It offers new exit products that provide support to improve the property's energy efficiency
Precise Mortgages, part of specialist lender OSB Group, has expanded its refurbishment buy-to-let proposition by offering new exit products.
The products are designed to help brokers and their customers seeking buy-to-let lending solutions that provide support to improve the energy efficiency of a property.
Previously, the product combined short-term finance with the security of a long-term exit, but new options are now available, depending on the type of refurbishment work being carried out.
The first option involves the refurbishment of a property that already has an EPC rating of ‘C’ or above, or is awarded a ‘C’ rating as a result of the improvement work with rates from 3.79%. The second is a refurbishment which includes some element of energy efficiency, such as fitting double glazing, upgrading a boiler, or adding loft insulation with rates from 3.89%. The third one is a standard refurbishment to make a property habitable, with rates from 3.99%.
Read more: Green improvements to become major factor in asking prices.
“There has been much talk within the industry about EPCs, and many are unaware that we are still in a consultation period,” Jon Hall (pictured), group managing director for mortgages at OSB Group, pointed out. “No firm direction has yet been given by the government, so it would be remiss to encourage landlords to upgrade their properties on the basis of achieving a certain EPC rating.
“What we do know is that as much as 20% of all emissions comes directly from property and in line with OSB Group’s commitment towards net zero, we’ve introduced these new exits to assist landlords in their endeavours to improve the standard of housing they’re offering to tenants. By doing so, we’re also making a positive impact on the environmental, as well as social aspects of the ESG agenda.”
Richard Merrett, head of strategic development for mortgages at SimplyBiz Mortgages, said the addition of the new products was a welcome announcement from Precise Mortgages and a real boost to its clients who are looking to improve the energy efficiency of homes, maximise their rental yields, and optimise the capital value on their properties.
“This refurbishment buy-to-let product is exactly the type of innovation we are looking for in the market,” Merrett said. “We’re all facing real challenges with the rising costs of living, the potential regulatory requirements, and the desire to do the right thing and it’s this type of creativity that the market really needs more of to encourage more people to make changes.”
