Landbay’s latest survey found that 49% of landlords are very concerned, and 22% have delayed buying property.
Almost eight in 10 landlords are concerned that the Budget will bring further tax changes affecting the private rental sector, according to a survey by buy-to-let lender Landbay.
The Q3 survey, sent to more than 2,000 landlords, found 49% were very concerned and a further 31% quite concerned.
Asked to name the single biggest concern facing their buy-to-let business, 29% chose mortgage interest rates and finance costs. A further 26% chose further tax changes.
Budget uncertainty has affected some landlords’ plans over the past few weeks. Some 22% have delayed decisions about buying additional properties, and 16% have held off remortgaging or refinancing existing borrowing. A further 14% have delayed improvements to existing properties, 12% have postponed decisions about selling, and 11% have waited before changing how their portfolios are owned.
More than half of respondents (52%) said they had not delayed any business decisions ahead of the Budget.
Landlords remain relatively confident about their own businesses. More than a quarter (28%) have a positive outlook for the next 12 months, up from 22% in the previous survey, while 33% were neutral. Over a third (34%) still intend to buy further rental properties over the coming year.
Landbay said refinancing would remain a significant area of focus over the coming months and into 2027.
“The strength of concern about further tax changes ahead of today’s Budget is perhaps not surprising, given everything landlords have already had to contend with over the last decade,” said Rob Stanton, sales and distribution director at Landbay.
“However, the fact that almost eight in 10 are worried about what the Chancellor might announce today should send a clear message about the importance of providing this community with greater certainty.
“Mortgage interest rates and finance costs remain landlords’ single biggest concern, closely followed by further taxation, and this uncertainty is clearly influencing some landlords’ investment and financing decisions. However, it is encouraging that more than half have not delayed any decisions ahead of the Budget, while a significant proportion still intend to purchase additional properties over the next 12 months.
“At Landbay, we continue to see considerable importance in supporting landlords with their existing borrowing, particularly through remortgaging and product transfers. Our focus remains on providing advisers with a broad range of financing options, helping them support clients as they manage their portfolios and plan for the future.
“Ultimately, what landlords need from today’s Budget is greater clarity and confidence about the environment in which they are operating, rather than further measures which could make investment decisions even more difficult.
"We hope the Chancellor does not underestimate the vital role the PRS and landlords play in ensuring we have a fully-functioning housing market, particularly for those who can’t, or don’t wish to, be homeowners.”
