One of the biggest decisions property investors face in 2025 is how to hold their portfolio: in their own name, or through a company structure. For families building wealth together, this choice can have far-reaching implications. It affects borrowing power, tax efficiency, inheritance planning, and even day-to-day management of assets.

This isn’t a new debate, but the landscape has shifted significantly in recent years. Changes in how mortgage interest is treated for personal ownership, growing use of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), and lenders’ evolving appetite for company structures have pushed more landlords to reconsider their approach. Yet the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between personally and company-owned portfolios, highlight what lenders are looking for in 2025, and explain why professional tax and legal advice should always be part of the conversation.

The Case for Personally Owned Portfolios

For many landlords, property ownership began in their own name. Historically, this was the simplest and most cost-effective way to buy property. Borrowers benefited from straightforward access to mortgages, less paperwork, and often more competitive rates.

In 2025, personally owned portfolios still appeal for their simplicity. Lenders continue to offer a wide range of buy-to-let products to individual landlords, often with faster processing and fewer structural requirements. This can be particularly attractive for families starting with a handful of properties or for those who prioritise ease of management over longer-term tax considerations.

However, the key drawback is tax. The restrictions on mortgage interest relief introduced in recent years mean that landlords owning personally may pay significantly more tax on rental income than those holding property in a company. For higher-rate taxpayers, this can erode returns quickly.

The Rise of Company Ownership

Company structures—typically Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)—have surged in popularity. They allow families and landlords to separate their property activities from personal finances, which can create flexibility in both tax planning and succession.

In our article on SPVs vs. Trading Companies: What Landlords Must Know in 2025, we explained how lenders usually prefer SPVs over trading companies because they are clean, property-focused entities. This makes underwriting simpler and risk easier to assess.

Company ownership can also align better with intergenerational planning. Shares in a company can be transferred, enabling smoother succession and potentially allowing families to reduce tax exposure through professional advice.

That said, company ownership is not without its challenges. Setting up and running a company involves additional costs, regulatory requirements, and accountancy fees. Mortgages for company-owned properties may also carry higher rates and fees than those for individuals, particularly when dealing with high street lenders.

How Lenders View the Two Structures

In 2025, lenders are comfortable working with both personally owned and company-owned portfolios, but their appetite differs.

• High street lenders often prefer personal ownership, particularly for straightforward buy-to-let cases. They may be less flexible with company structures, especially if the borrower lacks a strong track record.

• Specialist lenders actively cater to company ownership. They understand SPVs, accept more complex income sources, and will often structure loans around the broader portfolio rather than individual properties.

• Private banks may consider either structure but are especially comfortable when company ownership sits within a wider family or estate planning context. They often take a long-term view and can provide portfolio-wide facilities that consolidate debt and free up liquidity.

As we explored in Private Bank Mortgages Explained: Benefits and Drawbacks, these lenders are frequently the best option for families with significant assets and more complex needs.

Tax Efficiency: Why Professional Advice Matters

For many families, the decision between personal and company ownership ultimately comes down to tax efficiency. Mortgage interest restrictions, dividend taxation, and corporation tax rates all play a role in determining which route is more beneficial.

However, the right answer varies from family to family. What makes sense for a landlord with two properties may be entirely different for a family business holding twenty. And while finance plays a crucial role, structuring should never be done in isolation from professional tax advice.

In our article on Inheritance Tax Planning with Whole of Life Policies, we explored how insurance-based strategies can complement property ownership decisions. This highlights the need for joined-up thinking: finance, tax, and estate planning must work hand in hand.

Succession and Long-Term Planning

Succession is often overlooked until it becomes urgent. Yet for families, how property is owned today directly affects how it will pass to the next generation. Personally owned portfolios may expose heirs to higher inheritance tax bills. Company ownership, on the other hand, allows for shares to be transferred gradually, providing more flexibility.

Trust structures also play a role here, as we examined in Trusts and Property Finance in 2025. Families that start succession planning early—aligning property ownership, finance, and legal structures—are better placed to protect wealth.

Which Path Makes Sense in 2025?

There is no universal answer. Personally owned portfolios still work for some landlords, particularly smaller investors or those who prefer simplicity. Company ownership often provides advantages for larger portfolios, families planning for succession, or those seeking tax flexibility.

The real question is whether your current structure is still the right one. Rules change, lender appetites evolve, and family circumstances shift. Portfolios that were efficient a decade ago may now be creating unnecessary costs or barriers to borrowing.

How Willow Can Help

At Willow Private Finance, we regularly work with both personally and company-owned portfolios. Our role is to identify which lenders are best placed to support your goals and to ensure that finance arrangements sit comfortably alongside your wider planning.

We are independent and whole of market, which means we can access high street lenders, specialist providers, and private banks. More importantly, we coordinate with your accountants and solicitors, ensuring that the lending we arrange is aligned with your chosen ownership structure.

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