Stamp Duty on Buy-to-Let Properties
If your buy-to-let purchase means you will own more than one property, you will usually pay the higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax, currently an additional 5% on top of the standard rates in England. On a £200,000 buy-to-let purchase, this adds £10,000 to your SDLT bill, so it needs to be budgeted for from the outset.
We calculate the SDLT due as part of every quote, handle the return and payment to HMRC on completion, and can advise where reliefs or exemptions may apply. Read more in our guide to residential property stamp duty.
Buy to Let Mortgages and Remortgages
Most lenders require a specific buy-to-let mortgage rather than a standard residential product. These typically involve larger deposits, rental income assessments and conditions about who can occupy the property. Your mortgage offer may also restrict certain tenancy types, such as lettings to students or houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Our solicitors review your mortgage offer carefully, flag any conditions that could affect your plans for the property, and work directly with your lender and broker so the legal side of your finance is properly documented.
If you already own a property and are remortgaging onto a buy-to-let product, or refinancing an existing rental, our remortgaging solicitors can handle this for you, often within a few weeks.
Buying a Leasehold Buy to Let
Leasehold flats are popular with investors, but the lease itself can contain traps. Some leases prohibit subletting entirely, others require the freeholder’s consent (often for a fee) each time a new tenant moves in. Ground rent and service charges also eat into your rental yield.
Before you commit, our team reviews the lease in full and reports on anything that could restrict letting or affect your return, so there are no surprises after completion.
Buying a Property with Tenants in Situ
If the property already has tenants, additional checks are essential. We will confirm the tenancy agreement is valid and compliant, check the rent account and any disputes, verify where the tenancy deposit is protected, and ensure it is properly transferred to you on completion. Getting this wrong can leave a new landlord unable to serve valid notices later, so it is not a step to skip.
Buying in a Limited Company vs Your Personal Name
Many landlords now purchase through a limited company for tax reasons. The conveyancing process differs slightly, with lenders often requiring personal guarantees and additional documentation. We act for both individual and company buyers and will make sure the purchase structure is properly reflected in the legal work. For advice on which structure suits you, we recommend speaking to an accountant or tax adviser alongside us.
Your Responsibilities as a Landlord
Owning a rental property comes with legal obligations that continue throughout every tenancy, including:
Annual gas safety checks and electrical safety inspections (EICR) at least every five years
Ensuring furniture and furnishings meet fire safety standards
Providing a valid Energy Performance Certificate and meeting minimum energy efficiency standards
Protecting tenancy deposits in a government-approved scheme
Licensing where required, including HMO licences and any selective licensing schemes run by local councils in Greater Manchester
Keeping up with tenancy reform, including the changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act
We flag the obligations relevant to your purchase as part of our service, so you start your tenancy on the right footing.
Buy to Let Conveyancing Quotes and Fees
We provide clear, itemised quotes for buy-to-let conveyancing with no hidden extras. Your quote sets out our legal fees plus third-party costs such as searches, Land Registry fees and SDLT, so you know the full cost before you instruct us. See our conveyancing pricing page for more details.
Call 0161 930 5350 or complete our online form for your buy-to-let quote today.
Why Choose Gorvins Residential?
CQS accredited, meeting the Law Society’s quality standard for residential conveyancing
Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 801191)
Local knowledge of the Stockport, Manchester and North West property markets, where rental demand remains strong
Experience with investors, from single property landlords to multi-unit portfolio purchases
A named conveyancer and proactive updates throughout, including via our mobile app
