Buy-to-Let Landlords Turn to Refinancing

Tue 04 Aug 2026

The rules for renting out property have become tougher in recent years, but that has not put off many established investors. Recent figures suggest there is still plenty of confidence among people who own buy-to-let homes, and a growing number of them are choosing to refinance rather than sell up.

Confidence stays high despite the extra rules

Owning a rental property today means keeping up with more regulation than in the past. Even so, the latest research shows that experienced landlords are staying committed to the market, with many using, or shifting towards, agents who offer fully managed services to stay compliant.

In the 12 months to June, 57% of landlords who use a mortgage arranged a new mortgage, a remortgage, or a product transfer. That figure matches the previous record high, which shows how active this part of the market has become.

Remortgaging Leads the Way

Most of this activity was not about buying more property. Around eight in every ten recent transactions involved a remortgage or a product transfer rather than a new purchase.

The main reason is simple. A large number of landlords are reaching the end of their fixed-rate mortgage deals, so they are reviewing their finance and looking for a better rate before their current deal ends.

The table below sets out the key figures at a glance.

Buy-to-let mortgage activity	Share of landlords
Arranged a new mortgage, remortgage or product transfer in the year to June	57%
Recent transactions that were remortgages or product transfers	Around 8 in 10
Plan to remortgage or complete a product transfer in the next 12 months	40%
Considering refinancing their existing portfolio (Together survey)	More than 75%

 

What is driving the trend?

A remortgage means moving your loan to a new deal, sometimes with a new lender, to get a better rate or different terms. A product transfer means staying with your current lender but switching to a new deal.

For many landlords, the goal is to keep monthly costs under control once their fixed-rate deal comes to an end. Reviewing the market at the right time can make a real difference to how much a rental property earns each month.

Looking Ahead

The signs are that this activity will continue. Around 40% of borrowers plan to remortgage or complete a product transfer during the next 12 months, and this is especially common among portfolio landlords who own several properties.

A long-term view of property

Taken together, the figures paint a clear picture. The buy-to-let market is changing, but many landlords still see property as a solid long-term investment and are managing their finances carefully to stay in it.

If you rent out a home in Essex, our team supports buy-to-let landlords with lettings and full property management, so you can focus on the bigger picture. When it comes to your finance, our independent mortgage advice can help you review your options and find a deal that suits your circumstances.

To talk through your plans, please contact the Williams & Donovan team at either of our offices.