Buy to let mortgages work differently from residential property — lenders look at rental income, property type and your experience as a landlord, not just your personal earnings. I help landlords across London find buy to let mortgages that fit their plans, whether you're buying your first rental property or managing a growing portfolio.
Buy to Let Mortgage Advice for Landlords
First-time landlords
Buying your first rental property comes with its own set of questions — from how much deposit you'll need to how lenders calculate what you can borrow based on expected rent. I'll tell you about the basics and what to expect.
Experienced landlords
If you already own one or two rental properties, you'll know the process, but lender criteria changes, and what worked for your last mortgage might not be the best option this time round.
Portfolio landlords
Once you own four or more mortgaged properties, many lenders assess your application differently. Rather than looking at one property in isolation, they may review your portfolio as a whole, including rental income, borrowing levels, property types and overall experience as a landlord.
This is where working with a broker who understands portfolio lending can make a real difference. We arrange mortgages for portfolio landlords across the UK and can help you structure your next application clearly, whether you are expanding an established portfolio or looking for ways to scale more effectively.
Standard buy to let mortgages
Most residential landlords buy in their personal name using a standard buy to let mortgage. I can help you compare options based on rental yield, deposit size and your long-term plans. We can help you make the right decision for your investment property.
Limited Company Buy to Let Mortgages
Some landlords choose to buy property through a limited company rather than in their own name — often for tax reasons, though this depends entirely on personal circumstances and isn't right for everyone.
How limited company buy to let mortgages work
Limited company buy to let mortgages are structured differently from standard buy to let borrowing. The property is owned by the company, and the mortgage is taken out in the company’s name rather than in your personal name.
Lenders will usually look at the company structure, the experience of the directors, the proposed property, and whether personal guarantees are required. In most cases, you will need to set up an SPV — a Special Purpose Vehicle — with the correct SIC codes before applying.
It may also be possible to use an existing trading company to hold buy to let property, but this is a more specialist area of lending. If you are considering this route, please contact us and we can talk through the options available to you.
Tax and planning considerations
A limited company structure can offer advantages for some landlords, particularly those with larger or growing portfolios. However, whether it is the right option depends on your personal tax position, investment plans and long-term goals.
We always recommend speaking to an accountant before deciding how to structure your buy to let property. This will help ensure your overall setup is appropriate and that you understand the potential tax, lending and planning implications before moving forward.
Finding the Right Buy to Let Lender
Buy to let lenders vary considerably in what they'll accept. Some key things that differ from lender to lender:
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How they calculate rental income against the mortgage (known as rental cover)
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Minimum deposit requirements, often higher than for residential mortgages
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Which property types they'll lend on — flats above shops, new builds, or HMOs, for example, aren't accepted by every lender
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Applicant circumstances, including income outside of rent, age, and portfolio size
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Matching your circumstances to the right lender's criteria is where a specialist broker adds real value.
Buy to Let Mortgages for Different Circumstances
I work with a range of landlord situations, including:
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Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
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Holiday lets and short-term rentals
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Multi-Unit-Blocks (MUB)
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Remortgaging existing buy to let properties
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Remortgaging your residential home to raise funds for buy to let purchase.
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Limited Company Mortgages (SPV and LLP
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Personal but to let
Why Use a Specialist Buy to Let Broker?
Buy to let is a specialist part of the mortgage market, with its own rules and lender criteria that can change regularly. Working with a broker who deals with buy to let mortgages every day means you receive advice based on how the market works now — not general mortgage knowledge applied to a landlord’s situation.
The Buy to Let Mortgage Process
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Initial conversation — we talk through your plans, whether you are buying your first rental property, adding to an existing portfolio, or remortgaging.
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Reviewing your options — we compare suitable lenders based on your circumstances, the property, achievable rent, interest rates, deposit requirements and lender fees.
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Agreement in principle and application — once we have identified a suitable route, we help you obtain an agreement in principle, prepare the application and gather the documents the lender needs.
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Mortgage completion — we stay involved throughout underwriting, valuation and completion, keeping you updated and making any necessary adjustments along the way.
How Much Does It Cost To Use a Mortgage Broker For Buy To Let Advice?
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Fees for buy to let advice
Buy to let applications can take longer than standard mortgage cases, especially where portfolio landlords or more complex property structures are involved.
Before an application is submitted, lenders may ask for additional information such as portfolio spreadsheets, business plans, rental income details and supporting documents. This preparation helps present your case clearly and gives the lender the information they need to assess it properly.
If a broker fee applies, we will explain this after your free consultation and confirm the details before any work begins.
Buy To Let FAQs
“A good friend of mine recommended to approach Keith with regards to various buy-to-let mortgage options for my second home in Liverpool. Keith was excellent throughout the process and provided unbiased advice and options to suit my circumstances and needs.
I found Keith very knowledgeable, polite and easily approachable. I am so impressed with his services I have already requested him to find the best mortgage options for my main house.”