Nearly 60% of UK buy-to-let (BTL) landlords had no plans to sell any of their properties in the next 12 months, a survey by Landbay found.
The research showed 58% of landlords will not sell any properties this year, up from 47% in the previous survey after the Autumn Budget.
Non-portfolio landlords with less than four mortgaged properties made up the largest share of those with no plans to sell at 32%.
Another 24% were landlords with portfolios of between four and ten properties.
Only 15% of respondents said they would sell up to 10% of their properties, with just 4% planning to sell up to a quarter of their portfolio.
Fewer than one in 10 intended to sell up to half of their properties.
Regulation was the main reason for those looking to sell, including the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill, which was chosen by 35% of respondents intending to sell.
Landlord taxation was the next biggest reason at 31%, down from 51.4% last year.
Rob Stanton, sales and distribution director at Landbay, said: “This latest survey data is hugely encouraging and once again demonstrates just how robust and resilient buy-to-let landlords are.
“In the face of increasing operating costs and the threat of new legislation, this commitment from landlords to stay put is a huge win for the PRS and for renters all over the country – especially when you consider the massive role rented accommodation plays in the UK’s housing mix.
“We know this isn’t the story for all landlords, and while selling is a natural part of developing a successful portfolio, there are still those just looking to scale back.”
Stanton added: “As a sector, we absolutely need to get behind these landlords and give them the confidence to not just stay put, but to expand and succeed.
“As a lender in this space, we take this role really seriously – whether it’s launching and expanding our innovative product transfer offering or providing competitive rates and a broad product range to help landlords of all sizes when the timing is right to scale their portfolio.”
