![Paragon Bank has moved to loosen its lending criteria as its buy to let rivals cut rates, signalling a renewed push for landlord business ahead of 2026. The lender has lifted maximum loan sizes across its BTL range and scrapped minimum income rules for portfolio landlords in an attempt to widen access. Paragon's new limits now stretch to £800,000 at 80% LTV, £1.2 million at 75% LTV and £1.7 million at 70% LTV. The largest shift comes at 65% LTV, where landlords with three or fewer mortgaged homes can borrow up to £2 million. Larger operators, limited companies and applicants for HMOs or blocks continue to access a £4 million ceiling. Limits offer flexibility Alongside the higher caps, the bank has dropped its £25,000 income requirement for those holding four or more mortgaged properties. The policy change aligns with its new origination platform which includes faster case handling for landlords with up to 15 units and a multi-property application route covering as many as 99 assets. The lender's commercial director, Russell Anderson, said: "These new maximum loan limits deliver more flexibility to our customers, enabling them to target a wider range of buy-to-let propositions." Cumberland's holiday let deals The Cumberland has cut its holiday let fixed rates by 0.20% for both two and five-year products. Prices have dropped from 4.98% to 4.78%, with the aim of helping brokers secure improved deals for clients. All products carry a £999 fee and are open to both purchasers and remortgage applicants. Grant Seaton, the head of intermediary lending, said: "Broker feedback has prompted us to cut rates to support affordability for holiday let landlords looking for a better deal in 2026." Dudley BS revamps BTL range Dudley Building Society has revamped its expat, buy to let and holiday let products, widening choice at a time when advisers are juggling more complex borrower needs. Rates begin at 5.45%, with the refreshed line-up spanning two- and five-year fixed deals plus discount options. For expats, the range includes a two-year fixed at 5.85% and a five-year at 5.65%, both at 65% LTV. Landlords can access an 80% LTV two-year fixed at 5.70% or a 70% LTV discount at 2.99% below the standard variable rate. Holiday let borrowers have two-year and five-year fixed options at 5.90% and 5.80% respectively, both up to 80% LTV. BTL deals Fees start at £999 for expat cases and £750 for buy to let and holiday let deals, rising to £1,999 and £1,499 depending on term and LTV. All products allow borrowers to repay up to 10% of the balance each year without charge, giving advisers scope to build overpayment plans into suitability assessments. Dudley's distribution director, Rob Oliver, said: "We have looked at the data across our book, listened to what brokers told us in meetings, and have shaped this new range around the areas where we knew we could make a real difference." Accord lowers rates Accord Mortgages has announced a rate reduction on its buy to let remortgage products. Two-year fixes up to 75% LTV fall by up to 0.10%, while pricing up to 65% LTV dips by 0.03%. Key offers now include a 4.08% two-year fix at 75% LTV with a £995 fee, free valuation and remortgage legal service. A second option, also at 75% LTV, is priced at 3.93% with a £1,995 fee and the same incentives. The lender's mortgage product manager, Cheryl Bleasdale, said: "We're so pleased to take this opportunity, driven by a recent decrease in market interest rates, to further improve the competitiveness of our buy to let range, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value wherever possible to our brokers and their landlord clients." For assistance with any type of buy to let (BTL), property or commercial finance please complete the contact form below: [gravityform id="483" title="true"]](https://www.property118.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/New-deals-150x150.jpeg "New landlord deals across the buy to let and holiday let markets")
Mortgage searches fall as Budget uncertainty hits buy to let demand
12:01 AM, 4th December 2025, 5 months ago
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The total number of buy to let mortgage searches fell in November to 1,405,878, a 14.64% month-on-month decline and 3.81% lower than the same period last year.
The data from Twenty7tec shows that the fall in all mortgage applications is down to weakening buyer demand, especially for BTL.
Buy to let searches are down 13.47% compared with October and 8.01% below last year.
Purchase queries for BTL products sank to 80,268, the lowest level recorded this financial year.
That sits 14.54% beneath the financial year average of 93,927 and 13.29% lower than a year ago.
Strong lender appetite
The firm’s commercial director, Nathan Reilly, said: “November’s slowdown reflects borrowers taking a cautious stance ahead of the Budget.
“Many chose to wait for clarity before committing to new purchases, which pushed activity below financial year averages.
“Remortgaging remained strong year on year as people focused on payment stability.”
He added: “Record product availability at 29,200 shows strong lender appetite, giving advisers more room to shape options for clients once confidence picks up.”
Landlords are remortgaging
Remortgaging also slipped after holding up well in earlier months and buy to let remortgage searches fell 12.52% month on month and 5.08% year on year.
The firm says this suggests landlords chose to protect existing loans rather than expand portfolios.
Residential activity has also followed a similar pattern to the drop in BTL mortgages.
Searches fell to 1,167,382, down 14.64% month on month and 2.91% year on year.
Non-first time buyer purchase demand slid 17.01% against October and 13.77% compared with last year.
Residential mortgage drop
First time buyer searches also weakened, dropping 10.69% month on month and 11.83% year on year.
The fall from 365,255 searches in May to 265,605 in November marks a 27.29% contraction, highlighting the pressure affordability concerns are placing on new buyers.
The numbers underscore how closely this group responds to policy signals and market volatility.
Remortgaging activity dipped compared with October but held firm on an annual basis.
Residential remortgage searches reached 533,653, down 12.52% for the month but up 12.51% year on year.
For assistance with any type of buy to let (BTL), property or commercial finance please complete the contact form below:
Contact Brooklands Commercial Finance
Tags:
Budget impact mortgages, buy to let market slowdown, landlord mortgage searches, Twenty7tec data, UK housing finance news, UK mortgage searches, UK remortgage trends
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