The Q4 2025 Landlord Trends research from Foundation, conducted by Pegasus Insight among 837 landlords, found that one in three landlords sought new finance, refinancing, or a product transfer in the past 12 months

Professional landlords continue to drive buy-to-let borrowing and advice demand, although confidence has softened slightly amid concerns over the Renters’ Rights Act, according to new research.

The Q4 2025 Landlord Trends research from Foundation, conducted by Pegasus Insight among 837 landlords, found that one in three landlords sought new finance, refinancing, or a product transfer in the past 12 months. Among landlords with existing buy-to-let borrowing, this figure rose to six in 10.

Foundation is a trading style of Paratus AMC, an intermediary-only specialist lender and mortgage servicer.

Landlords with borrowing currently hold an average of 6.5 individual buy-to-let loans across more than two lender relationships. Total average borrowing stands at £714,000, with an average loan-to-value ratio of just under 50%. Seven in 10 landlords used a broker to arrange their most recent mortgage, with most starting the process at least three months before their deal ended.

The research shows that limited company and portfolio landlords continue to behave differently from smaller, individual landlords. Limited company landlords hold far larger portfolios on average, are more likely to use buy-to-let finance and are more active in refinancing and rent reviews.

Concerns around the Renters’ Rights Act are now central to landlord decision-making. Three-quarters of landlords are aware of the legislation, an 8% increase on the previous quarter, with awareness highest among portfolio and limited company landlords. Around 75% believe the Act will negatively affect their own lettings activity, while 84% expect it to have a negative impact on the private rental sector as a whole.

Potential delays in the court system for regaining possession have become the single biggest concern for landlords, overtaking energy efficiency requirements and tax changes.