Buy-to-let mortgages typically require a higher minimum deposit compared to residential mortgages.
While residential mortgages might require a minimum deposit of around 5-10%, buy-to-let mortgages often demand a deposit of at least 25%. This higher deposit helps mitigate risk to the lender, as investment properties carry higher risk due to potential fluctuations in income.
Lenders assess a borrower’s ability to service their mortgage using not only personal income but also estimated rental income from the subject property. The projected rental income should usually cover a certain percentage of the mortgage payments, often around 140%. This ensures that even during periods of vacancy or reduced rent, borrower’s remain able meet their mortgage obligations.