Paragon Bank adds specialist underwriting route for complex buy-to-let cases

Paragon Bank has introduced a formal pathway for non-standard buy-to-let mortgages, giving brokers a structured submission route and direct access to specialist underwriters for cases that fall outside its standard lending criteria.

The new service, branded Tailored, addresses the growing complexity of landlord portfolios and business structures in the professional buy-to-let sector. Eligible cases include those involving higher loan amounts, larger or more intricate portfolios, and non-standard ownership arrangements such as trusts or trading companies.

The service also accommodates landlords with varied tenant types, applicants outside standard age parameters, and those with limited sector track records.

Rather than applying uniform criteria, Tailored cases are assessed by a dedicated underwriting team that considers the full context of each application, including portfolio strategy, asset composition, and the structure of the landlord's business. Brokers can engage the team ahead of submission to discuss case suitability and receive guidance as applications progress, reducing the risk of late-stage complications on more complex files.

Flexibility is built into the process. Cases initially submitted under standard criteria that subsequently fall outside those parameters can be redirected to the Tailored route, and Tailored submissions that satisfy standard criteria can be moved across to the main range without restarting the process.

Louisa Sedgwick, managing director of mortgages at Paragon Bank (pictured), said: "The buy-to-let market continues to evolve, with landlords operating increasingly diverse and often more complex businesses.

"While many cases fit well within standard criteria, there are others where a more considered approach is needed to reflect the full picture. Tailored has been developed to give brokers a clear route for those applications that don't quite align with conventional structures, supported by direct access to experienced underwriters who can take a holistic view of each case."

For brokers, the practical benefit lies in having a named, supported route for cases that might otherwise require extensive back-and-forth with a lender's underwriting desk. She added that assessing applications on individual merit, rather than a fixed criteria set, would help brokers place a broader range of business and support landlord clients in progressing their investment plans.