New data from Lendlord shows company ownership of buy to let properties now accounts for 45.1% of the market, edging closer to parity with individual landlords who hold 54.9%. This shift reflects how tax and regulatory changes over recent years have encouraged investors to incorporate their portfolios.
The trend is even more pronounced among larger landlords. Those with 20 or more properties hold 57.6% of their portfolio within companies. This suggests that as portfolios scale, the advantages of limited company ownership—such as mortgage interest tax relief and inheritance tax planning—become more compelling.
For investors considering expansion, these figures underline the growing importance of company ownership structures. However, smaller landlords still predominantly hold properties privately, indicating that company ownership is not yet universal across all portfolio sizes.
From a market perspective, the rise in company-owned buy to lets could influence lending criteria and property management approaches, as corporate landlords often operate differently from individuals. Investors should factor this shift into their strategy, especially if they aim to grow beyond a handful of properties.
Source: Property118
