Buy-to-let & investment

Buy-to-letfinance.Structuredforthereturnyouactually need.

Individual landlord. Limited company. Portfolio. HMO. The structure of your buy-to-let investment determines its long-term return. Getting it right from the outset — with independent, whole-of-market advice — is the difference between a good investment and a great one.

Wrong mortgage in personal name
Rental yield miscalculated
Stress test failed — wrong lender
Ltd Co structure not considered
HMO licence requirement missed
Portfolio lender criteria not checked
Wrong mortgage in personal name
Rental yield miscalculated
Stress test failed — wrong lender
Ltd Co structure not considered
HMO licence requirement missed
Portfolio lender criteria not checked
FCA Regulated Whole-of-market access Independent advice Portfolio landlords welcome
01 —
The structure
determines
the return

Most landlords focus on the rate.
The smartest investors focus on the structure.

Whether to buy in your personal name or through a limited company SPV. Which lender will assess your rental income most generously. How to refinance an existing portfolio to release capital for the next acquisition. These decisions compound over years — and getting them wrong is expensive, often in ways that aren't immediately visible.

Whole-of-market, independent buy-to-let advice means you're not limited to what one lender or one panel can offer. We assess the full market — including specialist BTL lenders unavailable through comparison sites — and advise on the structure and financing that genuinely serves your investment strategy, not just the next transaction.

"The most expensive BTL mortgage isn't always the one with the highest rate. It's the one in the wrong name, through the wrong lender, on the wrong terms — arranged without thinking three steps ahead."

Whole
market
Independent access
0+
Years of experience
SPV
ready
Limited company expertise
£0
Protection advice fee
Every type of BTL investor

Individual, portfolio,
or something more complex.

First-time landlord

Your first investment property

Whether to buy personally or through a limited company is the first — and most consequential — decision a first-time landlord makes. We advise on the structure before the mortgage, so the financing fits the investment strategy rather than the other way around.

We factor in your existing income, tax position, and plans for future acquisitions before making any recommendation on structure.

Limited company / SPV

Buying through a special purpose vehicle

Limited company BTL has become the dominant structure for new investment purchases — particularly for higher-rate taxpayers. The lender landscape for SPV mortgages is different from personal name lending, and the rates are often higher. We know which lenders offer the best terms for limited company cases.

We work with accountants and solicitors to ensure the mortgage advice is joined up with the broader tax and legal strategy.

Portfolio landlords

Four or more properties

Portfolio landlords — defined by the PRA as those with four or more mortgaged properties — face stricter underwriting requirements. Lenders must assess the entire portfolio's stress-tested rental income, not just the property being financed. Few lenders do this well. We know exactly which ones to use.

We also advise on portfolio refinancing, releasing equity across properties to fund further acquisitions without unnecessary churn.

HMO finance

Houses in multiple occupation

HMO mortgages require specialist lenders who understand the licensing framework, the room-by-room rental assessment, and the specific risks of multi-tenant properties. The yield is often higher — but the lender panel is smaller and the underwriting more detailed.

We access dedicated HMO lenders and handle the case packaging to present your property and tenancy structure in the most favourable way.

Overseas investors

UK property from overseas

Investors based outside the UK — of any nationality — who want to invest in UK property face a specific set of lender restrictions. International income, currency risk, and residency status all affect which lenders will consider the case. We specialise in overseas BTL finance and know exactly where to go.

We handle the full process remotely, including liaising with UK solicitors and managing the application from start to completion.

Refinancing & release

Releasing equity to grow

Refinancing an existing BTL property to release equity — and using that capital to fund the next acquisition — is one of the most efficient ways to build a portfolio without deploying fresh cash. The timing, the lender, and the structure all matter. We assess the full picture before recommending any move.

We also advise on whether a product transfer with your existing lender or a full remortgage to a new lender delivers the better long-term outcome.

The most important decision

Personal name or
limited company?

