More than half of under 34s hope to become a landlord

Younger Millennials (born between 1991 and 1996) and those in Generation Z (1997-2012) still see a future in property investment. That was the surprising finding of a new survey of 2,000 UK adults conducted by Opinium on behalf of Market Financial Solutions.

In fact, more than half (54%) of participants aged between 18-34 said they had a desire to purchase a buy-to-let property. This compared to just 14% of those aged 55 and older. And when posed the hypothetical question of how they would spend a £1 million lottery win, 68% of 18-34 year olds said they would invest some or all of it in property, compared to the overall average of 58%.

Eyebrows were certainly raised by the result as the majority of ‘Generation Rent’ comprise younger adults who bemoan the perceived inequality of the UK’s private rental sector. Perhaps it is a case of ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’.

The survey revealed it wasn’t just under 34s who had a burning passion for property investment. Appeal was across the board, with 60% of all respondents believing property investment was a good way to build long-term wealth. 

Interestingly, 37% said they would prefer to invest in a buy-to-let rather than in stocks and shares, with 53% feeling real estate was still a safe and stable asset.

If you are planning for your financial future, now may be a good time to take your first steps into property investment. Our lettings team can supply you with all the critical information and advice you’ll need to make an informed decision but there are some preliminary areas of consideration, as outlined below:

Affordability: buy-to-let is very much a maths game and you’ll need expert advice to establish whether a property investment will make a profit. We can explain the critical figure - your yield – which is calculated taking into account the size of your deposit, the value of the buy-to-let you purchase, the amount borrowed using a mortgage, your landlord overheads and the rent your property generates.

Location: it may feel safe and natural to purchase a buy-to-let close to where you live but that could be a mistake in terms of rental income. Rents and house prices differ widely across the UK, and you may receive a much better return on investment by purchasing in a location miles away from your own home.

Management style: there are two options open to landlords: self-management or fully professionally managed. The former involves the landlord looking after every aspect of the investment themselves, from tenant find, rent collection and legal compliance, to property maintenance, emergency handling and deposit refund. The latter sees a professional management company run the tenancy on the landlord’s behalf in exchange for a fee. This results in a more ‘hands off’, passive investment.

Property type: buying the wrong property in the wrong area could kill off your property prospects before they’ve even begun. Our skill lies in advising landlords on what type of properties are in highest demand and can achieve the best rents. Flat or house, HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) or high-end apartment, bachelor pad or family home, leasehold or freehold - the decision will affect short- and long-prospects.

4 important aspects would-be landlords can’t ignore

1. The Renters’ Rights Bill in England and The Housing Bill (Scotland) are both on their way to becoming law. They will alter many aspects of the private rental sector, so please speak to us about the fundamental changes ahead. 

2. Profit generated from buy-to-let properties is subject to tax and landlords will have to declare their rental income using the self-assessment tax method.

3. New landlords who already own a property will have to pay extra in stamp duty when they purchase a buy-to-let, as the investment will be classed as an ‘additional property’.  

4. The long term trajectory for both house prices and rents has been upwards. Investment success, however, very much depends on individual circumstances, local market trends, and where in the cycle property is bought and sold. 

If you would like tailored advice regarding buy-to-let and see examples of investment properties you could buy, please contact us.