Crystal Specialist Finance (CSF) has added Kensington Mortgages to its lending panel.

The move provides brokers with access to the lender’s specialist residential and buy-to-let products.

The packager, which launched its specialist residential offering in May, will have access to the Select 95% LTV range and Young Professionals range with a total of 24 products through limited distribution.

Applications are welcome from the self-employed based on one year’s accounts, as well as “enhanced affordability” for high earners and young professionals.

Buy-to-let criteria include up to 85% LTV, Limited Companies assessed on Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) portfolios only, a maximum age limit at application of 70 and top slicing of personal and portfolio income.

All applications are assessed by one of Kensington’s professional advisors and not through an automated score system.

Jo Breeden (pictured), managing director of CSF, said: “It is imperative that our lending panel is always growing and evolving across all sectors so we know we are giving brokers access to the whole gambit of market-leading products, the agreement with Kensington Mortgages definitely fulfils those criteria.

“Across both specialist residential and buy-to-let the products bring a new dimension, offering the right criteria to meet complex requirements as well as more straightforward applications. We want every broker to know that Crystal will find the right solution for their clients, no matter what their situation.”

Craig McKinlay, new business director of Kensington Mortgages, added: “Society is changing at such speed that lenders and brokers of all kinds need to be constantly evolving their product offerings. There are less and less people that tick all the boxes at the big banks, perhaps because they are self-employed, contract workers, or nearing retirement.

“By partnering with Crystal we can help brokers get more people on to the first step of the housing ladder or into the home that best suits their needs.”