Unlock Rental Opportunities with a Buy to Let Loan.

Buy to Let Loans made simple.

If you’re ready to take the leap with a rental property, don’t let struggling to find the right finance hold up your plans. Whether you’re entering the rental market for the first time, planning to expand an already extensive portfolio, or your situation is a little more complex, we can help.

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Understanding Buy to Let Mortgages.

Buy to let mortgages are specialist mortgages designed to allow people to purchase a property that they themselves don’t intend to live in but instead will let out to a tenant/tenants on either a long or short-term basis.

A Buy to Let Mortgage might be right for you if you’re…

  • Taking those first steps into the rental market

  • Growing an existing property portfolio

  • Planning rental property renovations

  • Wanting to release equity from an existing rental property

  • Looking to rent out a property as a holiday let

*Eligibility criteria vary between lenders, and terms will depend on several factors, including your personal experience, financial situation, and the specifics of the property you want to buy. 

Types of Buy to Let Mortgages

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Residential Buy to Let Mortgages

A residential buy to let mortgage could be the way to go if you’ve spotted a property that you want to purchase and rent out for private tenants to live in. For example a simple buy to let loan for a single residential property let out to 1 tenant.

However, there are certain situations where specialist types of residential Buy to Let mortgages are required.

Buy to let mortgage application

  • Buy-to-let portfolio mortgages: For landlords managing multiple rental properties

  • Multi-unit block mortgages: For purchasing properties with multiple self-contained units on one freehold title (see our Specialist Property Finance page for more information on MUFB loans)

  • HMO’s: A mortgage for a property that has at least 3 unrelated tenants that form more than one household. They would share facilities such as bathrooms and kitchen. (to learn more about HMO financing visit out Specialist Property Finance page).

  • Holiday let or short-term rental property mortgages: For either your traditional holiday lets or shorter stays such as those advertised on AirBnB or Vrbo.

  • Expat or foreign national buy-to-let mortgages: For investors living abroad

Semi-Commercial Mortgages

A semi-commercial mortgage is a type of finance for properties that have both residential and commercial space. These properties are also known as mixed-use properties.

Examples of semi-commercial properties:

  • A shop with a flat above it

  • A house converted to include business premises

  • A block with both offices and flats

What to expect with a Buy to Let Mortgage.

Eligibility criteria does vary from lender to lender, and they’ll take into account your personal situation and the property you’re looking at purchasing.  

Most lenders will look at: 

  • The security property and whether it meets their lending criteria

  • Affordability calculations (based on the potential income of the rental property)

  • Your previous experience or property portfolio

  • Your credit history (or file) 

Want to see an example of finance terms? Use our buy to let mortgage loan calculator to find out.

Having a dedicated Buy to Let team by your side is key

As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to Buy to Let mortgages. But imagine having access to experienced Buy to Let professionals that know the market inside out. When you work with Key, you do. At the centre of our Buy to Let team are two Buy to Let specialists, Liz and Michelle.

Liz Lloyd
Operations Manager

Liz’s 25 years of customer service experience have made her an incredible asset to our team since she joined in 2015. 
Having previously worked as a Mortgage Advisor, and carrying her CeMAP qualification, Liz is a valued member of our dedicated Buy to Let team, specialising in complex cases such as HMO’s, MUFBs and holiday lets. 
Liz takes great pride in finding the best possible solution for her clients, whilst always offering a high level of customer service.

Michelle Mackenzie
Business Development Executive

CeMAP qualified Michelle is one of our dedicated Buy to Let specialists, adept at sourcing specialist products for complex buy to let cases including HMOs, multi-block units and holiday lets. 
With over 20 years experience in customer support, Michelle is well known for supporting the wider team and ensuring a fast and efficient service for our clients, going above and beyond to help them find the right solution.

From your free initial consultation, Liz and Michelle make understanding your situation a top priority so that the finance options they present to you are the very best possible fit. Then, working alongside the rest of our team, they make sure the journey to getting your funds is a smooth one. 

Buy to Let Loan FAQs

  • You will need a buy-to-let mortgage if you are purchasing a residential property that you intend to rent out to long-term or short-term tenants. If the property is to be used as a holiday let, you may require a specialist holiday let mortgage.

  • Yes, you can secure a buy to let mortgage if you are a first-time buyer, however it can be significantly more challenging.  Lenders may require evidence of strong financial backing.  Working with an experienced broker who knows the right lenders and products can significantly improve your chances of approval.

  • Yes, you can secure a buy-to-let mortgage through a limited company, meaning the property will be owned by the company rather than by you as an individual. This approach can offer benefits, such as keeping your personal and business portfolios separate. Working with a specialist broker can help you find the right lenders and products for your needs.

  • Deposits will vary between lenders but are typically around 25% of the property’s purchase price.

  • The amount you can borrow on a buy-to-let mortgage is typically based on the property's expected rental income. Most lenders require the rental income to cover at least 125% to 145% of the monthly mortgage repayments. Other factors, such as your financial situation, the type and location of the property, and current interest rates, can also influence how much you can borrow.

Not sure if a buy to let mortgage is right for you?

If a Buy to Let mortgage doesn’t feel right for your current situation, there are more options. And the good news is, we can help you discover which is right. Take a look at some of the other finance options available below.