The Intermediary – September 2026 - Flipbook - Page 27
Q&A
a longer-term perspective. At the same time, the
UK continues to attract individuals with strong
connections here. For those investors, property
can represent more than a purely financial
investment. It can also form part of a longer-term
connection to the UK.
There is no single answer that applies to every
investor or every property. The attractiveness
of any investment depends on factors such
as purchase price, location, rental demand,
financing structure, currency position, and the
investor’s objectives. While the market may
be less straightforward than in previous years,
opportunities remain for well-informed investors.
What are the biggest financing
challenges at the moment?
International borrowers rarely fit neatly into
standard UK lending processes. Their income
may be earned in a foreign currency, their
documentation may follow different conventions,
and they may have little or no UK credit footprint.
Residency, nationality, visa status, source of
funds, and portfolio exposure can all add further
considerations. If a limited company is involved,
the lender must also understand where it is
incorporated, what it was established to do, who
controls it, and whether its activities meet the
lender’s requirements.
The opportunity for specialist lenders is to look
beyond broad assumptions and understand the
substance of an individual case. A borrower should
not necessarily be excluded simply because their
circumstances are unfamiliar or require additional
explanation. Specialist lenders can add value by
identifying the risks that genuinel
genuinely matter, asking
the right questions early, and being clear about
what evidence is required.
How has underwriting e
evolved to
balance flexibility with risk?
Flexibility does not mean lowering standar
standards.
It means understanding the applicant’
applicant’s
circumstances properly and appl
applying appropriate
criteria. For limited company lending, we consider
areas including the sustainability of rental income,
the property and its valuation, the ccompany’s
structure and activities, the back
background and
experience of its directors, and wider portfolio
exposure where relevant.
Clear boundaries remain important. F
For example,
our proposition is available to eligible non-UK
resident directors using pure SPVs inc
incorporated
in the UK, Guernsey, or Jersey. Trading companies
are not eligible, and applications are limited to
a maximum of two directors or shareholders.
That combination of defined criteria, experienced
underwriting, and individual assessment allows
a lender to be flexible where there is a sound
rationale, without losing sight of risk.
International cases do not always fit neatly
into standard categories. Brokers can discuss
a case with our business development team
before applying, and our underwriters will take a
considered, pragmatic view within our appetite.
How important is the broker?
A good intermediary can establish the client’s
residency, income, ownership structure, source of
funds, and investment objectives at an early stage,
then identify a lender whose criteria genuinely
match the case. International borrowers may also
be unfamiliar with the UK mortgage process, so
the broker provides an important link.
In return, intermediaries need clarity and
access. They need accurate criteria, realistic
documentation requirements, and an experienced
person they can speak to before submitting. They
also need consistency between the published
criteria and the way the case is assessed.
A quick conversation at the outset can save a
considerable amount of time later. That is why we
combine our intermediary resources with direct
access to dedicated mortgage specialists who
understand expat and international applications.
What is next for you as a lender?
Limited company lending is an important
area of growth because it broadens the support
we can offer eligible expat and international
customers. It also reflects a structural shift in the
wider BTL market.
We are exploring opportunities to enhance
our SPV proposition, with the aim of making it
accessible to a wider range of investors.
Alongside deepening existing relationships,
we are looking to broaden our reach through
additional broker partnerships, and over time,
increase our presence within mortgage networks
and clubs.
We continue to see potential in established
markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore and the
USA. While we will continue to monitor emerging
opportunities in other regions, our priority is to
grow sustainably in areas where our underwriting
expertise, clear criteria and personal service
genuinely differentiate us and deliver value to both
brokers and their clients.
September 2026 | The Intermediary
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