Gatehouse Bank has reintroduced top slicing for UK residents purchasing a buy-to-let property.

Top slicing, sometimes referred to as income top-up, can be used where the rent paid by the tenant does not exceed the monthly payment charged by the bank by the required amount. In these cases, subject to certain limits, the applicant’s personal income can be used to ‘top-up’ the shortfall.

Gatehouse has also streamlined its Finance Service Coverage Ratio (FSCR) bandings. For limited companies and basic rate taxpayers purchasing individual BTL properties or as part of a portfolio, a 125% rate will apply.

A 145% rate will apply for higher and additional rate taxpayers purchasing a property individually or as part of a portfolio, and anyone purchasing a house in multiple occupation (HMO) or multi-unit freehold block (MUFB).

To qualify for top slicing, a minimum annual income of £32,000 from at least one UK-based applicant is required and the FSCR bandings of 110% for limited companies and 115% for individuals will be implemented.

Gatehouse Bank senior product manager John Mace commented: “We continuously review our products and criteria to ensure that we are providing our customers with the most suitable outcomes for their needs. We have reintroduced top slicing to broaden our criteria and subsequently help more buy-to-let customers achieve their financial goals.”