The number of mortgages and remortgages given to buy-to-let landlords in the second half of 2007 was 179,100, up from 171,800 in the first half of the year. Michael Coogan, director general of the CML, said tenant demand for private rented property has remained strong and the buy-to-let market is fulfilling an important role in helping to deliver an increased flow of high quality homes to rent.

He said: “Buy to let has remained resilient in the face of the funding constraints that have affected the sector and the wider mortgage market. We expect to see a continuing healthy appetite for buy-to-let finance this year, in line with continuing expected consumer demand for private rental property.”