‘Sector becoming more professional, more informed and more deliberate in how it responds to change’

Confidence among UK landlords, including those in the West Midlands, has risen steadily over the past year, with nearly two-thirds now reporting an optimistic outlook for their future in the private rented sector, research shows.

The annual Landlord Leaders 2025 study, published by Rely Mortgages, found that 62% of landlords feel positive about their position in the sector, a notable rise from 47% recorded in the previous year’s survey. 

A further 25% of respondents described the overall outlook as positive, despite acknowledging that significant challenges remain.

The findings suggest a meaningful shift in sentiment across an industry that has faced sustained pressure from rising mortgage rates, increased regulation and a difficult economic backdrop. 

The proportion of landlords who are worried and reassessing their future in the sector has fallen to 24%, down from 29% in 2024, while the number describing themselves as pessimistic also declined.

Sense of purpose among landlords

The research also highlighted the sense of purpose many landlords feel in providing homes for those unable to buy.

Some 62% of those surveyed said they view themselves as offering a vital service by housing people who need it – a figure that reflects both the scale of demand in the rental market and the identity many landlords attach to their role.

Adrian Moloney, group lending distribution director at Rely Mortgages, said: “We are seeing a clear shift in sentiment in the buy-to-let space. Confidence is returning as landlords adapt. This is a sector that is becoming more professional, more informed and more deliberate in how it responds to change.”

The improvement in confidence comes at a time when the private rented sector continues to face heightened scrutiny, with legislative reforms and tax changes having prompted some landlords to consider leaving the market in recent years. However, the latest data points to a stabilising mood among those who have remained.

The Landlord Leaders study is carried out annually by Rely Mortgages and tracks sentiment, priorities and expectations among landlords operating across the UK private rented sector.