CONTACT: the property team on 01926 457734 or email [email protected]

The phenomenon is reflected across the UK according to home hunting portal Rightmove, whose latest figures suggest the buy-to-let sector is on the rise thanks in part to the arrival of first time landlords.

The third quarter of 2012 saw a 20 per cent increase in buy-to-let lending nationwide compared with the same quarter in 2011, and Rightmove’s February consumer rental forecast reported that 74 per cent of private landlords intend to increase their stock in the next 12 months.

And it added that part of this growth has been down to ‘accidental landlords’ - people who have been unable to sell their property at an acceptable price, who opt to let them.

Brian Holt lettings manager Mark Walmsley said: “A growing part of our business is managing buy-to-lets for first time landlords. Many were quite reluctant landlords but have been pleasantly surprised to find that, with a little help, it can work out very well indeed. The number of first time buy-to-let customers is also increasing and I am sure some of them started off as accidental landlords!

“At the end of the day, letting could be considered the best of both worlds. It provides a good regular income - better than any high rate savings could muster - and a long term investment more likely than not to increase in value as the recession passes.”