OneSavings Bank clarifies portfolio landlord changes

Portfolio landlords will be subject to an interest rate stress test of 5% on the rest of their portfolio and must meet or exceed an interest cover ratio of 125%.

OneSavings Bank clarifies portfolio landlord changes

OneSavings Bankwill now require portfolio landlords with four or more mortgaged properties to provide a business plan, assets and liabilities statement and cash flow statement in support of any mortgage application.

The change is in advance of thesecond phase of PRA changes coming into effect on 1 October 2017.

Details will also be needed of the borrower’s wider buy-to-let portfolio which will be assessed as part of the underwriting process.

Adrian Moloney (pictured), sales director at OneSavings Bank, said: “Brokers have had to move quickly to update their advice following a raft of tax and regulatory changes to the buy-to-let sector, and will need to do so again once the upcoming portfolio landlord changes land in October.

"There’s no doubt that greater scrutiny on loan affordability will be a good thing for the sustainability of the sector, but it will also mean more of an administrative burden.

“OSB will keep things simple for brokers. We’ve always welcomed portfolio landlords and the changes here cement our position as the lender of choice for these borrowers.

"We’ve chosen to announce our criteria well ahead of the October deadline, to help brokers prepare for the changes in good time so they can feel confident when preparing clients to submit a portfolio application. Together with the new Buy to Let Hub, we’re doing all we can to transition brokers and their clients into the new landscape with the minimum of fuss.”

The new Buy to Let Hub is a dedicated submission platform developed in partnership with eTech.

The platform will offer brokers a simple dashboard that streamlines portfolio stress testing and income coverage ratio assessment that will help to provide a rapid response to loan applications.

Portfolio landlords will be subject to an interest rate stress test of 5% on the rest of their portfolio and must meet or exceed an interest cover ratio of 125%.

OneSavings Bank includes the Kent Reliance and InterBay brands.