Almost half of UK buy-to-let ownership is now held through companies, with the proportion rising to nearly six in 10 among larger landlords, according to new data from Lendlord.
The property management and finance platform’s Q3 2026 UK BTL Market Report found 45.1% of buy-to-let ownership is company-held, compared with 54.9% held privately.
However, the balance changes as portfolios grow. Among landlords with 20 or more properties, 57.6% of ownership is through companies.
Company structures become the majority form of ownership once portfolios reach the 11 to 20 property bracket.
SMALLER LANDLORDS REMAIN PRIVATE
The figures reveal a significant difference between smaller and larger portfolio landlords.
Among those with between one and three properties, 67.1% of ownership remains in landlords’ personal names.
The findings come after the tax treatment of personally owned buy-to-let has changed significantly over recent years, including the restriction of mortgage interest tax relief for individual landlords.
However, whether incorporation is beneficial depends on individual circumstances, with different tax, financing and administrative implications associated with company ownership.
NORTH EAST LEADS
There are also significant regional differences. The North East has the highest proportion of company-owned buy-to-let at 53.5%, while company ownership is also the larger share in Yorkshire & Humberside and Scotland.
Aviram Shahar (main picture), Co-founder and CEO of Lendlord, says: “Company ownership is no longer a niche structure used only at the very top of the market. 45.1% of BTL ownership is already sitting in a company, and among larger portfolios it is the majority model at 57.6%.
“That split matters. Smaller landlords still tend to hold in their own name. Larger landlords, and more of the North, have already moved into companies. Lendlord is the place for landlords to bring portfolio, mortgage and tax data together, stay on top of compliance and manage that shift with confidence.”
