THE appeal of investing in a buy-to-let property remains as strong as ever, according to a new study.

Research by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has found that, despite the government’s decision to reduce mortgage interest tax relief for landlords, there are still plenty of reasons to secure a buy-to-let home.

Elaine Dunlop, branch manager at Leaders in Stroud, says: “Tenant demand remains incredibly high in Stroud and the surrounding area and is expected to continue to rise over the years to come. This means investors can buy a property safe in the knowledge there is likely to be a ready supply of tenants looking to rent.

“Demand is such that properties in the right locations that are well-presented let quickly. Void periods are extremely low with the average rental property being occupied for almost 50 weeks each year. Just six per cent of Leaders’ rental properties have been the subject of a void period in the last year, meaning the vast majority of our landlords have enjoyed rental income for at least 12 consecutive months.”

With so many people renting a home, it may come as no surprise to find PwC believes some 25 per cent of all homes in the UK will be tenanted - rather than owned - within the next five years.

High levels of demand can drive rents upwards, helping landlords to enjoy a healthy return on their investment.

And in Stroud, substantial capital growth is an additional likely source of financial return.

The buy-to-let market has continued to expand over recent years and is now extremely important to mortgage lenders.

In light of the recent tax relief changes on buy-to-let mortgage interest, some have even started to offer limited company buy-to-let finance products, providing landlords with a more tax-efficient option when it comes to investing in property.

“There are many excellent opportunities available to investors in the buy-to-let market - both in terms of properties and mortgages - that offer the potential for greater returns than generated by many other investment types,” Elaine says.

“To make the most of these favourable market conditions, you should consult a local, independent expert such as Leaders for impartial advice on which location and property type will best meet your investment goals.”

For more information on all aspects of buying-to-let please contact Leaders in Stroud on 01453 756100 or visit leaders.co.uk