How do buy to let mortgages work?

How do I get a buy to let mortgage?

Getting a buy to let mortgage can take a bit of research, time and patience to make the right decisions at every phase of the process.

The good news is that you'll learn all about that process on this page. The better news is that we can do most of the hard work for you.  

How to choose a buy to let property

There's a good chance you already have a city or town in mind for your property at this point. A lot of landlords prefer to own properties near where they live themselves.

Of course, there are more profitable places in the UK than others. However, if you're living in Manchester then it may not be so wise to buy a property in London. So, you need to consider the balance between feasibility and profitability.

Here are some questions worth considering for each potential area you're thinking of buying in:

 
• Does the area have good transport links? Are there any plans to improve these?  
• What about schools, shops and local amenities (cinemas, restaurants, parks etc.)?  
• Is the area 'in demand' right now? Is that demand expected to grow long term?  
• What type of tenants are living in this area today (married couples, students, families on housing allowance etc.)?  
• Is that demographic expected to change any time soon?  
• What type of properties do tenants in this area desire most?  
• Is there a benchmark level of rent I can expect to receive here?  
• Are the majority of letting properties in this area furnished by the landlords?  
• Is there a certain property type which is expected to grow in this area, potentially even to a point of oversupply?  
• Are there any major developments due to begin here within the next 10 years?  
• What's the crime rate like in this area?

The answers to the above questions will help you make a more informed decision on your investment and give you a good understanding of how attractive your property might be to future tenants.

Getting a buy to let mortgage with a broker

The best way to get a buy to let deal is to seek advice from a mortgage broker. It'sa broker'sjob to know the buy to let market inside and out and to use that knowledge to help find you the right deal with the right lender. As expert advisers, we search across the market, giving you a clear picture of the very best offers available right now.  

The 5 step process of getting a buy to let mortgage

 
1. Do some initial research on the type of property you want to buy and the area you want to buy in.  
2. Think about your budget including how much you deposit you can put down and how much rent you might be able to earn. Use our calculator to see how much you might be able to borrow based on the projected rental.  
3. Compare the best buy to let mortgages.  
4. Get in touch with us free on the number below or get started online   
5. Then all you need to do is discuss the details with us, and make a decision about whether or not you want to proceed. There's no obligation and no fee for our advice.

If you're happy to go ahead, we'll also help you apply for and set up your new mortgage, saving you time and hassle.  

Please note: although L&C is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages.