Buy-to-let mortgages have opened the door to investment for thousands of people – including those who might not have considered themselves landlords before. You might be weighing up your options, exploring the potential of letting out a second property, or adding to a growing portfolio. Whatever your goals, it’s important to understand what lenders look for and how the process works before you jump in.
Eligibility for a buy-to-let mortgage depends on a few key criteria. Most lenders will want to see that you’re over 21 years old, have a good credit history, and earn a minimum annual income of around £25,000. Some may be flexible if you have equity in another property or strong financials overall, but a solid income remains a common requirement.
Typically, lenders will ask for a deposit of between 20% and 25% of the property’s value, though this can stretch to 40% in certain cases – for example, with new builds or flats. The bigger your deposit, the better your chances of securing a favourable interest rate. Rental income is another big factor. Most lenders expect your projected rental earnings to cover between 125% and 145% of your monthly mortgage payment and the lenders stress debt, depending on the deal and the borrower profile.
If you’re brand new to letting, it can feel like a lot to consider. That’s where Zing comes in. Our experienced mortgage brokers for buy to let properties are here to guide you through the options, explain what lenders are really looking for, and help you assess which areas and property types may suit your investment strategy. We also support experienced landlords looking to remortgage, refinance or switch providers to suit their changing needs.
We don’t just look at your current finances, either. We consider your long-term life plans too. Whether you’re hoping to build a retirement income or support your family with passive earnings, our buy to let mortgage advice is always shaped around your future ambitions.
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Of course, buy-to-let is not a risk-free undertaking. The main characteristic distinguishing buy-to-let mortgages from the norm is that your lender takes into account the rent you can reasonably expect to earn from your future tenants. But it’s possible you won’t get regular instalments of rent because there’s no guarantee you’ll always be able to find suitable tenants, and this can affect how affordable you find your mortgage.
That being said, many investors do find buy-to-let a worthwhile addition to their investment holdings. Our friendly advisers can help you arrange income protection cover to assure your mortgage repayments in the event of a scarcity of tenants or other unforeseen circumstances.
*There is no guarantee that it will be possible to arrange continuous letting of your property, nor that rental income will be sufficient to meet the cost of the mortgage.
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Tailored Mortgage Advice
We’ll never recommend a one-size-fits-all solution. Our buy to let mortgage brokers take the time to understand your situation and match you with the right deal based on your goals, finances, and property type.
Access to Exclusive Deals
Working through HL Partnership, we can access thousands of mortgage deals from over 100 lenders – many of which aren’t available on the high street. This helps us secure competitive rates for our clients time and time again.
Support at Every Step
From the first conversation to completion day and more, our friendly advisers will be by your side. Whether it’s your first buy-to-let mortgage or your fifth, we’ll handle the paperwork and keep things running smoothly.
Flexible Appointments
We know life gets busy, which is why we work around your schedule. We offer in-person appointments as well as remote consultations, so it’s easy to get guidance when it suits you.
Ongoing Financial Protection
Our service doesn’t stop once your mortgage is secured. We help you look ahead by offering building and contents cover, life insurance, and income protection to secure your future protection needs.
At Zing, we’re here to help you throughout your mortgage application. From your first enquiry through to completion - we’re here to make the whole process easier for you.
Most lenders require a deposit of at least 20% to 25% for a standard buy-to-let mortgage. Some high-risk properties (such as flats or new builds) may need deposits of up to 40%. A larger deposit can help you secure a better interest rate and lower monthly repayments.
Yes, you can. Many lenders are happy to work with first-time landlords, provided you meet their eligibility requirements – such as a strong credit score, steady income, and an appropriate deposit. At Zing, we guide first-time landlords through the process, from application to completion.
Yes. There are two main routes: applying for “Consent to Let” from your current lender (a temporary option), or remortgaging to a dedicated let-to-buy product. We can help you decide which route is best for your circumstances and future plans.
Generally, no. Buy-to-let mortgages are designed for rental properties, and lenders base their decision on projected rental income. Living in the property yourself without informing your lender could breach your mortgage terms, potentially resulting in legal or financial consequences.
It depends. While rental income plays a big role in affordability assessments, lenders also expect higher deposits and stricter criteria. That said, with the right support and financial preparation, getting a buy-to-let mortgage can be straightforward – especially with an experienced adviser on your side.
Efficient and Excellent Experience
1st time buyers and they made the whole process really easy from start to finish. Kept us up to date throughout and answered any questions we had strait away. Thank you Zing
Best choice we made
Gary was patient & understanding when dealing with our mortgage. Ellie was brilliant with weekly updates that increased to daily as we neared completion. Can't thank the team at Zing enough, would recommend to anyone.
Great service
Great service from start to finish. Lee was very knowledgable and got us the deal we where looking for. Was kept informed and he was always available, or called us back. Would highly recommend.
Excellent
Very nice service I will recommend it to my friends and if I need will use again. Very big thanks for Ian.
Good overall service
We have used zings services for a number of years now and have always been very happy with there services, although we had a bit of a slow start this time everything was completed well and would recommend them again for the future.
Would recommend
They chased the solicitors continuously for what was a long tome! They kept me up to date throughout which I really appreciated
