Paragon Mortgages, which works with BDRC Continental to survey more than 1,000 NLA landlords, has found the most common factor when selecting a potential rental property will be a landlord’s own knowledge of the area, with 86% of landlords reporting this is at the top of their checklist.

68% of landlords said that strength of tenant demand in the local area was an important factor, and 63% said that local rent levels were also a big consideration.

Other important factors landlords sited were the prospect of capital growth (56%), proximity to local transport connections (55%) and future development plans in the area (37%).

74% of landlords planning to make property purchases said they would be looking for one near their home, and just 10% said that they would be prepared to buy further afield, but only up to 100 miles.

John Heron (pictured), managing director of Paragon Mortgages, said: “Whilst the factors landlords have selected may not be entirely surprising, their feedback is important nonetheless. From time to time landlords get a bad press.

“What this research shows, and what we already know, is that the majority of landlords view the running of their portfolios as a business. They buy property only after careful consideration, and have a very strong preference for investing in their own local communities.

“The buy-to-let sector continues to perform well, with landlords feeling more confident. In fact, 25% of the landlords we surveyed are planning to buy further rental property in the next 12 months alone.”