Consent to Let FAQ
General information only. This is not financial advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-06
What is consent to let?
Consent to let is formal permission from your mortgage lender to rent out a property that is secured by a residential mortgage. Residential mortgage terms and conditions typically require the property to be occupied by the borrower as their main residence. If you want to let the property to a third party, you are usually in breach of your mortgage conditions without the lender's consent. Consent to let is a temporary or time-limited permission granted by the lender to allow you to rent the property while remaining on your existing residential mortgage product, rather than requiring you to immediately switch to a buy-to-let mortgage. Not all lenders offer consent to let; some require an immediate product transfer or remortgage to a buy-to-let product.
When do I need consent to let?
You need consent to let whenever you want to rent out a property that is currently secured by a residential mortgage, whether you are moving out temporarily or permanently. Common scenarios include: moving abroad for work and renting out your UK home while away; moving in with a partner and keeping your previous home as a rental; an unexpected change of circumstances (such as a relationship breakdown) that requires you to vacate before you can sell; or purchasing a new property before selling the existing one. Even short-term lets — such as Airbnb-style holiday rentals — typically require consent to let or a separate holiday let product, as they change the occupancy basis of the property. Operating without consent is a breach of your mortgage conditions and can, in extreme cases, lead to the lender calling in the debt.
How do I apply for consent to let from my lender?
Contact your mortgage lender directly — typically through their customer service or mortgage servicing department — and explain that you intend to let the property and request consent to let. You will usually need to explain the reason you are renting out the property, confirm that you are moving into another property (which is usually required), and provide details of the proposed tenancy (start date, expected rental income, and in some cases a draft tenancy agreement). The lender will assess whether to grant consent and may require: evidence of the new rental income; confirmation that there is no arrears on the account; and sometimes a revaluation if the property's value has changed significantly. The process typically takes 1–4 weeks. Some lenders charge a consent fee (typically £100–£300).
What does lenders typically charge for consent to let?
Lender policies on consent to let fees vary. Some lenders grant consent at no charge as a one-off courtesy, particularly where the letting is temporary and the borrower has a clean payment history. Others charge a consent fee, typically in the range of £100–£300, to administer the permission. Some lenders also apply an interest rate premium — typically 0.25%–1% above the existing residential rate — for the period the property is let. In addition, if consent is granted, the lender may require you to switch to an interest-only basis for the consent period, or restrict the term of the permission (e.g., 6–12 months with renewal required). Where a lender does not offer consent to let at all, a full remortgage to a buy-to-let product is the only compliant option for renting the property.
What is the difference between consent to let and a buy-to-let mortgage?
Consent to let allows you to temporarily rent out your property while remaining on your existing residential mortgage. It is typically granted for a limited period and at the lender's discretion. A buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage is a separate mortgage product specifically designed for rental properties. BTL mortgages are assessed differently from residential mortgages — the primary affordability test is the rental income (stress tested at a certain interest coverage ratio), rather than personal income. BTL rates are typically slightly higher than equivalent residential rates. If you are moving out of your home permanently and want to keep it as a long-term rental investment, converting to a BTL mortgage (either with your existing lender as a product transfer or with a new lender as a remortgage) is usually the more appropriate long-term solution than maintaining a consent to let arrangement.
Can I use consent to let if I have a complex income mortgage?
Yes. Consent to let is a mortgage condition matter rather than an income-based assessment — the lender is granting permission to change occupancy, not re-underwriting your income. For complex income borrowers (self-employed, contractors, company directors), the consent to let process works the same way as for employed borrowers. However, if your circumstances have changed significantly — for example, if your income has fallen materially since the original mortgage was taken out — the lender may take a broader view of the account when considering the consent request. If you ultimately need to remortgage to a buy-to-let product, a specialist broker can identify which BTL lenders are most accommodating of your specific income type.
Risk warning
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Renting a property without your lender's consent is a breach of your mortgage conditions. Always notify your lender and obtain written permission before letting a mortgaged property.
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