New research amongst the nation’s landlords from Aldermore1 has found that nearly half (49%) of landlords feel it’s harder being a landlord now compared to this time last year.
Nonetheless, the research paints a varied picture, with more than half (54%) still feeling optimistic about the future and two thirds (66%) stating that being a landlord remains a good way to make money.
With record levels of inflation, the cost-of-living crisis and housing market volatility, nearly half (48%) have been unable to expand their property portfolio and looking ahead, two out of five (42%) will even consider downsizing, as a result, if market conditions continue as they are.
In a bid to maximise returns in the current environment, four out of 10 (42%) say that if they were to look at expanding their portfolio, they’d purchase as a limited company.
As the outlook for landlords appears uncertain, nearly two thirds (62%) say that if market conditions continue as they are, they’ll have no choice but to put up rents by at least 10% in the next 12 months – adding to the pressures faced by tenants amid soaring energy prices and rising living costs.
Yet, landlords are conflicted with passing on costs in an already difficult climate, with just under two thirds of landlords (64%) worried their tenants may not be able to pay their rent in the near future because of the rising cost-of-living.
Looking ahead at other considerations on landlords’ minds, in a bid to make their portfolios more sustainable and meet the Government’s EPC regulations, nearly six out of 10 landlords (58%) say that the sustainability and energy efficiency of their property portfolio is a priority for them.
In an effort to get ahead of the regulations, more than half (53%) are planning to carry out property improvements in the next 12 months to improve the energy efficiency of their portfolio.
Jon Cooper, head of mortgages at Aldermore, said: “2022 was marked by troubling developments to the economy and the property market has faced some significant challenges. With the cost-of-living crisis already impacting tenants, homeowners and landlords alike, the outlook for this year seems tricky to predict.
“However, as our Buy to Let City Tracker has revealed, there remain healthy and positive opportunities for landlords in the UK. As we head into 2023, landlords should work closely with their brokers to assess their portfolios and identify opportunities that lie ahead. At Aldermore, we always want to help people to go for it in life and in business. We’ll continue to offer our broker partners and borrowers the tailored and expert support that they need.”
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1Research conducted, on behalf of Aldermore bank, by Opinium between 23 November - 7 December 2022, with 500 UK Landlords.
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