Landlords increased their portfolio sizes by 1.8 properties over the first quarter of 2012, research commissioned by Paragon Mortgages reveals.
The report produced by BDRC Continental showed that the average portfolio size was 10.8 properties accommodating 1.3 tenants per property.
Of those landlords that took part in the survey, a fifth said that they expected to purchase property in the next 12 months. However around 35% of Paragon Mortgages customers said that they expected to add to their portfolio in 2012.
John Heron, director of Paragon Mortgages, said: “It has been a steady and progressive start to 2012.
Whilst landlords are still benefitting from attractive market conditions, there is still a long way to go to meet the increasingly high level of tenant demand.
“More investment across the private rented sector is needed during the coming year to help to meet this demand.”
David Sansome, Managing Director at Sansome & George said: “The findings in this report clearly indicate the confidence felt by most landlords in investing further in the private rental sector.
Demand for property remains high and access to buy to let funding is good for those who have deposit funds or are not highly geared.”