Fleet Mortgages has introduced a series of criteria changes across its buy-to-let range aimed at improving affordability for landlord borrowers and expanding the types of property it will consider.
The specialist lender announced the changes on 6 March 2026, saying the updates are designed to reflect real-world borrowing circumstances while removing barriers that can prevent advisers from placing cases.
A key change is the removal of Fleet’s minimum income requirement for applicants. Landlords will no longer need to meet a fixed earned income threshold, although income will still need to be evidenced as part of the underwriting process.
INCOME VERIFICATION
The lender has also streamlined its income verification requirements. Employed applicants can now provide their most recent payslip, retired applicants their latest pension statement, and self-employed applicants their latest tax computation, calculation or tax return.
For self-employed borrowers and contractors, Fleet has reduced the required trading history from two years to one full tax year, reflecting the growing number of landlords operating through limited companies or newer income streams.
The lender has also extended its maximum mortgage term from 30 to 35 years in a move intended to support affordability and improve cashflow flexibility for landlord borrowers.
PROPERTY CRITERIA EXPANSION
Alongside the affordability changes, Fleet has widened the types of property it will consider within its lending criteria.
The lender has removed the height restriction on blocks of flats, allowing borrowing on a wider range of high-rise developments. It has also increased the maximum loan-to-value available on new-build flats from 70% to 75%.
Further updates include changes to acceptable construction types and property features within blocks of flats. Fleet has removed the age restriction for flat roofs and for steel or concrete frame blocks, and will now accept blocks of flats that include swimming pools.
Steve Cox, chief commercial officer at Fleet Mortgages, said: “These changes are the result of detailed discussions with brokers, networks and clubs about how our criteria could reflect the realities of today’s buy-to-let market, and the wants and needs of landlord borrower clients.
“That has clearly shifted in a number of areas, and we wanted our criteria to reflect that in multiple different areas.
“We have focused on areas where adjustments can make a meaningful difference to advisers placing cases, whether that is removing the height restriction for blocks of flats, or increasing the maximum LTV on new-build flats, while also removing the minimum income requirement, reducing the length of self-employed and contractors’ working requirements to just one full tax year.
“Extending mortgage terms to improve affordability, or widening our property appetite.
“At the same time, we have ensured appropriate lending safeguards remain in place.
“These series of important criteria changes offers a sensible evolution which will allow more landlord borrowers to access the finance they need via our range of excellently-priced products.”
