A year ago, the buy-to-let market wasn’t going anywhere fast. But with rents stabilising – and even lifting due to a shortage of rental homes, 64 per cent of UK landlords are now feeling more confident about the buy-to-let market, according to lettings website Upad.

If you are keen to launch back into the investment world, what should you go for? Susan Cohen from Blenheim Bishop suggests sourcing a good-sized one or two-bedroom flat in a prime location offering good transport.

“With the current shortage, these properties are now at a premium,” she says. “We are selling one-bedroom flats ranging from £325 per week for one in a portered block near Great Portland Street Tube, up to £775 for a flat in Mayfair’s Mount Street.”

When buying a two-bedroom flat, it is important to get two double bedrooms, rather than one double and a single. “Aproperty with two similar sized bedrooms will be more attractive to sharers or a couple with a child,” Cohenargues.

Simon Buhl-Davis of Savills Interior Services believes new investors look for properties in good condition, or for something that can be renovated to a high standard to add rental and capital value.

“We are seeing such high demand for newly refurbished properties that every single project we worked on last year had the refurbishment works finishing on one day and new tenants moving in the following day. We really struggled to get professional cleaning done in the middle,” says Buhl-Davis.

Tenants like the idea they will be the first people to use the kitchen and bathrooms – “and it seems to be a psychological hygiene issue they are prepared to pay for,” he adds.

Anyone entering the buy-to-let market must be aware of negatives, such as void periods, as well as positives, says Ria Geerling from Henry & James’s Chelsea Green office.

“Do thorough research to find out as much as you can about the area where you are buying and think about what kind of tenant you hope to attract. Young professionals want to be close to good transport links; students want to be close to their colleges,” she points out.

Geerling also recommends not over- furnishing a property. “If it is a two- bedroom flat, I suggest leaving the second bedroom empty so the tenant can use it as a study or second bedroom, and the relevant furniture can be bought once the tenant has been found.”