If you’re a landlord looking to secure a buy to let mortgage through BM Solutions, there’s one essential point to understand from the start: you cannot apply direct. BM Solutions operates exclusively through mortgage intermediaries, meaning you’ll need a broker to access their products, submit your mortgage application, and manage everything from initial enquiry through to completion.
This guide is written by Fox Davidson, a UK mortgage broker with offices in Bristol, Bath, Exeter and London. We regularly help landlords access BM Solutions mortgages alongside options from many other lenders, ensuring our clients secure the most suitable mortgage for their circumstances.
Whether you’re an experienced portfolio landlord or purchasing your first investment property, this page will walk you through how BM Solutions works with brokers, what criteria to expect, and how Fox Davidson can support your buy to let journey.
BM Solutions at a glance for intermediaries
BM Solutions is the intermediary-only buy to let arm of Birmingham Midshires, which sits within Lloyds Banking Group. All new business, purchases, remortgages, product transfers, and further advances, must be submitted by an authorised broker on behalf of the client.
Here’s what brokers and landlords need to know at a glance:
- Intermediary-only access with no direct application route for customers
- Specialist focus on buy to let and let to buy lending
- Portfolio landlord capability for those with 4+ mortgaged properties
- Product transfers available for existing customers looking to switch rates
- Further advances for additional borrowing against current BM Solutions mortgages
- Limited company SPV lending now available alongside personal name applications
- Competitive rates backed by the scale of a major UK bank
If you’ve landed on this page searching for “BM Solutions intermediary” information, the key takeaway is straightforward: speak to a broker like Fox Davidson to access their mortgage products.
Who are BM Solutions and how do they work with intermediaries?
BM Solutions serves as the dedicated buy to let brand of Birmingham Midshires, itself a division of Bank of Scotland plc within Lloyds Banking Group. Unlike high street lenders that offer both direct and broker channels, BM Solutions works exclusively with mortgage intermediaries.
This structure has evolved over several decades. Birmingham Midshires originated as the Birmingham Midshires Building Society before Halifax plc acquired it in 1999. Following the merger that created HBOS plc in 2001 and subsequent internal reorganisation in 2007, the brand came under Bank of Scotland. The 2008 acquisition of HBOS by Lloyds Banking Group brought BM Solutions into its current home.
Since Birmingham Midshires withdrew mainstream residential mortgages and savings products for new customers (with savings account closures announced in July 2024), the brand’s focus has narrowed to intermediary-only buy to let lending through BM Solutions.
The practical implications are clear:
- Landlords and investors cannot apply to BM Solutions direct
- All new applications must come through registered intermediaries
- Product switches and further borrowing also require broker submission
- The lender is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
For landlords who remember Birmingham Midshires from older savings accounts or residential mortgages, the name now represents something quite different, a specialist buy to let lender accessible only through brokers like Fox Davidson.
Why BM Solutions is intermediary-only – what this means for your clients
The intermediary-only model isn’t just an administrative choice. It reflects how BM Solutions has positioned itself within the buy to let market as a specialist lender rather than a mass-market provider.
By working exclusively through brokers, BM Solutions benefits from cases that arrive pre-vetted against their criteria. Intermediaries understand the rental stress calculations, property type restrictions, and documentation requirements before submitting applications. This improves packaging quality, reduces processing delays, and allows BM Solutions to maintain a focused service for landlords.
For landlords, this model has practical implications across every stage of the mortgage journey:
- New purchase applications must go through a broker
- Remortgage applications require intermediary submission
- Rate switches and product transfers need broker involvement
- Further advances for additional capital are broker-submitted
- Criteria queries are handled by business development managers working with intermediaries
This differs from retail lenders that offer both direct and broker channels. With those lenders, customers can often compare deals online, apply direct, and manage their mortgage without professional involvement. BM Solutions takes a different approach—one that prioritises the knowledge and support that brokers bring to complex buy to let lending.
For landlords who want access to BM Solutions, the message is simple: find a broker you trust, share your circumstances, and let them handle the application on your behalf.
BM Solutions intermediary tools and online portal
Registered brokers access BM Solutions through a dedicated online portal that serves as the hub for product searches, application submissions, and case tracking.
