--- title: "Landlord Mortgage Survey 2026" description: "Mortgage Lane's 2026 Landlord Survey of 113 UK portfolio and specialist landlords: remortgage timing, rate thresholds, rental viability and confidence." url: "https://mortgagelane.com/articles/landlord-mortgage-survey-2026" site: "Mortgage Lane" collection: "articles" date: "2026-09-11" author: "Joseph Lane" category: "Insights" reviewed: "2026-10-01" reading_time: "12 min" byline: "Joseph Lane" author_credentials: "CeMAP · FCA authorised firm" language: "en-GB" robots: "index,follow" --- # Landlord Mortgage Survey 2026 Mortgage Lane's 2026 Landlord Survey of 113 UK portfolio and specialist landlords: remortgage timing, rate thresholds, rental viability and confidence. Selling a Property Is Not the Same as Selling Up. ## Expert advice on Landlord Mortgage Survey 2026 Speak to a Mortgage Lane adviser about your options. ## In short Selling a Property Is Not the Same as Selling Up. ## What the Landlord Survey 2026 shows Mortgage Lane's 2026 Landlord Survey of 113 UK portfolio and specialist landlords, fielded between 16 June and 5 August 2026, found that 40% plan to sell at least one property in the next 12 months, yet only 9% intend to leave the market completely, while 23% plan to buy more property. Meaning intending buyers outnumber full exits by more than two to one. **Selling a Property Is Not the Same as Selling Up.** Selling one property (18%) or several (13%) while keeping the rest of a portfolio is far more common in the survey than a full departure (9%), so headlines counting properties sold can overstate how many landlords are actually leaving. Official data points the same way: the English Private Landlord Survey published in December 2025 found 31% of landlords planning to reduce their portfolios but a smaller 16% intending to sell everything within two years, and industry research published in September 2025 estimated around 93,000 landlords left the market during 2025, a figure that describes the small-landlord end of the market far more than the portfolio segment this survey represents. **A Contrarian Minority Is Buying Because Others Are Exiting.** 15% of landlords surveyed said they are more likely to buy property specifically because other landlords are leaving the market, and when asked for the single biggest factor shaping their plans, the opportunity to buy while others exit ranked second only to mortgage rates, ahead of property prices, rental demand, regulation and tax. For this segment of the market, the exodus is a source of purchase stock rather than a warning sign. **Only 19% Say Mortgage Rates Have Not Changed Their Plans.** Current rates have altered the plans of four in five respondents, but in different directions: 20% are moving towards limited company ownership, 16% are selling or considering selling, 15% are more likely to buy because others are exiting, 14% are refinancing differently and 13% are buying less. Rates are not producing a single market-wide response; they are sorting landlords into distinct strategies. ![Chart: what landlords are most likely to do over the next 12 months. 23% plan to buy more property while 9% plan to exit the market completely.](https://mortgagelane.com/assets/responsive/v1-730387bb9ac8093f/w1440.d498eb19.jpg) *Intending buyers outnumber full exits by more than two to one. Base: all respondents, 113 UK portfolio and specialist landlords. Fielded 16 June to 5 August 2026. Source: Mortgage Lane Landlord Survey 2026.* ## The 2026 remortgage wall **71% of Mortgaged Landlords Face a Remortgage Within 12 Months.** Among respondents with a mortgage, 71% said their next renewal falls within the next 12 months, and only 18% said it is more than 24 months away. Those renewals land in a market where the Bank of England held the base rate at 3.75% on 30 July 2026, and Moneyfacts data from 10 August 2026 put the average two-year fixed residential mortgage at 5.55%, the average five-year fix at 5.54% and the average standard variable rate at 7.13%. Pricing on [buy to let mortgages](https://mortgagelane.com/mortgages/buy-to-let-mortgages) varies widely by lender, property type and loan to value, with leading two-year fixed rates published in August 2026 starting in the mid-3% to mid-4% range. **12% of Respondents Are Already Paying Their Lender's Reversion Rate.** One in eight respondents has already passed their renewal date and is sitting on default lender pricing while deciding what to do next: a costly place to wait, with standard variable rates averaging 7.13% on Moneyfacts data in August 2026. Consistent with that pressure, landlords currently refinancing or remortgaging recorded the lowest confidence of any group in the survey, averaging 4.6 out of 10. **Official Arrears Data Shows Pressure Producing Decisions, Not Defaults.