Flats are still the preferred choice of landlords, yet in the longer term what may actually be required in cities are more houses, writes David Lawrenson.

Changing demographics, supply issues and government policies may converge to make houses a better option in the long run.

I get lots of information sent to me about how the market is doing. After a while it can all go over your head a bit.

However, over the past year or so, there is one set of statistics that keeps leaping out at me. It is both surprising and interesting, and seems to be corroborated from a number of different sources.

The particular statistic is all about how houses seem to be outpacing flats as an investment - both on capital values and also on rental yields.