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Another Buy-to-Let Lender Tightens Criteria
This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
Godiva Mortgages, part of Coventry Building Society, has announced that it is introducing tougher criteria for buy-to-let landlords.
At present, Godiva requires buy-to-let borrowers to have a rental cover of at least 125%, with the interest rate calculated at 5%, regardless of the pay rate.
However, landlords with a deposit of less than 35% will now be required to have rental cover of 125%, calculated on a higher rate of 5.5%.
For those taking out a five-year fixed rate deal, the change will not apply.
The announcement arrives after the Bank of England (BoE) released a report that suggests it may intervene in the buy-to-let market. This could come in the form of new affordability rules or lending caps.
Barclays has already tightened its lending criteria for buy-to-let borrowers. It recently raised the rental cover required by landlords from 125% to 135%, calculated on a pay rate of 5.79%. Find out more here: /barclays-is-first-major-lender-to-tighten-buy-to-let-criteria/
SPF Private Clients’ Mark Harris predicts: “The market is moving towards a situation where only those with a 50% deposit are likely to qualify for a loan.”1
What do you think of the changes and will these affect your future investments? Keep up to date with all things buy-to-let finance at LandlordNews.co.uk.