** UK Finance figures for the second quarter of 2026 show 8,390 buy-to-let mortgages in arrears of 2.5% or more of the balance, 0.44% of outstanding buy to let mortgages and 6% fewer than the previous quarter, while 630 buy-to-let properties were taken into possession, down 22% on the quarter. Read alongside the survey, the pressure in 2026 is showing up in landlord behaviour (refinancing, restructuring and selective selling) rather than in missed payments. ![Chart: when the next buy to let mortgage is due for renewal. 71% of mortgaged landlords face renewal within 12 months, including those already due or on a lender reversion rate, who are 12% of all respondents (16% of respondents with a mortgage).](https://mortgagelane.com/assets/responsive/v1-c55b8a5927363052/w1440.facc2f59.jpg) *Base: respondents with a mortgage, 87 of the 113 landlords surveyed. Every bar, and the 71% due for renewal within 12 months (the first four bars together), is a share of those 87. The first bar, already due or on a lender reversion rate, is 16% of respondents with a mortgage, which is 12% of all 113 respondents: the 12% quoted in the text uses the all-respondent base. Fielded 16 June to 5 August 2026. Source: Mortgage Lane Landlord Survey 2026.* ## Viability, rents and ownership structures **13% Say at Least One Property Is Already Difficult to Justify at Current Rates.** A further 24% put the rate at which a property stops making commercial sense below 5%, taking the total with a threshold below current market pricing, or already breached, to 38%. Resilience varies enormously: 18% said problems would only begin above 7%. The gap between a portfolio that works and one that does not can come down to the rate secured at remortgage, which is why the spread of lender pricing matters as much as the market average. **The Limited Company Shift Has Passed the Halfway Mark.** 53% of landlords surveyed are either more likely to buy through a limited company than they were two years ago (33%) or already buy exclusively through one (20%), and a limited company buy to let mortgage was the single most used or considered product of the last 24 months, cited by 56% of respondents, ahead of [HMO finance](https://mortgagelane.com/mortgages/hmo-mortgages) (50%) and a standard buy to let remortgage (46%). At the same time, 29% are either considering incorporation but need advice or say they do not understand the difference well enough to decide, and among those with reservations, mortgage rates on company products were the most common concern. **Rent Rises Are Conditional on Costs, Not Automatic.** 29% of landlords surveyed increased rent on at least one property in the last 12 months and a further 26% were planning to, but looking forward only 23% definitely expect to raise rent in the next 12 months, while 35% would do so only if mortgage or other costs rise and 23% do not expect to raise rent at all. The two most common reasons for a rise were tied at 18% each: rising mortgage costs, and catching up with market rent on properties let below comparable levels. In this sample, rent-setting reads as a cost-recovery decision more than an income-maximising one. ![Chart: rent increases. 29% of landlords raised rent in the last 12 months, while only 23% definitely expect to raise rent in the next 12 months and 35% would raise rent only if costs rise.](https://mortgagelane.com/assets/responsive/v1-c7824ec8e6fc9361/w1440.7d3897df.jpg) *Rent-setting reads as a cost-recovery decision more than an income-maximising one. Base: all respondents, 113 UK portfolio and specialist landlords. Fielded 16 June to 5 August 2026. Source: Mortgage Lane Landlord Survey 2026.* ![Chart: the interest rate at which at least one property becomes difficult to justify commercially. 13% of landlords say at least one property is already difficult at current rates.](https://mortgagelane.com/assets/responsive/v1-ee93f10287273d95/w1440.07d42675.jpg) *38% have a threshold below current market pricing, or already breached. Base: all respondents, 113 UK portfolio and specialist landlords. Percentages rounded. Fielded 16 June to 5 August 2026. Source: Mortgage Lane Landlord Survey 2026.* ## Landlord confidence in 2026 **Confidence Is Polarised, With Equal Shares at Both Extremes.** Confidence in the buy to let market averaged 5.7 out of 10 across the survey, but 26% of landlords scored between 1 and 3 while an identical 26% scored between 8 and 10. The average conceals two markets: one group under direct rate pressure (confidence was lowest among landlords currently remortgaging) and another positioning to expand into it. **Lower Interest Rates Would Do Most to Restore Confidence.