Buy-to-let mortgages

Not necessarily. Some lenders require a £25,000 income, some just the individual to have an income, and some don't require any income.

False. Some lenders will allow first time buyers to be first time landlords.

This is not a one-size-fits-all answer, and we would strongly advise talking to one of our investment specialist advisors to discuss this.

Some lenders will use a standard stress test calculation that assesses affordability based on the potential rental income received, while other lenders will also top up the affordability with personal income.

Normally, yes. You’d need to request Consent To Let if within the scheme period, however, we would also advise talking to an advisor to assess this.

The FCA states you are a portfolio landlord if you have 4 or more rental properties. However, some lenders will split this per legal entity, so if you have 12 properties split equally across 3 limited companies then they may not consider you to be a limited company, and may not trigger the portfolio background criteria for the lender, such as increased minimum income requirements, portfolio exposures in postal areas and Portfolio Loan To Values.

Yes.

Earning rental income, potential capital appreciation, and tax benefits.

Risks include the property remaining vacant for long periods, tenants not paying rent, building works and the property decreasing in value.