Marriage, higher earnings keys to landlord success

Research from Landlord Mortgages suggests the typical demographic of a buy-to-let landlord is of a married couple with at least one partner earning well in excess of national average wages.

Some 40% of 20,000 such landlords surveyed by the broker involve their spouses, often splitting the workload.

While the men perform DIY and organise financing, women tend to look after refurbishment and management of properties, the broker adds.

Sharing the workload is not the only advantage; properties held jointly mean spouses who have not used their personal tax allowances can “receive” income from the properties up to the limit.

Marriage also brings CGT advantages come time to sell properties.

Motivation between spouses in reaching investment and return targets also helps meet financial goals, LM says.