong equity positions. This provides flexibility. Without immediate financial pressure, landlords are able to delay decisions, monitor conditions and consider their options more carefully. Holding, in this context, is not inertia, it is optionality. It allows landlords to preserve income while maintaining the ability to act when circumstances become clearer.

A reflection of wider uncertainty

The increase in holding behaviour should be viewed alongside other findings from the Property118 dataset, including rising intentions to reduce portfolios and limited appetite for expansion.

Together, these trends point towards a more cautious sector.

Landlords are not rushing to deploy capital or take on additional commitments. Instead, they are preserving their current position while assessing the implications of regulatory change, financing conditions and long-term strategy.

Implications for market activity

A shift towards holding has practical consequences. If fewer landlords are actively buying, transaction volumes may reduce, particularly within the investment segment of the housing market. At the same time, if those holding eventually transition into selling, this could contribute to a delayed but more concentrated wave of disposals. This creates a different kind of market dynamic. Rather than continuous activity, the market may experience periods of relative quiet followed by more pronounced shifts as decisions are implemented.

A sector waiting for direction

The data suggests that many landlords are currently in a holding pattern, not because they lack options, but because they are evaluating them. This is often a transitional phase. Holding can precede either renewed investment or gradual exit, depending on how conditions evolve and how individual portfolios are structured.

For now, one conclusion stands out: landlords are no longer moving forward by default; many are pausing, reassessing and waiting for clearer direction.

A conversation worth having?

If you are weighing up your own strategy, whether that’s to sell, expand, or restructure to improve profitibility, it is worth having a discussion with a Property118 consultant to take a closer look at how your portfolio is structured as a whole now, and to forecast the outcomes based on multiple scenario’s.

These conversations are typically most useful for landlords with established portfolios and relatively modest borrowing who are beginning to reflect on how their assets could work more effectively in the years ahead.

/* “function”==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(“The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 3.1.”),o(),0))},initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.callIfLoaded(o)||(document.addEventListener(“gform_main_scripts_loaded”,()=>{gform.scriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),document.addEventListener(“gform/theme/scripts_loaded”,()=>{gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),window.addEventListener(“DOMContentLoaded”,()=>{gform.domLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}))},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(“action”,o,r,e,t)},addFilter:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(“filter”,o,r,e,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(“action”,o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(“filter”,o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,r){gform.removeHook(“action”,o,r)},removeFilter:function(o,r,e){gform.removeHook(“filter”,o,r,e)},addHook:function(o,r,e,t,n){null==gform.hooks[o][r]&&(gform.hooks[o][r]=[]);var d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&&(n=r+”_”+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){“function”!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),”action”==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),”filter”==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&&(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&&n!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});
/* ]]> */

/* = 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘#gform_wrapper_585′);var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘#gform_confirmation_wrapper_585′).length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf(‘gformRedirect(){‘) >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery(‘html’).css(‘margin-top’), 10) + parseInt(jQuery(‘body’).css(‘margin-top’), 10) + 100;if(is_form){jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass(‘gform_validation_error’)){jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).addClass(‘gform_validation_error’);} else {jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).removeClass(‘gform_validation_error’);}setTimeout( function() { /* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome */ }, 50 );if(window[‘gformInitDatepicker’]) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window[‘gformInitPriceFields’]) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery(‘#gform_source_page_number_585′).val();gformInitSpinner( 585, ‘https://www.property118.com/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg’, true );jQuery(document).trigger(‘gform_page_loaded’, [585, current_page]);window[‘gf_submitting_585′] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK’).html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).trigger(‘gform_confirmation_loaded’, [585]);window[‘gf_submitting_585′] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery(‘#gform_confirmation_message_585′).text());}else{jQuery(‘#gform_585′).append(contents);if(window[‘gformRedirect’]) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger(“gform_pre_post_render”, [{ formId: “585”, currentPage: “current_page”, abort: function() { this.preventDefault(); } }]); if (event && event.defaultPrevented) { return; } const gformWrapperDiv = document.getElementById( “gform_wrapper_585″ ); if ( gformWrapperDiv ) { const visibilitySpan = document.createElement( “span” ); visibilitySpan.id = “gform_visibility_test_585″; gformWrapperDiv.insertAdjacentElement( “afterend”, visibilitySpan ); } const visibilityTestDiv = document.getElementById( “gform_visibility_test_585″ ); let postRenderFired = false; function triggerPostRender() { if ( postRenderFired ) { return; } postRenderFired = true; gform.core.triggerPostRenderEvents( 585, current_page ); if ( visibilityTestDiv ) { visibilityTestDiv.parentNode.removeChild( visibilityTestDiv ); } } function debounce( func, wait, immediate ) { var timeout; return function() { var context = this, args = arguments; var later = function() { timeout = null; if ( !immediate ) func.apply( context, args ); }; var callNow = immediate && !timeout; clearTimeout( timeout ); timeout = setTimeout( later, wait ); if ( callNow ) func.apply( context, args ); }; } const debouncedTriggerPostRender = debounce( function() { triggerPostRender(); }, 200 ); if ( visibilityTestDiv && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent === null ) { const observer = new MutationObserver( ( mutations ) => { mutations.forEach( ( mutation ) => { if ( mutation.type === ‘attributes’ && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent !== null ) { debouncedTriggerPostRender(); observer.disconnect(); } }); }); observer.observe( document.body, { attributes: true, childList: false, subtree: true, attributeFilter: [ ‘style’, ‘class’ ], }); } else { triggerPostRender(); } } );} );
/* ]]> */

