A new survey suggests that landlords are less enthusiastic than in the past about buy to let.

The study 1,004 UK landlords and property investors, of which 344 owned two or more properties, found that 68 per cent of multiple property owners believe BTL investments have become far less attractive over the past five years.

Some 71 per cent go on to accuse the government of unfairly targeting landlords through tax reforms and new regulations, and 44 per cent say they intend to sell one or more of their properties in 2021.

On a brighter note, a similar figure – 44 per cent – say they will buy more BTL units this year while 55 per cent overall say they are confident that house prices will rise in 2021.

However the survey, from FJP Investment, shows disenchantment with taxes and regulations from many landlords. 

Two thirds (67 per cent) say that in the future they would consider other forms of property investment that did not attract such heavy taxation or complication regulation as BTL and second home purchases.
  
Jamie Johnson, chief executive of FJP Investment, says: “After years of reform and regulation, the appeal of buy to let investments is clearly on the wane. 

“Tellingly, property investors are confident house prices will rise, with the added cost and complexity of investing and then letting out multiple properties meaning that people are seeking alternative forms of bricks and mortar investment.

“With the stamp duty holiday extended until the end of June, and the UK inching towards an end to lockdown, the next few months will be critical for the property market. Time will tell if there is indeed a mass exodus of investors from the buy-to-let sector, but this new research underlines the fact that there is far less appetite to be a landlord.”