"Departmental figures show that the vast majority of new housing in the UK since the turn of the millennium has been bought by landlords. Between 2000 and 2012, the private rented sector has accounted for some 2.5 million of the extra homes. Only 400,000 have been bought by occupiers."

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/life/property/article4311161.e ce?shareToken=15b2410d946d0a35bf4bb875d204d1d6