The post Landlords holding rather than expanding as confidence shifts appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Landlords holding rather than expanding as confidence shifts

More buy to let lenders expand landlord options

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Property118

More buy to let lenders expand landlord options

Paragon Bank is among lenders updating their buy to let ranges, alongside Landbay, Atom bank and Fleet Mortgages, with new fixes, trackers and remortgage deals entering the market.

Paragon has introduced six limited edition five-year fixed products, all carrying a flat £3,995 fee and available up to 70% LTV.

Three cover loans up to £1m, while three extend to £4m depending on structure and portfolio size.

Rates begin at 5.67% for single self-contained homes rated EPC A to C, rising slightly for lower-rated stock.

Larger BTL loans

For larger BTL loans above £1m, pricing starts at 5.79%and there are separate deals for HMOs and multi-unit blocks come in at 5.92% and 6.04% respectively.

There is also a return to higher leverage with an 80% LTV five-year fix is back, starting at 6.60% for stronger EPC-rated property, this time with no fee attached.

Jason Wilde, Paragon’s head of mortgage sales, said: “With loans available at up to £4 million with a flat £3,995 fee, as well as an 80% LTV option with nil fee, these products will particularly appeal to landlords who want to invest in higher value properties.”

Landbay expands Premier BTL range

Landbay has expanded its Premier BTL range with new small HMO remortgage options at 70% LTV.

The products target properties of up to six bedrooms and come with tiered pricing linked to fee levels.

Rates are set at 4.84% with a 5% fee, 5.24% with a 3% fee and 5.64% with a 1% fee.

Valuation costs are now fixed, ranging from £750 plus admin for lower-value homes to £2,150 plus fees for assets approaching £2m.

Rob Stanton, Landbay’s sales and distribution director, said: “These new remortgage products are designed to give brokers a broader range of options when supporting landlord clients, with pricing and fee structures that can be matched to different financial priorities.”

Atom lowers minimum loan

For those wanting a commercial loan, Atom bank has cut its minimum loan size again, this time to £100,000.

The move follows an earlier reduction to £200,000 and targets smaller borrowing requests often declined by high street lenders.

More than half of brokers on its panel report at least a quarter of enquiries fall between £100,000 and £250,000.

Alongside this, the bank has reduced rates for new applications by up to 0.94%, with smaller average cuts across trading and investment cases.

The lender says improved processing speeds are supporting the shift, with application to Agreement in Principle typically taking one working day and offers now averaging five.

The lender’s head of business, Tom Renwick, said: “We know that there are very few other lenders supporting businesses at these lower loan sizes, and as a start-up and challenger to the high street ourselves, we want to be able to make a difference where it matters.”

Fleet unveils new BTL trackers

Meanwhile, Fleet Mortgages has launched three two-year tracker deals at 75% LTV across its standard, limited company and HMO or MUFB ranges.

