Foundation Home Loans MD Jeff Knight believes landlords have had to "batten down the hatches" as rents and portfolios have been hit by political uncertainty.
Many landlords have reviewed their portfolio sizes and increased rents in response to the ongoing political situation, according to the latest sentiment research from the company.
When asked how they had been influenced by the uncertainty since the EU Referendum and General Election, 38 per cent of landlords said they had reviewed the size of their portfolios to ensure they could withstand any creeping costs.
Some seven per cent have sold off properties to either reduce portfolio sizes or diversify, rising to 19 per cent for those holding 20 properties or more as PRA policy change edges closer.
And 30 per cent have hiked rental prices, with the greatest proportion doing so in the East Midlands (41%) as landlords recognise the popularity of the region for professionals seeking the balance of space alongside proximity to London.
Mr Knight said: “Landlords have been met with a raft of changes, from stamp duty charges to shifts in tax policy, and the lack of certainty on the political front has clouded the picture somewhat.
"The response has been to ‘batten down the hatches’, streamlining larger portfolios and protecting income by increasing rents - decisions that can be reviewed once the buy to let market is more accommodating.
"The fact remains that, whether it’s as a stepping stone to home ownership or a longer term lifestyle decision for tenants, the rental sector is an increasingly important part of the housing mix. This will ultimately be best served by a wide choice of property, and good landlords who can have confidence in decent returns.”