Consent to Let
Moving overseas while you still have a residential mortgage on your UK home puts you in a specific bind: your mortgage terms almost certainly say the property must be your main residence, and once you’re living abroad, that’s no longer strictly true. Letting it out without telling your lender is a breach of your mortgage conditions, whatever the practical reasons behind it.
Consent to Let is the fix – formal permission from your existing lender to rent the property out while keeping your current mortgage in place, usually granted for a limited period rather than indefinitely. We help expat clients navigate this regularly.
How it typically works
You approach your existing lender, explain the situation, and they assess whether to grant consent – often adding a small fee or a modest rate increase, but letting you keep your existing deal rather than forcing an immediate remortgage. Most lenders will only grant this for a defined window, commonly one to two years, after which you’ll usually need to either move back in or switch onto a proper buy-to-let product.
Why this matters more than it might seem
- Breaching your mortgage terms without consent can technically allow your lender to demand full repayment
- Your buildings insurance may not be valid for a tenanted property without the right cover in place
- Getting consent properly documented protects you if anything goes wrong with the tenancy later
If your time abroad is likely to extend well beyond what Consent to Let typically covers, it’s often worth planning the move to a full buy-to-let remortgage from the outset rather than treating consent as a permanent solution.
Our fees
£295 application fee, 1% completion fee if a remortgage becomes the better route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my lender definitely grant Consent to Let?
Not automatically – it depends on your lender’s policy and your specific circumstances, though most will consider a genuine move abroad for work.
How long does Consent to Let typically last?
Commonly one to two years, renewable in some cases, though this varies by lender.
What happens when the consent period ends?
You’ll usually need to either move back in, extend the consent if your lender allows it, or remortgage onto a proper buy-to-let product.
Does my rate change under Consent to Let?
Sometimes a small increase applies, though it’s typically much less disruptive than a full remortgage.
What if my lender refuses consent?
We’d then look at remortgaging you onto a buy-to-let product with a different lender.
Get in touch before you move, and we’ll help you approach your existing lender the right way, or plan a remortgage if that’s the better route.
