Landlords adopt long-term view

The majority of buy-to-let landlords see their properties as a long-term investment.

According to website Property Hawk, the average UK landlord intends to hold onto their entire portfolio until market conditions improve.

Chris Horne, editor of the site, pointed out that current conditions mean that it is expensive to sell or buy property and this is likely to lead to more investors looking to the long-term.

"You've got to pay solicitors' fees, estate agents' fees, capital gains tax potentially, and then set up the investment on your side," he commented.

"Most landlords, because of the costs of buying and selling now, particularly with stamp duty rates going up, see residential investment as a long-term hold.

"A lot of landlords buy buy-to-let properties for their pensions, so it's a much more long-term investment," added Mr Horne.

The Association of Residential Lettings Agents recently revealed that 90 per cent of landlords questioned as part of a survey it conducted do not intend to sell any of their properties in 2008.

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