To use the portal, intermediaries must complete registration and maintain login credentials including user ID, password, and two-factor authentication. Once logged in, the BM Solutions online system provides comprehensive tools designed specifically for mortgage intermediaries.
Key features available through the portal include:
- Product finder to search current BM Solutions mortgages by loan amount, LTV, and property type
- Rental stress calculators to test affordability before full application
- Portfolio assessment tools for landlords with 4+ mortgaged properties
- Application submission with integrated document upload functionality
- Case tracking screens showing application status and outstanding requirements
- Criteria guides covering property types, income requirements, and eligibility rules
- Access to downloadable forms and supporting documentation
- Contact details for business development manager support
Brokers typically use these tools during initial client consultations to pre-assess cases, identify potential issues, and set realistic expectations on maximum borrowing. Running calculations through the portal before submitting a mortgage application helps reduce declines and speeds up the journey from enquiry to offer.
BM Solutions criteria overview for intermediaries
Understanding BM Solutions criteria helps brokers identify suitable cases early and avoid wasted applications. While exact rules change frequently—intermediaries should always check the live criteria guide—the following provides a general framework.
BM Solutions focuses on buy to let and let to buy lending, including first-time landlords in appropriate circumstances. They do not currently offer new residential mortgages for owner-occupiers.
Key criteria areas include:
- Age limits: Minimum applicant age typically 21-25, with maximum ages at application and end of mortgage term
- Residency: UK tax residency generally required, with restrictions on overseas applicants
- Minimum loan size: Floors apply depending on property and product type
- Maximum exposure: Caps exist per property and per borrower across their portfolio with BM Solutions
- Loan-to-value: Standard buy to let may reach 75-80% LTV, with tighter limits for new builds, HMOs, and large loans
- Rental coverage: Minimum rental income percentages required, tested at stressed interest rate levels
- Income support: Personal income may be factored via top slicing on selected mortgage products
Brokers should gather details on the client’s full circumstances—income, existing property holdings, rental figures, and borrowing plans—before checking these against current BM Solutions requirements.
Property and landlord types BM Solutions will consider
BM Solutions accepts a range of property and landlord structures, though each has specific rules:
- Standard single-let houses and flats with straightforward tenancies
- Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) subject to licensing confirmation and tighter LTV
- Multi-Unit Freehold Blocks (MUFBs) with unit limits and valuation requirements
- New-build apartments within concentration limits and LTV restrictions
- Let to buy arrangements for clients letting a former home while purchasing elsewhere
- Student accommodation with appropriate tenancy structures
For landlords:
- Personal name applications from individuals or joint borrowers
- Limited company SPV structures with required SIC codes (68100, 68209, 68320)
- Portfolio landlords with 4+ mortgaged properties, subject to full portfolio assessment
- First-time landlords meeting income and deposit requirements
When approaching BM Solutions for portfolio landlords or limited company cases, brokers should prepare:
- Full portfolio schedule with addresses, values, rents, balances, and lenders
- Business plans for larger portfolios or expansion strategies
- Recent tenancy agreements and rental income evidence
- Company documentation including incorporation details and director information
Documentation and packaging expectations
Clean, complete packaging is essential when submitting to BM Solutions. Cases are underwritten against detailed buy to let criteria and rental stress tests, making thorough documentation crucial.
Core documents intermediaries should gather include:
- Proof of identity (passport, driving licence) and current address
- UK tax evidence including SA302s or tax year overviews where applicable
- Payslips, P60s, or accountant-certified accounts depending on income type
- Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) confirming current or expected rental income
- Portfolio spreadsheets for landlords with multiple properties
- Background mortgage statements showing payment history on existing loans
- Company formation documents, accounts, and director guarantees for SPV applications
Common pitfalls that delay applications include:
- Missing or outdated mortgage statements from other lenders
- Inconsistent rental income figures between application and tenancy documents
- Incomplete company documentation for limited company borrowers
- Gaps in address history or employment details
Fox Davidson can pre-check documents before they are uploaded to the BM Solutions portal, identifying issues early and minimising delays in your mortgage application.
