Buy to Let Mortgages are exactly what they sound like, you buy a property specifically to let out on the rental market. Under a standard mortgage, it would normally not be allowed to use the property in the rental market or to be used for a business.
The Lenders Demands for a Buy To Let- As with a ‘regular’ mortgage, the property still acts as collateral against the mortgage being taken out. But instead of the mortgage being taken on the actual value of the property, the mortgage will be taken out on the projected rental value of the property, as it is the rent that the mortgage will be paid through.
Some lenders will want proof of income and/or some sort of rainy day fund. As it is likely at some point that the property will be empty and you do not have any tenants, so you will have to prove you have the finances to cover the mortgage as well as any other costs you have.
One of the main advantages of a buy to let mortgage is that you don’t typically pay it. Whereas the repayments on your own mortgage are made from your income or capital, it is usually the rental income you receive from your tenant which pays your buy to let mortgage.
Since the ‘credit crunch’ of 2008, buy to let mortgages have become more scarce. Whilst they were extremely widely available over the last decade as property prices were rising, many lenders have withdrawn from the investment property market over the last couple of years. However, there are still many great buy to let mortgage deals available; you may just have to look harder for them.
How Much Deposit on a Buy To Let? – Currently you can expect to be asked for a minimum 25% deposit from lenders, when that will drop is anyone’s guess. But as But To Let’s are normally second properties, it signals most landlords have money to burn, so if you’re a newcomer to the market, you have a uphill battle. Those seasoned in the market just have to work that bit harder to find an agreeable mortgage.
What Do You Need For a Buy To Let Mortgage? – A surveyor will normally be instructed to value the property in terms of its market value, and how much rental income can realistically be made from the property, as the rental income is after all what will be funding the repayments.
Seek Advice If Necessary – Mortgage brokers are professionally trained and qualified. This means that they have an excellent knowledge of how buy to let mortgages work as well as access to a wide range of mortgage deals from throughout the UK market. You may pay a mortgage broker a fee for their services, but this may well be worthwhile if they can find a market leading buy to let mortgage for you.
Location is Key – With Buy To Let, this becomes even more important. There’s no point having a rental property in an area no one wants to live, research the most sought after areas and try and buy a property in or around this area. Most landlords will target student areas but these aren’t just the only areas/tenants you need.
The market for buy to let mortgages has tailed off since investment properties are not so popular, after the property market fell in recent years, but there are some good products still available so have a look around.
Howard writes for Just Commercial Mortgages the UK’s No1 site for the latest commercial mortgage rates and commercial property finance news.