Published 24 July 2019 · Last reviewed 1 May 2026
The rental coverage of my Buy to Let portfolio is stopping me getting a mortgage
If you are reading this article on “the rental coverage of my portfolio is stopping me getting a mortgage” you are undoubtedly you are feeling frustrated right now. Below I provide an insight to hopefully bring a smile back onto your face.
Just so you know this article forms part of my “my properties are stopping me getting a mortgage series” and other topics include:
- Exposure
- Commercial usage
- Past Habits
Rental coverage
When it comes to appraising a property portfolio there are two distinct camps of Mortgage Lenders:
- Mortgage Lenders that are under Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA)
- Mortgage Lender outside the PRA
PRA Mortgage Lenders
To take them, in turn, PRA Mortgage Lenders will normally check that the background properties meet at least one of the following stress tests:
- 125% based on a notional interest rate of 5.5%. Potentially rising to 140% or 145% depending on your tax bracket.
- 140% at 4.5%.
- Payrate on recently taken out five year fixes.
It could be they look at this as a collective portfolio, or apply the factor to some or all of the individual properties to meet their standard.
What does this translate too? Well to take the first one on the above list: 125% @ 5.5%, this means if you have a portfolio with a combined mortgage balance of £1,000,000 the total rent would need to be least £5,740 per month.
Non PRA Mortgage Lenders
Firstly, I must point out regulation is there to protect consumers so choosing a Non PRA Mortgage Lender might not be for you. However, when you are a portfolio landlord it is likely they you are savvy enough to make your own decisions.
As these Mortgage Lenders are outside the PRA rules they are open to choose their own stress test on background properties. Most will plum for 100% rental coverage. And, in some instances be happy for mortgage properties to be unlet provided there are plans to sell or re-let within a reasonable timeframe.