Mortgage experts predict boost in buy to let lending this year

Just under half of mortgage brokers expect to place more limited company buy-to-let business throughout the next 12 months, Paragon Bank research shows.

 The survey of over 300 brokers highlights how a higher volume of buy-to-let mortgages written to portfolio landlords operating through limited companies is anticipated by 49 per cent of intermediaries. In addition, 45 per cent expect an uptick in non-portfolio limited company business during the next 12 months.

Currently, nearly a third of mortgage cases are written to portfolio landlords operating through limited companies and 15 per cent for non-portfolio landlords.

According to the research, undertaken by BVA BDRC for Paragon, around a third of brokers think that they will see the same volume of business from portfolio and non-portfolio landlords utilising limited company structures.

A significantly lower proportion of brokers, 11 per cent, think that the next 12 months will see them introduce more business to both portfolio and non-portfolio landlords borrowing in personal name.  

Louisa Sedgwick, Paragon Bank Commercial Director of Mortgages, says: “I think intermediaries are right to expect to see more limited company business this year. It is a structure that has become increasingly popular with landlords in recent years as they have responded to Government changes to the tax treatment of buy-to-let property ownership. 

“Owning properties through a limited company can enable landlords to offset finance costs, such as mortgage interest, against rental income. It’s wise for borrowers to seek professional advice because incorporation may not be the best route for all landlords and the benefits can vary based on individual circumstances.”

The findings align with those of a separate study, undertaken as part of Paragon’s PRS Trends report, which found that 64 per cent of landlords who plan to invest in property in the next 12 months will do so through a limited company, compared to 15 per cent who will finance in personal name. 

This limited company purchase intent proportion is averaged across the range of portfolio sizes and increases to 82 per cent amongst landlords with six or more properties.