Target Group comments on UK Finance BTL lending figures

22 January 2025

Melanie Spencer, sales and growth lead at Target, said:

“Given the challenges surrounding the buy-to-let market, it’s encouraging to see a year-on-year increase in lending in Q3. Of course, the data captures the market prior to the Budget and the changes to stamp duty on additional properties.

“However, the market has been resilient and landlords have remained agile, capitalising on a challenging residential market and exploring opportunities further afield to expand their portfolios. There will always be those that will choose to sit back and not expand due to market conditions or policy changes, but conversely there are those still making the most of the opportunities in the market. After all, demand for good rentals remains high as does rents and the yields available to landlords.

“BTL lenders have continued to innovate too and make movements on rates where possible to help support those landlords either looking to expand or refinance. Timing has always been a critical part of the buy-to-let process, especially now as the demands on landlords increase. To best support brokers and their landlord clients, lenders need to be investing in the latest technology to drive efficiencies in application, decision-making and throughout the entire process to help facilitate transactions.”