Buy-to-Let Mortgages, For Landlords Who Want It Done Properly
Whether this is your first rental property or you’re adding to a portfolio, buy-to-let mortgages get assessed differently to residential ones, rental income matters as much as your personal income, sometimes more.
We’ll work out what’s realistic for your situation, whether that’s your first purchase, a remortgage, or growing a portfolio you already hold.
How Buy-to-Let Lending Actually Works
Most buy-to-let lenders focus on the property’s expected rental income relative to the mortgage payment, often called the Interest Cover Ratio (ICR), rather than relying purely on your personal salary. Deposits are typically higher than residential mortgages too, often 20 to 25% minimum.
If you’re buying through a limited company rather than personally, the lending criteria and tax treatment differ again. We’ll talk through which structure suits your situation, without giving you tax advice we’re not qualified to give, that’s a conversation for your accountant, but we’ll make sure your mortgage strategy lines up with it.
First-Time Landlords
Some lenders are cautious about first-time landlords, particularly if you don’t already own your own home. It doesn’t rule you out, but it does narrow which lenders will consider you, which is exactly the kind of thing worth knowing before you make an offer, not after.
Growing or Remortgaging a Portfolio
Portfolio Landlords
Portfolio landlords face additional affordability assessments across the whole portfolio, not just the property in question. We navigate these rules cleanly.
Equity Release & Refinancing
Remortgaging existing rentals to release equity for further purchases is common, and worth reviewing regularly rather than defaulting to your lender’s standard variable rate.
Protecting your rental property
Landlord insurance is different to standard home insurance and covers things a typical policy won’t, like loss of rent or malicious damage by tenants. Take a look at our landlord insurance page, or our full mortgage protection advice if you’d rather cover everything in one conversation.
Why Landlords Stick With Us
We keep on top of a market that keeps moving
Buy-to-let lending criteria shift more often than residential; lenders tighten and loosen affordability rules, limited company criteria change, and portfolio thresholds move. We keep on top of that so you don’t have to.
We search the whole market, not a shortlist
Because we’re whole of market rather than tied to a handful of specialist lenders, you’re not stuck with whoever we happen to know best, you get genuinely compared options.
We think about your next property too
Whether you’re planning to stop at one rental or build a portfolio, we’ll structure this purchase with an eye on what comes next, rather than treating it as a one-off transaction.
Buy-to-Let FAQs
How much deposit do I need for buy-to-let?
Typically a minimum of 20 to 25%, higher than a standard residential mortgage, though the exact figure depends on the lender and the property’s expected rental income.
Can I get a buy-to-let mortgage as a first-time landlord?
Often, yes, though your lender options may be more limited, particularly if you don’t already own your own home. We’ll tell you honestly which lenders are realistic for your situation.
Should I buy through a limited company or personally?
It depends on your tax position, your plans for growing a portfolio, and mortgage availability, since not all lenders offer limited company buy-to-let. We’ll cover the mortgage side, and recommend speaking to an accountant on the tax side.
What counts as a portfolio landlord?
Most lenders define this as four or more mortgaged rental properties, which triggers an additional affordability assessment across your whole portfolio rather than just the property you’re buying or remortgaging.
Latest News
Insights & Market Updates
Ready to Talk it Through?
Whether it’s your first rental or your tenth, let’s find out what’s realistic for you.
Prefer to talk right now? Call 0800 1 777 333