Brokers believes that regulatory changes will be top of of the list of challenges facing property investors this year, according to the latest Shawbrook Broker Barometer.

50% of the 300 brokers surveyed see regulation as the issue that will impact their clients the most, while 21% think that a change in interest rates could be the most important issue. Additional licensing is also expected to be an issue for brokers and clients, with 10% expecting the changes to present their biggest challenge for the year.

When thinking about their own business, brokers are most apprehensive about increased FCA governance and further lending restrictions in the market, 39% and 26% respectively. Unsurprisingly brokers are viewing the new stamp duty levy with apprehension with 80% expecting the changes to have a negative impact on the housing market and the lending environment generally.

Despite these challenges the mood amongst brokers remains positive with 85% stating they are confident about business growth in the New Year. 54% believe that the new help-to-buy shared ownership scheme will have a positive impact on the housing market. 63% are also in favour of the new London help-to-buy programme and 75% believe the government’s pledge of 400,000 new homes by 2020 will provide a boost to the market and lending environment.

Karen Bennett, sales and marketing director for commercial mortgages, said: “While it is obvious that 2016 will see some big changes in the buy-to-let market, it appears that brokers are not buying in to the commentary that the market will suffer.

“The majority of our broker partners are confident that the market is one in which their business can grow and buy-to-Let presents many opportunities to investors. Lenders, brokers and customers will have new factors to consider but the outlook for 2016 remains positive.”