Key BM Solutions intermediary features: calculators, top slicing and portfolio assessment
Beyond basic product searches, BM Solutions provides specialist tools that help brokers assess complex cases before committing to full applications. Understanding these features allows intermediaries to set client expectations accurately and identify the best deal available.
Fox Davidson uses these calculators to compare BM Solutions outputs with affordability results from other lenders, ensuring clients see the full range of mortgage options rather than just one provider’s view.
Rental income and affordability calculators
The BM Solutions rental stress calculator tests whether projected rental income meets required coverage ratios at stressed interest rate levels.
Key inputs include:
- Proposed monthly rent based on valuer assessment or comparable evidence
- Loan amount and mortgage term requested
- Interest rate stressed according to product type (fixed or variable)
- Borrower tax status affecting coverage ratio requirements
The calculator produces a pass or fail indication, showing whether the rental income supports the proposed borrowing. Coverage ratios differ between basic rate and higher rate taxpayers, with stricter tests for those paying 40%+ income tax on rental profits.
For example, a landlord seeking to borrow £250,000 against a property with £1,400 monthly rent would input these figures alongside the stressed rate. The calculator confirms whether the rental income provides sufficient coverage or whether top slicing might be needed.
These tools are designed for brokers and provide more detail than publicly available affordability guides, helping intermediaries give accurate mortgage advice before formal application.
Top slicing for buy to let affordability
Top slicing allows BM Solutions to consider surplus personal income when rental income alone doesn’t meet standard stress tests.
This approach works by assessing the borrower’s total income position—salary, dividends, pension, or other earnings—against their personal commitments. Where surplus income exists after covering living costs and existing debts, this can support cases where rental coverage falls short.
BM Solutions may consider top slicing where:
- Strong personal income exists alongside investment property activity
- Low personal debt commitments leave surplus disposable income
- Clean credit history demonstrates reliable financial management
- The shortfall between required and actual rental coverage is modest
Top slicing is particularly relevant for landlords in high-value, low-yield areas. A higher-rate taxpayer purchasing in London or the South-East may find rental yields of 3-4% insufficient under standard tests, but surplus income from employment could bridge the gap.
Brokers must gather detailed income and expenditure data to evidence top slicing eligibility. Fox Davidson also tests alternative lenders where BM Solutions’ top slicing approach proves too restrictive for a particular client’s circumstances.
Portfolio landlord assessment
Landlords with 4 or more mortgaged properties fall under portfolio landlord rules, triggering a whole-portfolio assessment rather than isolated property-by-property lending decisions.
BM Solutions reviews the complete portfolio, requiring:
- Addresses and current market value for every property owned
- Outstanding mortgage balances and monthly payments
- Rental income received on each property
- Lender details for existing borrowing
This portfolio review affects maximum loan size, available interest rate products, and overall case viability. A highly leveraged portfolio with tight margins may face restrictions even if the individual subject property performs well.
Brokers should prepare clients for a more in-depth review process and factor additional time into transaction planning. Portfolio landlord cases typically carry a 48-hour service level agreement for applications needing manual review, compared to same-day turnaround for simpler automated valuation cases.
Fox Davidson can help landlords restructure borrowing across multiple lenders—not just BM Solutions—to meet portfolio criteria and access better rates or higher maximum loans.
Working with Fox Davidson as your BM Solutions intermediary broker
Fox Davidson is a specialist buy to let UK mortgage broker with offices in Bristol, Bath, Exeter and London. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, providing mortgage advice to landlords and property investors across the UK.
We regularly work with BM Solutions on buy to let, let to buy, portfolio landlord, and limited company cases. However, as a broker, we also compare options across the wider market to ensure clients receive the best deal for their circumstances, not just the products one lender happens to offer.
