Despite the upheaval, new entrants have not vanished. First-time landlords are still active and, according to Hamptons, millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) are now leading the charge in buy-to-let investment.
Its analysis of Companies House data shows that for the first time, they now account for half of all new shareholders in buy-to-let companies across England & Wales.
This matters for two reasons. The first is that the market still has depth, people still want property, whether as a home or as a long-term asset.
The second is that reform can shift supply and if some landlords sell ahead of May 2026, stock will move. That can create buying chances for those who are ready, well-funded, and clear on what they want to buy.
The Bank of Mum and Dad and the new tax worry
Family help remains a key part of many first purchases. That applies to first homes and to first-time landlords who need a deposit and a buffer for costs.
In simple terms, the Bank of Mum and Dad tends to show up as a gifted deposit, a family loan set out in writing, a guarantor route where it is offered, or a joint approach where a parent is on the loan and sometimes the title, depending on lender rules.
Each option comes with pros and limits. Gifts can be simpler for mortgage checks, but families must still prove where the money came from and provide solid intent.
Loans can affect affordability and need clear, written terms, while joint options can bring added tax and legal points. The key is to plan early and keep records clear.
Inheritance tax is also now a key part of this chat. Families are looking at their total position and asking whether it makes sense to help children sooner, while they can see the benefit and reduce what sits in the estate later.
Why inheritance tax is driving earlier gifting
Some families are worried about thresholds not keeping pace with house prices, while others are focused on how wealth is held, including pensions. That is leading to a more direct question at kitchen tables: should we help the kids now, rather than later?
This does not mean every parent should gift large sums. It does mean more parents want a plan, and they want clarity on what a gift could mean for tax and for later-life security.
HMRC rules on gifts are not something to guess at. Many lifetime gifts can fall under the seven-year rule, and there are also allowances and exemptions that can apply in the right cases.
The annual gift allowance is one of the best known, and there are also rules for small gifts, certain wedding gifts, and regular gifts made out of surplus income where the giver can show it is affordable.
It’s clear that opportunities exist for first-time landlords, many of whom may be first-time buyers and there is a decent choice of lenders for such borrowers.
