As a result applications will now be tested at a rate of 4.5%, rather than 5.5%.

Alongside the stress test change, Metro Bank has increased the maximum age for a buy-to-let applicant at the end of their mortgage term from 80 to 85.

The lender said that these changes would offer even greater flexibility to borrowers, noting it plans to grow into a truly specialist lender over the next year. It highlighted features of its existing proposition that make it more attractive to landlord borrowers, including no minimum income requirements, allowing up to four applicants and allowing them to use top slicing from their earned income.

Charles Morley, director of mortgage distribution at Metro Bank, said these changes were an important step on the lender’s “specialist mortgages journey”, adding: “Our buy-to-let range is now more flexible than ever before with a truly specialist offering that provides the full range of options for borrowers, many of whom are struggling to get a mortgage due to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

He continued: “We have plenty more planned over the next 12 months as we embark on our mission to become the UK’s leading specialist mortgage lender, offering products as individual as our customers are.”