Two thirds of landlords are planning to invest in their portfolio, despite the uncertainty surrounding the private rental sector.
That’s the result of a survey by property management and finance platform Lendlord.
It claims 66% of landlords are planning ‘growth activity’ including acquisitions, refinancing and refurbishments, despite increased uncertainty following the recent Budget.
The survey suggests that while many landlords remain active and growth focused, the findings also highlight a more cautious backdrop, with a significant minority planning to sell or pause investment as cost and tax pressures continue to shape decision making.
Key insights from the survey include:
● 23% of landlords plan to acquire more properties over the next 12 months, making acquisition the single largest area of planned activity;
● 66% of all planned activity relates to growth, including acquisitions, refinancing and refurbishments;
● 58% of landlords expect buy and hold to be their main investment strategy for 2026;
● 33% say the Budget has increased their appetite for investment.
Alongside this activity, the survey shows that around a third of landlords are planning to sell properties or pause new investment, underlining the mixed outlook across the sector following the Budget.
Confidence in the UK property market is sharply divided, with 45% describing themselves as very confident and 43% very concerned.
The survey also shows landlords reviewing rent levels and ownership structures, with tax changes prompting renewed consideration of limited company structures, alongside ongoing concern around property income tax and dividend tax rates.
The full findings can be found here
https://lendlord.io/post-budget-landlord-survey-2025
Chief executive Aviram Shahar says: “While the Budget has increased scrutiny around costs, tax and ownership structure, our latest survey shows that many landlords remain focused on growth and active portfolio management. They are adapting their approach rather than stepping back.
“The data also highlights that confidence in the market is clearly divided, with some landlords opting for a cautious approach and others perceiving opportunity. That balance is significant when brokers and lenders are supporting funding and investment decisions going into 2026.”
The survey from Lendlord highlights a resilient but deeply divided UK rental market as we move into 2026. While many landlords are feeling the pressure of recent tax changes, a significant majority (66%) are staying active through growth, refinancing, or property improvements.
Investment Sentiment for 2026
The market is currently characterized by a “wait and see” approach for some, contrasted with aggressive expansion for others.
Demographic Profile of UK Landlords
To understand who is making these decisions, it’s helpful to look at the broader demographic makeup of the UK landlord population. According to the English Private Landlord Survey and Uswitch 2024–2025 data, the sector remains dominated by older, white British individuals, though international investment is a growing factor.
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Age: The landlord population is aging. Approximately 68% of landlords are over the age of 55, with the median age being 58.
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Ethnicity: The vast majority of UK landlords identify as White, though there is representation across various ethnic groups:
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White: 88%
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Indian: 4%
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Black: 2%
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Pakistani or Bangladeshi: 1%
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Other: 5%
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International Investment: There has been a significant surge in international buyers, particularly from Hong Kong (over 160,000 visa applications since 2021) and China, who accounted for nearly 20% of international residential purchases in prime London recently.
Operational Shifts & Tax Concerns
The Budget has acted as a catalyst for landlords to restructure their businesses.
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Limited Companies: 19% of landlords are considering moving to a limited company structure to mitigate the impact of property income tax and dividend tax rates.
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Rent Adjustments: In response to increased costs, a significant portion of landlords are reviewing rent levels, with recent data suggesting nearly 41% plan to increase rents to maintain viability.
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Division of Confidence: The sector is split; while 45% are “very confident,” another 43% are “very concerned,” illustrating that the impact of fiscal policy is not being felt uniformly across the market.
Matthew Dean 3rd January 2026.
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