What deposit do I need for a buy-to-let mortgage?

Most lenders require at least a 25% deposit, with higher deposits often needed for flats, HMOs or higher-risk properties.

Can I get a buy-to-let mortgage as a first-time buyer?

Yes, but options are more limited. Specialist lenders may help if your income and rental coverage meet their stress tests.

Should I buy through a limited company or in my own name?

It depends on your goals and tax position. Limited companies can be efficient for some higher-rate taxpayers but add costs and admin. Seek bespoke advice.

Are buy-to-let mortgages usually interest-only?

Many are interest-only to maximise cash flow, but you need a clear plan to repay the capital at term end.

How are rental income and mortgage interest taxed?

Individuals and limited companies are taxed differently. Allowances, corporation tax and Section 24 rules may apply. Consult your adviser and accountant.

How long does a buy-to-let mortgage application take?

Typically 2–4 weeks from application to offer, depending on valuation, documents and lender capacity.

What if my property is unusual or in Northern Ireland?

Some lenders restrict NI lending or non-standard properties. We work with lenders that understand NI markets and property types.

Can I remortgage my current buy-to-let to release equity?

Yes. Remortgaging can reduce costs, release equity for further purchases or help restructure ownership.

Buy-to-Let Mortgages

Build a property portfolio that pays you - today and tomorrow.

We help landlords and investors secure the right finance structure for their property goals - balancing:

Healthy cash flow
Smart tax efficiency
Long-term legacy wealth

Whether you’re buying your first rental or expanding a portfolio, our tailored finance strategies turn property goals into a lasting wealth blueprint - with smart design that aligns today’s decisions with tomorrow’s legacy.

Buy-to-Let Mortgages Built for Wealth, Not Just Property.

Plan My Next Investment Move

Independent, FCA-authorised mortgage advisers | Trusted by investors across the UK

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

The Financial Conduct Authority do not regulate buy to let mortgages.

A landlord trying to understand the complex nature of the buy-to-let investment market

The Problem: A Complex Market with Hidden Traps

Buy-to-let mortgages can look simple - but behind the headline rates lies a maze of lender criteria, quirks, and tax implications that can trip up even experienced investors.

Landlords today face:

Lenders tightening criteria for portfolio owners
Stress tests that ignore real rental yield potential
Confusion between personal name vs limited company ownership
A volatile interest rate market that erodes returns
Regional, Scotland & Northern Ireland–specific challenges - fewer lenders, tighter leasehold terms, and non-standard property types

Too often, investors chase the cheapest rate, not the right structure - and that mistake can quietly cost thousands in tax and lost long-term gains.

The Solution: Your Buy-to-Let Strategy Blueprint

Architect’s desk with property plans and laptop, symbolising Turkington Davis designing tailored buy-to-let mortgage strategies

At Turkington Davis, we don’t just find a mortgage - we build your property wealth blueprint.

We start by understanding your goals:

Are you buying your first rental property or expanding a portfolio?
Do you want personal ownership or a limited company structure?
Is your priority cash flow, capital growth, or legacy planning?

Once we understand your why, we design your how.

We source from the whole market, including specialist buy-to-let lenders active in Northern Ireland, and model real outcomes for:

Tax efficiency (working alongside your accountant if needed)
Cash flow stability under rising interest rates
Portfolio scalability - how your next purchase affects future borrowing
Exit strategy and legacy planning

You’ll see exactly how the numbers fit your long-term architecture — not just your next deal.

Design My Buy-to-Let Blueprint

We Don’t Just Arrange Finance - We Design It.

We Help You Build Wealth, Not Just a Property Portfolio

2 Property investors discussing the 5 benefits of a buy-to-let mortgage blueprint for building wealth

You gain more than just a mortgage - you gain a strategic partner who helps you grow, protect, and structure your property wealth for the long term.

Most advisers stop at the mortgage. We go further.
We integrate your buy-to-let strategy with your pensions, ISAs, and other investments so your money works together - not in isolation.
That means looking at how each property affects your cash flow, tax position, and retirement plans.
Whether your goal is financial independence, passive income, or family legacy, your mortgage is designed to fit the bigger picture - not fight against it.
Choosing between personal ownership and a limited company structure has major long-term implications for tax, lending, and succession.
We explain the pros, cons, and future outcomes of each route clearly.
We’ll help you compare:
- How each structure impacts income tax and corporation tax
- The ability to retain profits for reinvestment
- How lenders assess affordability and risk
- What happens when you want to pass assets to on to your family.
Our aim is to help you make confident decisions based on numbers, not noise.
We’re fully independent - which means no hidden panels or restricted options.
We search across major high-street banks, specialist buy-to-let lenders, and limited company providers to find the deal that aligns with your goals.
That includes lenders who are active in Scotland & Northern Ireland, where criteria can differ significantly from England & Wales.
We also know which lenders are open to HMOs, serviced accommodation, or multi-unit properties, so your financing keeps pace with your investment strategy.
Headline rates only tell part of the story.
We model real-life scenarios - factoring in costs, void periods, tax, and future rate changes - so you can see your true net yield and Return on Investment (ROI) before committing.
This means you understand:
- How an interest rate rise would affect your monthly profit.
- Can you get a commercial valuation on HMO deals, and how is it valued.
- What your break-even occupancy looks like if running a serviced accommodation.
- The impact of stress tests on future borrowing.
- There is a lot to consider depending on your strategy of choice.
Our focus is on long-term sustainability, not short-term sales.
We’d rather help you avoid a risky deal than rush into the wrong one.
As active property investors ourselves, we understand what it’s like to be on both sides of the table - dealing with valuers, lenders, agents, and the day-to-day realities of managing and scaling a portfolio.
Because we invest ourselves, we know which lenders are genuinely BTL-friendly, which will fund HMOs, MUFBs, or serviced accommodation, and which will shy away from certain property types or postcodes.
You’ll gain a partner who understands both your geography and your goals - because we’ve built portfolios in the same markets you’re investing in.

