After all the recent price crash warnings, BTL is doomed this year…isn’t it?

A year which has begun with major concerns about the housing market may be expected by many to be a harbinger of doom for the buy-to-let industry as well. But is this actually the case?

Assetz (http://www.assetz.co.uk) argues that contrary to the prevailing belief, BTL is in safe ground

Those involved in investing in property themselves appear to think otherwise, however. Yet another poll has shown that the gloomy view taken by so many commentators is not shared by those whose direct involvement in the industry.

Far from indicating a tale of woe, the latest survey by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla) indicated that nine out of ten landlords had no intention of selling their property until they had owned it for a decade. This poll, taken in the fourth quarter of 2007, also showed that four out of ten planned to expand their portfolios further.

Landlords optimistic?

Such figures might come as a surprise to some following recent negative publicity about the property industry, but not those who have followed this kind of research.

Last month a survey of landlords by Bradford and Bingley produced a similar result, with 86 per cent saying they would maintain or expand their portfolios in 2008, while 60 per cent declared themselves to be unconcerned by the talk of a slump in the market. Similarly, an Alliance & Leicester poll showed 71 per cent regarded their prospects for 2008 as good or very good.

One key element which some commentators may have overlooked is the attitude of the overwhelming majority towards the term of their investments.

The fact that most respondents to the Arla survey plan to hold on to their property for a decade or longer can be juxtaposed with the findings that just two per cent of landlords intended to hold on to their portfolios for less than two years. All this suggests that while a get-rich-quick approach may not be a good idea at present, those in it for the longer run believe they can rise out any shorter term difficulties.

Demand for secured loans ‘buoyant’

This is certainly the view of one commentator, Intermediary Mortgage Lenders' Association executive director Peter Williams. He commented that there was far more good news in the latest Bank of England data than some had acknowledged.

He stated: "Demand for secured loans has remained buoyant and indeed demand for buy-to-let and other [non-prime] loans actually exceeded expectations overall."

Mr Williams said there was a good reason for this - that British consumers took a "longer term view" of matters and thus remained confident about their borrowing.

Based on the latest surveys, it appears most buy-to-let landlords are in agreement.