"Confidence is returning as landlords adapt to a new operating environment. This is a sector that is becoming more professional, more informed and more deliberate in how it responds to change"
- Adrian Moloney - OSB Group
Confidence is rising across the UK’s private rented sector, according to new research from Rely, the buy-to-let lender from OSB Group. The findings show landlords feel more optimistic about their future than they did a year ago, even as higher costs, regulation and tenant affordability continue to shape decision-making.
Rely’s annual Landlord Leaders 2025 study points to a shift in mood, with the sector showing signs of stabilising and adapting rather than pulling back. Nearly two-thirds of landlords now say they feel optimistic about operating as a landlord in the future, up from 47% last year, marking a notable recovery in sentiment.
The research also suggests fewer landlords are questioning their long-term place in the market. Just 24% say they feel concerned and are reassessing their future as a landlord, down from 29% in 2024. At the same time, the share of landlords who feel pessimistic about what lies ahead has fallen, even though economic and regulatory pressures remain in place.
Key findings from the survey include:
62% of landlords feel optimistic about operating as a landlord in the future.
25% describe the outlook for the sector as positive despite ongoing challenges.
62% believe they provide a vital service by housing people most in need.
Alongside improving confidence, the study highlights a stronger sense of purpose among landlords. Nearly two-thirds say they see their role as essential in meeting housing demand, reinforcing the importance of the private rented sector within the wider housing system.
“We are seeing a clear shift in sentiment in the buy-to-let space,” said Adrian Moloney, group lending distribution director at Rely Mortgages (pictured).
“Confidence is returning as landlords adapt to a new operating environment. This is a sector that is becoming more professional, more informed and more deliberate in how it responds to change."
“Rising optimism reflects landlords taking control of their businesses, seeking advice, planning for the long term and focusing on sustainability rather than short-term reactions. That matters not just for landlords themselves, but for brokers, lenders and tenants who all rely on a stable and functioning private rented sector.”
While pressures linked to regulation and affordability have not disappeared, the data indicate that uncertainty is easing rather than intensifying. For example, fewer landlords now report actively considering an exit from the sector, and more say they are adjusting their strategies to cope with higher costs and compliance requirements.
