77% of UK property investors are thinking of buying additional investment properties over the next 12 months, according to a new survey of the Assetz investor database.

Investors cite strong rental demand as their main incentive for expanding their portfolios, followed by high and rising rental values, and thirdly the belief that prices are at or near the bottom. Just 10% of investors believe now is a bad time to invest in UK buy-to-let, with the majority mentioning concerns about the economy as the main deterrent.

Assetz says that investors are taking a long term view of the property market, with 50% saying that long term capital gain is their top priority, closely followed by rental income (44%). Only 6% stated that they were hoping to benefit from short term capital gain.

46% said they are currently achieving gross rental yields of more than 5.5%, with 19.% achieving 9% yields or higher.

Assetz has seen sales of UK investment property more than double in the last 12 months and predicts it will expand at least 50% again over the next year.

Stuart Law, chief executive of Assetz, said: “The buy-to-let market is booming with landlords returning in considerable numbers