Only 20% Of UK Landlords Increased Property Portfolios In 2011

A new survey of Landlords in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) has discovered that only 20.2% ( 1 in 5 landlords) in the UK, were able to add fresh residential properties to their existing residential portfolio stock during 2011.

Property value growth expectations and the prospect of a regular income were the key drivers behind the property investment trend and only the lack of available mortgage finance, and/or financial know how, held back even more landlords from adding to their property portfolios.

Out of all the landlord insurance customers interviewed, 85% predicted that residential property values in the UK would remain the same for at least the next 12 months and private sector residential rents were expected to be considerably higher in 2013.

London led the way, after 87% of respondents said they believed that rents in the UK capital would continue to rise throughout 2012.

The data is from the PRS Landlord Survey carried out among subscribers by MyPropertyPowerTeam.co.uk during the last quarter (Q4) of 2011.

The data also showed that 59% of landlords have been investing for more than 5 years would hold onto their property until around the year 2025, however, the average holding period for UK PRS properties was around 15 years.

The appetite from property investors in the UK PRS for additional property assets is still extremely strong and the UK rental market is seeing demand outstrip supply as private tenants seek quality PRS accommodation. The current rental trend shows little sign of abating at present, despite all the UK Governments welfare reforms.

The UK Private Rented Sector is currently buoyed up by a growing population that is spending longer periods than ever living in rented homes, similar to the continental norm.

Landlords are making use of insurance products to protect their property assets and even Rent Guarantee insurance to ensure regular monthly rental income.