** Asked what would improve their confidence, landlords most often selected lower interest rates (55%), followed by better lender options (51%), more stable regulation (47%), stronger rental demand (46%) and more clarity on EPC rules (43%). Respondents could choose more than one answer. The prominence of regulatory stability and EPC clarity alongside rates suggests certainty matters to landlords almost as much as cost: the first phase of the Renters' Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026, abolishing Section 21, and the Government has confirmed its intention to require private rented homes in England to reach EPC C by 2030. ![Chart: what would make landlords more confident about buy to let. Lower interest rates lead at 55%, followed by better lender options at 51%.](https://mortgagelane.com/assets/responsive/v1-5bb643aea4707455/w1440.4bff4db1.jpg) *Respondents could choose more than one answer. Base: all respondents, 113 UK portfolio and specialist landlords. Fielded 16 June to 5 August 2026. Source: Mortgage Lane Landlord Survey 2026.* ![Chart: landlord confidence scores from 1 to 10. 26% of landlords score 1 to 3 and an identical 26% score 8 to 10.](https://mortgagelane.com/assets/responsive/v1-e0b983b5e85bb46b/w1440.8ef12478.jpg) *The average was 5.7 out of 10 (median 6), and the average conceals two markets. Base: all respondents, 113 UK portfolio and specialist landlords. Fielded 16 June to 5 August 2026. Source: Mortgage Lane Landlord Survey 2026.* ## Landlord survey findings, August 2026 *LANDLORD SURVEY FINDINGS AUGUST 2026* | Finding | Result | | --- | --- | | Plan to sell at least one property within 12 months | 40% | | Plan to exit the market completely | 9% | | Plan to buy more property | 23% | | More likely to buy because other landlords are exiting | 15% | | Mortgaged landlords facing a remortgage within 12 months (share of the 87 with a mortgage) | 71% | | Already on a lender reversion rate (share of all 113 respondents) | 12% | | Say at least one property is already difficult to justify at current rates | 13% | | More likely to use, or already only use, a limited company | 53% | | Increased rent in the last 12 months | 29% | | Average market confidence (1 to 10) | 5.7 | ## How the research was conducted **The Survey Represents Portfolio and Specialist Landlords, Not All UK Landlords.** Mortgage Lane surveyed 113 UK landlords and property investors online between 16 June and 5 August 2026. Respondents were self-selecting and sit at the professional end of the market: 87% own four or more properties, 63% hold property through a mix of personal names and limited companies, and all UK nations are represented, with Scotland the largest single region at 19%. The margin of error is ±9.2 percentage points at 95% confidence for full-sample figures, and wider for subgroups. Because the sample skews towards portfolio and specialist landlords, the findings describe that segment rather than the wider population of UK landlords, most of whom own a single rental property. Headline findings were benchmarked against UK Finance arrears and possessions statistics, Bank of England rate decisions, Moneyfacts rate averages and the English Private Landlord Survey. ## Related mortgage articles and guides - [2026](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/buy-to-let-mortgage-guide)Guide[Buy to Let Mortgage Guide](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/buy-to-let-mortgage-guide)The complete buy to let guide: ICR stress testing with worked examples, limited company vs personal ownership, portfolio rules, valuations, tax mechanics, and every specialist scenario linked.[Read more about Buy to Let Mortgage Guide](https://mortgagelane.com/guides/buy-to-let-mortgage-guide) - [2026](https://mortgagelane.com/mortgages/property-portfolio-mortgages)Mortgage[Portfolio Mortgages, Portfolio Landlord Rules and Stress Tests](https://mortgagelane.com/mortgages/property-portfolio-mortgages)Portfolio mortgages for landlords with four or more mortgaged buy to lets: whole portfolio underwriting, background stress tests, schedules and refinancing.[Read more about Portfolio Mortgages, Portfolio Landlord Rules and Stress Tests](https://mortgagelane.com/mortgages/property-portfolio-mortgages) - [2026](https://mortgagelane.com/mortgages/first-time-landlord-mortgages)Mortgage[First Time Landlord Mortgages, Your First Buy to Let](https://mortgagelane.com/mortgages/first-time-landlord-mortgages)First time landlord mortgages: how the rental stress test sets your loan, why your tax band matters, stamp duty, company ownership and the Renters' Rights Act.[Read more about First Time Landlord Mortgages, Your First Buy to Let](https://mortgagelane.com/mortgages/first-time-landlord-mortgages) ## Frequently asked questions about landlord mortgage survey 2026 **Q: Are landlords selling property in 2026?** faq-id: are-landlords-selling-property-in-2026 Yes, 40% of the 113 portfolio landlords surveyed by Mortgage Lane between June and August 2026 plan to sell at least one property in the next 12 months. However, only 9% intend to leave the market completely, and 23% plan to buy more property, suggesting portfolio reshaping rather than a full exodus. **Q: How many landlords are remortgaging in 2026?** faq-id: how-many-landlords-are-remortgaging-in-2026 71% of mortgaged landlords in Mortgage Lane's 2026 Landlord Survey face a buy to let remortgage within the next 12 months, including 12% of all respondents already sitting on a lender reversion rate. Reviewing options early helps landlords avoid defaulting onto higher standard variable rates. **Q: Are landlords still buying property in 2026?