Buy to Let Mortgages for Amateur Landlords (Sole Traders & Partnerships)

Have you found the ideal Buy to Let property? Perhaps you’ve inherited a property that you don’t want to sell? A Buy to Let mortgage is a way of taking out a loan for a property that you own, but don’t live in.

If you’re new to the process or unsure whether you’ll be accepted, arrange an appointment to speak with us in person. We review each application individually. As a Sole Trader or Partnership with 3 or less mortgaged Buy to Lets/Holiday let properties, you’ll love our customer focused service, where a real person is on hand to offer the advice you need, when you need it.

Below, we’ve outlined the types of applications we can consider for amateur landlords and the products that apply to each.

Core Product	Specialist Product
Sole Trader & Partnerships	Limited Company Special Purpose Vehicle or Limited Liability Partnership Special Purpose Vehicle without personal guarantee
3 or less mortgaged buy to lets and holiday lets in portfolio	4-8 mortgaged Buy To Let or Holiday Let properties
Limited Company Special Purpose Vehicle or Limited Liability Partnership Special Purpose Vehicle with personal guarantee	Security address above Commercial property

Less than 12 acres of land
Maximum single loan £6m and total maximum exposure £15m
Max 8 individual society Buy To Let loan per borrower

Next steps

At The Cumberland, we’re committed to working closely with you to ensure you get the right mortgage to suit your individual circumstances. Ready to take the next step? Book an appointment with The Cumberland today to start the journey.

Renters Right Act 2025

The Renters Right Act is legislation that introduces changes to the private rental sector in England with minimal impact in Wales. It forms part of the wider government plans to reform tenancy structures and strengthen tenant protections. Although the Act had now been passed into Law, changes are being introduced in phases.

More information about the Renters Right Act can be found here.

Help and Support

External factors continue to be a cause for concern for many business owners. If you are an existing Cumberland customer and worried about your mortgage please get in touch or visit our financial difficulties page.

Lending Criteria

Properties can be freehold or leasehold with minimum 85 years unexpired lease at the start of the mortgage term
Required to be a homeowner or living with a partner who is a homeowner, in employer supplied accommodation or own other investment properties
Annual income of above £25,000 (or £50,000 with 100% rental coverage where top slicing is required)
Maximum mortgage term 30 years
For products less than 5 years, annual rental income should be minimum 145% of annual mortgage interest at stressed rate of 5.5%, or product rate +2% if higher
For products fixed for a period of 5 years or more, annual rental income should be minimum 145% of annual mortgage interest calculated using the product rate
For remortgages with no additional borrowing, annual rental income should be minimum 145% of annual mortgage interest calculated using the product rate
Where a capital & interest mortgage is required, evidence Debt Coverage Ratio (DCR) at 125% coverage with a further check that Interest Coverage Ratio (ICR) is met at 145%. Both DCR and ICR must be met
Tenancy agreement should be on Assured Shorthold Tenancy basis or Private Residential Tenancy Basis in Scotland, with maximum term of 6 months, with any existing tenancy agreement having commenced after 1 March 1997
Your property must have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of E or higher or a suitable exemption for properties in England and Wales

NOT ELIGIBLE

Flats/apartments in a block exceeding more than 6 storeys
Must be a resident in the UK