Cambridge Building Society is temporarily withdrawing from lending to portfolio landlords.

The lender emailed brokers today to warn them that it will no longer be accepting applications from landlords with four or more mortgaged buy-to-let properties in their personal name from Friday onwards.

Cambridge says that the deadline for submitting portfolio cases for a decision in principle (Dip) is Thursday at 5pm.

If the Dip is approved, this will be valid for 30 days.

The lender did not give a reason for the policy change in its email to advisers.

Mortgage Strategy has contacted Cambridge for comment.

Last month the building society brought back top-slicing on its buy-to-let deals.

This means that it allows landlords to use their other earnings to top-up any shortfall on their rental income calculation.