** faq-id: are-landlords-still-buying-property-in-2026 Yes, 23% of landlords surveyed by Mortgage Lane in summer 2026 said buying more property is their most likely action over the next 12 months, and 15% said they are more likely to buy specifically because other landlords are exiting the market and creating purchase opportunities. **Q: Are landlords using limited companies for buy to let in 2026?** faq-id: are-landlords-using-limited-companies-for-buy-to-let-in-2026 Yes, 53% of landlords in Mortgage Lane's 2026 survey are either more likely to buy through a limited company than two years ago or already buy exclusively through one. A further 29% are considering incorporation but say they need advice or do not yet understand the structure well enough. **Q: Will landlords increase rent in 2026?** faq-id: will-landlords-increase-rent-in-2026 23% of landlords surveyed by Mortgage Lane in 2026 definitely expect to increase rent in the next 12 months, while 35% would raise rent only if mortgage or other costs rise, and 23% do not expect to increase rent at all. Rent decisions appear closely tied to landlords' own costs. **Q: At what interest rate does buy to let stop being viable?** faq-id: at-what-interest-rate-does-buy-to-let-stop-being-viable 38% of landlords in Mortgage Lane's 2026 survey said at least one property becomes difficult to justify commercially at rates below 5%, including 13% who said one or more properties is already difficult at current rates. Resilience varies widely, with 18% saying problems would only start above 7%. **Q: Are landlords confident about the buy to let market in 2026?** faq-id: are-landlords-confident-about-the-buy-to-let-market-in-2026 Landlord confidence is split down the middle. The average confidence score in Mortgage Lane's 2026 Landlord Survey was 5.7 out of 10, with 26% of landlords scoring between 1 and 3 and an identical 26% scoring between 8 and 10. Confidence was lowest among landlords currently remortgaging. **Q: What would make landlords more confident in 2026?** faq-id: what-would-make-landlords-more-confident-in-2026 Lower interest rates would make 55% of surveyed landlords more confident about buy to let, followed by better lender options at 51%, more stable regulation at 47%, stronger rental demand at 46% and more clarity on EPC rules at 43%. Respondents could select more than one answer. **Q: What is the biggest barrier to landlord finance in 2026?** faq-id: what-is-the-biggest-barrier-to-landlord-finance-in-2026 No single barrier dominates. 15% of landlords in Mortgage Lane's 2026 survey reported no major barrier to finance, while speed of completion and property type were each cited by 12%, followed by deposit or equity at 10%. Specialist property types often need specialist lenders and carefully structured applications. **Q: How was the Mortgage Lane Landlord Survey 2026 conducted?** faq-id: how-was-the-mortgage-lane-landlord-survey-2026-conducted Mortgage Lane surveyed 113 UK portfolio and specialist landlords online between 16 June and 5 August 2026. The margin of error is approximately ±9 percentage points at 95% confidence for the full sample. Respondents were self-selecting, so findings represent portfolio and specialist landlords rather than all UK landlords. External data referenced on this page: [UK Finance arrears and possessions statistics](https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/data-and-research/data/arrears-and-possessions) (Q2 2026 release, August 2026), [Bank of England](https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/) Bank Rate decision (30 July 2026), and [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/) guidance on the Renters' Rights Act. This page is provided for information only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Survey findings reflect the views of respondents at the time of fieldwork. ## Talk it through with an adviser Let’s talk property finance ## Contact us **Call our team:** [+44 333 231 8206](tel:+443332318206) **Email us:** [enquiries@mortgagelane.com](mailto:enquiries@mortgagelane.com) **Opening hours:** Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm Closed Saturday and Sunday Your enquiry goes to our team, who will get in touch to discuss your next steps. Fields marked are required. First name Last name Email Phone What can we help with? Residential mortgage Remortgage Buy to let Bridging finance Commercial Something else Tell us about your enquiry I am happy to receive occasional mortgage news and rate updates. Send enquiry We use your details to respond to your enquiry and, if you opt in, send updates. See our [privacy policy](https://mortgagelane.com/privacy-policy). Published: 2026-09-11 Last reviewed: 2026-10-01 Source: https://mortgagelane.com/articles/landlord-mortgage-survey-2026