Buy-to-let (BTL) landlords in the South of England are more optimistic about their futures than those in the rest of the country, Landbay has revealed.

The BTL lender’s survey of landlords operating approximately 2,000 properties found that those in the South are more confident than those in the Midlands or the North of England.

Almost a quarter (23%) of landlords in the South said they are positive about the future, compared to 17% and 13% in the Midlands and the North, respectively.

In the North, 44% of landlords said they felt negative about their prospects. This feeling was echoed by 42% of landlords in the Midlands and 39% of those in the South.

Sales and distribution director at Landbay, Rob Stanton, said that "given the current economic climate" and potential future regulation, landlords in the North and Midlands can be "forgiven for not feeling more upbeat" about their prospects.

Landbay also found that landlords who are predominately operate via a limited company structure were more confident than those operating as individuals, with 35% of those borrowing as a limited company stating that they feel negative about their BTL business’ prospects, compared to 56% of those borrowing as individuals.

The lender revealed that landlords with between four and 10 properties were the most confident about their future (31%), while those with larger portfolios of more than 20 properties were the least confident, with 55% stating that they felt negative about the future of their BTL business.

Stanton concluded: "Landlords have seen some huge changes in the BTL market – increases in stamp duty and the Renters’ Rights Bill being two very significant ones – and may have been unsettled by escalating geopolitical tensions recently, too. That’s all hit sentiment. While there are certainly some headwinds to contend with, it is reassuring to know so few of them are choosing to cut and run entirely.

"There are 40 landlords looking to expand their properties for every one landlord planning to chuck in their portfolios entirely. Property remains a reliable investment vehicle. Not only does demand continue to outstrip supply, rental yields are strong. Add in a broad range of products that can support landlords in a wide variety of situations, and I’d argue that, even with headwinds, there is reason to be optimistic about building, maintaining and expanding a rental portfolio."

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