Almost a quarter of landlords plan to expand their property portfolios over the next five years, according to the National Landlords Association (NLA).

Nearly 60% of landlords believe the size of their property portfolios will remain unchanged over the same period. Fewer than 18% of landlords suggested the size of their portfolios would reduce over the same time frame and 2.4% said they planned to exit the private rented sector completely.

David Salusbury, chairman of the NLA, said: “The fall-out from the so-called credit crunch has dominated public attention in recent weeks, but in times of financial uncertainty people continue to need a roof over their heads. That landlords are committed to invest further in the private rented sector over the next five years demonstrates that they remain confident about their businesses over the medium term.”