Landlords operating through a limited company are six times more likely to be planning new property acquisitions than those who own in their own name. A Q3 2026 Landlord Sentiment Survey found that 18.3% of company landlords intend to buy more property over the next three years, compared to just 2.9% of landlords holding properties personally.
The survey, which ran from 1 to 8 October 2026 and included 1,654 landlords, also revealed differing intentions regarding exiting the sector. 30.2% of personal-name landlords plan to leave completely, while 17.9% of company landlords have similar plans. Landlords with a mix of personal and company ownership were the least likely to plan a full exit, at 10.2%.
This trend is not new, as Q2 figures showed company landlords were nearly four times as likely to plan purchases. The survey indicates that ownership structure is a clear dividing line, with the private rented sector increasingly split between investing landlords and those planning to exit.
Factors such as age and portfolio size do not fully explain this difference. Even when comparing landlords of the same age or with similar portfolio sizes, company landlords remain significantly more likely to plan purchases. For instance, among landlords under 55, 34.8% of company landlords plan to buy, versus 6.7% of personal-name landlords.
Tax considerations appear to be a major influence. Higher income tax rates on rental income, due from April 2027, were cited as an influence on buying by 62.9% of personal-name landlords, but only 37.4% of company landlords. Similarly, Section 24, which limits mortgage interest tax relief for individuals, influences selling decisions for 39.8% of personal-name landlords, compared to 24.9% of company landlords.