Accord makes top slicing available to first-time landlords

Accord Mortgages has enhanced its top slicing criteria to accept first-time landlords (defined as those who do not own a property they have let out for more than 12 months).

To apply, applicants require a minimum (single or joint) household income of £75,000 (excluding rental income).

The change allows first-time landlords the flexibility to use personal income to bridge any shortfall between the mortgage they need and their rental income (known as top slicing).

Accord has also reduced the minimum income for top slicing to £40,000 (was £50,000) for experienced landlords.

Top slicing for all landlord applicants is available up to 75% LTV. For joint applicants, all parties must live in the same residential property. 

Angelika Christian, strategic partnerships and propositions manager at Accord Mortgages, said: “As a buy-to-let lender, we’re committed to doing everything we can to support landlord borrowers.

“This change allows us to provide greater flexibility to brokers and their landlord clients, providing new options for those – especially first-time landlords – who have surplus income they can use to borrow more, helping them to support the crucial private rental sector.”