The panel, chaired by Andy Shields of Barcadia Media and Made Events, featured leading voices from the sector such as Emily Hollands (OSB), Roger Morris (Chetwood Financial), Hugo Davies (LendInvest), David Whittaker (Keystone Property Finance), and Steve Cox (Fleet Mortgages).
Speaking during the discussion on the future of buy-to-let lending, Emily Hollands of OSB Group said: “The new generation of landlords are not scared of the regulation. They are not scared of the tax changes. Doing it in a limited company – that’s normal. But they’re also not scared of what type of property they buy.”
This younger cohort is tech-savvy, open to non-traditional property investments, and embracing vehicles like limited companies as standard practice. Platforms like TikTok have played an unexpected role in normalising property investment among young people, Hollands noted, helping to glamourise and demystify the process of entering the rental market.
Whittaker pointed to Companies House data showing the average age of directors setting up limited company buy-to-let structures is under 45. “That says to me there’s a new cohort coming in,” he said.
Panellists noted that while some older or amateur landlords are exiting the market, the professional end remains active and is even growing – with a growing trend toward diversification, with investors increasingly turning to HMOs, semi-commercial units, and other high-yield properties. Cox said: “We are a nation that invests in bricks and mortar. The professional landlords are staying put.”
Davies and Morris warned of looming challenges from EPC legislation and the Renters Reform Bill. Morris predicted a “cliff edge” in 2029 when thousands of landlords may be forced to sell due to retrofit costs, potentially triggering mass evictions. Whittaker and Cox, however, emphasised the sector’s historical resilience and ability to adapt.
For advisers, the message was clear: stay close to clients, embrace specialist lenders, and prepare for increased complexity. “Invest in yourself before you invest in your customers,” Morris said, referencing upcoming educational initiatives for brokers.
The panel agreed that while the market faces uncertainty, the next generation of landlords is ready to meet it head-on – and the buy-to-let sector is evolving, not retreating.
Andy Shields said: “This was a really encouraging session – both in seeing buy-to-let experts so optimistic about the future of the sector and the way existing landlords are adapting. It’s clear that new landlords, in particular, are rising to the current buy-to-let landscape, and speakers were clear that the market itself is adaptable – which was really reflected in the mood at MAE London, which was very buoyant. It was another productive, busy day for the advice community and we look forward to bringing another update from the experts at our Manchester event in the autumn.”
