Buy-to-Let mortgage brokers in Aberdeen
6 independent, FCA-authorised advisers covering Aberdeen and the wider Scotland area who handle buy-to-let mortgage cases. Contact them directly — we never sell your details.
Aberdeen Mortgage Company
Glasgow
Advanced Financial Planning Scotland Ltd
Aberdeen
Amanda Law Mortgages
Aberdeen
IMP Mortgage & Protection Advice Ltd
Aberdeen
Portlethen Financial Services
Aberdeen
The Aberdeen Mortgage Brokers
Aberdeen
Buy-to-Let mortgages in Aberdeen: what to know
Buy-to-let mortgages are assessed mainly on the rent the property will achieve, not on your salary. Lenders apply an interest coverage ratio — commonly requiring rent to cover 125% to 145% of the mortgage interest at a stressed rate. Deposits are larger than for residential, usually 25% and often more. In Aberdeen, whether a purchase works usually comes down to local rental yield against the stress test rather than what you personally earn.
- Most lenders want rent to cover 125–145% of the interest at a stressed rate, so a property can fail the test even when it is comfortably cash-flow positive in reality.
- Limited-company buy-to-let is now common because mortgage interest is not fully deductible for higher-rate individual landlords. The mortgage rates are usually higher but the tax treatment can outweigh that.
- Buy-to-let attracts the additional-property stamp duty surcharge on top of standard rates — factor it into your deposit planning from the outset.
- Portfolio landlords (generally four or more mortgaged properties) face extra underwriting on the whole portfolio, so a broker who regularly places Aberdeen portfolio cases saves considerable time.
What matters locally in Aberdeen
The city's characteristic granite tenements and terraces run through the West End, Rosemount and Ferryhill, with the West End holding the larger period houses. Suburbs such as Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber sit at the higher-value end, while Torry, Northfield and Mastrick are considerably more affordable. Aberdeenshire commuter towns draw families out of the city. The Scottish process applies throughout — Home Report, offers, conclusion of missives — though offers over is less universal here than in Edinburgh, and fixed-price marketing is more common.
- Day-rate contractors in the energy supply chain, where the right lender will assess the contract rate rather than the limited company accounts.
- Income paid in a foreign currency or earned on overseas assignment, which only a limited set of lenders will consider.
Scotland
Buying in Scotland works differently enough to change how you plan. Purchase tax is Land and Buildings Transaction Tax rather than Stamp Duty, it has its own bands and its own first-time buyer relief, and an Additional Dwelling Supplement applies to second homes and buy-to-let. Sellers must provide a Home Report — a single survey, an energy report and a property questionnaire — before marketing, so you see a surveyor's valuation before you offer. Homes are often advertised at offers over with a closing date, and the purchase becomes binding when missives are concluded, typically earlier in the process than exchange of contracts south of the border. Flats are not leasehold: you own them outright and share liability for common repairs with the other owners in the building.
How are day-rate contractors assessed for a mortgage in Aberdeen?
Several lenders will assess a contractor on the day rate itself — typically the daily rate multiplied by the days worked per week and by around 46 to 48 weeks — rather than on limited-company accounts or drawings. That usually produces a much higher borrowing figure than the accounts-based approach, provided you have a contract in place and a reasonable history in the sector.
Questions worth asking a buy-to-let broker
- How big a deposit do I need for a buy-to-let in Aberdeen?
- Usually at least 25%, and the best rates typically start at 40%. A handful of lenders will consider 20% but the pricing is rarely competitive. Remember the additional-property stamp duty surcharge sits on top of the deposit.
- Should I buy through a limited company?
- It depends on your tax position, and it is genuinely a question for an accountant rather than a mortgage broker alone. Higher-rate taxpayers building a portfolio often find a company structure more efficient; a single property held by a basic-rate taxpayer frequently is not.
- Can I get a buy-to-let mortgage as a first-time buyer?
- It is possible but the choice of lenders narrows sharply, and some will decline outright because you do not own a home yourself. Expect a larger deposit and closer scrutiny of your personal income.
- Does my own income matter for a buy-to-let?
- Often yes, at least as a threshold. Many lenders set a minimum personal income of around £25,000, and some assess affordability partly on your income where the rental cover is marginal.