Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.

Brokers Urge More Government Support for Landlords Amid Sector Pressures

A new survey by Accord Mortgages and Pegasus Insight has found that mortgage brokers believe the private rental sector is at risk, with many landlords in need of government support. The research highlights that a significant proportion of landlords are reducing or exiting their portfolios, raising concerns about the future supply of rental properties in England.

According to the survey, 21% of brokers said landlord borrowers should be prioritised for support, second only to first-time buyers. The findings show that 56% of advisers reported their landlord clients were actively shrinking their portfolios, while 53% said landlords were leaving the sector altogether.

With around a fifth of households in England relying on the private rental sector, Accord Mortgages noted that this trend could lead to a shortage of available rental homes. Only 11% of brokers said demand for buy-to-let mortgages was increasing or that landlords were expanding their portfolios. Supporting this, data from Savills indicated that the total number of buy-to-let mortgages fell from 2.06 million in November 2022 to 1.94 million in March 2025.

The survey also found that 59% of brokers believe landlords should receive government support to help maintain the supply of rental homes. Brokers identified several challenges facing landlords, including regulatory and tax changes, licensing requirements, and compliance with upcoming Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), which will require rental properties to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of at least C by 2030. Tax changes and higher stamp duty land tax introduced last year were also cited as factors reducing investment appetite among landlords.

Brokers reported that their role in supporting landlords is becoming increasingly important, with 59% saying landlords need the support of an adviser more than ever. The findings suggest that without further support or policy changes, the private rental sector may continue to contract, potentially impacting tenants through reduced supply and higher rents.