Buy to Let Mortgages
Buying property for investment purposes has become increasingly popular over the last few years with the potential returns looking very attractive compared to conventional investments.
Until recently rental income was not considered when assessing a borrowers ability to meet mortgage payments. However now that rental income can be included some lenders add rent to any salary earnings whilst others will base the loan entirely on rental income. Any existing mortgage will reduce the amount that can be borrowed under a buy to let scheme.
ARLA (The Association Of Residential Letting Agents) is the professional and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. ARLA runs a buy to let scheme that is supported by a panel of lenders. Other lenders outside of the scheme also offer buy to let mortgages and borrowers are not specifically required to go through an Arla agent.
Most lenders require a deposit of at least 15% although deals become more competitive if more than 20% is put down as a deposit.
Buy to let mortgage rates are generally less competitive than ordinary rates although all the usual types of deal are still available, i.e. discount rates.
Some lenders have limits (usually 3 to 5 loans) on the number of buy to let mortgages they will accept from an individual and some will also have a maximum for the overall amount that can be borrowed.