The bank’s client barometer explored the views of property professionals in the wake of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.

It found that 57% of property investors were confident or fairly confident about the lending environment over the next six months, just one percentage point down on January’s figure. 

Meanwhile, confidence was up among buy-to-let investors with 58% looking to buy an additional property over the next year.

Brexit remains the biggest challenge investors will face this year according to the barometer, but 44% remain unsure what impact the decision to leave the EU will have and how subsequent property price changes will impact them.

“As a lender, it is encouraging to see sustained confidence in the lending market since the beginning of the year at a time when the sector has seen a great deal of change,” stated Stephen Johnson, deputy CEO and managing director of property finance at Shawbrook.

“Seeing this optimism reflected in investors’ plans to acquire new BTL properties is a promising sign that the specialist market shows no signs of slowing despite uncertainty.”

Property investors, however, did feel less confident about the prospects for the UK economy with 48% fairly or very concerned about the economic outlook post-Brexit.

Shawbrook found that investors that were more negative in their outlook believed that falling house prices would be the main adverse effect from Brexit, followed by decreased competition.

Those with a positive view on the other hand saw decreased competition as the major plus point from the referendum result, followed by less regulation and red tape.

“At Shawbrook, we have not yet seen any real change in customer behaviour and there is still a great deal of activity across the commercial business,” Stephen added. 

“While the aftermath of Brexit provides uncertainty for landlords – with many waiting to see the impact on house prices, tenant demand and housing supply – there is also opportunity, with investors potentially benefiting from this pricing drop to secure property more cheaply. 

“While the full effects of the referendum result remain to be seen, it is clear those who have confidence in their business model and a sensible level of gearing are best placed to prosper through any period of uncertainty."