Pricing starts at Bank Base Rate plus 0.75%, currently 4.5%, with the HMO version at 5.15%.

All come with a 2% completion fee and no early repayment charges, reverting to Bank Base Rate plus 3% at the end of October 2028.

Steve Cox, Fleet’s chief commercial officer, said: “By removing ERCs, we are allowing borrowers to benefit from a competitive tracker rate today, while retaining the ability to switch products as market conditions evolve.”

For assistance with any type of buy to let (BTL), property or commercial finance please complete the contact form below:

/* “function”==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(“The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 3.1.”),o(),0))},initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.callIfLoaded(o)||(document.addEventListener(“gform_main_scripts_loaded”,()=>{gform.scriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),document.addEventListener(“gform/theme/scripts_loaded”,()=>{gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),window.addEventListener(“DOMContentLoaded”,()=>{gform.domLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}))},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(“action”,o,r,e,t)},addFilter:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(“filter”,o,r,e,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(“action”,o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(“filter”,o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,r){gform.removeHook(“action”,o,r)},removeFilter:function(o,r,e){gform.removeHook(“filter”,o,r,e)},addHook:function(o,r,e,t,n){null==gform.hooks[o][r]&&(gform.hooks[o][r]=[]);var d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&&(n=r+”_”+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){“function”!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),”action”==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),”filter”==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&&(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&&n!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});
/* ]]> */

/* = 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘#gform_wrapper_483′);var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘#gform_confirmation_wrapper_483′).length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf(‘gformRedirect(){‘) >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery(‘html’).css(‘margin-top’), 10) + parseInt(jQuery(‘body’).css(‘margin-top’), 10) + 100;if(is_form){jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_483′).html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass(‘gform_validation_error’)){jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_483′).addClass(‘gform_validation_error’);} else {jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_483′).removeClass(‘gform_validation_error’);}setTimeout( function() { /* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome */ }, 50 );if(window[‘gformInitDatepicker’]) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window[‘gformInitPriceFields’]) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery(‘#gform_source_page_number_483′).val();gformInitSpinner( 483, ‘https://www.property118.com/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg’, true );jQuery(document).trigger(‘gform_page_loaded’, [483, current_page]);window[‘gf_submitting_483′] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK’).html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_483′).replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).trigger(‘gform_confirmation_loaded’, [483]);window[‘gf_submitting_483′] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery(‘#gform_confirmation_message_483′).text());}else{jQuery(‘#gform_483′).append(contents);if(window[‘gformRedirect’]) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger(“gform_pre_post_render”, [{ formId: “483”, currentPage: “current_page”, abort: function() { this.preventDefault(); } }]); if (event && event.defaultPrevented) { return; } const gformWrapperDiv = document.getElementById( “gform_wrapper_483″ ); if ( gformWrapperDiv ) { const visibilitySpan = document.createElement( “span” ); visibilitySpan.id = “gform_visibility_test_483″; gformWrapperDiv.insertAdjacentElement( “afterend”, visibilitySpan ); } const visibilityTestDiv = document.getElementById( “gform_visibility_test_483″ ); let postRenderFired = false; function triggerPostRender() { if ( postRenderFired ) { return; } postRenderFired = true; gform.core.triggerPostRenderEvents( 483, current_page ); if ( visibilityTestDiv ) { visibilityTestDiv.parentNode.removeChild( visibilityTestDiv ); } } function debounce( func, wait, immediate ) { var timeout; return function() { var context = this, args = arguments; var later = function() { timeout = null; if ( !immediate ) func.apply( context, args ); }; var callNow = immediate && !timeout; clearTimeout( timeout ); timeout = setTimeout( later, wait ); if ( callNow ) func.apply( context, args ); }; } const debouncedTriggerPostRender = debounce( function() { triggerPostRender(); }, 200 ); if ( visibilityTestDiv && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent === null ) { const observer = new MutationObserver( ( mutations ) => { mutations.forEach( ( mutation ) => { if ( mutation.type === ‘attributes’ && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent !== null ) { debouncedTriggerPostRender(); observer.disconnect(); } }); }); observer.observe( document.body, { attributes: true, childList: false, subtree: true, attributeFilter: [ ‘style’, ‘class’ ], }); } else { triggerPostRender(); } } );} );
/* ]]> */

