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Portfolio values peak as landlords prepare for uncertainty ahead

  • Average market value of landlord property portfolio reaches £1.70 million
  • Average portfolio value now 6% higher than pre-crisis peak
  • Landlords expect values to soften as optimism remains subdued

The average market value of landlords’ investment property reached a record high of £1.70 million during the third quarter of 2018 according to Paragon’s latest PRS Trends research, based on interviews with 200 landlords.

The survey shows that average portfolio values are now 6% higher than the £1.60 million peak recorded ten years ago immediately prior to the global financial crisis. During the banking crisis, portfolio values fell sharply, dropping back to £1.35 million in Q1 2009.

At the time of the crisis, landlords had an average of 12 properties in their portfolio and maintained their portfolios at around this size throughout the crisis period, before beginning to add to them once again from 2010 onwards. After peaking at 14.8 properties in Q3 2014, the average portfolio size now stands at 12.6 properties.

Despite record portfolio values, landlord optimism about the future remains subdued. Just over one in ten landlords (11%) say they feel optimistic about the prospects for their property portfolio over the next twelve months and two times as many (21%) expect to sell some of their buy-to-let properties than those who expect to buy (9%).

Even assuming their portfolios remain unchanged in size, more landlords expect to see a slight drop in their portfolio value over the next 12 months than those who anticipate an increase.

John Heron, Director of Mortgages at Paragon said:

Landlords operating in the buy-to-let sector have been subject to unprecedented tax and regulatory changes and they are understandably cautious about the future.

Many have already taken action to mitigate against the impact of these changes, including the sale of some of their properties and a reduction in gearing.

While the increase in portfolio values will provide some cheer, landlords continue to face significant headwinds as they prepare for the first-phase impact of the mortgage interest tax relief removal and potential economic uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

View the full PRS Trends Q3 2018 report.

27 September 2018

Paragon Bank PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registered in England number 05390593. Registered office 51 Homer Road, Solihull, West Midlands B91 3QJ. Paragon Bank PLC is registered on the Financial Services Register under the firm reference number 604551