Six in 10 landlords are looking to expand their portfolios in the next two years, a recent survey by the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) has found, with 70% of those looking to invest wanting to buy a terraced property as their next purchase.

The DPS survey of more than 2,000 landlords found that only one in 10 are currently looking to expand their portfolios. However, only 21% of those expecting to invest in the next two years are contemplating buying in a different area.

The survey was conducted to coincide with the launch of the DPS’ new interactive, online Annual Index Report, which details rental details across England and Wales in 2022.

The report found that Yorkshire and Humberside was the most affordable region to rent property in 2022, with the average monthly rent reaching £614 by the end of the year, a rise of 5.5% from 2021.

The south-east was the least affordable region to rent outside of London in the same year, with the average rent set at £1,015 a month at the end of 2022, increasing by 5.52% compared to 2021.

Average rent in the capital also rose by 11.52% in the same period, with the average rent hitting £1,541 per month.

Managing director at The DPS, Matt Trevett, said: “The survey helps us gain insight into the purchasing intentions of landlords across England and Wales.

“The economic pressures that are affecting most sectors will inevitably also influence the strategies of buy-to-let property owners too, although it’s interesting to note that most landlords who intend to increase their portfolios are considering doing so over the next two years.

“Our regular surveys of both landlords and tenants mean we can share valuable insight with our customers and the wider industry and, combined with largest database of domestic private rental figures across the UK, help us reveal a detailed picture of trends in the private rental sector.”

Zephyr Homeloans, which is part of the Computershare Group, helped organise the survey andanaging director, Paul Fryers, said: “Financial pressures on landlords may mean they look further afield to buy property to suit their own budgets and to find the best rental yields.

“Although our buy-to-let customers invest in properties all over the UK, we have seen particularly high activity recently across East Anglia, the north-west, the south-east as well as Yorkshire and the Humber.”

Share Story: