The Intermediary – November 2025 - Flipbook - Page 77
BUY-TO-LET
Opinion
Building a stronger
buy-to-let market
W
hile we’re
seeing some
more negative
headlines
ahead of the
Budget – and
clearly, it’s going to be painful for
all of us – the operating rhythm
of the mortgage market is ticking
over nicely.
In our Q3 trading results,
completions were up 19% year-onyear. With net loan book growth on
the rise as well, there’s a clear mix of
lending coming through quite broadly
across buy-to-let (BTL), residential,
bridging and commercial.
Of course, there will be some people
puing off their transactions. There’s
caution, and that’s always going to
underpin market activity. However,
what we’re not seeing – unlike
during more difficult times –
is a complete stop to mortgage activity
altogether. We’re still seeing a good
level of underlying activity, but with a
measure of caution.
That said, there’s still a desire
to move, improve, and invest in
property. We’re certainly seeing a
‘steady-as-you-go’ message looking
forward, as well.
This launch is an opportunity for
us to build a system with the help
of brokers, so we could make it do
the things they want. It’s a system
that will continually allow us to
launch new drops to enhance that
offering – within one brand and
one powerhouse.
Through this, we can support
landlords with one or two properties,
right the way up to those with large
portfolios, which we’re already
renowned for doing. It’s the best of
everything under one new, fresh
lending brand.
Finding balance
We built the system with brokers in
mind and listened to their feedback
about the amount of documentation
they had to provide for buy-to-let
mortgages historically.
The new platform means you
don’t need to do a business plan or a
cashflow forecast – that’s all done as
part of the journey. In addition, with
more of the market focused on limited
companies, we’ve also removed the
need for separate legal representation.
This is about balancing the modern
world and using technology to
ADRIAN MOLONEY
is group intermediary
director at OSB Group
enhance the experience, while keeping
that expert, people-first approach.
Our broker partners worked with
us to help refine the process and shape
the journey. We always listen to their
feedback, and we’ll continue to do
what we do best: work in partnership
with intermediaries.
Before, we always thought we were
slick with product changes – we could
get some changes through in a few
days. With this platform, we can make
changes where we see opportunities
the same day.
That’s part of our ambition to
leapfrog what the competition are able
to do, and I think that’s something
prey unusual within the specialist
lending market.
It’s something we’ve got to work out
how we best use, but for the benefit
of intermediaries, that power is
definitely there. ●
Reliable lending
At OSB, we’re fully commied to the
buy-to-let (BTL) market, and we still
see opportunity and good demand
from our investors and brokers. With
the recent launch of Rely, our new
specialist buy-to-let lender, we have
reaffirmed this commitment.
It wasn’t just about launching a
new buy-to-let lender – it was about
consolidating our house of brands
and differentiating what each is
known for.
Rely will be the BTL lender,
while Precise remains focused on
residential, specialist residential
mortgages and bridging. With
Interbay, there’s great demand in
commercial and semi-commercial.
Reliable foundations: Builidng a buy-to-let lender to last
November 2025 | The Intermediary
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