Buy-to-Let Mortgages in Kent
Whether it's your first rental or a growing portfolio, I understand the numbers landlords actually care about.
Buy-to-let lending has its own rules. Lenders assess the rent as much as your income, stress-test at higher rates, and treat limited-company purchases differently from personal ones. The market has also changed substantially in recent years, which makes doing it well more valuable, not less.
I advise new and experienced landlords across Kent and beyond on first purchases, remortgages, raising capital against existing properties and structuring for a growing portfolio.
What working together looks like
Lending built around the rent
Lenders test whether the rent covers the mortgage with headroom to spare. I know how different lenders calculate this and which are generous to your kind of property and borrower. That's often the difference between a deal working and not.
Personal vs limited company, explained straight
Limited-company buy-to-let can suit some landlords and complicate life for others, and the mortgage rates and lender choice differ. I explain the borrowing side clearly and work alongside your accountant on the tax side.
A portfolio view, not deal-by-deal tunnel vision
Each property's mortgage affects what you can borrow next. I help you sequence purchases and remortgages so today's deal doesn't box in next year's plans.
What lenders look at on a buy-to-let
Rental coverage
Most lenders want the expected rent to comfortably exceed the mortgage payment, commonly 125 to 145% of it, stress-tested at a higher rate than you'll actually pay.
Deposit
Buy-to-let typically needs a bigger deposit than a residential purchase, usually at least 20 to 25% of the property's value.
Your own position
Many lenders prefer landlords who already own their own home and have a minimum income, though criteria vary widely, which is another reason whole-of-market comparison matters.
Property type
Flats above shops, HMOs, holiday lets and ex-local-authority stock all narrow the lender pool. I know who lends on what before you offer.
Asked all the time, answered honestly
How much deposit do I need for a buy-to-let?
Typically at least 20 to 25% of the purchase price, with the strongest rates at 40% or more. The rent the property can achieve matters as much as the deposit, since both feed the lender's calculation.
Should I buy through a limited company?
It depends on your tax position, how many properties you plan to hold and your long-term intentions. Company borrowing usually means slightly higher rates but different tax treatment of the interest. I explain the mortgage side and will happily work alongside your accountant. This is a joint decision, not a broker soundbite.
Can I remortgage a rental I already own to buy another?
Yes. Releasing equity from an existing rental is one of the most common ways landlords fund the next deposit. The remortgaged property's rent still has to support the bigger loan, which I check before anything is committed.
Do I need a special mortgage for an HMO or holiday let?
Usually, yes. Houses in multiple occupation and short-let properties sit with specialist lenders on their own criteria and pricing. It's a smaller pool, which makes independent access to it more valuable.
Is buy-to-let regulated by the FCA?
Most buy-to-let lending is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, as it's treated as business lending. The main exception is where a close family member will live in the property. I'll tell you exactly how your case is treated.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Pure buy-to-let and commercial mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Let's talk about buy-to-let
A free, no-obligation chat is the easiest first step. Tell me what you're hoping to do, and I'll tell you honestly how I can help.