I imagine the results could be fairly comical.  

Unfortunately, the perception could be that they put profit before their tenants with a view to them generating long-term wealth.   

Anyone who has worked in the buy-to-let sector will be aware that the vast majority of landlords are nothing like the perception of their stereotypes.  

Most landlords I know want to ensure their tenants, are provided with good quality and safe accommodation to live in at a fair rent.  

And in fact, the data suggests that landlords are getting younger and are more likely to earn the majority of their income from their portfolios.  

That can only be good for buy-to-let – and I’ll explain why. 

Data from trade body UK Finance shows that the average buy-to-let applicant is currently 43.6 years old. That is exactly three years less than in 2014, when the data was first collected.  

A separate survey from July 2021 by Knight Knox, the property investment firm, revealed that nearly half (47%) of landlords are now 40 or under. Three years ago, just 29% of landlords were under 44, it said.  

One of the reasons for this, perhaps, is due to a number of older landlords selling up, which has resulted in a more youthful landlord sector. 

LV=, the insurer, revealed recently that younger people aged 18-34 years old were more likely to be full-time landlords than those over 55 – 20% versus 7%, respectively. 

But what does all of this mean for buy-to-let? 

For a start, we find that younger landlords have a greater ambition to grow portfolios by investing more than those who are older.  

They also bring fresh ideas and new ways of doing things, meaning the sector becomes more modern and relevant for the times we are living in. 

If that is the case, then we should see a larger number of homes enter the private rented market – and of a higher quality – which is important for the long-term health of the sector. 

Similarly with landlords getting younger there is more likelihood they will have this as their full-time profession. Whereas landlords who have other employment see their portfolios as additional income and therefore may be less focused and available for their tenants.  

A younger landlord population is also good for the future of buy to let.  

Various studies have shown that the under 40s are much more technology savvy than their older counterparts and increasingly transact using digital means. 

You only have to look at the runaway success of the likes Monzo and Starling to see how comfortable many people, especially the young, are using digital-only service providers. 

That means mortgage lenders will have to invest to modernise their digital infrastructure to keep pace, which should improve the customer journey for all borrowers. 

The data suggests landlords are younger, more engaged and dedicate a bigger share of their time to their portfolio than previous generations. 

If these trends continue, then I am confident over time that many of the myths surrounding landlords will disappear and, hopefully, the public will see what a valuable service they provide.  

Phil Riches is sales director of Keystone Property Finance