The post More buy to let lenders expand landlord options appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: More buy to let lenders expand landlord options

Why low gearing is not always the low-risk strategy landlords think it is

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Property118

Why low gearing is not always the low-risk strategy landlords think it is

There is a recurring assumption within the landlord community that reducing debt is the safest course of action, and that is an understandable position. Many landlords have spent years paying down mortgages, often with the intention of reaching a point where their properties are owned outright or close to it, but like many widely held assumptions, it is worth asking whether it tells the full story, because in practice, low gearing can introduce a different set of risks that are often less visible, but no less significant.

Equity does not generate cashflow

A portfolio with low or no borrowing can look exceptionally strong on paper. High equity, low loan-to-value ratios, and significant unrealised gains all point towards financial stability, but those numbers do not pay the bills.

Equity is not income, nor is it liquidity, and equity does not fund unexpected costs or create flexibility when circumstances change.

Unless that equity is accessed, it remains largely dormant.

This creates a position many landlords recognise, even if they do not always describe it in these terms, asset rich, but cash constrained.

Liquidity is what creates optionality

The practical difference between equity and liquidity becomes most apparent when decisions need to be made.

Liquidity allows you to act.

It allows you to: 1) reduce borrowing if interest rates move against you, 2) take advantage of investment opportunities, 3) support family members or respond to changing personal circumstances and 4) manage periods of reduced rental income without stress.

Without liquidity, those same decisions become constrained, delayed, forced, or in some cases avoided altogether.

From a commercial perspective, the question is not whether borrowing exists, but whether it is being used efficiently.

Borrowing at a cost of 5% to deploy capital into opportunities returning 8% or more is not an abstract concept. It is a widely understood financial principle, provided it is approached with care and discipline.

What happens when the market turns?

Property values do not move in a straight line. That is not controversial, but it is often overlooked when thinking about risk.

If property values fall by 10% or 20%, equity reduces quickly, and in some cases significantly, yet two things remain unchanged: 1) the nominal balance of interest-only borrowing, and 2) any liquidity already held.

This creates a position where equity is variable, but liquidity is stable, and in that context, the landlord with no borrowing but no liquidity may find themselves with fewer options than expected.

By contrast, the landlord who has already rebalanced part of their equity into accessible capital may be better placed to respond, meaning the perception of safety and the reality of control are not always aligned.

The inheritance tax exposure attached to equity

There is another dimension to this that is often overlooked. Equity in rental property is not just idle, it is exposed.

Residential investment property forms part of your estate for inheritance tax purposes and does not benefit from Business Relief in the way that qualifying trading businesses can.

The consequence is straightforward. Significant levels of equity can give rise to significant inheritance tax exposure.

A portfolio with £millions of equity could, in broad terms, face a 40% inheritance tax liability on that value above available allowances. That is not a theoretical risk, it is a known outcome if no planning takes place.

Importantly, that exposure is attached to an asset which is: a) relatively illiquid, b) concentrated in a single sector, and c) not necessarily producing income in proportion to its value.

Why this matters in practice

Taken together, these factors point to a broader issue.

Low gearing can create a position where:

1. cashflow flexibility is limited
2. decision-making becomes constrained
3. equity remains exposed to market movements
4. a growing inheritance tax liability sits in the background

None of these points suggest that debt is inherently good, or that reducing it is inherently bad either. They simply highlight that the absence of debt does not automatically remove risk, and in some cases, it changes the nature of that risk.

Rebalancing, not maximising

The purpose of raising these points is not to promote borrowing for its own sake, it is to encourage a more balanced view.

Many established landlords have built substantial equity over time, often without a deliberate strategy to manage how that equity is used. The more relevant question is not how much equity exists, but whether it is working effectively.

If equity is not contributing to cashflow, flexibility, or long-term planning, it may be worth considering whether part of it should be repositioned.

That could involve refinancing, diversification, or simply creating a liquidity buffer.

A conversation worth having?

If you are weighing up your own strategy, whether that involves holding, restructuring, or reducing your portfolio, it is worth stepping back and reviewing how everything fits together.

