West One Loans has expanded the criteria of its buy-to-let lending opening it to foreign nationals, first-time buyers and a range of other borrowers. 

The specialist lender says it will consider applications from foreign nationals who are non-UK passport holders, living in or outside the UK and without indefinite leave to remain. Rates for these customers start at 6.79%. 

It will also West One will also begin lending to first-time buyers who don’t currently own a residential or buy-to-let property, with rates starting at 6.09%. 

The firm has also made several other criteria changes to its core range, which will see it consider lending on: 

• Ex-local authority properties less than 50% privately owned, up to 70% loan to value, subject to the valuer’s comments 
• Investor-led properties up to 70% LTV, subject to the valuer’s comments 
• Sub-let agreements up to 65% LTV 
• Borrowers with no mortgage history, up to 75%. This includes ex-pats and foreign nationals (both up to 65%), although they must have a UK credit footprint and have owned a UK property for a minimum of 12 months 

West One Loans managing director of BTL Andrew Ferguson says: “Through regular discussions with brokers, we know there is significant demand for foreign national, first-time buyer, ex-local authority, investor-led and sub-let solutions — and so we have acted. 

“We want brokers to know that if they have a case that’s out of the norm, we are always willing to have a discussion to see if we can make the deal work where overall credit quality is good.”