Mortgage & Property — Page 3

Bridging Finance to Buy Land Before a Self-Build Mortgage Completes: 2026/27

How UK self-builders use bridging finance to secure a plot of land before their self-build mortgage completes in 2026/27, including costs and a worked example.

James Morgan4 Jul 20264 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Bridging Loans: Real Cost Comparison and Worked Examples (2026)

Bridging loans are fast but expensive. Full breakdown of interest rates, arrangement fees, exit fees, and when a bridging loan actually makes financial sense.

James Morgan4 Jul 20264 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Buy-to-Let Exit Strategy 2026/27: Sell, Incorporate or Hold?

Comparing the three main exit routes for a landlord whose buy-to-let is no longer profitable under Section 24 — selling and paying CGT, incorporating into a limited company, or continuing to hold.

Emma Clarke4 Jul 20265 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Buy-to-Let: Common First-Time Landlord Mistakes in 2026/27

The most common mistakes new UK buy-to-let landlords make in 2026/27 — from underestimating costs to skipping compliance — and how to avoid them.

James Morgan4 Jul 20264 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Buy-to-Let Interest Cover Ratio (ICR): Worked Example for 2026/27

How lenders calculate the interest cover ratio (ICR) on buy-to-let mortgages in 2026/27, with a full worked example showing how much rent you need for a given loan size.

James Morgan4 Jul 20263 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Buy-to-Let Mortgage for HMO Property: 2026/27 Guide

How HMO mortgages differ from standard buy-to-let lending in the UK for 2026/27 — licensing requirements, ICR rules, deposit expectations, and a worked example.

James Morgan4 Jul 20264 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Buy-to-Let Mortgage Interest Relief vs Pension Tax Relief: Which Works Harder for a Landlord? (2026/27)

Since Section 24, landlords only get a 20% tax credit on mortgage interest — but pension contributions get relief at up to 45%. Here's why a higher-rate landlord with £15,000 of rental profit might get more value putting it into a pension than into another buy-to-let deposit.

James Morgan4 Jul 20266 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Buy-to-Let Mortgage for a Limited Company: A First-Timer's Guide 2026/27

How first-time limited company buy-to-let purchases work in the UK for 2026/27 — SPV setup, mortgage criteria, deposits, and a worked tax comparison versus personal ownership.

CalcHub Editorial4 Jul 20264 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Buy-to-Let Property in a SIPP: Can You Do It in 2026/27?

Why residential buy-to-let property can't be held directly in a UK SIPP in 2026/27, what property a SIPP can hold, and alternative routes for property investors.

Emma Clarke4 Jul 20263 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Buy-to-Let Tenant Damage Deposit Disputes: 2026/27 Guide

How UK deposit dispute resolution works when a landlord and tenant disagree over damage deductions in 2026/27, including evidence, the adjudication process, and worked outcomes.

James Morgan4 Jul 20264 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Buy-to-Let vs Residential Mortgage Rates: The Difference in 2026/27

Why UK buy-to-let mortgage rates run higher than residential mortgage rates in 2026/27, with a worked cost comparison and reasons behind the gap.

Emma Clarke4 Jul 20263 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme Rules for Landlords (2026)

Every landlord in England and Wales must protect a tenant's deposit within 30 days or face penalties of up to 3x the deposit. Full rules and worked examples.

James Morgan4 Jul 20264 min read

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Mortgage & Property — Frequently Asked Questions

What mortgage topics are covered here?

The Mortgage & Property category covers UK mortgage types (fixed, tracker, offset), stamp duty (SDLT in England, LBTT in Scotland, LTT in Wales), first-time buyer schemes, remortgaging, buy-to-let rules, Help to Buy and Shared Ownership. All figures are updated for 2026/27.

How much stamp duty will I pay on a £300,000 home?

In England for 2026/27, on a main residential property: 0% on the first £125,000, 2% on £125,001–£250,000 (£2,500), and 5% on £250,001–£300,000 (£2,500). Total SDLT = £5,000. First-time buyers get relief up to £500,000 (0% on the first £300,000 and 5% above). Use the stamp duty calculator for an exact breakdown.

What is the current Bank of England base rate?

The Bank of England base rate directly affects mortgage rates, particularly trackers and variable-rate products. Use the CalcHub mortgage calculators which display current indicative rates, and check the Bank of England website (bankofengland.co.uk) for the live official rate. The Mortgage & Property blog articles cover each MPC decision and its impact on borrowers.

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How is mortgage affordability assessed?

Lenders typically apply a stress test of 3% above the current rate to check you could afford repayments if rates rose. Most lend 4–4.5x your gross annual income, though some offer up to 5.5x for high earners. Outgoings, credit score and deposit size all affect the final offer. Use the mortgage affordability calculator to estimate your maximum borrowing.

What is a buy-to-let mortgage?

Buy-to-let mortgages are for properties rented out to tenants. They typically require a minimum 25% deposit and the rental income must usually cover 125–145% of the monthly mortgage payment. Mortgage interest relief for landlords has been replaced with a basic-rate tax credit since April 2020. Articles in this category explain the current rules and tax implications.

What are the additional property stamp duty rates?

If you buy a second home or investment property in England, an extra 3% SDLT surcharge applies on top of standard rates. For 2026/27, this means 3% on the first £125,000, 5% on £125,001–£250,000, and 8% on £250,001–£925,000. The surcharge is refunded if you sell your previous main home within 3 years.

Can first-time buyers get help with their deposit?

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme allows first-time buyers to get a 95% LTV mortgage on homes up to £600,000. Shared Ownership lets you buy a 10–75% share and pay rent on the rest. The Lifetime ISA provides a 25% government bonus (up to £1,000/year) to boost your deposit savings. Each scheme has its own eligibility rules covered in the blog articles.

How does remortgaging work?

Remortgaging means switching your mortgage to a new deal, either with your existing lender (product transfer) or a new lender. It is most common when a fixed-rate term ends, as you revert to the higher standard variable rate (SVR). You can also remortgage to release equity, change your term length, or consolidate debt. Remortgaging usually has solicitor and valuation fees.

What is an offset mortgage?

An offset mortgage links your savings account to your mortgage. The savings balance is offset against the mortgage balance so you only pay interest on the difference. For example, a £200,000 mortgage offset against £20,000 savings means you pay interest on £180,000. Useful for higher-rate taxpayers since no interest is earned (and therefore not taxed) on the savings.

Where can I find official guidance on stamp duty?

HMRC publishes SDLT rates at gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax. Revenue Scotland covers LBTT (lrs.gov.uk) and Welsh Revenue Authority covers LTT (gov.wales). The CalcHub stamp duty calculator includes all three systems and is updated after any Budget changes.