Seven out of ten portfolio landlords have found it more difficult to secure a mortgage since changes were introduced by the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA).
According to figures from Foundation Home Loans, based on research by BDRC Continental, 70% of UK landlords with four or more buy-to-let mortgages said they had found obtaining finance a challenge since the regulation came into effect on 30 September 2017. Half (51%) owning between one and three buy-to-let mortgages felt the same.
All the figures are based on feedback from 817 landlords that have applied for a mortgage or remortgage since the changes came into effect.
The PRA regulation means lenders must introduce changes to the way in which buy-to-let mortgage applications are underwritten for portfolio landlords. Borrowers with four or more mortgaged properties will be classified as portfolio landlords and subject to the new standards, such as a requirement to submit a forward-looking business plan.
As a result, almost half (48%) of landlords aware of the PRA changes think they will slow down the process of securing a mortgage.
Two thirds of those who own 11 or more properties believe the range of mortgage products available to them will be reduced. Furthermore, 28% believe the changes will make it more likely for their mortgage application to be rejected.
Jeff Knight, marketing director at Foundation Home Loans, said: “Whether these figures are to do with a natural period of adjustment or become the new norm remains to be seen. Nonetheless, in order to make this as smooth a transition as possible, brokers and lenders must work together to ensure things do not become unnecessarily challenging.
“Our research last year proved that, at the end of the day, brokers and landlords are after pragmatic and straight forward processes. Considering the significant take-up from this group, we devised a proposition to make application as simple as possible – for example, with no need for evidence of a business plan.”
Source: Mortgage Finance Gazette