A survey of 20,000 landlords by a comparison website suggests 53 per cent are uncertain if they want to remain in buy to let.

This is at odds with a recent analysis of hundreds of thousands of transactions by the Hamptons agency which showed sales by landlords quitting the sector at a seven year low.

The reasons for doubting buy to let, given by the 53 per cent in Rentround’s survey, were over property prices post Covid-19, future tax hikes on landlords, and rent defaults after furlough ends.

Elsewhere in the survey, 44 per cent of landlords said fees were the biggest factor when choosing an agent, followed by the agents’ ability to quickly find tenants and fill voids, and the likelihood that the agent would ensure the landlord had a “headache free” life.

Amongst services which landlords most needed from agents, 39 per cent stated tenant-find only, following by 30 per cent for a guaranteed rent option. 

“Guaranteed rent continues in popularity. The uncertainty brought about by eviction bans, the future ending of furlough and changes in tenant behaviour is pushing landlords for safer approaches when their rental income is concerned” says Rentround founder Raj Dosanjh.