What is a buy-to-let mortgage?
A buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage — sometimes called a landlord mortgage — is a loan for buying property you intend to rent out rather than live in. It works much like a residential mortgage, but with key differences: you'll usually need a bigger deposit, rates are typically a little higher, and how much you can borrow is based mainly on the property's expected rental income rather than your salary.
Most buy-to-let mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), because they're treated as business lending. Some cases are regulated — for example, letting to a close family member or an "accidental landlord" scenario — so it's worth confirming which applies to you.

