Because my father was the sort of person that didn't believe in an investment he couldn't touch, his retirement pot became a small handful of properties.

He got to the age where I needed to take over because he couldn't keep up, now it's me trying to keep on top of things (including fighting agencies to stop them doing dumb things) whilst I wind down the portfolio.

Could just s.21 the lot and sell, but I'm trying to align sale of properties to end of tenancies, so no one has an unplanned move.

In the interim, I'm a landlord...

To crush your tenants, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.

I owned a flat and wanted to move out because of the area. I had family friends who, new to the country, were in a bad situation and needed a better place.

Even though the area is bad for me, it is better than what they had. They've done everything by the book to be here so all the best to them.

When they eventually move out I plan to sell.

Because we didn't need to sell our first house to buy our second. Then just kept putting saved up cash into other properties.

No real reason. At the back of my mind I was going to keep a property to let each of our children to live in, but that depends on these reforms /Epc c and whether I'm worn down by it all before then

Moved in with my now wife who had her own house. Mine is now rented out.

I can generate some income, not a lot, and hopefully the property will gain value over time that once capital gains is paid it beats a savings account.

I started out wanting to get rich and retire early. I never really got rich from it but I did have enough BTL income to leave work by mid 30s if I wanted.

Nowadays I stay in because I freak out when the stock market crashes. I put half of my net worth into property so it covers my living expenses which helps me sleep better at night with money in the markets.

I think had I just invested it all in the S&P I’d be a richer man but probably with more grey hair.

Overall it’s been quite an easy ride. Not too much hassle at all. Rents have gone up but capital appreciation on the ones I bought 2018-2020 has been woeful.

After a year or two of serious illness an insurance policy paid out. I knew nothing about investing but understood property, professionally. Used the payout to put down deposits on two flats. Eventually bought the other two flats in the building, then another in three flats, and lastly a mixed commercial premises. It’s now my retirement income.

Family lives close to Ukraine border and when Russia invaded we got a small flat to move my mother there if the need would come. So far it hasn’t.

My fil unfortunately passed suddenly a few years back. My husband and I weren't quite sure what to do with my husband's inheritance, but knew we didn't want to waste all of his hard-earned money over the years.

I ended up attending university in another city and we both thought we may as well buy a flat for me to stay in. And that's what we done. I had to come out due to pregnancy, so in the meantime we're renting it out until I can get back to my studies.

I bought a house with two dwellings - unbeknownst to me at the time. Now it’s either pay two council taxes, structurally changing the house or rent the second dwelling out.

Emigrated for work, don't want to sell my little family home.

Because I didn’t know what to do with my house after moving in with my partner. The tenants are ok but it’s not worth the 40% tax and other hassle. Selling up and going to invest most of it for less stress 

Moved in with my girlfriend who owned her house and rented mine. Got a place of our own together, and I basically had my half of the deposit saved up anyway, so left the renter in. The time has passed for me to get my higher stamp duty back, and the house breaks even. I don't want to be a landlord, but also it's mutually beneficial right now. He gets to stay at 2021 rental rate, i put £800 worth of upkeep every year, and maybe in 16 years I'll own it outright.

I wanted a steady and safe income that could help supplement my income and eventually help me retire early

The returns was better than what the investment market was telling me. So we (my husband) sold a 4 bed property in south London & 1 property in Australia & now we have rental properties & a home all owned outright. Which is why I am a landlord via my darling husband.

Part of a diversified investment portfolio. I got a good deal on my rental property, purchased it off market and with tenants in situ. Saved previous landlord a lot of time and money when they wanted to sell and I profited the change.

I was leaving the country, but needed a backup plan

I was made redundant 16 years ago and received a lump sump, I used this as a deposit and used the rent to support my income as I set up my new business. I had 3 btl properties but down to 1 now and that's for sale. I believe the money is better off in investments now. Blockchain, AI companies etc.

I don’t have a company pension so my properties will form my pension pot.

I ask myself the same question, I now know it’s not worth it, it’s not a money tree, just continual hassle that will ruin your mental health. And it’s going to get much MUCH worse……I’m out..

My parents were interested in buying one in 2007/7ish (just as well they didnt). I went on a lot of viewings with them when I was a teen.

Years later, I bought my first house, originally for myself, but then moved out and let it. I carried on buying more with the intention of it becoming a good side buisness

My husband died and I wanted to move away to be with family. We had only just bought the house so was advised to rent it out while I decide what I am doing.

I am now selling it… tenants were aware plan to sell at the beginning of the year.

I will still be a landlord though, as will be buying a new house with my new partner where I live now and will be renting his out. The cost of houses where I am now is a lot more from where mine was so the extra income is welcomed.

Pay ~£200 a month in the property I have to live in for work, wanted to get a property so I don't get left behind if property soars. Didn't really want the hassle but working out quite well.

I go work on contracts… I don’t really want to be a landlord 😂 I don’t want to buy a new house every 6 months either though.

Because in my 20's I did the "smart thing" - which in hindsight wasn't smart, and bought an apartment in a converted Victorian mansion to get on the property ladder.

Lived in it for 5 years and then moved in with my (now) wife. I had several failed attempts at selling it - even selling for a major loss didn't get to completion. Now resigned to the flat being unsellable at anywhere near a price that makes it worthwhile.

Good side is that it rents really easily and quickly, seems to attract good tenants and the mortgage has been quietly ticking down. Only about 5 years left to go now so I might have another go at selling once my current tenant decides to move on.

It was easier to rent out our first house than sell it at the time. We always intended to sell up later but also didn't want to evict tenants and by the time the first tenants had left after 5 years, we decided it was a good investment and we may as well keep it.

95% of landlords are accidental, holding onto a property when buying the next trying to be chain free but ending up keeping their last home, or landlord wannabes, purposely keeping their last while wanting to be a “landlord”, but somehow don’t buying another.

Most are backed by well paid career jobs, use an agent and most don’t know what a EPC is!

Because I love telling people at parties that this is what I do lol

not

Moved to in-laws house for complicated family reasons and rented out ours. It has been too stressful (being a landlord) so we are moving back to our house. The tax man has taken every spare £. I wouldn't advise anyone to be a landlord now.

Diversification.

Don’t want to be too invested in property, US market/ the market or crypto.

Diversify across the lot to try ensure my investments are protected.