Our consultancy does not start with a recommendation. It starts with understanding what you are trying to achieve, and whether your current structure supports that.

These conversations are typically most useful for landlords with established portfolios and relatively modest borrowing who are beginning to think about how their assets will serve them over the next phase.

/* “function”==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(“The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 3.1.”),o(),0))},initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.callIfLoaded(o)||(document.addEventListener(“gform_main_scripts_loaded”,()=>{gform.scriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),document.addEventListener(“gform/theme/scripts_loaded”,()=>{gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),window.addEventListener(“DOMContentLoaded”,()=>{gform.domLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}))},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(“action”,o,r,e,t)},addFilter:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(“filter”,o,r,e,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(“action”,o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(“filter”,o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,r){gform.removeHook(“action”,o,r)},removeFilter:function(o,r,e){gform.removeHook(“filter”,o,r,e)},addHook:function(o,r,e,t,n){null==gform.hooks[o][r]&&(gform.hooks[o][r]=[]);var d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&&(n=r+”_”+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){“function”!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),”action”==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),”filter”==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&&(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&&n!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});
/* ]]> */

/* = 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘#gform_wrapper_585′);var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘#gform_confirmation_wrapper_585′).length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf(‘gformRedirect(){‘) >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery(‘html’).css(‘margin-top’), 10) + parseInt(jQuery(‘body’).css(‘margin-top’), 10) + 100;if(is_form){jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass(‘gform_validation_error’)){jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).addClass(‘gform_validation_error’);} else {jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).removeClass(‘gform_validation_error’);}setTimeout( function() { /* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome */ }, 50 );if(window[‘gformInitDatepicker’]) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window[‘gformInitPriceFields’]) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery(‘#gform_source_page_number_585′).val();gformInitSpinner( 585, ‘https://www.property118.com/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg’, true );jQuery(document).trigger(‘gform_page_loaded’, [585, current_page]);window[‘gf_submitting_585′] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(‘.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK’).html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}jQuery(‘#gform_wrapper_585′).replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).trigger(‘gform_confirmation_loaded’, [585]);window[‘gf_submitting_585′] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery(‘#gform_confirmation_message_585′).text());}else{jQuery(‘#gform_585′).append(contents);if(window[‘gformRedirect’]) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger(“gform_pre_post_render”, [{ formId: “585”, currentPage: “current_page”, abort: function() { this.preventDefault(); } }]); if (event && event.defaultPrevented) { return; } const gformWrapperDiv = document.getElementById( “gform_wrapper_585″ ); if ( gformWrapperDiv ) { const visibilitySpan = document.createElement( “span” ); visibilitySpan.id = “gform_visibility_test_585″; gformWrapperDiv.insertAdjacentElement( “afterend”, visibilitySpan ); } const visibilityTestDiv = document.getElementById( “gform_visibility_test_585″ ); let postRenderFired = false; function triggerPostRender() { if ( postRenderFired ) { return; } postRenderFired = true; gform.core.triggerPostRenderEvents( 585, current_page ); if ( visibilityTestDiv ) { visibilityTestDiv.parentNode.removeChild( visibilityTestDiv ); } } function debounce( func, wait, immediate ) { var timeout; return function() { var context = this, args = arguments; var later = function() { timeout = null; if ( !immediate ) func.apply( context, args ); }; var callNow = immediate && !timeout; clearTimeout( timeout ); timeout = setTimeout( later, wait ); if ( callNow ) func.apply( context, args ); }; } const debouncedTriggerPostRender = debounce( function() { triggerPostRender(); }, 200 ); if ( visibilityTestDiv && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent === null ) { const observer = new MutationObserver( ( mutations ) => { mutations.forEach( ( mutation ) => { if ( mutation.type === ‘attributes’ && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent !== null ) { debouncedTriggerPostRender(); observer.disconnect(); } }); }); observer.observe( document.body, { attributes: true, childList: false, subtree: true, attributeFilter: [ ‘style’, ‘class’ ], }); } else { triggerPostRender(); } } );} );
/* ]]> */

The post Why low gearing is not always the low-risk strategy landlords think it is appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Why low gearing is not always the low-risk strategy landlords think it is