New figures from Hamptons show big increase in buy-to-let companies in 2025, which has continued this year.
16th Feb 20260 795 1 minute read David Callaghan
The boom in buy-to-let companies continued last year, with only mail order firms proving more popular.
New figures from Hamptons show that by the end of 2025, there were 443,272 active UK buy-to-let companies registered at Companies House. This was nearly five times the 91,278 recorded in 2016.
And the numbers have continued to rise this year, with new incorporations running 11% above the same month last year.
Smaller shareThis rise comes despite investors accounting for a smaller share of home purchases, as investors bought 10.8% of homes in 2025, down from 11.9% the year before.
Hamptons’ analysis shows that 66,587 new companies were formed to hold buy-to-let property in 2025.
This represents an 8% increase on 2024’s total of 61,517, and a 363% rise over the last decade.
Carried into 2026This momentum has carried into 2026, with 5,922 new buy-to-let limited companies set up in January 2026.
More than three-quarters of new buy-to-let purchases are now made through limited companies.
Today, limited company ownership makes financial sense for the majority of landlords.”
Aneisha Beveridge, Head of Research, Hamptons
Aneisha Beveridge, Head of Research at Hamptons, says: “Landlord’s shift towards limited company ownership continued through 2025, and shows little sign of slowing this year.
“As more landlords find themselves pulled into the 40% income tax bracket, paying corporation tax at 19% or even 25% has become increasingly attractive,” she says.
“Today, limited company ownership makes financial sense for the majority of landlords, with around 75%-80% of all new buy-to-let purchases now made via a company.”
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TagsLandlord limited company 16th Feb 20260 795 1 minute read David Callaghan Share Facebook X LinkedIn Share via Email
