A FIFTH OF BUY-TO-LET APPLICATIONS NOW FROM 'ACCIDENTAL LANDLORDS' SAYS PLATFORM

The dedicated intermediary lender of the Co-operative Bank has seen significant demand for its let-to-buy range since they were launched last year. Between early December and the end of January 2012, let to buy accounted for 20 per cent of its overall buy to let applications.

Recent figures by Rightmove show that properties are now, on average, on the market for over 105 days before they are sold. In April 2011 the average time on the market was just under 80 days, showing that sellers are increasingly having to wait to sell their homes and move elsewhere.

Let to buy mortgages allow the borrower to retain ownership of their current property and let it out to tenants, then take out a new mortgage to buy the property they want to move to.

Platform is one of the UK's leading buy to let lenders and recently announced its intention to grow lending a third during 2012.

Lee Gladwell, Business Development Director at Platform said:

“Uncertainty around the economy, employment and house prices is continuing to dampen demand for house purchases and this is driving demand from those choosing to rent rather than buy.

"Our experience shows that some of those that want to move and are unable to sell are choosing to become landlords and rent out their existing property, at least until the market improves.

“We launched our let to buy range following feedback from mortgage brokers who were telling us of demand from borrowers for these types of products."

Platform offers a range of buy to let and let to buy products exclusively to mortgage brokers.  This includes the Platform 'Options' range with no early redemption fees, and 'cashback' products designed to help new landlords with initial costs.   

Platform is the intermediary lender of the Co-operative Bank and lends exclusively through mortgage brokers.