January saw the buy-to-let sector surge ahead of other areas of the housing market, according to the latest research from Connells Survey and Valuation. While most of the housing market began the year with a subdued outlook, buy-to-let bucked this trend and was the strongest performing sector with 37% growth in activity since the previous month, and on an annual basis the smallest dip of just 4%.

John Bagshaw, corporate services director at Connells, comments: “The buy-to-let sector has bounced back after a disappointing performance in December when it had seen one of the biggest monthly falls. It now looks to have regained that lost ground as landlords – now spoilt for choice with a record number of mortgage products to choose from – begin to invest more. Low mortgage rates have also continued, posing even more attractive deals for potential landlords or those expanding portfolios.”

The first time buyer sector of the housing market was the only other sector which saw a monthly increase in valuations activity. On a month-on-month basis, activity for first time buyers increased by 3% though on an annual basis it saw one of the biggest falls of 28% compared to January 2014.