Buy-to-let mortgages

Buy-to-let lending works differently from buying a home to live in: the rent matters as much as your income, and the tax is higher.

Last checked 13 September 2026.

How much you can borrow

Buy-to-let lenders usually base the loan mainly on the expected rent, checking that it covers the mortgage payments with a margin at a higher assumed interest rate. Whether you buy personally or through a limited company changes how that test is applied, so it's worth discussing both with a broker (and the tax side with an accountant).

Stamp duty on additional properties

In England and Northern Ireland, buying an additional residential property for £40,000 or more adds 5 percentage points to every Stamp Duty Land Tax band, and buyers who aren't UK resident pay a further 2% (GOV.UK). Try the stamp duty calculator.

Regulation

Many buy-to-let mortgages taken out as a business aren't regulated by the FCA in the way a residential mortgage is, which affects the protections you have. Ask your broker whether the mortgage you're offered is regulated.

Brokers whose website mentions buy-to-let

1024 firms in our directory mention buy-to-let on their own website. That's what they say about themselves, not an assessment by us, so check that a firm handles your situation and look it up on the FCA Register before taking advice.

More guides

General information, not advice. Mortgage Brokers List is a directory and a set of free tools. Only an FCA-authorised adviser can recommend a mortgage for your circumstances. See our editorial standards.