Personal name
Individual
Lower mortgage rates — personal BTL lenders typically offer more competitive pricing than limited company lenders
Simpler administration — no company accounts, no corporation tax returns, no director's responsibilities
Section 24 applies — mortgage interest relief is restricted to the basic rate of tax for personal name owners
Income taxed immediately — rental profit is added to your personal income and taxed at your marginal rate
Better for lower-rate taxpayers — typically more efficient if you pay basic rate income tax
Limited company (SPV)
Recommended for most
Full mortgage interest deduction — interest is a business expense, fully deductible against rental income at company level
Corporation tax on profit — currently 19–25% depending on profit levels, often lower than personal income tax rates
Profit can be retained — reinvest rental income into further acquisitions without an immediate personal tax liability
Higher mortgage rates — limited company BTL lenders charge more, though the gap has narrowed significantly
Better for higher-rate taxpayers — and for anyone planning to build a portfolio of more than two or three properties

Important: This comparison is general guidance only and does not constitute tax advice. The right structure for your circumstances depends on your personal income, existing portfolio, future acquisition plans, and broader financial position. We work alongside your accountant to ensure the mortgage strategy is joined up with your tax planning — always speak to a specialist tax adviser before deciding on structure.

——
"The best BTL investors don't just find good properties. They think carefully about how those properties are financed — and they get independent advice on both."
Nathan Lawes — Director & Principal Adviser
Why independence matters more in BTL
01
Lender criteria varies enormously. Different lenders assess rental coverage ratios differently, have different attitudes to portfolio size, and apply different stress tests. Knowing which lender suits your specific case — and accessing the full market to find them — changes the outcome.
02
The rate is only part of the cost. Arrangement fees, rental coverage requirements, early repayment charges, and product flexibility all affect the true cost of a BTL mortgage. We assess total cost — not just the headline rate — before making any recommendation.
03
Portfolio strategy changes lender selection. If you intend to refinance in two years, or to cross-collateralise properties, or to add further units, the lender matters now. We advise with your strategy in mind, not just the immediate transaction.
04
Nathan handles every case personally. No junior advisers, no handoffs. The same person who advises you on the structure is the person who manages the application, liaises with the lender, and stays in touch after completion.

Questions landlords ask us most

Straight answers to the questions that matter most to BTL investors — at every stage of building a portfolio.

What rental coverage ratio do I need for a BTL mortgage?
Most lenders require the monthly rental income to cover 125–145% of the monthly mortgage payment, stress-tested at a higher notional interest rate (typically 5.5–6.5%). For limited company purchases and higher-rate taxpayers, some lenders apply a lower coverage requirement. The specific ratio that applies to your case depends on your tax position, the property type, and the lender — we assess this before approaching anyone.
Should I buy my BTL through a limited company?
For most higher-rate taxpayers and anyone planning to build a portfolio, the answer is increasingly yes — but this depends on your specific circumstances. The tax efficiency of a limited company structure often outweighs the higher mortgage rates, especially over the medium to long term. We advise on the mortgage implications of each structure and recommend you take separate tax advice from a specialist accountant before making a final decision.
I already have four or more mortgaged properties. Can I still get a BTL mortgage?
Yes — but lender choice narrows. Portfolio landlords face more detailed underwriting under PRA rules introduced in 2017. Lenders must assess the entire portfolio's rental income, void risk, and mortgage coverage. Not all lenders have the appetite or processes to handle portfolio cases well. We know which ones do — and how to package a portfolio case correctly to get the outcome it deserves.
Can I get a buy-to-let mortgage on an HMO?
Yes — through specialist HMO lenders. Standard BTL lenders typically won't mortgage HMOs, and those that do often apply restrictive criteria. HMO-specific lenders assess room-by-room rental income rather than a single tenancy, which often allows for higher loan amounts relative to purchase price. Licensing requirements, the number of rooms, and the property's location all affect which lenders are suitable.
I'm based outside the UK. Can I get a buy-to-let mortgage?
Yes — though the lender panel is more restricted. Overseas BTL cases require lenders who understand international income, accept foreign bank statements, and are comfortable with non-UK resident borrowers of any nationality. The key is approaching the right lenders from the outset and packaging the case correctly. We handle overseas BTL cases regularly — for any nationality, fully remote.
How much deposit do I need for a buy-to-let mortgage?
Most BTL lenders require a minimum 25% deposit — meaning a maximum loan-to-value of 75%. Some specialist lenders will consider 80% LTV for the right case, though the rates are typically less competitive. For limited company purchases, the minimum deposit requirement is generally the same, though lender appetite varies. We assess which LTV is achievable for your specific property and circumstances before making any recommendation.
Ready to talk strategy

The right structure.
The right lender.
The right return.

Tell us about your investment plans and we'll give you a clear, independent view of your financing options — before you commit to anything. Every conversation is with Nathan personally.

FCA regulated · Whole-of-market · Independent advice