Britons’ appetite for buy-to-let property investment remains surprisingly robust, with one in three adults saying they would like to own a rental property in the future – a figure that rises to more than half among younger adults.
New research from Market Financial Solutions (MFS), conducted by market research firm Opinium, found that 33% of UK adults still harbour ambitions to own a buy-to-let (BTL) property, despite mounting headwinds in the sector.
Among 18- to 34-year-olds, that figure climbs to 54%, in contrast to just 14% of those aged 55 and over.
The findings come amid ongoing scrutiny of the viability of BTL investing, with landlords facing rising borrowing costs, higher regulatory burdens, and changes to tax relief.
LONG-TERM WEALTH
Nonetheless, 60% of respondents still believe property remains an effective vehicle for building long-term wealth.
More than a third (37%) said they would rather invest in BTL than in stocks and shares, and 53% agreed that “real estate is a safe and stable asset to invest in”.
Notably, 58% of those surveyed said they would use some or all of a £1 million lottery win to buy property — a figure that jumps to 68% among those aged under 35.
BRICKS AND MORTAR APPEAL
Paresh Raja, Chief Executive of MFS, says the findings highlight the enduring appeal of bricks and mortar, particularly among younger generations.
He adds: “It has become popular over the past decade to bash buy-to-let investing as increasingly unappealing. Clearly, however, that is far from the case.
“The rise in house prices and borrowing costs, coupled with tighter rules in the rental market, has created challenges – particularly for younger would-be landlords. But the UK’s long-standing love affair with property remains intact. Many still see real estate as a reliable source of capital growth and rental income.”
Raja says that if mortgage rates continue to fall in the coming months, the market could see a new wave of first-time landlords enter the sector.
