A number of prominent mortgage lenders have announced reductions in their buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage rates, offering a potential reprieve for landlords across the UK. The Mortgage Works (TMW), HSBC, Rely, and Coventry for intermediaries are among those to have introduced new, lower-priced options for both new and existing customers.
The Mortgage Works has implemented cuts of up to 0.26 percentage points across selected two, three, and five-year fixed-rate products. For individual landlords, a two-year fixed remortgage deal has seen a 0.10 percentage point reduction, bringing it to 3.49% for up to 65% loan-to-value (LTV) with a 3% fee, and includes a free valuation and legal work. Limited company landlords can now access a two-year fixed rate of 4.98%, a reduction of 0.26 percentage points, for purchases, remortgages, and further advances, available up to 75% LTV with a £3,995 fee and a free valuation.
Specialist lender Rely has also entered the market with a new limited-edition buy-to-let range aimed at non-portfolio landlords, covering houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and standard properties. These products are available at 55% and 65% LTV for both purchases and remortgages, with two- and five-year fixed options. Two-year rates begin at 3.51% at 55% LTV, while five-year fixed rates start from 4.58% at 55% LTV. Rely has additionally lowered the minimum loan size across its BTL ranges to £25,001.
Further reductions have been announced by HSBC, which has cut selected fixed rates for landlords by up to 0.12 percentage points. A notable offering is its two-year fixed mortgage for second-time buyers at 60% LTV, now priced at 4.86% until 31 July 2028. This particular mortgage carries no product fee, includes a free valuation, and permits overpayments, making it an attractive option for landlords looking to minimise upfront costs. Coventry for intermediaries has also reduced selected buy-to-let rates by up to 0.13 percentage points, with options for new and existing customers.
These rate cuts come amidst a fluctuating property market, where house prices have shown varying trends across the UK. According to Rightmove data from May, average asking prices hit a new record high of £375,110, marking a 0.8% monthly increase. However, annual growth remains modest at 0.6%. Regional variations are significant, with the North East seeing the strongest annual growth at 6.2%, while London experienced a slight decline of 0.3%. Such disparities highlight the complex environment landlords navigate, balancing rental yields against borrowing costs and property value changes.
The current mortgage landscape has seen a period of higher interest rates impacting affordability for both homeowners and landlords. While the Bank of England's base rate remains at 5.25%, these reductions in BTL rates signal a more competitive lending environment. For first-time buyers and existing homeowners, the broader mortgage market continues to be influenced by inflation data and expectations for future base rate movements, which could affect the availability and pricing of residential mortgages, including those linked to schemes like Help to Buy or considerations around Stamp Duty.