Expo: Over-regulation 'detrimental to BTL sector'

While Rob Thomas said that it is likely that buy-to-let has seen all the regulation it is likely to see for the short-term, the private rented sector "needs to be nurtured and not attacked with too much red tape" if it is to further thrive.

He said that at the moment, the introduction of more regulation could prove to be the biggest negative influence on the sector and the government needs to exercise an element of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' in its approach and should continue to show equal support to both rental and owner-occupier sectors.

Andrew Lees, head of sales at Paragon agreed, saying: "The fundamental reason for regulation is to protect people from losing their home. If buy-to-let mortgages start to be a bigger regulatory target then there will also have to be a push to regulate commercial lending."

Thomas said that going forward into 2008, buy-to-let activity will not be quite as strong, but the overall outlook still looks good. Even though house prices are beginning to fall, they are still too high for the average first-time buyer, which will in turn impact positively on the private rental sector.

Lees added that buy-to-let continues to see stronger credit quality than the residential market, supporting Thomas' positive market outlook that demand in the sector will strengthen and show a renewed stability.

He highlighted that professional landlords are looking for easy access and minimal documentation when it comes to arranging their mortgages, alongside a limitless amount of properties.