Expat Holiday Let Mortgages
A furnished holiday let isn’t assessed like a standard buy-to-let. Lenders want to see projected income from short lets – weekend stays, weekly bookings, seasonal peaks and troughs – rather than one steady monthly rent figure, and that fundamentally different calculation means only a limited number of lenders offer this kind of finance at all.
Add expat status into the picture and the pool narrows further. We’ve arranged holiday let finance for expat and non-resident owners since 2008, whether you’re buying a cottage to run through Airbnb and Sykes or refinancing a property you already own.
How lenders assess seasonal income
Expect the lender to want a realistic projected rental figure, often supported by a letting agent’s estimate or actual booking history if the property’s already trading. Peak weeks in summer and quiet weeks in winter get averaged out across the year – nobody lends against your best fortnight alone.
What we typically arrange
- Purchases of furnished holiday lets in England, Scotland and Wales
- Refinancing existing holiday let properties, including releasing equity
- Personal name or limited company/SPV ownership structures
Tax treatment for furnished holiday lets differs from standard buy-to-let property in several respects, and rules in this area can change, so it’s worth having a proper conversation with an accountant alongside arranging the finance itself – we can point you toward that if needed. If you already own a holiday let and simply need to release equity or switch rates, our Expat Holiday Let Remortgage page covers that specifically.
Our fees
£295 application fee, 1% completion fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the property need a trading history before I can get finance?
Not necessarily, though an existing booking history makes the lender’s income projection more straightforward.
How is seasonal income actually calculated?
Usually averaged across the year using realistic occupancy assumptions, rather than based on your busiest weeks.
Can I buy a holiday let through a limited company?
Yes, this is a common structure and we regularly arrange it.
Is the tax treatment different from a standard buy-to-let?
Often yes, in ways that can be genuinely advantageous – worth checking current rules with an accountant given this area can change.
How long does a holiday let mortgage or remortgage typically take?
Budget 8-12 weeks, allowing extra time for the more detailed income assessment lenders require.
Get in touch with the property details and any existing letting history, and we’ll match you to the right lender.
