Landlords are buying more properties than they are selling for the first time in two years, suggesting that activity could be picking up in the buy-to-let sector, according to the body that represents UK letting agents.

More than double the number of estate agents reported that landlords were buying properties in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the previous three months, according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla), which suggested that sentiment in the buy-to-let market seemed to be improving. A lower number of Arla members said landlords were selling properties.