Buy to Let Mortgage Lenders (2026): 10 UK Lenders Compared

Landlords hunting for a buy-to-let mortgage tend to start with the bank they already use. That's fine as far as it goes, but some buy-to-let lenders don't take applications from landlords at all.

The ten lenders below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and this is a UK list. Every description comes from each lender's own website, as of Nov 2026. I've kept deals and lending limits out because they move often, so read them on the lender's own site.

UK buy-to-let lenders compared

Tool	Type	Good for
Accord Mortgages	Intermediary-only lender	Mortgages reached through a broker, with a commercial finder
Barclays	High-street bank	Buy-to-let for a first investment or a growing portfolio
Fleet Mortgages	Broker-only buy-to-let lender	Specialist buy-to-let lending through intermediaries
HSBC UK	High-street bank	A range of buy-to-let mortgages with an online application
Metro Bank	High-street bank	Buy-to-let beside residential mortgages, with expert guidance
NatWest	High-street bank	Buying or remortgaging a property to rent out
Shawbrook	Specialist savings and lending bank	Buy-to-let and commercial mortgages for property investors
Skipton Building Society	Building society	Buy-to-let from a building society rather than a bank
The Mortgage Works	Buy-to-let lender behind Nationwide	Purchase, remortgage, further advance and let to buy
TSB	High-street bank	Fixed or variable buy-to-let deals

Ten UK buy-to-let mortgage lenders

Accord Mortgages

Best for: Landlords already working with a broker, as its site is for intermediaries and includes a Commercial Mortgage Finder.

Barclays

Best for: First-time investors and landlords building a portfolio who'd like to go to a high-street bank with its own buy-to-let range.

Fleet Mortgages

Best for: Landlords using a broker who want a specialist buy-to-let lender, owned by Starling Bank, that works only through intermediary partners.

HSBC UK

Best for: Anyone starting out or expanding a portfolio who'd like a range of buy-to-let mortgages and the option to apply online.

Metro Bank

Best for: Borrowers who'd like an expert guiding the application, with buy-to-let and residential mortgages listed on one page.

NatWest

Best for: People planning to buy or remortgage a property to rent out, with a way on its page to find out how much they could borrow.

Shawbrook

Best for: Professional property investors who want buy-to-let and commercial mortgages from a specialist bank that also lends to established UK businesses.

Skipton Building Society

Best for: Experienced landlords and first-time buy-to-let buyers who'd prefer a building society to a bank.

The Mortgage Works

Best for: Owners letting out a property, or planning let to buy, who want purchase, remortgage, switching and further advance options from one lender.

TSB

Best for: Investors choosing between fixed-rate and variable-rate buy-to-let deals for a rental or investment property.

Can you apply yourself, or do you need a broker?

Whether you can go straight to a buy-to-let lender depends on the lender, and the pages say so plainly.

Banks and building societies with their own buy-to-let page. Barclays, HSBC UK, NatWest, Skipton Building Society and TSB each have a buy-to-let page aimed at landlords. Metro Bank's mortgages page lists buy-to-let mortgages beside residential ones, with an expert guiding the application.

Lenders you reach through a broker or another brand. Fleet Mortgages' page calls it an intermediary-only buy-to-let lender owned by Starling Bank, and Accord Mortgages' site is an intermediary-only site with a commercial mortgage finder. Nationwide's buy-to-let page says it offers buy-to-let mortgages through The Mortgage Works, so Nationwide isn't listed separately.

A specialist property lender. Shawbrook's page says it offers buy-to-let and commercial mortgages for professional property investors, alongside lending to established UK businesses.

So work out whether you'll go direct or through a broker before you shortlist anyone. Go direct and you'll only see that lender's own range. A broker can reach the lenders that never deal with landlords directly.

How buy-to-let differs from a home mortgage

A buy-to-let mortgage is for a property you plan to rent out rather than live in. Lenders usually look at the rent the property can bring in as well as your own income, and the loan is secured on the property, so read each lender's own risk information before you go further. You'll see a few terms again and again on lender pages:

• Purchase. Buying a new property to let.
• Remortgage. Moving an existing buy-to-let to a new deal, often with a new lender.
• Product switch. Moving to a new deal with the lender you're already with.
• Further advance. Borrowing more on a property you already let, from the same lender.
• Let to buy. Letting out your current home and buying a new one to live in.
• Portfolio landlord. The label lenders use for landlords with several mortgaged rental properties, and some lenders have extra criteria for them.

Running the property once the mortgage is sorted

Getting the mortgage is the start. Rent collection, repairs and tenant messages come next, and my roundup of landlord apps covers tools for that. Tax records matter too, and my list of accounting software for landlords looks at software built around rental income.

Seven questions for a buy-to-let lender or broker

1. Can I apply to you directly, or only through a broker?
2. Do you lend to first-time landlords?
3. Do you lend to limited companies as well as individuals?
4. How do you assess the rent against the loan?
5. Do you treat portfolio landlords differently?
6. Are there early repayment charges if I sell or switch?
7. Do you offer let to buy, further advances and product switches?

Do you make a buy-to-let mortgage product or broker service? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice for landlords comparing lenders

Decide how you'll reach the market before you compare names. If you're happy with one bank's or building society's range, you can apply direct. If you'd like the specialist and broker-only lenders in the mix too, a mortgage broker is the way in. Either way, read each lender's own criteria and risk information, and remember that the loan is secured on the property.

This isn't financial advice, and nothing here means any lender will lend to you. A regulated mortgage adviser is the right person to talk to about your own situation.

Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.

Frequently asked questions

What is a buy-to-let mortgage?

It's a mortgage for a property you plan to rent out rather than live in. Lenders usually look at the expected rent as well as your income, and the loan is secured on the property.

Can I get a buy-to-let mortgage without a broker?

With some lenders, yes. Several banks and building societies take applications from landlords directly, while others are intermediary-only and work through brokers.

What does intermediary-only mean?

It means the lender only accepts applications through mortgage brokers, so you can't apply to it yourself. A broker can tell you which of those lenders might suit your situation.

Is a buy-to-let mortgage secured on the property?

Yes. Like other mortgages, it's secured on the property, so read each lender's own risk information and terms before you apply.

What's let to buy?

Let to buy means letting out your current home and buying a new one to live in. Some lenders offer it alongside purchase, remortgage and further advance options.

Do buy-to-let lenders lend to limited companies?

Some do and some don't, and the rules vary by lender. Ask the lender or your broker before you decide how to hold the property.