Close to half of mortgage brokers (49%) are anticipating to place more limited company buy-to-let (BTL) business throughout the next year, Paragon Bank research has shown.

A study by the bank also indicated that 45% of brokers expect an uptick in non-portfolio limited company business during the next 12 months.

The findings, based on research among 337 mortgage intermediaries undertaken by BVA BDRC on behalf of Paragon, revealed that around three in 10 mortgage cases (29%) are written to portfolio landlords operating through limited companies, and 15% for non-portfolio landlords.

Around a third of brokers, 34% and 32% respectively, think they will see the same volume of business from portfolio and non-portfolio landlords utilising limited company structures.

However, Paragon also reported that a significantly lower proportion of brokers, 11%, think the next 12 months will see them introduce more business to both portfolio and non-portfolio landlords borrowing in personal name.

Commercial director of mortgages at Paragon, Louisa Sedgwick, said: “I think intermediaries are right to expect to see more limited company business this year. It is a structure that has become increasingly popular with landlords in recent years as they have responded to Government changes to the tax treatment of BTL property ownership.”

Paragon’s latest findings also align with a separate study by the bank, which found that 64% of landlords who plan to invest in property in the next 12 months will do so through a limited company, compared to 15% who will finance in personal name.

This limited company purchase intent proportion is averaged across the range of portfolio sizes and increases to 82% among landlords with six or more properties.

“Owning properties through a limited company can enable landlords to offset finance costs, such as mortgage interest, against rental income,” Sedgwick added.

“It’s wise for borrowers to seek professional advice because incorporation may not be the best route for all landlords and the benefits can vary based on individual circumstances.”

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