"Landlords with only a few properties tend to be those that have invested all their savings and inheritance into their properties in the hope of providing themselves with a retirement income. I think they genuinely care about the state of their properties and therefore find their demonisation even more unfair"
- Rob Stanton - Landbay
Just 9% of landlords believe the media’s portrayal of the buy-to-let (BTL) market is fair and accurate, according to new research by BTL lender Landbay.
The figure marks a sharp decline from 2023, when 19% of landlords agreed with the same statement, highlighting a growing perception that coverage of the sector has become increasingly negative.
Landbay’s poll, conducted in May 2025 and involving landlords with portfolios totalling around 3,000 properties, found consistent views across different property types. The results showed little variation between those with houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), multi-unit freehold blocks (MUFBs), or more conventional portfolios. However, more significant differences emerged when comparing landlords’ ownership structures and portfolio sizes.
Among landlords borrowing solely through limited company structures, or using a mix of limited company and individual borrowing, 10% said the media portrayal was fair and accurate. In contrast, only 4% of landlords borrowing exclusively as individuals felt the same way.
Portfolio size also influenced views. Just 4% of landlords with one to three properties agreed the portrayal was fair and accurate, while 10% of those with four or more properties shared that opinion.
"The media – chiefly social but also the mainstream press – is traducing buy-to-let landlords,” said Rob Stanton (pictured), sales and distribution director at Landbay. “People seem to have a view that landlords are rolling in cash making huge profits; the situation has got worse over the last year presumably encouraged by the legislative agenda. As more landlords – small business owners – leave the market in the face of counter-productive red tape, the landlord-bashers are going to get a wake-up call when they realise the housing crisis has not disappeared and – because the supply of rental properties has shrunk – rents have risen."
Stanton added, “Landlords with only a few properties tend to be those that have invested all their savings and inheritance into their properties in the hope of providing themselves with a retirement income. I think they genuinely care about the state of their properties and therefore find their demonisation even more unfair.”
The findings suggest a widening disconnect between landlords’ experiences and the public narrative surrounding the private rental sector, particularly for smaller landlords and those operating as individuals. The results also highlight landlords' concerns that increasing regulatory pressure and negative perceptions could further impact the supply of rental homes.
