Two-thirds of landlords are planning some form of growth activity in the year ahead despite uncertainty following the Budget, latest research from Lendlord reveals.

The survey – Navigating Change: Landlord Sentiment in a post-Budget market – carried out in December among users of the Lendlord platform, found that 66% of planned landlord activity relates to portfolio growth, including acquisitions, refinancing and refurbishments.

Around 23% of respondents said they intend to acquire more properties over the next 12 months, making purchases the single largest category of planned action.

The findings shine the spotlight on a resilient core of active investors even as higher costs, shifting regulation and tax changes weigh on sentiment.

BUY AND HOLD

Some 58% of respondents said “buy and hold” would be their main strategy for 2026, while 33% reported that the Budget had increased their appetite for investment.

However, the picture is far from uniformly positive. Around a third of landlords surveyed are planning to sell properties or pause new investment, signalling a more cautious backdrop and a potential drip-feed of stock onto the market.

Confidence in the outlook for the UK property market was finely balanced, with 45% describing themselves as very confident and 43% very concerned.

TRANSITIONING MARKET

Lendlord said the results point to a market in transition, with landlords simultaneously seeking growth opportunities and managing policy-driven risks.

Many respondents reported reviewing rent levels and reassessing ownership structures, with recent tax changes prompting fresh consideration of incorporation into limited companies. Concerns around property income tax and dividend tax levels remain prominent.

The research draws on responses from Lendlord’s reported community of more than 75,000 UK landlords and forms part of the group’s broader effort to provide brokers, lenders and investors with data on landlord behaviour.

Despite fiscal uncertainty, the findings suggest a significant cohort of landlords is still willing to refinance, refurbish and buy – reinforcing the view that private investors will continue to play a central role in the UK’s rental market, even as others opt to scale back.

DIVIDED MARKET

Aviram Shahar, co-founder and CEO of Lendlord, said: “While the Budget has increased scrutiny around costs, tax and ownership structure, our latest survey shows that many landlords remain focused on growth and active portfolio management. They are adapting their approach rather than stepping back.

 “The data also highlights that confidence in the market is clearly divided, with some landlords opting  for a cautious approach and others perceiving opportunity.

“That balance is significant when brokers and lenders are supporting funding and investment decisions going into 2026.”