Buy-to-let guides

Property investing, the way the numbers actually work.

7 plain-English guides covering becoming a landlord, the tax position, Section 24, rental yield and HMO licensing. Honest about what works on the numbers and what does not.

Book a quick 15-minute call Call 01708 629 983

Buy-to-let is not the same business it was ten years ago. Section 24, the 5% additional-property stamp duty surcharge, tighter rental cover requirements and changes around HMO licensing have changed the maths. These guides walk through how the numbers stack up now, when limited company ownership earns its keep, and what to plan for before you buy your first investment property.

Buy-to-let guides

Five guides covering the typical questions a UK landlord asks.

Becoming a landlord: the complete guide

First buy-to-let purchase, from deposit and tax structure through to letting the property out. Start here.

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Buy-to-let tax guide

What you pay and how personal vs limited company ownership differ. Worked examples on real numbers.

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Section 24: what landlords need to know

The mortgage-interest tax change and how to respond. Why so many landlords moved to limited companies.

Read guide

Understanding rental yield

Gross vs net, and what good looks like for residential buy-to-let in the current rate environment.

Read guide

HMO licensing

What you need to know before buying a House in Multiple Occupation. Mandatory licensing, additional licensing, selective licensing.

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EPC rules for landlords: where things stand

The legal minimum today, the tightening standards on the horizon, what actually moves a rating, and how energy performance now feeds into buy-to-let mortgages.

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Rent-to-rent: why we urge caution

The "guaranteed rent" pitch is everywhere on social media. Here's how rent-to-rent actually works, where the risk really sits, and the questions to ask before anyone signs anything.

Read guide

Common questions about buy-to-let

Should I buy in personal name or through a limited company?

Depends on your tax band, your plan for the property and how many you intend to own. Higher-rate taxpayers buying for the long term often come out ahead through a limited company because of how Section 24 treats mortgage interest. We work through the trade-off case by case with your accountant.

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

Twenty-five per cent is the typical floor for residential buy-to-let. Twenty per cent is possible on a smaller pool of lenders. HMOs and limited company purchases generally need twenty-five per cent and pricing is higher than residential.

How does the lender decide how much I can borrow?

On rental cover. The expected rent has to be a multiple of the mortgage interest at a stress rate, often 125% to 145% depending on your tax position. We model the rent against the lender stress test before submitting, so we know whether the property fits the loan you want.

What is the stamp duty on a buy-to-let?

Standard stamp duty bands plus a 5% additional-property surcharge across the whole price. On a £250,000 buy-to-let purchase that adds £12,500 to the bill compared to a residential purchase at the same price. The stamp duty guide has worked examples.

Do I need a special mortgage for an HMO?

Yes. HMOs need an HMO mortgage from a specialist lender. Pricing is higher than vanilla buy-to-let, deposits are usually twenty-five to thirty per cent, and the lender will check that the licensing requirements for the local authority are in place or about to be. The HMO guide covers what to expect.

Can I let out a property I currently live in?

Not without lender permission. Your residential mortgage prohibits letting. The two routes are a consent to let from your current lender (often time-limited) or a remortgage to a buy-to-let or let-to-buy product. We arrange both routinely.

Other guide clusters

Buying guides

For a residential purchase alongside the portfolio. 25 guides on deposits, the application process, surveys, conveyancing and stamp duty.

Browse buying guides

Remortgaging guides

For releasing equity from your home to fund the next deposit. 6 guides on the remortgage decision points.

Browse remortgaging guides

Protection guides

Landlords need cover too. 5 guides on life, critical illness and income protection, including self-employed cover.

Browse protection guides

Reviews

What our clients say

Real reviews from clients across Romford and Essex, verified on Google.

Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 92 Google reviews Read the reviews on Google

    
 
 
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   Paul Maysmith 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Always a great experience. Thanks to Mark Potter, Chantel Smith on the mortgage side and Oliver Alan on the insurance. Can't recommend the team highly enough.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ramona Iuga 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 5 stars service,Mark and the team always offer a great service and support all the way,highly recommended.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Fancy Window Cleaners 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service from Mark and the team as always.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Kelly Sainty 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The second time we’ve used major money matters and cannot fault anything! Both Mark and Chantel as helpful as ever
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Amy Phillips 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A huge thank you to Billy for all his support throughout my mortgage process. He was knowledgeable, approachable, and always happy to answer my questions, making everything easy to understand and much less stressful. His advice and guidance were invaluable, and I always felt confident I was in good hands. I really appreciate all his help and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a fantastic mortgage advisor. Thank you, Billy!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Robert Larkey 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Top quality service no fuss straightforward advice and actioned quickly once right product decided on
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Montell Chukwu 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was recommended major money matters through a friend and they haven’t been short of fantastic, Oliver Potter who handle my mortgage offered a perfect service, can’t recommend them enough!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Billy Camden 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The whole team at Major Money Matters are an absolute dream to work with. Their expertise, speed and friendly approach made what we thought was going to be an arduous process quick and simple. Mark, Oli and Lee were always just a phone call away if we had any questions and provided clear and easy to understand advice/guidance. We would recommend their services to anybody.

Building a portfolio?

We work with landlords across England and Wales, from a first buy-to-let to portfolios in double figures. A quick 15-minute call sets out what is possible on your numbers.

Book a quick 15-minute call Call 01708 629 983

We aim to return your call as quickly as we can. Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm. Weekend appointments available on request.