In a poll of 1,000 landlords, many with buy-to-let mortgages, it was revealed that the optimum tenant is female.
Landlords were specific in their preferences, stating that the ideal tenant would also be aged between 36 and 45, earning between £20,000 and £30,000, and working in the health sector.
25% of landlords would prefer a tenant [...]

The Financial Services Authority today announced that buy-to-let mortgages have been ‘more stable’ in the recession.
Other mortgage products have suffered from declining new lending levels, falling 59% since September 2007.
Meanwhile, however, buy-to-let lending has been ‘more stable’ over the period, accounting for 12% of all residential lending since Q2 2007.

Whilst other house prices have plummeted, the price of buy-to-let properties has remained largely constant over the last year, the Financial Times reports.
This means that buy-to-let mortgage seekers will not be able to take advantage of low housing prices and buy up properties when they are cheapest.
Investment, however, has been flourishing in early [...]

The buy-to-let mortgage market has shrunk dramatically since 2008, a new study finds.
Moneyfacts reveals that mortgage lenders have removed 93% of their buy-to-let deals from their range of profucts in the last 12 months.
The remaining deals demand at least a 20% deposit, the research says.

The annual Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) review, published today, reveals that many buy-to-let mortgage holders are taking a long-term approach to their property investments.
Despite rumours that many landlords are being forced to sell up, the review shows that the annual life expectancy of a residential property investment is on average 16.3 years, and [...]

A report in The Guardian today claims that the government will focus more sharply on buy-to-let mortgage holders’ tax returns this year.
HM Revenue and Customs has been motivated to examine the tax returns and self assessments of landlords by the increase in buy-to-let property owners in 2008.
Recent figures state that there are currently 800,000 rental [...]

British landlords will not sell off properties in 2009 as long as they can keep up mortgage repayments, a research analyst has predicted.
Yolande Barnes, of Savills, said that it would be nonsensical for landlords to sell their properties as the market hits its lowest trough.
In fact, Barnes said, now may be the time that landlords [...]