Independent research commissioned by specialist buy-to-let lender Paragon Mortgages has revealed that property acquisition activity remained strong in the first quarter of 2012.

The report, produced by independent researchers BDRC Continental, showed that during the last three months landlords increased their portfolio size by 1.8 properties. In Q1 2012 the average portfolio size was 10.8 properties, accommodating 1.3 tenants per property.

Of those landlords that took part in the survey, 20% said that they expect to purchase property in the next 12 months. However, of those Paragon Mortgages customers who took part in the survey, 35% said that they expect to add to their portfolio in 2012. Terraced houses continued to be the most popular property choice for investment (64%), followed by flats (individual units) 57% and semidetached houses 46%.

Tenant profiles remained largely unchanged in Q1 with young singles still the most prolific tenant type (53%), followed by young couples (51%) and families with children (51%).

Attitudes around being a landlord remained positive and 89% of those surveyed said that they are satisfied with their current tenancies.