According to a new RICS survey published today, the buy-to-let market has ground to a halt.

The number of new landlords looking to rent properties stagnated for the first time since 1998. The latest letting survey cites current interest rates as the main cause for the market standstill, as it has deterred many new buy-to-let investors from entering the market.

With many prospective buyers waiting for the property market to stabilise, tenant demand has increased. Consequently rents are continuing to rise in all regions of Britain except the South East, with the Midlands and Eastern regions seeing the biggest gains.

Commenting on the new survey, RICS spokesperson, Jeremy Leaf says: "Poor prospects on return and capital growth are keeping new investors out of the buy-to-let market although continuing healthy tenant demand means existing landlords are holding firm.

Thursday 26 May
British Land predict a rise to office prices.

City of London office pri