Fewer than a quarter of the UK’s landlords believe that planning reform will positively impact their business, a new study by Landbay has indicated.

According to polling undertaken by the specialist buy-to-let (BTL) lender, more than three-quarters of property investors (77%) think new planning reforms would not affect their BTL businesses in a positive way.

Only one in eight landlords (13%) thought the easing of planning rules could create more opportunities to purchase new-build properties.

Landbay also found that just one in every eleven landlords (9%) think that planning reforms could lead to more jobs and economic growth – should demand for rental accommodation rise, boosting occupancy rates.

Sales and distribution director at Landbay, Rob Stanton, said: “If property investors are not convinced planning reform will positively affect their business, we’re in real trouble. Landlords are an important stakeholder in the planning system and the wider housing market, driving the conversion of properties to HMOs, refits and extensions – not to mention a chunk of new-build housing.

“This level of scepticism and cynicism surrounding proposed reforms to our planning system is absolutely damning.”

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