Your Buy-to-Let Mortgage Journey

Diagram titled 'The Wealth Architect Journey' showing five steps to a buy to let portfolio blueprint

We begin with a relaxed consultation to uncover what you’re building toward.
Are you a first-time investor looking for strong cash flow? Expanding a limited company portfolio?
We’ll review your income, assets, and experience to map your starting point.
You’ll leave this stage with clarity on what’s possible and how each option fits your bigger financial picture.
Once we know your goals, we design your financial blueprint.
This includes modelling:
- Ownership structure (personal vs limited company)
- Tax efficiency and borrowing capacity
- Deposit levels, yield targets, and exit routes
  We present clear, visual comparisons so you can make decisions confidently - not guesswork.
This is where our investor experience meets analytical planning.
With the strategy approved, we move fast to secure your funding.
We handle applications, valuations, and lender liaison - ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
Because we’re whole-of-market advisers, we know which lenders are:
- Comfortable with HMOs, MUFBs, or serviced accommodation
- Active in Northern Ireland and Scotland
- Open to portfolio landlords or complex ownership
We keep you informed at every step until offer and completion.
Your mortgage offer isn’t the finish line - it’s the foundation.
We stay with you after completion to monitor rates, yields, and opportunities to refinance or release equity.
We’ll schedule a regular Portfolio Review to ensure your finance continues to support your long-term wealth goals, factoring in tax changes, interest rate shifts, and new property acquisitions.
Our goal: help you build a resilient, scalable portfolio that performs in any market.

Ready to grow your property portfolio the smart way?

Let’s design a buy-to-let strategy that fits your financial architecture — not just your next deal.

Let’s Build Your Plan Together

Details: What Investors Should Know

How Buy-to-Let Mortgages Work

A buy-to-let mortgage is designed for property you rent out rather than live in.
Most are interest-only, meaning you pay only interest each month and repay the capital when you sell or refinance.
This keeps cash flow strong but requires forward planning for your exit or repayment strategy.

Eligibility and Deposit Requirements

You’ll usually need at least a 25% deposit, depending on property type and rental yield.
Lenders test affordability using a rental stress calculation known as the ICR (interest cover ratio), often requiring rent to cover 125–145% of mortgage payments at a notional rate (usually 5–7%).
If you’re buying as a limited company, lenders will also assess director income and experience - we help you prepare everything up front to avoid delays.

Northern Ireland–Specific Considerations

Many lenders operate differently in Northern Ireland.
We know which are actively lending, which have postcode restrictions, and which are comfortable with non-standard or mixed-use properties.
Our local insight helps you avoid time-wasting applications and ensures you work only with lenders that understand your market.

Tax and Ownership Strategy

The right structure can have a major impact on profitability and inheritance planning.
We can collaborate with your accountant or tax adviser to model how each property fits your wider financial plan.
We’ll explain how Section 24 mortgage relief, corporation tax rates, and dividend extraction affect your returns - so you know exactly where every pound goes.

Limited Company vs. Personal Name

Buying in your own name can be simpler and cheaper, but may increase your tax bill.
Buying through a limited company allows you to retain profits, offset costs differently, and build a more scalable structure - though it involves extra admin.
We’ll help you assess which option best supports your long-term goals.

Exit Planning and Legacy Building

Every investment should start with an exit plan.
We help you consider how your mortgage terms, ownership structure, and succession plans interact — whether that’s selling, refinancing, or passing assets to family.
Our goal is to make sure your property wealth outlives the mortgage itself.

FAQs: Buy-to-Let Mortgages

Typically 25%, though some lenders require up to 40% for HMOs or flats.
A higher deposit can unlock better rates and reduce risk.
Yes - specialist lenders cater to first-time buyers, provided your income, credit history, and projected rent meet their criteria. We’ll guide you to lenders open to new investors.
It depends on your tax bracket, growth ambitions, and long-term goals.
Limited companies can offer tax efficiencies for higher-rate taxpayers, but involve more admin and costs. We’ll model both options side by side.
Most are, allowing stronger cash flow. You’ll still need a repayment or sale strategy later - we help you plan this from day one.
Rental income is taxable, and interest relief differs between individuals and companies. We coordinate with your accountant to ensure full transparency and efficiency.
Typically 2–4 weeks from application to offer, depending on valuation speed and lender processing. We handle documentation and liaise directly with lenders to keep momentum.
We know the lenders open to complex or non-standard builds, so your deal isn’t rejected unfairly.
That’s quite common in Northern Ireland.
Absolutely.
You can release equity, reduce costs, or restructure ownership for better tax outcomes. We’ll help you assess the best timing and approach.