Property118 has launched what is anticipated to be the UK’s largest recurring landlord sentiment survey, inviting nearly 48,000 landlords to participate. This initiative aims to provide a clear and consistent insight into landlord behaviour and decision-making, addressing a long-standing gap in reliable data within the private rented sector.

A new benchmark for landlord sentiment

Launched at midday on 31 March 2026, the survey reaches 47,886 members of Property118’s network by invitation only. Its primary goal is to give landlords a genuine voice, supported by real-time data rather than anecdotal evidence. For years, policy discussions have relied on selective narratives and outdated official statistics, leaving a void in understanding landlords’ actual intentions and behaviours.

This survey is designed to fill that void by capturing how landlords are thinking and acting in the present moment. It takes less than three minutes to complete but focuses on the key decisions landlords face, such as portfolio changes, buying or selling intentions, refinancing plans, and risk management strategies.

Survey focus and methodology

The questions are carefully framed to reflect behaviour rather than just sentiment. Participants are asked about whether their property portfolios have grown, shrunk, or remained stable over the past two years, and their likely actions over the next 12 months, including buying, selling, or exiting the market. The survey also explores refinancing intentions, factors influencing acquisition and disposal decisions, preferred ownership structures, and the role of life insurance in managing risk and legacy planning. Additionally, it collects demographic data such as age to provide context for long-term decision-making.

By focusing on planned actions rather than feelings, the survey aims to deliver more valuable insights into the sector’s direction.

Why this survey matters now

The private rented sector is currently experiencing a disconnect between public perception and the realities faced by landlords. Legislative changes, tax policies, and increased regulatory pressures have created uncertainty. Many landlords are not making immediate drastic moves but are instead reassessing and adjusting their strategies quietly. These subtle shifts often go unnoticed in official statistics until they become significant.

Property118’s survey is designed to detect these early signals, providing a timely and nuanced understanding of landlord behaviour. It seeks to uncover not just whether landlords are selling but also why, when, and under what conditions they might alter their course. Equally important is identifying what factors could restore confidence and encourage investment in the sector.

Consistent data for long-term insight

This is not a one-off exercise. Property118 plans to run the survey quarterly, building a consistent data series over time. This approach will allow trends to emerge, confidence levels to be tracked, and behavioural shifts to be identified before they are visible in other data sources. Over time, this will provide the sector with a reliable benchmark for landlord sentiment, something that has been missing until now.

From data to influence

The survey’s findings will be shared with lenders, policymakers, journalists, and industry bodies to ensure decisions affecting the private rented sector are informed by actual landlord behaviour rather than assumptions. This has practical commercial implications as well. Lenders, brokers, and insurers benefit from understanding the landlord community’s direction, enabling them to develop better products, improve risk assessment, and contribute to more stable outcomes for all stakeholders.

Early indicators to watch

Although detailed results will be published later this week, some key areas of interest have already been identified. These include the balance between buying, selling, and holding properties; landlords’ appetite for refinancing in a higher interest rate environment; shifts in ownership structures; the growing role of life insurance as a risk management tool; and how landlords’ age influences decision-making across portfolios. Each of these points addresses the broader question of whether landlords are retreating, repositioning, or preparing for the next phase of the market.

A collective voice for landlords

With nearly 48,000 landlords invited, even a modest response rate will generate one of the most meaningful datasets the sector has seen. This survey offers landlords an opportunity to contribute to a collective narrative based on evidence rather than opinion. A reminder will be sent at midday on 1 April 2026 to those who have not yet completed the survey, which closes at midday on Thursday 2 April 2026. The results will be published on Property118 later in the week, marking a significant moment where the story of the sector is told through landlords’ own data.

Source: Based on reporting from Property118

TLA Training Academy

The Landlord Association has launched its new Training Academy for UK landlords, providing structured guidance, compliance education, and practical knowledge to support landlords at every stage. Members can now complete the programme and become TLA Certified Landlords at no additional cost as part of their membership.

Landlords can explore the Academy here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/tla-academy/

Those looking to join and access the full training and certification can register here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/landlord-association-membership-uk/

TLA update

The Landlord Association is currently onboarding new service providers into its Trusted Partner Hub, a new initiative designed to support landlords, tenants, letting agents, and property managers with vetted, high-quality services. As one of the fastest growing landlord associations in the UK, TLA offers partners direct access to an engaged and active member base at the point of need. Service providers across legal, maintenance, insurance, finance, mortgages, tenant screening, and property services can register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/