Our support covers every stage:
- Initial consultation: Understanding your property plans, income, and existing portfolio
- Criteria and affordability checks: Testing your circumstances against BM Solutions and alternative lenders
- Recommendation: Advising on the most suitable mortgage, which may or may not involve BM Solutions
- Application packaging: Preparing and submitting complete documentation to minimise delays
- Ongoing support: Handling product transfers, further advances, and remortgages as your portfolio evolves
Client types we typically help include:
- Professional landlords with established portfolios seeking competitive rates
- First-time investors purchasing their initial buy to let property
- Limited company SPV structures looking for mainstream lender access
- Landlords refinancing portfolios of HMOs, MUFBs, and student accommodation
- Property owners completing let to buy arrangements when relocating
We help both new customers entering the buy to let market and existing customers of BM Solutions or other lenders looking to remortgage or switch products.
How Fox Davidson supports complex BM Solutions cases
Beyond straightforward single-property applications, Fox Davidson assists with more complex structures that require careful preparation and lender navigation.
Areas of specialist support include:
- Limited company SPV applications: Ensuring correct SIC codes, gathering director guarantees, and comparing BM Solutions against other professionals in SPV lending
- Portfolio restructuring: Advising landlords on optimal lender distribution to meet portfolio assessment requirements and access better terms
- Time-sensitive transactions: Coordinating let to buy arrangements, chain-breaking purchases, and auction acquisitions where speed matters
- Larger loan sizes: Cases in the £250,000+ range where BM Solutions criteria intersect with requirements from other lenders in our panel
- Mixed-strategy portfolios: Landlords combining personal name and limited company holdings across different property types
One example involved a landlord refinancing a six-property HMO portfolio across London and Bristol. BM Solutions suited three properties based on value and rental coverage, while alternative lenders provided better terms on the remaining three. By comparing across the market, the client secured improved rates overall rather than forcing every property into a single lender’s criteria.
Another client needed to complete a let to buy within eight weeks due to an onward purchase chain. Fox Davidson packaged the application with complete documentation, worked with the BM Solutions business development manager to expedite valuation, and achieved completion within the required timeframe.
Alternatives if BM Solutions is not the right fit
While BM Solutions is a major player in the buy to let market with competitive rates and robust processes, it won’t suit every client. Criteria, property type restrictions, or rate availability at a given time may mean another lender offers a better solution.
Fox Davidson works with a wide panel of UK buy to let and specialist lenders, allowing us to compare BM Solutions products against alternatives across the market.
Scenarios where another lender might prove more suitable include:
- Unusual property construction: Non-standard build types that fall outside BM Solutions criteria
- Higher LTV requirements: Clients needing to borrow above BM Solutions’ maximum loan-to-value ratios
- Adverse credit history: Borrowers with historic credit issues requiring specialist consideration
- Very large loans: Amounts exceeding BM Solutions’ maximum exposure limits
- Complex income structures: Self-employed landlords or those with multiple income sources requiring flexible underwriting
- Faster turnaround needs: Situations where another lender’s service levels better match transaction timescales
Whole-of-market mortgage advice means balancing BM Solutions products against other options on criteria, pricing, speed, and future flexibility. Our job is to find the best deal for your circumstances—not to push you toward any single lender.
We feel confident recommending BM Solutions where appropriate, but equally confident suggesting alternatives when another provider suits your needs more closely.
Next steps – working with an intermediary on BM Solutions products
BM Solutions offers landlords access to a mainstream buy to let lender backed by the scale and stability of Lloyds Banking Group. But that access comes exclusively through authorised mortgage intermediaries—making broker selection an important first step.
To prepare for a consultation with Fox Davidson, gather the following:
- Details of your current income (employment, self-employment, or other sources)
- Information on existing mortgages including balances, payments, and lenders
- Addresses and rental figures for any properties you already own
- Deposit or equity position for the property you’re purchasing or refinancing
- Any relevant company documentation if borrowing through a limited company
A typical BM Solutions journey runs from initial consultation through decision in principle, full application, valuation, and offer. Under normal market conditions, straightforward cases can move from application to offer within days for automated valuations, while portfolio cases requiring manual review typically complete within a 48-hour service level.
Whether you’re based in Bristol, Bath, Exeter, London, or anywhere else in the UK, Fox Davidson can help you access BM Solutions and compare their mortgage products against alternatives from across the market.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation initial discussion about your buy to let plans. Our brokers understand the hard work involved in building a property portfolio and can provide the support and advice you need to make informed decisions about your next purchase or remortgage.
