A buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage is a mortgage sold specifically for those who buy property as an investment, rather than getting a mortgage for somewhere they want to live themselves.. Buy-to-let mortgages work differently from standard residential mortgages. So, if you’re choosing to rent out your property, lenders will prefer you to finance your purchase with a buy-to-let mortgage., The return on your buy-to-let investment is called the rental yield and is dependent on a number of factors - type of property, location, market conditions and condition of the property. Gross yield The gross yield of a buy-to-let property is the annual rent divided by the purchase price, expressed as a percentage., Some buy-to-let investors choose this option because the lower monthly payments make it easier to meet the rental income criteria for buy-to-let mortgages, although there are extra conditions for an interest-only deal. Many plan to sell the property at the end of the mortgage term to cover the mortgage balance., How has buy-to-let changed? The government has clamped down on the buy-to-let market in recent years with changes to the tax system. Increased costs for buy-to-let landlords. In April 2016, it added a 3% surcharge in stamp duty on additional properties, including second homes and buy-to-lets. After the Autumn Budget, stamp duty for second properties and buy-to-let homes rose from 3% to 5%., The whole process of acquiring a ‘Buy to Let’ (BTL) property is different to, for example, that used when buying a residential property to live in. The purchase is still part of a conveyancing process – but some of the charges and expectations are different. Purchasing a Buy to Let property is still worth considering if you’re aware that it’s a long-term investment., Getting a buy-to-let mortgage and renting out property can be an excellent investment, but there’s a lot you need to know first. This comprehensive guide covers buy-to-let mortgages, from eligibility and deposit requirements to tax and your responsibilities as a landlord. Read on to learn if buy-to-let property is right for you!.