Confidence is returning to the UK’s private rented sector, according to new research from Rely, the buy-to-let lender from OSB Group. It shows landlords feel significantly more optimistic about the future than they did a year ago, despite continued pressure from rising costs, regulation and tenant affordability.
The annual Landlord Leaders 2025 study reveals a marked improvement in sentiment across the sector, suggesting a market that is stabilising and adapting rather than retreating. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of landlords now say they feel optimistic about operating as a landlord in the future, up from 47% last year, representing a sharp rebound in confidence.
While challenges remain, fewer landlords are actively reconsidering their position in the sector. Just 24% now say they are concerned and reassessing their future as a landlord, down from 29% in 2024, indicating that uncertainty is easing rather than intensifying. The proportion of landlords who feel pessimistic about the future has also declined, even as economic and regulatory pressures persist.
The research also highlights a strengthening sense of purpose across the sector. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of landlords say they provide a vital service to the UK by housing those who need it most, reinforcing the role of the private rented sector in supporting housing demand.
Adrian Moloney, Group Lending Distribution Director, Rely Mortgages, said: “We are seeing a clear shift in sentiment in the buy-to-let space. 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.”
