Market Opportunities for Landlords and Investors: Insights from Liz Syms, CEO of Connect for Intermediaries. At Connect for Intermediaries, we support landlords and property investors across the UK. Drawing on insights from CEO and founder Liz Syms, we highlight current market trends and ways landlords can stay competitive.
“If I could offer one piece of advice to landlords aiming to grow or futureproof their portfolio, it would be this: take a step back and assess your current position before making any moves” – Liz Syms – Connect Mortgages.
Current Opportunities in the Property Market
The UK property market continues to change, but opportunities remain for landlords and investors who plan carefully, understand lenders’ criteria, and keep their portfolios aligned with regulation, tenant demand, and long-term value.
For many landlords, the focus is no longer only on buying more property. The stronger opportunity may be in reviewing existing financing, improving rental yield, reassessing the ownership structure, upgrading energy performance, and identifying locations where demand remains resilient.
Liz Syms, CEO and Founder of Connect Group, has long championed a more strategic approach to buy-to-let and specialist property finance. Her view is simple: before landlords expand, refinance or restructure, they should first understand where they are now.
“If I could offer one piece of advice to landlords aiming to grow or futureproof their portfolio, it would be this: take a step back and assess your current position before making any moves.”
This article explores the current opportunities for landlords and investors, the risks to plan around, and how specialist mortgage advice can support better long-term decisions..
Landlord and Investor Market: Quick Facts
| Area | What landlords should consider |
|---|---|
| Rental demand | Demand remains strong in many areas, especially where affordability pressures keep people renting for longer |
| Regulation | The Renters’ Rights Act has changed how landlords let private rented homes |
| Energy efficiency | The government has proposed raising minimum standards for privately rented homes to EPC C by 2030 |
| Finance | Mortgage reviews remain important as fixed-rate products mature |
| Ownership structure | Limited company buy-to-let may suit some landlords, but it should be reviewed with tax and mortgage advice |
| Portfolio strategy | Stronger returns may come from improving existing assets, not only acquiring new ones |
| Adviser opportunity | Brokers can support landlords with refinancing, restructuring and specialist lending options |
Why Landlords Need a More Strategic Approach
Landlords and investors are operating in a more professional market. Rising costs, regulatory changes, tax considerations, and tenant expectations mean that property investment now requires a more structured approach than in the past.
The most successful landlords are not simply chasing growth. They are reviewing whether each property still performs well, whether the borrowing structure remains suitable and whether the portfolio is prepared for future requirements.
This is where advice becomes important. A landlord with one buy-to-let property may need support when a fixed rate ends. A portfolio landlord may need help reviewing debt across several properties. A company landlord may need a specialist lender that understands limited-company ownership, rental calculations, and portfolio background.
Current Opportunities in the Property Market
The UK property market still offers opportunities for landlords and investors who adapt their strategy. However, the best opportunities are likely to come from informed planning rather than short-term decisions.
Regional cities and commuter towns remain important for investors seeking rental demand and value outside the highest-cost areas. Locations with strong employment, universities, transport links and regeneration can continue to attract tenants, particularly students, young professionals and families.
Some landlords are also reviewing whether underused or mixed-use properties could offer stronger long-term potential. Commercial-to-residential conversion, semi-commercial property and specialist accommodation may provide opportunities, although these areas usually require more detailed planning, valuation and lending support.
Energy efficiency is another area where landlords can create value. Properties with stronger energy performance may become more attractive to tenants, lenders and future buyers. Planning ahead can also reduce the risk of rushed upgrade costs later.
Regulation: What Has Changed for Landlords?
Regulation is now a central part of landlord planning. The Renters’ Rights Act has changed how landlords let private rented homes, with changes coming into effect from 1 May 2026.
For landlords, this means tenancy management, rent reviews, possession routes and compliance processes should all be reviewed. Investors should not treat regulation as a separate issue from finance. It can influence cash flow, risk, property selection, insurance, tenant profile and future exit planning.
Landlords should also keep energy efficiency under review. The government has proposed raising minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC C by 2030. This means landlords may need to plan improvement works, review costs and consider how upgrades could affect property value and rental appeal.
- GOV.UK guidance on the Renters’ Rights Act
- GOV.UK consultation on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes
How Investor Strategies Are Evolving
Investor behaviour has changed. Many landlords now view property as a business rather than a passive investment. This has led to greater attention to yield, borrowing structure, tax planning, operational costs, and long-term portfolio resilience.
Some landlords are exploring limited company buy-to-let structures. This can be suitable in some cases, particularly for landlords building or holding larger portfolios, but it is not automatically the best option for everyone. Tax treatment, mortgage rates, lender criteria, administration costs and exit plans all need to be considered.
Other landlords are diversifying by property type. Some are looking at HMOs, multi-unit blocks, semi-commercial property, holiday lets or properties in different regions. Each route has different lending requirements, management demands and regulatory considerations.
The key point is that strategy should come before action. Landlords should review their current position before expanding, refinancing or restructuring.
For advisers working with portfolio landlords, limited company buy-to-let mortgages can be an important area of specialist support.
The Shift Towards Professional Landlord Portfolios
The private rental sector has become more professional. Landlords are expected to understand regulation, maintain property standards, manage tenants fairly and plan their finances carefully.
This shift not only affects large landlords. Smaller landlords also need to think more commercially. A landlord with one or two properties may still need to consider EPC planning, rent review processes, mortgage renewals, insurance, maintenance, tax treatment and future borrowing options.
For portfolio landlords, the level of planning is even greater. Lenders may assess the wider portfolio, not only the individual property being financed. They may review rental cover, background borrowing, property type, ownership structure and overall exposure.
This is why specialist advice can be valuable. A broker who understands buy-to-let, limited company structures and portfolio lending can help landlords prepare better before approaching lenders.
Liz Syms’ View: Review Before You Move
Liz Syms’ advice to landlords remains highly relevant: review the current position before making the next move.
That means checking:
- Existing mortgage terms
- Rental income and stress testing
- Property condition
- EPC rating
- Ownership structure
- Tax position
- Regulatory exposure
- Tenant demand
- Future borrowing needs
- Expansion plans
This review-first approach helps landlords make better decisions. It can also help advisers identify where specialist finance, product transfers, remortgages, further advances or restructuring may be appropriate.
Property Reporter interview with Liz Syms
Common Mistakes Landlords Should Avoid
Landlords and investors should avoid rushing into decisions without understanding the wider consequences.
Common mistakes include:
- Expanding before reviewing existing borrowing
- Assuming limited company ownership is always better
- Ignoring EPC improvement costs
- Waiting too long before a mortgage product expires
- Relying on rental yield alone
- Overlooking local tenant demand
- Failing to plan for regulation
- Treating every lender’s criteria as the same
A more careful approach can help landlords protect cash flow, reduce risk and make more informed investment decisions.
Support More Landlord and Investor Clients With Connect
Landlords and property investors are facing a more complex market, but complexity can create opportunity for advisers with the right support.
Connect for Intermediaries helps mortgage advisers access specialist knowledge, lender relationships and practical support across buy-to-let, limited company mortgages, commercial finance, bridging, development finance and wider property investment cases.
If you want to grow your specialist mortgage business and confidently support more landlord clients, Connect can help you take the next step.
