Last week was a quieter week in the market, so it was a useful opportunity to get prepared. With the Budget not too far away, there’s no shortage of speculation, but very little that’s confirmed.

The best use of the next few weeks is making sure brokers and clients are ready to react to what’s actually announced, rather than what’s been rumoured.

It’s also a good moment to keep the focus on the buy-to-let market. We’re seeing more lenders come to market in this space, which is a clear sign they recognise the opportunity, and the fact that it needs to be approached slightly differently to how it was a few years ago.

That’s really positive for landlords and brokers alike, and it means more choice and more innovation.

It also means the next 12 months are likely to be a period of real adjustment as lenders, brokers and landlords all adapt to a changing landscape, and being well advised will matter more than ever.

One of the most interesting trends in this is what’s happening to properties when landlords sell. Hamptons research shows that a record 23% of homes bought by landlords this year had previously been let by the seller, up from 16% last year.1

This suggests a meaningful share of properties are staying within the private rented sector, bought by other landlords who are experienced and professional.

It’s also worth being clear about what ‘professional’ means here. A professional landlord isn’t defined by the size of their portfolio. It’s about being a professional person running their lettings as a business, whether that’s one property or 50.

That’s exactly the kind of landlord who benefits most from expert advice, and it’s why we’re continuing to promote our educational campaign supporting landlords, and the brokers acting on their behalf.

If you’re not already having these conversations with your landlord clients, now is a good time to start.

Rachel Geddes is strategic lender relationship director at Mortgage Advice Bureau