Three in ten landlords with just one property fail to turn a profit

Research from a landlords’ body reveals that nearly a quarter (24% ) of UK landlords – approximately 360,000 – came into the market accidentally.

The findings, from a National Landlords Association survey which asked landlords why they first entered the buy to-let-market, show that:

  • 11% were by chance, e.g. through inheriting property
  • 5% acquired an extra property, e.g. when they met a spouse
  • 5% intended to sell but experienced difficulties
  • 3% had to relocate for work, either home or abroad

Central London was found to have the highest proportion of accidental landlords, followed by Wales.

However, the research also shows that three in ten landlords with a single property either broke even or made a loss.

Carolyn Uphill, chairman of the NLA, said: “The figures show that there are a significant number of people who find themselves as landlords without ever having really planned to enter the market.

“It may be surprising to find that so many single-property landlords struggle to make it work, but we often find that this is because so many simply don’t realise what they’re getting themselves into.”

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2 Comments

  1. CountryLass

    And these are the Landlords that will be hit worst by the ‘revenge eviction’ issue as they can’t afford to do the work, so will have to try and sell, thereby “evicting” the tenant

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    1. Paul F

      CountryLass the retaliatory eviction legislation allows landlords to evict a tenant if the property is genuinly on the market for sale. So landlords who can’t afford to do the work and want to sell will be allowed to do so.

       

      Can I ask what does “making a loss” actaully mean? If it just means that the rent they’re recieving doesn’t cover their mortgage payments and costs completley does this really mean they’re making a loss? The way I see it is as long as the interest payments are covered by rental income landlords will always be in the black due to inevitable long-term property price increases. Am I wrong?

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